Perceptions of Resilience and Physical Health Symptom Improvement Following Post Disaster Integrated Health Services

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard J. Osofsky ◽  
Carl F. Weems ◽  
Rebecca A. Graham ◽  
Joy D. Osofsky ◽  
Tonya C. Hansel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Stepped Care ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Behavioral Health Treatment ◽  
Integrated Health Services ◽  
Post Disaster

AbstractObjectiveTheorists and researchers have linked resilience with a host of positive psychological and physical health outcomes. This paper examines perceptions of resilience and physical health symptoms in a sample of individuals exposed to multiple community disasters following involvement in integrated mental health services.MethodsA multiwave naturalistic design was used to follow 762 adult clinic patients (72% female; 28% minority status), ages 18-92 years (mean age=40 years), who were evaluated for resilience and physical health symptoms prior to receiving services and at 1, 3, and 6 months’ follow-up.ResultsData indicated increases in perceptions of resilience and decreased physical health symptoms reported over time. Results also indicated that resilience predicted physical health symptoms, such that resilience and physical health symptoms were negatively associated (ie, improved resilience was associated with decreases in physical health symptoms). These effects were primarily observed for those individuals with previous exposure to natural disasters.ConclusionsFindings provide correlational evidence for behavioral health treatment provided as part of a stepped-care, collaborative model in reducing physical health symptoms and increasing resilience post-disaster. Controlled trials are warranted. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:223–229)

Physical Health of Members of the Public Who Experienced Terrorist Bombings in London on 07 July 2005

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Catchpole ◽  
Oliver Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
The Public ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
London Bombings

AbstractIntroduction:On 07 July 2005, four bombs were detonated in London, killing 52 members of the public. Approximately 700 individuals received treatment either at the scene or at nearby hospitals.Hypothesis/Problem:Significant concerns about the potential long-term psychological and physical health effects of exposure to the explosions were raised immediately after the bombings. To address these concerns, a public health register was established for the purpose of following-up with individuals exposed to the explosions.Methods:Invitations to enroll in the register were sent to individuals exposed to the explosions. A range of health, emergency, and humanitarian service records relating to the response to the explosions were used to identify eligible individuals. Follow-up was undertaken through self-administered questionnaires. The number of patients exposed to fumes, smoke, dust, and who experienced blood splashes, individuals who reported injuries, and the type and duration of health symptoms were calculated. Odds ratios of health symptoms by exposure for greater or less than 30 minutes were calculated.Results:A total of 784 eligible individuals were identified, of whom, 258 (33%) agreed to participate in the register, and 173 (22%) returned completed questionnaires between 8 to 23 months after the explosions. The majority of individuals reported exposure to fumes, smoke, or dust, while more than two-fifths also reported exposure to blood. In addition to cuts and puncture wounds, the most frequent injury was ear damage. Most individuals experienced health symptoms for less than four weeks, with the exception of hearing problems, which lasted longer. Four-fifths of individuals felt that they had suffered emotional distress and half of them were receiving counseling.Conclusions:The results indicated that the main long-term health effects, apart from those associated with traumatic amputations, were hearing loss and psychological disorders. While these findings provide a degree of reassurance of the absence of long-term effects, the low response rate limits the extent to which this can be extrapolated to all those exposed to the bombings. Given the importance of immediate assessment of the range and type of exposure and injury in incidents such as the London bombings, and the difficulties in contacting individuals after the immediate response phase, there is need to develop better systems for identifying and enrolling exposed individuals into post-incident health monitoring.

Transitioning Through Emerging Adulthood and Physical Health Implications

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Barlett ◽  
Natalie D. Barlett ◽  
Holly McCartney Chalk
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Life Transitions ◽  
Transitional Period ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Adulthood Transition

Emerging adulthood represents a developmental period marked by many life transitions as 18- to 29-year-olds leave adolescence to adulthood. Some individuals can successfully navigate through this transitional period, whereas others may struggle. Past research has shown individual differences in the perceptions of the (un)success of emerging adulthood transition can predict mental health outcomes; however, there is a paucity of studies testing physical health outcomes. Emerging adult participants ( N > 2,000) completed measures of emerging adulthood, stress, sex, and somatic physical health symptoms, and results showed that the perceptions of emerging adulthood dimensions representative of an unsuccessful transition (negativity/instability) positively predicted stress and somatic physical health concerns, but positive emerging adulthood transition dimensions (experimentation/possibilities) negatively predicted these outcomes. Further, stress mediated the simple relationships between the aforementioned emerging adulthood dimensions and physical health symptoms. Finally, despite sex differences in all measured variables, participant sex did not moderate these overall relationships.

scholarly journals MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SEQUELAE OF BEREAVEMENT IN OLDER ADULTS: U.S. HEATH AND RETIREMENT STUDY ANALYSIS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S348-S348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Domingue ◽  
Laramie Duncan ◽  
Amal Harrati ◽  
Daniel Belsky
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Repeated Measures Data ◽  
Data Tracking ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Health And Mortality ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Death of a spouse (bereavement) is associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes in older adults. But it is unknown how mental- and physical-health sequelae of bereavement are related and the clinical significance of bereavement-related depression has been questioned. We analyzed US Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data tracking mental and physical health of 36,034 older adults during 1992-2016. Post-bereavement data were available for N=4,985 participants with recorded date of spousal death. We analyzed longitudinal repeated-measures data on survivors’ depression, disease, disability, and mortality. Bereavement effects on depression were immediate, but short-lived, attenuating within the year. In contrast, bereavement effects on physical health and mortality persisted over follow-up. Critically, the magnitude of short-lived effects on depression correlated with the magnitude of longer-lasting effects on disease, disability, and mortality. Results reveal connections between mental and physical health and aging and suggest bereavement-related depression as a biomarker of enduring health risk.

scholarly journals Artificial Intelligence Language Predictors of Two-Year Trauma-Related Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua R. Oltmanns ◽  
H. Andrew Schwartz ◽  
Camilo Ruggero ◽  
Youngseo Son ◽  
Jiaju Miao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Respiratory Problems ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Background: Recent research on artificial intelligence has demonstrated that natural language can be used to provide valid indicators of psychopathology. The present study examined artificial intelligence-based language predictors (ALPs) of seven trauma-related mental and physical health outcomes in responders to the World Trade Center disaster. Methods: The responders (N = 174, Mage = 55.4 years) provided daily voicemail updates over 14 days. Algorithms developed using machine learning in large social media discovery samples were applied to the voicemail transcriptions to derive ALP scores for several risk factors (depressivity, anxiousness, anger proneness, stress, and personality). Responders also completed self-report assessments of these risk factors at baseline and trauma-related mental and physical health outcomes at two-year follow-up (including symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbance, respiratory problems, and GERD). Results: Voicemail ALPs were significantly associated with a majority of the trauma-related outcomes at two-year follow-up, over and above corresponding baseline self-reports. ALPs showed significant convergence with corresponding self-report scales, but also considerable uniqueness from each other and from self-report scales. Limitations: The study has a relatively short follow-up period relative to trauma occurrence and a limited sample size. Conclusions: This study shows evidence that ALPs may provide a novel, objective, and clinically useful approach to forecasting, and may in the future help to identify individuals at risk for negative health outcomes.

Integrated Mental and Behavioral Health Services to Improve Patient Outcomes and Clinical Care

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard J. Osofsky ◽  
Joy D. Osofsky ◽  
John Wells ◽  
Carl F. Weems ◽  
Tonya C. Hansel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Behavioral Health Services ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Primary Care Clinics

ABSTRACT This presentation will focus on the importance of addressing mental health in the overall response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Emphasis will be placed on evidence based, integrated mental and behavioral health services in primary care clinics as an essential component of physical and mental health care. Community surveillance data collected by LSUHSC Department of Psychiatry in the fall of 2010 and one year post spill revealed increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress compared to national norms. Symptoms were higher for individuals directly impacted by the spill. The Mental and Behavioral Health Capacity Project (MBHCP), part of the Gulf Region Health Outreach Program (GRHOP), was developed across the four impacted states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. In collaboration with the Primary Care Capacity Project (PCCP) and other GRHOP projects, it is designed to decrease disparities in care and develop an evidence-based system of integrated mental and behavioral health services within primary care clinics. In Louisiana, seven impacted parishes, culturally diverse and predominantly rural, were designated for services. Louisiana MBHCP (MBHCP-LA) is applying established principles of collaborative care combining on-site and telemedicine consultation, training, therapeutic services, and care management. It is working with PCCP to develop and utilize a technologically advanced telemedicine system to integrate mental and behavioral health into electronic health records to meet physical and mental health needs. Preliminary analysis of screening and follow-up data beginning in May 2013 from 303 clients who completed measures at intake into services indicates that integrating mental health services in primary care clinics resulted in significant decreases at follow-up in reported depression, generalized anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. The data showed that the greater the decrease in reported depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms at follow-up, the greater the decrease in physical health symptoms. While the MBHCP-LA integration of mental and behavioral health in primary care clinics in parishes heavily impacted by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill has been in place for less than a year, the outcomes are promising in reducing both behavioral and physical health symptoms. The clinics are reporting greater comfort in addressing mental and behavioral health problems as well as more resilience by having mental and behavioral health partners. MBHCP-LA will continue to evaluate improvement in physical and mental health symptoms as well as resilience and quality of life by more fully addressing mental and behavioral health concerns.

Examining Post-Migration Social Determinants as Predictors of Mental and Physical Health of Recent Syrian Refugees in Canada: Implications for Counselling, Practice, and Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 778-802
Author(s):  
Ben C. H. Kuo ◽  
Lais Granemann ◽  
Avideh Najibzadeh ◽  
Riham Al-Saadi ◽  
Monira Dali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Model ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

In response to the increasing number of Syrian refugees being resettled in Canada and worldwide, the present study set out to explore and examine critical post-migration predictors of mental health and physical health of adult Syrian refugees (n = 235) living in Windsor, Ontario. Using survey data collected from the national SyRIA-lth project and grounded in the Social Determinants of Health model, this study tested demographic, contextual, and psychosocial predictors in two regression models of mental health and physical health, respectively. The results showed that both predictive models were significant in explaining Syrian refugees’ mental and physical health outcomes, as hypothesized. Specifically, age, gender, satisfaction of health services, perceived control, and perceived stress predicted mental health in significant ways, whereas age, satisfaction of health services, and perceived stress predicted physical health in significant ways as well. Implications for practice and research with Syrian refugees, given the identified risk and protective factors of health, are considered.

scholarly journals Daily Perceived Stress and Physical Health Symptoms: Moderation by Self-Perceptions of Aging

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 605-605
Author(s):  
Dakota Witzel ◽  
Shelbie Turner ◽  
Karen Hooker
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Trajectories ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging

Abstract Research suggests increased daily perceived stress is related to worse physical health outcomes such as poor eating and exercise behavior (Li et al., 2019) and lower perceived health (Whitehead & Blaxton, 2020). While long-term implications for increased perceptions of stress on physical health are becoming clear (e.g., Rueggeberg et al., 2012), less is known about associations between daily perceptions of stress and subjective levels of physical health symptoms. Moreover, positive perceptions of one’s own aging may buffer perceived stress’s impact on physical health. Indeed, self-perceptions of aging (SPA) impact how people prepare for age-related stressors (Kornadt et al., 2015), and are associated with physical health trajectories (Luo & Li, 2020). Using a 100-day microlongitudinal study of 103 older adults, we examined the 1.) impact of both between- and within-persons associations of perceived stress on physical health symptoms and 2.) the potential moderating associations of SPA on perceived stress and physical health symptom associations. Preliminary models suggest that on days when people perceived more stress, they show a .03 increase in reporting physical health symptoms compared to days when they do not report more perceived stress (p<.0001). Further, people who experience more perceived stress on average, reported .06 more physical symptoms across the study period (p <.0001). While SPA did significantly predict physical health symptoms (p=.004), the association between perceived stress and physical health symptoms was not dependent on SPA (p>.05). Future directions may include exploring associations between daily stressful experiences, perceptions of stress, and valence of SPA.

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