scholarly journals Long-term mental health and social support in victims of disaster: comparison with a general population sample

BJPsych Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siri Thoresen ◽  
Marianne Skogbrott Birkeland ◽  
Filip K. Arnberg ◽  
Tore Wentzel-Larsen ◽  
Ines Blix
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
General Population ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
General Population Sample ◽  
Anxiety Depression

BackgroundTrauma and traumatic bereavement have well-known consequences for mental health, but little is known about long-term adjustment, particularly with respect to health-protective factors.AimsTo assess the levels of anxiety/depression and perceived social support among the survivors and the bereaved 26 years after the Scandinavian Star ferry disaster compared with expected levels from the general population.MethodAnxiety/depression and social support were assessed in face-to-face interviews with the survivors and the bereaved (N = 165, response rate 58%). Expected scores were calculated for each participant based on the means and proportions for each age and gender combination from a general population sample. We computed the ratio between expected and observed scores, standardised mean differences with 95% confidence intervals and standardised effect sizes.ResultsWe found an elevated level of anxiety/depression symptoms in the victims (Mdiff = 0.28, 95% CI 0.18, 0.38; effect size 0.43, 95% CI 0.31, 0.55) and a significant excess of individuals with a clinically significant level of symptoms. The observed level of perceived social support was significantly lower than that expected (Mdiff = −0.57, 95% CI −0.70, −0.44; effect size −0.73, 95% CI −0.89, −0.57). This was the case for both survivors and those who were bereaved and for both men and women.ConclusionsThis study reveals that disaster survivors and the bereaved reported elevated levels of anxiety and depression symptoms 26 years after the event. They also reported a markedly reduced level of social support. Traumas and post-traumatic responses may thus cause lasting harm to interpersonal relationships.Declaration of interestNone.

scholarly journals Long-term mental health and social support in victims of disaster: comparison with a general population sample – ERRATUM

BJPsych Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siri Thoresen ◽  
Marianne Skogbrott Birkeland ◽  
Filip K. Arnberg ◽  
Tore Wentzel-Larsen ◽  
Ines Blix
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
General Population ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
General Population Sample

scholarly journals Quality of life among patients seeking treatment for substance use disorder, as measured with the EQ-5D-3L

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Rand ◽  
Espen Ajo Arnevik ◽  
Espen Walderhaug
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
General Population ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
General Population Sample ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Eq Vas

Abstract Purpose There is a need to assess the quality of treatment for Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and document SUD patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The study aims to describe Norwegian SUD patients’ HRQoL as measured by EQ-5D, compared to a general population sample, and discuss the potential usefulness of the EQ-5D to monitor HRQoL for SUD patients. Methods One hundred seventy eight SUD patients (66.3% male) were administered the EQ-5D-3L at treatment start. Patients and general population samples were compared in terms of reported EQ-5D-3L health states, problems by dimension, UK index values, and EQ VAS scores. We investigated specific drug dependence, mental health disorders, sex, age, and education as predictors of EQ-5D-3L values and EQ VAS scores. Anxiety/depression dimension scores were compared to Hopkins symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) scores. Results 91.6% of the patient sample reported problems on the EQ-5D-3L, with 29.8% reporting extreme problem, compared to 39.8% and 3.0% in the general population sample. Mean index (EQ VAS) score among SUD patients was .59 (59.9) compared to .90 (84.1) in the general population. Regression analyses identified phobic anxiety and cocaine dependence as statistically significant predictors of higher EQ-5D-3L index scores. Conclusion SUD patients report substantially reduced HRQoL, as measured using the EQ-5D-3L. The most frequently reported problems were for the anxiety/depression, pain/discomfort, and usual activities dimensions. The EQ-5D may be a useful and practical instrument for monitoring HRQoL in SUD patients.

scholarly journals 1347Mental health status of health care workers during the COVID-19 outbreak: An International Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiana Nicolaou ◽  
Joanna Menikou ◽  
Andrew Gloster ◽  
Maria Karekla ◽  
Angelos Kassianos
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic is a massive health crisis affecting our planet, with over 166,346,635 confirmed cases and 3,449,117 deaths globally till 24 May 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic is a massive health crisis which has brought enormous physical and psychological pressure. Mental health care for health care workers (HCWs), should receive serious consideration. The aim of this study was to determine mental health outcomes of HCWs and to examine known predictors of outcomes during the first pandemic wave. Methods 1,556 HCWs who participated in the COVID-19 IMPACT project, an international online survey examining the behavioral and psychological impacts of COVID-19 among 9,565 people from 78 countries/regions and 18 languages. Outcomes assessed were stress, depression symptoms and sleep changes. Predictors examined included sociodemographic factors, and perceived social support. Results Results demonstrated that, half of the HCWs had moderate levels of perceived stress and depression symptoms. Predictors associated with higher HCWs’ stress and depression symptoms included female gender, not having children, living with parents, lower educational background and having lower social support. Half of the HCWs (n = 800, 51.4%) continued to sleep about the same and one in four slept more or slept less. Positive predictors of sleep changes were being older, widower, not working, living with parents, and having children. Surprisingly, HCWs had less perceived stress and depression and higher levels of perceived social support than the general population. Conclusions The need for establishing ways to mitigate mental health risks and adjust psychological intervention and support of HCWs, seems to be significant as the pandemic continues. Keywords: health care workers, COVID – 19, pandemic, mental health, psychological problems

Mid- and Long-Term Effects of Family Constellation Seminars in a General Population Sample: 8- and 12-Month Follow-Up

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Hunger ◽  
Jan Weinhold ◽  
Annette Bornhäuser ◽  
Leoni Link ◽  
Jochen Schweitzer
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
General Population Sample ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Family Constellation

The structure of depression found in the general population

1980 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
General Population ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Diurnal Variations ◽  
General Population Sample ◽  
Component Score ◽  
Psychiatric Population ◽  
Anxiety Depression

SYNOPSISPrincipal component analysis was applied to data relating to depressive experiences collected from a general population sample. The structure of depression found in the general population showed strong similarities to that found in the psychiatric population. There were, however, important differences. Four substantial syndromes of depression were identified: ‘anxiety depression’, ‘cognitive depression’, ‘vegetative depression’ and depression characterized by the classic endogenous triad of diurnal variations, early wakening, and weight loss. These syndromes were essentially independent for this sample. Examination of component score distributions suggested that people simultaneously experience differing degrees of each syndrome. It was concluded that depression was most parsimoniously classified in dimensional rather than categorical terms within this sample.

scholarly journals Antidepressant use in over-indebted individuals compared to the general population in Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Warth ◽  
N Beckmann ◽  
M-T Puth ◽  
J Tillmann ◽  
J Porz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
General Population Sample ◽  
Antidepressant Use

Abstract Background About ten percent of European households across all socioeconomic groups are considered over-indebted due to ongoing difficulties meeting financial commitments and living expenses. Studies found an association between over-indebtedness and physical and mental health such as depression independent of standard socioeconomic status measures. However, antidepressant use in the over-indebted population has been understudied. In view of the substantial economic and social burden of mental illness in Europe, the aim of this study was to examine the association between over-indebtedness and antidepressant use in Germany to advance the understanding of socioeconomic inequalities in mental health. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among clients of 70 debt advice agencies in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in 2017 (OID), and merged data with the first wave of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey (DEGS1) representative of the general population. We used descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis to examine antidepressant use in the previous 7 days (OID: n = 699; DEGS1: n = 7115). Results Antidepressant use was more frequent in the over-indebted (12.3%) compared to the general population sample (5.0%). After adjustment for age, sex, education, employment, marital status and chronic disease, over-indebted respondents were more likely to use antidepressants than the general population sample (aOR 1.83; 95% CI 1.35-2.48). Conclusions Prevalence of antidepressant use was higher in the over-indebted compared to the general population. The association between over-indebtedness and antidepressant use cannot be fully explained by standard socioeconomic measures. Over-indebtedness reflects a relevant public health issue that needs to be addressed in health care, social policy and research. There is an urgent need to develop public health activities that specifically target those at risk of mental illness and over-indebtedness. Key messages Over-indebtedness is associated with antidepressant use. Public health interventions are needed to prevent adverse health effects of over-indebtedness and safeguard access to care according to need.

scholarly journals Psychological morbidities and fatigue in patients with confirmed COVID-19 during disease outbreak: prevalence and associated biopsychosocial risk factors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongfeng Qi ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Saiduo Liu ◽  
Paul M Thompson ◽  
Long Jiang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Disease Outbreak ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
General Mental Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Negative Coping

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) - a novel and highly infectious pneumonia - has now spread across China and beyond for over four months. However, its psychological impact on patients is unclear. We aim to examine the prevalence and associated risk factors for psychological morbidities and fatigue in patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Methods: Amidst the disease outbreak, 41 out of 105 COVID-19 patients in a local designated hospital in China were successfully assessed using a constellation of psychometric questionnaires to determine their psychological morbidities and fatigue. Several potential biopsychosocial risk factors (including pre-existing disabilities, CT severity score of pneumonia, social support, coping strategies) were assessed through multivariable logistic regression analyses to clarify their association with mental health in patients. Results: 43.9% of 41 patients presented with impaired general mental health, 12.2% had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, 26.8% had anxiety and/or depression symptoms, and 53.6% had fatigue. We did not find any association between pneumonia severity and psychological morbidities or fatigue in COVID-19 patients. However, high perceived stigmatization was associated with an increased risk of impaired general mental health and high perceived social support was associated with decreased risk. Besides, negative coping inclination was associated with an increased risk of PTSD symptoms; high perceived social support was associated with a decreased risk of anxiety and/or depression symptoms. Conclusions: Psychological morbidities and chronic fatigue are common among COVID-19 patients. Negative coping inclination and being stigmatized are primary risk factors while perceived social support is the main protective factor.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document