World Health Organization Well-Being Index Research Articles

Exploring the burden of irritable bowel syndrome among university students in Saudi Arabia: A study on prevalence, psychological associations, and well-being.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experience not only a detrimental impact on their physical health but also a significant influence on their psychological well-being. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of IBS among university students, investigating the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors influencing its onset. Furthermore, it explored the potential impact of psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and overall well-being on the prevalence of IBS. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Saudi Arabian universities in November and December 2023. To collect data, an anonymous, validated, predesigned questionnaire was used. The diagnosis of IBS was carried out using the validated Arabic version of the Rome IV questionnaire. We used the Arabic version of the World Health Organization Well-being Index to assess the participants' well-being. We used the Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to identify people who show clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and depression. Our study included a total of 379 university students, 46.7% were female 86.0% of participants resided in urban areas, and 7.2% had been previously diagnosed with IBS. The prevalence of IBS among participants was found to be 31.9%. We observed a significant association between marital status and IBS (χ2 = 3.95, P = .047). Furthermore, the highest prevalence of IBS was observed among students majoring in literary and scientific disciplines (χ2 = 0.952, P = .049). Individuals with IBS demonstrate a significantly higher prevalence of anxiety (71.90% vs 41.09%, P < .001) and depression (64.46% vs 42.64%, P < .001) compared to those without IBS. Furthermore, people with IBS had a slightly higher prevalence of poor well-being (38.84%) compared to those without IBS (33.72%), but this association was not statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, having a family history of IBS [OR = 1.75 (95% CI, 1.06-2.87), P = .029] having borderline anxiety [OR = 7.58, 95% CI (2.12-27.06), P = .012] and anxiety [OR = 16.07, 95% CI (4.57-56.52), P < .001], and depression [OR = 2.97, 95% CI (1.13-7.83), P = .010] were the main significant predictors of IBS among university students. The high prevalence of IBS among university students was associated with a family history of IBS as well as depression and anxiety. Increasing awareness, multidisciplinary support, and access to mental health services is required to ensure university students' well-being.

Age-related shifts in mental health determinants from a deprived area in the European Union: informing the national healthy aging program of Hungary

Mental disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, disproportionately affecting older people. This study aims to assess the mental health of elderly individuals living in a deprived region of Hungary, and to identify and estimate the weight of different determinants of mental health across different age groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted with randomly selected samples of individuals (n = 860) aged 18 years and older in Northeast Hungary. The World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), the single-item Life Satisfaction Scale, and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were used to measure mental health of the participants. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to measure the association between sociodemographic and health-related variables and mental health. Overall, the mean WHO-5 score was 69.2 ± 18.1 and it showed a significant decrease by age (p < 0.001), with the lowest score observed in aged 75 years and above (p < 0.001). The mean life satisfaction score was 7.5 ± 1.9 and it showed a significant decreasing trend over the life course (p < 0.001). The highest level of psychological distress as assessed by GHQ-12 was observed in the group aged 75 years or older (11.5 ± 6.0, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression indicated that self-reported financial status, social support, sense of control over their health, activity limitation and pain intensity were the most important determinants of mental health among older adults. Interventions to improve the mental health of older adults should focus on the positive impact of social support, the reduction of financial insecurity and the use of effective pain relief medications.

A cross-sectional mental-health survey of Chinese postgraduate students majoring in stomatology post COVID-19 restrictions.

The psychological status of Chinese postgraduate students majoring in stomatology after the COVID-19 restrictions still remains unclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate the mental status through a cross-sectional survey and gather related theoretical evidence for psychological intervention on postgraduate students majoring in stomatology. An online survey was administered, and subjective well-being, anxiety, stress and depression symptoms were assessed using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively, wherein suicidal ideation and sleep-related problems were measured with PHQ-9 and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). A total of 208 participants who completed one questionnaire were considered as valid. It was found that female respondents generally exhibited significantly higher levels of PSS-10, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 scores and shorter physical activity hours than male students. Students from rural areas demonstrated significantly higher levels of PHQ-9, suicidal ideation, and less portion of good or fair family economic support. Additionally, individuals from only-child families reported increased levels of activity hours (1.78 ± 2.07, p = 0.045) and a higher portion (55.10%, p = 0.007) of having clear future plan as compared with multiple-child families. The risk factors for anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 score) were higher scores of PSS-10 (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.09-1.22), PHQ-9 (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.22-1.49), and ISI-7 (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.06-1.23), while owning a clear graduation plan was the protective factor (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.31-0.98). Moreover, the risk factors for depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) included PSS-10 (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.04-1.16), GAD-7 (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.25-1.52), suicidal ideation (OR = 5.66, 95% CI = 3.37-9.51), and ISI-7 (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.09-1.25). Approximately 98.08% of Chinese postgraduates studying stomatology reported experiencing at least moderate stress after the COVID-19 restrictions. Within the limitations of this study, senior students were more inclined to stress, while anxiety symptoms were related to severer levels of stress, depression, and insomnia. Depressive symptoms were associated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, insomnia, suicidal ideation, and lower levels of self-reported well-being. Thus, psychological interventions for postgraduates should be timely and appropriately implemented by strengthening well-being, reasonably planning for the future, and good physique, thereby mitigating the psychological issues after COVID-19 restrictions.

Relationship between living rooms with void spaces or partially high ceilings and psychological well-being: A cross-sectional study in Japan

In a building environment, it can be inferred that not only the size of the space but also its height influences the well-being of the occupants through their daily living space. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between perceived ceiling height and occupant's well-being in residential environments. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived ceiling height in living spaces and well-being in the general population. A total of 3859 Japanese aged 20–69 years were included in the analysis through an online survey. Psychological well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index, and the perceived ceiling height was based on whether the living space had a void space or a partially high ceiling. The relative risk (RR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of perceived ceiling height for poor psychological well-being were estimated using a modified Poisson regression. A significant association was found between higher living room ceilings and better psychological well-being, especially for taller males (RR 0.894, 95 % CI 0.894–0.960). This association was consistent across different housing types, including detached house (RR 0.905, 95 % CI 0.829–0.988) and apartments (RR 0.849, 95 % CI 0.745–0.968). In contrast, no similar association was found among shorter males and females. These findings suggest that taller people, especially males, may benefit psychologically from living in high-ceiling dwellings.

Distinct profiles of mental health need and high need overall among New Zealand adolescents - Cluster analysis of population survey data.

The objective was to identify clinically meaningful groups of adolescents based on self-reported mental health and wellbeing data in a population sample of New Zealand secondary school students. We conducted a cluster analysis of six variables from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey (n = 7721, ages 13-18 years, 2019): wellbeing (World Health Organization Well-Being Index), possible anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item, adapted), depression symptoms (short form of the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale) and past-year self-harm, suicide ideation and suicide attempt. Demographic, contextual and behavioural predictors of cluster membership were determined through multiple discriminant function analysis. We performed cross-validation analyses using holdout samples. We identified five clusters (n = 7083). The healthy cluster (n = 2855, 40.31%) reported positive mental health across indicators; the anxious cluster (n = 1994, 28.15%) reported high possible anxiety symptoms and otherwise generally positive results; the stressed and hurting cluster (n = 667, 9.42%) reported sub-clinical depression and possible anxiety symptoms and some self-harm; the distressed and ideating cluster (n = 1116, 15.76%) reported above-cutoff depression and possible anxiety symptoms and high suicide ideation; and the severe cluster (n = 451; 6.37%) reported the least positive mental health across indicators. Female, rainbow, Māori and Pacific students and those in higher deprivation areas were overrepresented in higher severity clusters. Factors including exposure to sexual harm and discrimination were associated with increasing cluster severity. We identified high prevalence of mental health challenges among adolescents, with distinct clusters of need. Youth mental health is not 'one size fits all'. Future research should explore youth behaviour and preferences in accessing support and consider how to best support the mental health of each cluster.

A Self-Guided Web-Based App (MyDiaMate) for Enhancing Mental Health in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Insights From a Real-World Study in the Netherlands.

MyDiaMate is a web-based intervention specifically designed for adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) that aims to help them improve and maintain their mental health. Prior pilot-testing of MyDiaMate verified its acceptability, feasibility, and usability. This study aimed to investigate the real-world uptake and usage of MyDiaMate in the Netherlands. Between March 2021 and December 2022, MyDiaMate was made freely available to Dutch adults with T1D. Usage (participation and completion rates of the modules) was tracked using log data. Users could volunteer to participate in the user profile study, which required filling out a set of baseline questionnaires. The usage of study participants was examined separately for participants scoring above and below the cutoffs of the "Problem Areas in Diabetes" (PAID-11) questionnaire (diabetes distress), the "World Health Organization Well-being Index" (WHO-5) questionnaire (emotional well-being), and the fatigue severity subscale of the "Checklist Individual Strength" (CIS) questionnaire (fatigue). Two months after creating an account, study participants received an evaluation questionnaire to provide us with feedback. In total, 1008 adults created a MyDiaMate account, of whom 343 (34%) participated in the user profile study. The mean age was 43 (SD 14.9; 18-76) years. Most participants were female (n=217, 63.3%) and higher educated (n=198, 57.6%). The majority had been living with T1D for over 5 years (n=241, 73.5%). Of the study participants, 59.1% (n=199) of them reported low emotional well-being (WHO-5 score≤50), 70.9% (n=239) of them reported elevated diabetes distress (PAID-11 score≥18), and 52.4% (n=178) of them reported severe fatigue (CIS score≥35). Participation rates varied between 9.5% (n=19) for social environment to 100% (n=726) for diabetes in balance, which opened by default. Completion rates ranged from 4.3% (n=1) for energy, an extensive cognitive behavioral therapy module, to 68.6% (n=24) for the shorter module on hypos. There were no differences in terms of participation and completion rates of the modules between study participants with a more severe profile, that is, lower emotional well-being, greater diabetes distress, or more fatigue symptoms, and those with a less severe profile. Further, no technical problems were reported, and various suggestions were made by study participants to improve the application, suggesting a need for more personalization. Data from this naturalistic study demonstrated the potential of MyDiaMate as a self-help tool for adults with T1D, supplementary to ongoing diabetes care, to improve healthy coping with diabetes and mental health. Future research is needed to explore engagement strategies and test the efficacy of MyDiaMate in a randomized controlled trial.

Patient Preferences and Their Effects on Rehabilitation Outcomes: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of aligning patients' preferences with specific rehabilitation delivery modes on rehabilitation outcomes. DESIGN: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The study cohort comprised 208 patients referred for physiotherapy rehabilitation after nonsurgical or surgical interventions for rotator cuff injury, shoulder impingement, or acromioclavicular osteoarthritis. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 rehabilitation modalities: (1) group-based exercise, (2) individual exercise, or (3) home exercise. In this study, participants were categorized into 2 groups: "matched preference" and "unmatched preference." The primary outcome measure was change in function, measured with the shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH). Secondary outcome measures were change in pain, assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), mental well-being measured with the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), health-related quality of life assessed using the EuroQol-5 Domain questionnaire (EQ-5D), fear avoidance assessed using the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (ÖMPQ), and overall treatment satisfaction. Outcomes were assessed at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The primary outcome measure, QuickDASH, showed no significant differences between groups at either 3 months (-3.0 [-8.2 to 2.3]) or 6 months (0.5 [-5.7 to 6.7]). Additionally, no significant differences were observed in the secondary outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Matching patients' preferences for specific rehabilitation delivery modes did not seem to effect rehabilitation outcomes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(6):1-9. Epub 26 March 2024. doi:10.2519/jospt.2024.12314.

The Hummingbird Project year 2: decreasing distress and fostering flourishing in a pragmatic pre-post study.

Multi-component Positive Psychology Interventions (mPPIs) in secondary schools have been shown to improve mental health outcomes for young people. The Hummingbird Project mPPI is a six-week program of workshops designed to introduce a variety of positive psychology (PP) concepts to secondary school-aged children in schools to improve well-being, resilience, and hope. The effects on mental distress, however, were not explored. The current study, therefore, was designed to replicate the effects of the Hummingbird Project mPPI on positive mental health and to also explore the effects on symptoms of mental distress. Secondary school-aged children (N = 614; mean age = 11.46 years) from a sample of secondary schools located across the North West of England (N = 7) participated in the study; the majority of children were in Year 7 (94%). The PP concepts explored included happiness, hope, resilience, mindfulness, character strengths, growth mindset, and gratitude. The results showed significant improvements associated with the mPPI in well-being (as measured by the World Health Organization Well-Being Index; WHO-5), hope (as measured by the Children's Hope Scale; CHS), and symptoms of mental distress (as measured by the Young Person's Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation; YP-CORE) from pre- to post-intervention. While acknowledging the limits due to pragmatic concerns regarding the implementation of a control group, the effectiveness of the Hummingbird Project mPPI on well-being was replicated alongside reducing the symptoms of mental distress. Future evaluation, however, will need to implement more robust designs and consider follow-up duration to assess the longer-term effects of the Hummingbird Project mPPI.

Association between erectile dysfunction and subjective well-being in primary care patients with type 2 diabetes.

To assess the association between erectile dysfunction and subjective well-being among primary care patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study included 340 men with type 2 diabetes treated in primary health care settings in the Ismailia governorate between April 2021 and April 2022. A multistage random cluster sampling technique was used. Sociodemographic data, disease characteristics, lifestyle, surgical and sexual history, and the Arabic translations of the abridged 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire, and the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) were gathered. Erectile dysfunction was identified in 72.94% of diabetic patients, with 55% mild or mild-to-moderate (ED I), and 17.9% moderate or severe (ED II). Twenty percent had Poor subjective well-being, with a mean WHO-5 index of 63.4 (± 15.4). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that education, diabetes duration, insufficient income, dyslipidemia, benign prostate hyperplasia, and IIEF-5 score were significantly associated with poor subjective well-being. Increasing IIEF-5 score was significantly associated with a 22% decrease in the odds of poor subjective well-being (OR: 0.78; 95% CI 0.66-0.93). Multinomial regression analysis showed that increasing score of the WHO-5 well-being index was associated with a 11% and 14% reduction in the odds of ED I and II, respectively (OR: 0.89 (95% CI 0.86-0.93), and 0.86 (95% CI 0.81-0.92), respectively). Erectile dysfunction and subjective well-being were interrelated. Early detection of erectile dysfunction is essential for improving the positive mental health of men with type 2 diabetes in primary care.

For better or for worse? Memories and mental health related to COVID-19 lockdowns in adolescents with Attention Deficit Disorders

Purpose In adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD, ICD-10 defined) we examined self-reported well-being, depressive symptoms and autobiographical memories from the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark in comparison to adolescents without an ADHD diagnosis. Methods Data from 16 adolescents with ADHD and 16 non-ADHD age and gender matched controls were collected between September 2020 and April 2021. Questionnaires included the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ), and an autobiographical memory survey assessing a lockdown memory, a memory not related to lockdown and a future projection. Mixed design ANOVAs were used to compare within subject differences in memory types across groups and independent sample t-tests were used to compare group differences. Results Three adolescents with ADHD scored below the WHO-5 cut-off (< 50) and above the SMFQ cut-off (> 8) indicating risk of depression, compared to two in the control group. Both groups rated lockdown memories as less positive and more negative and reported feeling more sad and worried when reminiscing about lockdown experiences compared to ‘other personal memories’ and ‘future projections’. Compared to the non-ADHD controls, adolescents with ADHD reported more sadness, t(30) = −0.2.45, p < .05 and worries t(30) = −3.84, p < .001 when reminiscing about the lockdown. Conclusions Even though there were no striking differences between groups in the assessments on risk of depression, the findings suggest that adolescents diagnosed with ADHD were more negatively affected when recalling memories about the lockdown compared to their peers.

EFFECTIVENESS OF AN ONLINE WELLBEING PROGRAM FOR UST CRS STUDENTS: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY

Introduction: The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the 6-week online wellbeing program in improving the physical and mental wellbeing of University of Santo Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences (UST-CRS) students. Methods: This two-arm randomized trial involved 24 UST-CRS students randomly allocated into intervention and waitlist control groups. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and screened with the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms. The program covered psychological and physical activities, delivered through the Wix website for six weeks. Pre- and post-assessments included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Jamovie was used for descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: Within-group analysis revealed METS total scores increased for both intervention (mean difference: 597.00) and control groups (mean difference: 275.75). Similarly, an increase in WHO-5 percentage scores (mean difference of 6.00) and control groups (difference of 6.00) was observed. Between-group analysis showed no statistically significant difference in post-test METS total scores between the intervention and control groups (p-value 0.648) and WHO-5 percentage scores (p-value 0.696). Discussion: Initial results demonstrated no significant improvements in UST CRS students' physical and mental wellbeing in the 6-week program. The small sample size may have hindered the inability to detect significant changes in the measured outcomes. However, considering the mean difference, the study suggests regular physical activity, healthy habits, and routine building may still benefit students. Research with larger sample sizes and longer intervention durations could provide more conclusive evidence of the program's impact on UST-CRS students’ well-being.

Association of Well-Being in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Enhanced Personal Health and Social Support: A Nationally Representative Cohort Study.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between multidimensional factors, such as environment, health status, behavior, social support, and the well-being of middle-aged and older adults. This study utilized data from 2 waves of the nationally representative Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging Survey Report (TLSA) conducted in 2015 and 2019. The TLSA assesses socioeconomic status, physical and health status, the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5 index), and social support. Data regarding the degree of digital development were obtained from the 2020 Township Digital Development Report. We applied a generalized estimating equation (GEE) to analyze the influencing factors. This study included 4796 participants. Residing in areas with a higher degree of digital development, having a higher socioeconomic status, and experiencing better physical and mental health were significantly associated with well-being. Furthermore, emotional and attentive support mediated the association between physical and mental status and well-being. People's awareness of searching for and receiving social support and medical resources is important for enhancing their well-being. It is also crucial to pay attention to the living environment and maintain one's health status to promote well-being.

Reliability and Validity of Measures Commonly Utilized to Assess Nurse Well-Being.

A healthy nursing workforce is vital to ensuring that patients are provided quality care. Assessing nurses' well-being and related factors requires routine evaluations from health system leaders that leverage brief psychometrically sound measures. To date, measures used to assess nurses' well-being have primarily been psychometrically tested among other clinicians or nurses working in specific clinical practice settings rather than in large, representative, heterogeneous samples of nurses. This study aimed to psychometrically test measures frequently used to evaluate factors linked to nurse well-being in a heterogeneous sample of nurses within a large academic health system. This cross-sectional, survey-based study used a convenience sample of nurses working across acute care practice settings. A total of 177 nurses completed measures, which included the Professional Quality of Life, the short form of the Professional Quality of Life measure, the two-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the five-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, and the single-item Mini-Z. Internal reliability and convergent validity were assessed for each measure. All the measures were found to be reliable. Brief measures used to assess domains of well-being demonstrated validity with longer measures, as evident by significant correlation coefficients. This study provides support for the reliability and validity of measures commonly used to assess well-being in a diverse sample of nurses working across acute care settings. Data from routine assessments of the nursing workforce hold the potential to guide the implementation and evaluation of interventions capable of promoting workplace well-being. Assessments should include psychometrically sound, low-burden measures, such as those evaluated in this study.

Mitigating Psychological Problems Associated with the 2023 Wildfires in Alberta and Nova Scotia: Six-Week Outcomes from the Text4Hope Program

Background: In 2023, wildfires led to widespread destruction of property and displacement of residents in Alberta and Nova Scotia, Canada. Previous research suggests that wildfires increase the psychological burden of impacted communities, necessitating population-level interventions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based text message interventions, Text4HopeAB and Text4HopeNS, were launched in Alberta and Nova Scotia, respectively, during the 2023 wildfire season to support the mental health of impacted individuals. Objectives: The study examines the effectiveness of Text4HopeNS and Text4HopeAB in alleviating psychological symptoms and improving wellbeing among subscribers. Methods: The study involved longitudinal and naturalistic controlled trial designs. The longitudinal study comprised subscribers who completed program surveys at baseline and six weeks post-enrolment, while the naturalistic controlled study compared psychological symptoms in subscribers who had received daily supportive text messages for six weeks (intervention group) and new subscribers who had enrolled in the program during the same period but had not yet received any text messages (control group). The severity of low resilience, poor mental wellbeing, likely Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), likely Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), likely Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and suicidal ideation were measured on the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), the World Health Organization-5 Wellbeing Index (WHO-5), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scale, PTSD Checklist–Civilian Version (PCL-C), and the ninth question on the PHQ-9, respectively. The paired and independent sample t-tests were employed in data analysis. Results: The results from the longitudinal study indicated a significant reduction in the mean scores on the PHQ-9 (−12.3%), GAD-7 (−14.8%), and the PCL-C (−5.8%), and an increase in the mean score on the WHO-5, but not on the BRS, from baseline to six weeks. In the naturalistic controlled study, the intervention group had a significantly lower mean score on the PHQ-9 (−30.1%), GAD-7 (−29.4%), PCL-C (−17.5%), and the ninth question on the PHQ-9 (−60.0%) which measures the intensity of suicidal ideation, and an increase in the mean score on the WHO-5 (+24.7%), but not on the BRS, from baseline to six weeks compared to the control group. Conclusions: The results of this study suggests that the Text4Hope program is an effective intervention for mitigating psychological symptoms in subscribers during wildfires. This CBT-based text messaging program can be adapted to provide effective support for individuals’ mental health, especially in the context of traumatic events and adverse experiences such as those induced by climate change. Policymakers and mental health professionals should consider these findings when shaping strategies for future disaster response efforts, emphasizing the value of scalable and culturally sensitive mental health interventions.

Evaluation of an online-based self-help program for patients with generalized anxiety disorder - A randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of an online self-help intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Our primary outcomes were generalized anxiety symptoms, measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder – 7 (GAD-7; Spitzer et al., 2006), and wellbeing based on the World Health Organization Wellbeing Index - 5 (WHO-5; Topp et al., 2015). MethodsA total of 156 German-speaking patients aged 18 to 65 with a diagnosis of GAD and internet access were included in this randomized controlled trial. The intervention group (N = 78) received access to a 12-week online self-help program, while the waitlist control group (N = 78) received access after the 12-week waiting period. ResultsThe intervention group showed a significant improvement in generalized anxiety symptoms compared to the control group (t(df = 123.73) = 4.52, p < .001) with a large effect size (d = 0.88, 95 %-CI: 0.50; 1.26). Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in wellbeing compared to the control group (t(df = 87,86) = 3.48, p < .001), with a moderate effect size (d = 0.62, 95 % CI: 0.27; 0.98). However, no significant effects were observed for secondary outcomes of functional impairments, work productivity, mental health literacy, and healthcare demands. For exploratory outcomes, improvement was found for anxiety and worry symptoms. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that an online-based self-help intervention effectively reduces GAD symptoms and improves overall wellbeing. Future research should explore the long-term effects of this intervention and investigate potential mechanisms underlying its efficacy. Public health implicationsOnline-based self-help programs provide a promising treatment option for individuals with GAD who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy.

Impacts of sociodemographic factors, identities and neighbourhood safety on the relationship between urban green space and adolescent mental well-being: Findings from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand

This study explored the relationship between green space accessibility (GSA) in residential area and adolescents’ mental well-being, and whether the relationship was moderated by sociodemographic factors (sex, ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation), identities (gender and sexuality minority, disability) and perceived neighbourhood safety simultaneously. Data from 3813 adolescents who lived in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand were obtained from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey. A Gaussian-based two-step floating catchment area method was employed to measure the spatial accessibility to green space at the neighbourhood level. The World Health Organization-5 Well-being Index was used to assess emotional well-being (EW), and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-short form was employed to measure depressive symptoms (DS). Through moderation analyses, results showed that perceived neighbourhood safety plays a vital role in the GSA – mental well-being association, with a negative trend in adolescents who reported being less safe in neighbourhoods. Adverse associations of GSA were found in gender and sexuality minority, disabled, Asian and Pacific adolescents, under the condition of not feeling safe in neighbourhoods all the time. The results showed marginalised adolescents tended to feel less safe in neighbourhoods, have lower EW and a higher level of DS. Additionally, the results from bivariate correlations showed there were inequalities in GSA for adolescents who lived in most deprived neighbourhoods and adolescents of Māori ethnicity. This study provides novel evidence of the importance of safe and inclusive green space for effectively promoting mental health and mitigating health inequalities of adolescents in urban areas.

Association between depressive symptoms and employment type of Korean workers: the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey

BackgroundThis study analyzed the association between depressive symptoms and employment type, by considering both socioeconomic status and job stress factors.MethodsWe analyzed 27,369 participants (13,134 men and 14,235 women) using data from the fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey. The participants were divided into regular and precarious workers. Depressive symptoms were defined using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between depressive symptoms and employment type.ResultsOf the participants, 71.53% (N = 19578) were regular workers and 28.47% (N = 7791) were precarious workers. The weighted frequencies of participants with depressive symptoms (42.50%) were significantly higher than those of precarious workers (32.54%, p < 0.001). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, precarious workers had a significantly higher risk of depressive symptoms than regular workers (odds ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–1.64; OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07–1.26, respectively). The significant association between depressive symptoms and precarious workers has also been reflected in propensity score matched participants through crude and multivariate analysis (OR 1.54 [95% CI 1.43–1.66] and OR 1.15 [95% CI 1.04–1.26], respectively).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that precarious workers may have a higher risk of depressive symptoms than regular workers. However, this is only a cross-sectional study. Therefore, further study is required to investigate the relevance association between depressive symptoms and employment types.

Recommendations for Physical Activity in Segments of the School Day Support the Increase in Daily Physical Activity in Adolescents

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the impact of segment-specific physical activity (PA) recommendations during the school day on the daily PA in both boys and girls. Methods: A total of 426 Czech and 219 Polish adolescents participated in this study. They were divided into two groups: one receiving segment-specific PA recommendations for the school day and the other receiving general daily PA recommendations. The Youth Activity Profile questionnaire, the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index, and the wearable Garmin vívofit were used in the research. Results: The application of segment-specific PA recommendations during the school day was significantly associated with higher PA on school days. It also increased the odds of meeting the recommendations of 6,000 steps/day after school (odds ratio = 1.63, confidence interval [1.19, 2.24], p = .003) and 11,000 steps/day (odds ratio = 1.59, confidence interval [1.16, 2.18], p = .004) on school days. Conclusions: Segment-specific PA recommendations during the school day are effective and should be integrated into physical education curricula, comprehensive school PA programs, and broader school educational strategies.

A cross-sectional study of resilience and well-being among nursing students in Saudi Arabia.

Promoting resilience and embracing healthy coping strategies can effectively assist nursing students in managing stress and enhancing their welfare. Nonetheless, a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing their well-being and resilience, pivotal for both academic accomplishments and future career longevity, remains incomplete. A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was adopted for this study. Participants comprised students enrolled in pre-registration nursing programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index and the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were utilized to assess psychological well-being and resilience, respectively. The study involved 175 university nursing students selected through convenience sampling. On the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the average score was 25.5, with undergraduate and graduate students scoring an average of 25.4 and 26.3, respectively. Nevertheless, the two groups had no statistically significant difference (p = 0.526). Regarding perceived well-being, the average World Health Organization-5 score was 16.1, with no noticeable distinction between undergraduates and postgraduates (p = 0.858). Notably, bivariate analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation between self-reported resilience and perceived well-being (rp = 0.281, p = 0.001). Moreover, senior students exhibited significantly higher scores on the perceived well-being scale than junior students (17.0 vs 15.1, p = 0.010). Multivariable regression analysis also identified that self-reported resilience represents a consistent means of predicting perceived well-being (regression coefficient B = 0.22, p < 0.001). The outcomes indicate that university-based nursing students who exhibit higher levels of resilience have more positive perceptions of their well-being. Moreover, postgraduate students exhibit more significant resilience levels than undergraduate students.

Structural validity of the 5-item World Health Organization Well-being Index (WHO-5) in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

BackgroundWhen monitoring the severity and impact of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, a measure of subjective well-being should ideally accompany measures of symptom severity and medication side effects. The self-reported 5-item World Health Organization Well-being Index (WHO-5) is a brief, generic, and widely used measure of subjective well-being. However, the structural validity of the WHO-5, namely, whether the individual item scores can be combined to produce a meaningful total score, has not been examined among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. MethodUtilizing data from 399 Danish patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders attending the Psychiatric Services of the Central Denmark Region, we employed Rasch analysis to examine the structural validity (i.e., unidimensionality, overall fit to the Rasch model, and differential item functioning) of the WHO-5. ResultsThe WHO-5 was found to be unidimensional with no differential item functioning for age, sex, or inpatient/outpatient status. However, in the initial analysis, some misfit to the Rasch model, partially caused by the disordering of response categories, was evident. In adjusted analyses in which the item response categories 2 (Less than half of the time) and 3 (More than half of the time) were merged, overall fit to the model was improved. ConclusionsWhen two item response categories were merged, the Danish version of the WHO-5 was found to be structurally valid for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This suggests that the WHO-5 holds promise as a measure of subjective well-being in this patient population.