Women's Mental Health Research Articles

Effectiveness of a family violence prevention program on mental health outcomes for adult men and women in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo: Insights from a pilot trial.

The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has faced dual burdens of poor mental health and heightened levels of violence against women and children within the home. Interventions addressing family violence prevention may offer a path to mitigate mental distress within the eastern DRC. This exploratory analysis uses data from a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial conducted in North Kivu, DRC, assessing the impact of Safe at Home, a violence prevention intervention. Mental health was assessed at endline using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. Statistical analyses employed multilevel linear regression. Assuming successful randomization, impact of the Safe at Home intervention on mental health differed by participant gender. Women enrolled in the Safe at Home intervention reported statistically significant decreases in mental distress symptoms [β (95%CI)=-1.01 (-1.85, -0.17)], whereas men enrolled in Safe at Home had similar scores in mental distress to the control group [β (95%CI)=-0.12 (-1.32, 1.06)]. Ultimately, this exploratory analysis provides evidence of the potential for a family violence prevention model to improve women's mental health in a low-resource, conflict-affected setting, although further research is needed to understand the impact on men's mental health.

Empowering New Mothers: A Holistic Platform for Women's Mental Health Enhancement Post-Childbirth

Empowering New Mothers: A Holistic Platform for Women's Mental Health Enhancement Post-Childbirth

Ageism and Sexism: The Double Jeopardy Affecting Older Women's Mental Health

Older women face unique psychological challenges that stem from the intersection of ageism and sexism, phenomena that together pose a double jeopardy to their mental health and overall well-being. This article explores the implications of these biases, the social and personal impacts they engender, and the need for a more supportive societal framework. The intersection of ageism and sexism creates a complex landscape of challenges that significantly affect the mental health and quality of life of older women. This double jeopardy not only impacts their personal and professional lives but also limits their visibility and representation in society. As research continues to shed light on these issues, it is crucial for policymakers, practitioners, and society at large to develop strategies that address these biases comprehensively. This involves creating supportive workplace environments, providing accurate and empowering health information, and fostering a culture that celebrates rather than stigmatizes aging and femininity. Only through a concerted effort can we hope to dismantle the barriers that older women face, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable society.

Ethical and Legal Aspects of Women's Mental Health.

Ethical and Legal Aspects of Women's Mental Health.

The Effect of Resiliency Training on Mental Health and Resilience of Pregnant Women with Unwanted Pregnancy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Unwanted pregnancy has many negative consequences in terms of women's physical and mental health. Resilience is a process of utilizing important resources to maintain mental health in the face of stress. In addition, resilience can be promoted through. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of resiliency training on the mental health and resilience of pregnant women with an unwanted pregnancy. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 66 women in Sabzevar, Iran, in 2020 with unwanted pregnancies, mild or moderate mental health problems, and low resilience. The participants were randomly divided into two groups through a simple lottery. In the intervention group, resilience training was performed once a week in groups of 10-15 people in six training sessions, each lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Mental health and tolerability were measured using the 28-item General Health Questionnaire and the Connor-Davidson Resilience scale before the intervention, and immediately after and 1 month after the intervention. The mean (SD) of mental health immediately 35.46 (5.59) and 1 month after the intervention 33.73 (3.85) in the intervention group (F = 91.23; p < 0.001) was reduced significantly compared to the control group (F = 94.02; p < 0.001). The results of the mean (SD) showed that the resilience training intervention significantly increased the resilience score in the intervention group 84.36 (8.49)(compared to the control group (49.13) 6.67)((p < 0.001). Resilience training was effective in promoting the mental health and resilience of pregnant women with unwanted pregnancies.

Violence against women and its effects on mental health and quality of life: A study of Myanmar migrant workers in Central Thailand

BackgroundWomen migrant workers are vulnerable to violence. Violence against women is a pervasive public health problem, violates women's rights, and may adversely affect women's quality of life (QoL) and mental health. However, few studies have focused on this problem among migrant women workers from Myanmar. ObjectiveThis study aimed to use structural equation modeling to investigate the effect of violence against migrant women workers from Myanmar on their QoL and mental health. MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional study of 378 migrant women workers from Myanmar in Central Thailand, conducted by multistage sampling. The authors collected the data through a face-to-face structured interview using standard questionnaires and then investigated the effects of violence on QoL and mental health mediated by social support while considering the effects of socioeconomic status on violence. ResultsMore than half the women had experienced violence within 12 months (58.7 %). Violence had a direct negative impact on their QoL and a direct positive association with mental health problems. Social support did not mediate these effects but did have a direct positive impact on QoL and a direct negative association with mental health problems. Socioeconomic status was directly affected by violence and had an indirect impact on QoL and mental health mediated by violence. ConclusionThe study raises awareness about violence's impact on the QoL and mental health of migrant women workers from Myanmar in Thailand. We highlight the urgent need for comprehensive initiatives to provide social support mechanisms and promote socioeconomic empowerment. Collaborative efforts among government, nongovernment organizations, and communities are crucial for ensuring legal protections and safe working conditions, with regular monitoring and evaluation to gauge effectiveness in preventing violence and promoting these women's QoL and mental health.

Primary Care - A brief summary that every Cephaliatrist should know

Introduction Primary Health Care (PHC) serves as the foundation of the healthcare system, playing a vital role in disease prevention, treatment, and health promotion. It functions as the first point of contact between patients and the healthcare system, offering comprehensive and continuous care. Objectives The primary objective of this review is to provide an in-depth understanding of PHC, with a focus on its structure, processes, services, and projects, as a basis for potential initiatives related to headache disorders. Methodology The literature review encompassed various sources, including Google Scholar, Scielo, Pubmed/Medline, Lilacs, and government sources. Keywords related to PHC, including topics such as structure, functioning, and services, as well as specific areas like Women's Health, Mental Health, vaccination, and child healthcare, were employed. Results PHC is responsible for coordinating the Regionalized Healthcare Network (RAS), which includes Primary Care, communication centers, secondary and tertiary care points, support systems, and governance. PHC serves as the gateway, providing various services, including women's health, mental health, vaccination, child healthcare, and various other medical services. Furthermore, teams, such as the Family Health Strategy and the Family Health Support Center, play distinct roles in health promotion and care coordination. The focus of PHC includes territorialization, vaccination, wound care, women's health, and child healthcare, with a commitment to interventions and projects aimed at improving the quality of care and achieving positive outcomes. Conclusion PHC can play a crucial role in addressing headache disorders, offering early diagnosis, appropriate management, and the promotion of healthy habits. Investing in programs and professional training within PHC can be essential to provide effective care and reduce the demand for emergency care in cases of headache disorders.

Prevalence and associated factors of prenatal depression in pregnant Korean women during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

This study investigated the effects of prenatal education characteristics, pandemic-related pregnancy stress, and health behaviors during pregnancy on prenatal depression in pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The participants were 180 pregnant Korean women, recruited from internet communities for pregnancy preparation, childbirth, and childcare, from July 5 to 15, 2022. The collected data were analyzed using the t-test, analysis of variance, the Mann-Whitney U-test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple regression analysis. The scores for pandemic-related pregnancy stress (24.50±6.37) and health behaviors during pregnancy (67.07±9.20) were high. Nearly half of the participants (n=89, 49.4%) presented with prenatal depression, with scores of 10 or greater. Prenatal depression had a positive correlation with gestational age (r=.18, p=.019) and pandemic-related pregnancy stress (r=.27, p<.001), and a negative correlation with health behaviors during pregnancy (r=-.42, p<.001). The factors associated with prenatal depression were pandemic-related pregnancy stress (t=4.70, p<.001), marital satisfaction (dissatisfied) (t=3.66, p<.001), pregnancy healthcare practice behaviors (t=-3.31, p=.001), family type (weekend couple) (t=2.84, p=.005), and gestational age (t=2.32, p=.022). The explanatory power of these variables was 38.2%. Since participants had a high level of prenatal depression during the pandemic, and infectious diseases such as COVID-19 may recur, strategies should be developed to improve pregnant women's mental health with consideration of the unique variables that are relevant in a pandemic. It is also necessary to develop efficient online prenatal education programs that can be implemented even in special circumstances such as social distancing, and to evaluate their effectiveness.

"I hope I die. That is what I hope for": Qualitative study of lived experiences of mental health of Indian women living with HIV experiencing intersectional stigma.

Poor mental health due to stigma and discrimination has been well documented among women living with HIV. Although they often have other marginalized and stigmatized identities, little is known about their mental health as a result of experiencing multiple stigmas. Current narratives of mental health as a result of HIV-related stigma center on common mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. However, biomedical diagnostic categories may not be as well known in all cultural and social contexts, and people may choose to express their distress in their own language. It is therefore important to listen to how women express their mental health concerns in their own language-their lived experiences-in order to best support them. To fill this research gap, semi-structured interviews were conducted in Kolkata, India, with 31 women living with HIV and 16 key informants. Data were coded and analyzed using thematic network analysis. The results showed that women suffered from poor mental health, which in turn affected their physical health. This happened through reduced adherence to medication, lowered CD4 counts, and the physical effects of stress, which could be perceived as prolonged. Participants described women's mental health concerns as worry, sadness, hopelessness, and fear, but biomedical diagnostic labels were rarely used. This allowed women to avoid additional stigmatization due to mental illness, which can attract some risk in this social context. As many women living with HIV experience poor mental health, they should be supported with a combination of psychosocial and psychological interventions. These include screening all women for mental illness and offering them mental health first aid. Those requiring additional support should be offered specialist psychotherapeutic and pharmacological care. This must be accompanied by stigma reduction interventions if they are to be successful in addressing the mental health needs of women living with HIV.

The Emotional State During Cesarean Section and Vaginal Delivery

Alterations in emotional, social, or psychological factors of a woman's life in postpartum could lead to impairing mood disturbances. Depressed mood in mothers in the first days after delivery is named maternity blues and accepted as a common phenomenon in the postpartum phase. The aim of the present study is to determine the mood of the women with pregnancy after delivery. After approval of Clinical Research Ethics Committee, this cross-sectional designed study was enrolled women in postpartum period who underwent vaginal delivery or cesarean section in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey. All subjects were invited to complete the questionnaires including Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Short Form-36 in the first 24th hour of postpartum period. The lumbopelvic pain intensity associated with cesarean section incision or episiotomy was evaluated using visual analog scale. The mean age of the participants was 28.43∓5.14. In catastrophizing group, the mean role limitations due to physical health problems, Beck Depression Inventory-C, Beck Depression Inventory-S, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and visual analog scale in women with cesarean section, and general mental health in women with vaginal delivery were significantly higher compared to each other (p=0.037, p=0.002, p=0.003, p=0.01, p=0.042, p&amp;lt;0.01, p=0.005, respectively). The present study revealed that the psychological condition and quality of life of women may impair after cesarean section, hence it might be beneficial to provide emotional support for patients after cesarean section.

Nexus of Family Conflict and Depression among Married Women Working at Public Hospitals

Family is considered the strongest support institution in terms of social and economic support. However, adversaries within the family system can influence human behavior in negative ways. In this vein, the study attempts to understand the relationship of adversaries within the family and its impact on the level of depression among married women working in public hospitals. For this purpose, two hospitals, namely, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Leady Reading Hospitals of Peshawar City, were selected. Data were collected from a sample of 300 married working women through a structured questionnaire. Respondents were selected through purposive sampling techniques. A Chi-square statistic was applied to know about the association between family conflict and depression. The results revealed a strong association between family conflict and depression among married women working in public sector hospitals. This shows that family conflict influences married women's mental health, and its influence is also reflected in the work environment. Family conflict coupled with job responsibility causes depression among married women. Working women living in families with conflict need proper counseling and guidance. The role of the family counselor is very important in this regard. Public hospitals need to take care of the problems and issues of married working women by providing them concessions in work and special support.

Importance of Preventive Measures to Reduce the Incidence of Postpartum Depression in Unintended Pregnancies: A Narrative Review

Unintended pregnancies and associated emotional issues can negatively affect expectant mothers, potentially harming both them and their babies. This study focuses on the significance of forgiveness as an intervention for healing emotional wounds, enhancing self-acceptance, and improving overall well-being and relationships among mothers. It assesses forgiveness's impact on the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health of mothers throughout their lives, bolstering their resilience. A narrative review of evidence on forgiveness in the context of unwanted teenage pregnancies was conducted from January 2016 to January 2019, including PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane, EBSCO, PubMed, UpToDate, and Clinical Key. Out of 995 studies, 14 articles were selected, primarily emphasizing forgiveness therapy for adolescent bullying and social issues. Although research on forgiveness in unwanted pregnancies was limited and had methodological limitations, early interventions are crucial to safeguard pregnant women's physical and mental health during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Further research with improved methodology is needed to comprehensively understand forgiveness's impact and enhance support for pregnant women

The influence of perceptions of gender discrimination in the workplace on depressive symptoms among Korean working women: The moderating role of job satisfaction

RationaleWhile previous research has primarily examined the mental health implications of experiencing racial or gender discrimination in the workplace within a Western context, there remains a gap in understanding the impact of perceptions of workplace gender discrimination (WGD) on mental health in Asian countries. Additionally, the potential moderating role of job satisfaction in this relationship is yet to be thoroughly explored. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an association between perceptions of WGD and depressive symptoms, independent of an individual's personal experiences of workplace discrimination. This study also examined whether this association is moderated by job satisfaction, distinguishing between intrinsic satisfaction (related to recognition of performance and achievement) and extrinsic satisfaction (related to wages, workplace relationships, and welfare). MethodsThe data utilized for this study were collected from 2170 employed women over four waves (eight years) of the Korea Women Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families, between 2012 and 2020. Fixed effects (FE) models were utilized to account for unobserved individual heterogeneity. ResultsFE estimates indicated that perceptions of WGD is significantly associated with an increase in depressive symptoms (b = 0.577, p < 0.001), even after controlling for personal experiences of workplace discrimination. Interaction analyses further revealed that this association is moderated by extrinsic job satisfaction (b = −0.318, p < 0.05), but not intrinsic job satisfaction. ConclusionThe perceptions of WGD may be a potential pathway by which gender inequalities at the workplace harms women's mental health. Interventions to reduce gender discrimination and enhance extrinsic job satisfaction may contribute to improving the mental health of working women.

Causal association of immune cells and polycystic ovarian syndrome: a Mendelian randomization study.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive disorder that affects a considerable number of women worldwide. It is accompanied by irregular menstruation, hyperandrogenism, metabolic abnormalities, reproductive disorders and other clinical symptoms, which seriously endangers women's physical and mental health. The etiology and pathogenesis of PCOS are not completely clear, but it is hypothesized that immune system may play a key role in it. However, previous studies investigating the connection between immune cells and PCOS have produced conflicting results. Mendelian randomization (MR) is a powerful study design that uses genetic variants as instrumental variables to enable examination of the causal effect of an exposure on an outcome in observational data. In this study, we utilized a comprehensive two-sample MR analysis to examine the causal link between 731 immune cells and PCOS. We employed complementary MR methods, such as the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, and conducted sensitivity analyses to evaluate the reliability of the outcomes. Four immunophenotypes were identified to be significantly associated with PCOS risk: Memory B cell AC (IVW: OR [95%]: 1.123[1.040 to 1.213], p = 0.003), CD39+ CD4+ %CD4+ (IVW: OR [95%]: 0.869[0.784 to 0.963], p = 0.008), CD20 on CD20- CD38-(IVW: OR [95%]:1.297[1.088 to 1.546], p = 0.004), and HLA DR on CD14- CD16+ monocyte (IVW: OR [95%]:1.225[1.074 to 1.397], p = 0.003). The results of the sensitivity analyses were consistent with the main findings. Our MR analysis provides strong evidence supporting a causal association between immune cells and the susceptibility of PCOS. This discovery can assist in clinical decision-making regarding disease prognosis and treatment options, and also provides a new direction for drug development.

Effect of cognitive behavior therapy training and psychological nursing on the midwifery process in the delivery room.

The severe physical and psychological impact of pain on the physical and mental health of women during labor leads to increased risks and complications during childbirth, presenting a major public health concern. Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has a positive effect on maternal psychology during delivery, reducing stress and shortening labor time. Thus, CBT training for mothers and delivery room staff may be beneficial in minimizing complications and adverse effects during natural birth. To investigate the clinical effects of CBT training and psychological care during delivery, and their therapeutic effects on women in labor. This study used a retrospective analysis and included 140 mothers admitted to the maternity ward between January 2021 and January 2023. The study subjects were randomized into two groups: control (n = 70) and observation (n = 70). Routine care, CBT training, and psychological care were provided to mothers in both groups. Psychological status scores, delivery time, and satisfaction with care pre- and post-delivery were compared, and the incidence of complications after receiving care was analyzed between the two groups. Although the psychological state of both groups improved significantly in the late stages of labor, the psychological state scores of the mothers in the observation group were significantly lower than those of the mothers in the control group (P < 0.05). The duration of labor and incidence of complications in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The mothers in the observation group were significantly more satisfied with nursing care during the course of labor than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CBT training and psychological care for mothers in the midwifery process can effectively improve anxiety and depression, shorten labor duration, reduce postnatal complications, and improve nursing satisfaction and nurse-patient relationships. Its clinical application is effective and has popularization value, providing a new way to protect maternal mental health.

Compassion focused therapy for women in the perinatal period: a summary of the current literature.

Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is emerging as an effective psychological intervention to treat those experiencing mental health difficulties. CFT was adapted for women who are mothers during the perinatal period (from conception to 2 year postpartum). Although CFT is being delivered in NHS perinatal mental health services in the United Kingdom (UK), its current evidence-base for the treatment of women's mental health problems is unclear. As part of this Mini Review, we aimed to identify the current findings relating to CFT for women in the perinatal period (with or without a mental health condition) in order to identify any associated future research and clinical implications. A systematic search of two databases was undertaken. Included studies were required to meet the following criteria: (1) offered an intervention using CFT or perinatal CFT (P-CFT), (2) participants were women in the perinatal period, and (3) studies used a pre- and post-intervention study design. No language restrictions were used. A narrative synthesis was then conducted. Five studies, dating from 2018 to 2023, met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1,258 participants were included across those studies. Significant improvements in compassion-based outcomes (i.e., self-compassion, self-criticism/self-reassurance) were observed. However, these findings were primarily derived from non-clinical samples (n = 4) and could only be seen as preliminary. Although these results are encouraging for mothers presenting with sub-clinical mental health symptoms, further research is clearly warranted to determine whether CFT/P-CFT may benefit mothers, including those presenting with more significant perinatal mental health difficulties.

The social determinants of mental health disorders among women with infertility: a systematic review

IntroductionInfertility is associated with mental health disorders in women, even if a successful pregnancy resolves infertility. However, the link between social determinants of health (SDoH) and mental health in women with infertility is not well understood. We aimed to investigate the determinants thoroughly so that mental health screening and services can be tailored to suit women with infertility who are vulnerable to mental health disorders.MethodologyAll observational studies that included women participants of reproductive age with infertility and assessed social determinants associated with mental health disorders were searched using a combination of keywords from MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases and published in English. Two reviewers conducted screening, data extraction, quality assessment and risk of bias. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (number CRD42022343962).ResultsThe systematic review included 32 studies out of 3405 screened articles from January 1st 2010 to 16th October 2023. Compared to women without infertility, the prevalence of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and stress, is high among women with infertility, with the severity being influenced by social determinants—those with higher education, employment, higher personal or family income, private health insurance, higher social support, stronger religious beliefs, and higher spiritual well-being reported better mental health outcomes.ConclusionThe study highlights the need for early detection, tailored interventions, and integrated and comprehensive support systems to address the mental health needs of women with infertility and improve their well-being.

The role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in depression across the female reproductive lifecycle: current knowledge and future directions.

The aim of this narrative review is to consolidate knowledge on the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in depression pathophysiology at different reproductive stages across the female lifespan. Despite growing evidence about the impact of gonadal hormones on mood disorders, no previous review has examined the interaction between such hormonal changes and the HPA axis within the context of depressive disorders in women. We will focus on HPA axis function in depressive disorders at different reproductive stages including the menstrual cycle (e.g., premenstrual dysphoric disorder [PMDD]), perinatally (e.g., postpartum depression), and in perimenopausal depression. Each of these reproductive stages is characterized by vast physiological changes and presents major neuroendocrine reorganization. The HPA axis is one of the main targets of such functional alterations, and with its key role in stress response, it is an etiological factor in vulnerable windows for depression across the female lifespan. We begin with an overview of the HPA axis and a brief summary of techniques for measuring HPA axis parameters. We then describe the hormonal milieu of each of these key reproductive stages, and integrate information about HPA axis function in depression across these reproductive stages, describing similarities and differences. The role of a history of stress and trauma exposure as a contributor to female depression in the context of HPA axis involvement across the reproductive stages is also presented. This review advances the pursuit of understanding common biological mechanisms across depressive disorders among women. Our overarching goal is to identify unmet needs in characterizing stress-related markers of depression in women in the context of hormonal changes across the lifespan, and to support future research in women's mental health as it pertains to pathophysiology, early diagnosis, and treatment targets.

"I was just a shell": Mental health concerns for women in perimenopause and menopause.

Early detection of deteriorating mental health for women who are experiencing symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause is critical to ensure the well-being of women. Unfortunately, many women during this phase of their lives find it difficult to access relevant and timely treatment. This concurrent mixed methods study using an online survey and qualitative interviews explored Australian women's knowledge and experiences of perimenopause and menopause and specifically reports on findings associated with women's mental health. Four hundred and eleven women completed the online survey in its entirety and 25 women participated in semi-structured interviews between April and July 2022. Survey data were analysed using SPSS and, in this article, data are presented as descriptive statistics. Qualitative interviews were analysed using thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clarke (2013; 2019). Quantitative and qualitative data specific to women's mental health were integrated into three themes: (1) increased anxiety and depression, (2) a negative impact on emotions and (3) a negative impact on self-worth. Findings from this study will help to inform clinical services for women as it highlights the need to improve education about perimenopause and menopause for healthcare providers and women.

Regulation of Postpartum Depression and Mental Health in Women

Regulation of Postpartum Depression and Mental Health in Women