scholarly journals Prevalence and structure of anxiety-depression in an Australian community sample

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-39
Author(s):  
Christopher Sharpley ◽  
Vicki Bitsika ◽  
Emmanuel Jesolola ◽  
Linda Agnew
Keyword(s):  
Community Sample ◽  
Australian Community ◽  
Anxiety Depression

scholarly journals Using the 11-item Version of the RCADS to Identify Anxiety and Depressive Disorders in Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerica Radez ◽  
Polly Waite ◽  
Bruce Chorpita ◽  
Cathy Creswell ◽  
Faith Orchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Adolescent Report ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Anxiety Depression

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to identify items from the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale – RCADS-C/P that provided a brief, reliable and valid screen for anxiety and/or depressive disorders in adolescents. In addition, we examined whether adding items assessing suicidal ideation (Moods and Feelings Questionnaire – MFQ- C/P) and symptom impact and duration (items adapted from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire – SDQ) improved the identification of adolescents with anxiety and/or depressive disorders. We compared two samples of adolescents and their parents – a community sample, recruited through secondary schools in England (n = 214) and a clinic-referred sample, who met diagnostic criteria for anxiety and/or depressive disorder and were recruited through a university-based research clinic (n = 246). Participants completed the RCADS-C/P with additional symptom impact and duration items, and the MFQ-C/P. Using ROC curve analyses, we identified a set of 11 RCADS-C/P items (6 addressing anxiety and 5 depression symptoms) for adolescent- and parent-report. This set of 11 symptom items achieved sensitivity/specificity values > .75, which were comparable to corresponding values for the RCADS-47-C/P. Combining adolescent and parent-report improved the identification of anxiety/depression in adolescents compared to using adolescent-report alone. Finally, adding two symptom impact items further improved the sensitivity/specificity of the 11 symptom items, whereas adding suicidal ideation items did not. The 11 RCADS items accurately discriminated between the community and clinic-referred sample with anxiety and/or depressive disorders and have the potential to quickly and accurately identify adolescents with these disorders in community settings.

scholarly journals In their own words: Understanding Australians’ priority concerns regarding mental health in the context of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlee Bower ◽  
Amarina Donohoe-Bales ◽  
Scarlett Smout ◽  
Andre Quan Ho Nguyen ◽  
Julia Boyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Good Mental Health ◽  
Australian Community ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the recent bushfires and flash floods, have resulted in significant and unprecedented mental health impacts in Australia. Despite the known impacts, there is a paucity of research directly asking Australian community members about their mental health experiences and what they perceive to be the most important mental health issues in the context of the pandemic. This study utilises qualitative data from Alone Together, a longitudinal mixed-methods study investigating the effects of COVID-19 on mental health in an Australian community sample (N = 2,056). Of the 1,350 participants who completed the first follow-up survey, a total of 1,037 participants, who ranged in sex (69.9% female), age (M = 40-49 years), state/territory of residence, and socioeconomic status, shared responses to two open-ended questions regarding the most important issues for mental health in Australia and the impact of COVID-19 on their individual mental health. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants described COVID-19 as primarily impacting their mental health through the disruption it posed to their social world and financial stability. A key concern for participants who reported having poor mental health was the existence of multiple competing barriers to accessing good mental health care. According to participant responses, the pandemic had pressurized an already over-burdened mental health service system, leaving many without timely, appropriate support. Further absent or stigmatising rhetoric around mental health, at both a political and community level, also prevented participants from seeking help. Insights gained from the present research provide opportunities for policymakers and health practitioners to draw on the expertise of Australians’ lived experience and address priority issues through targeted policy planning. This could ultimately support a more responsive, integrated and effective mental health system, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Using a brief 11-item version of the RCADS to identify anxiety and depressive disorders in adolescents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerica Radez ◽  
Polly Waite ◽  
Bruce F. Chorpita ◽  
Cathy Creswell ◽  
Faith Orchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Adolescent Report ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify items from the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale – RCADS-C/P that provided a brief, reliable and valid screen for anxiety and/or depressive disorders in adolescents. In addition, we examined whether adding items assessing suicidal ideation (Moods and Feelings Questionnaire – MFQ-C/P) and symptom impact and duration (items adapted from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire – SDQ) improved the identification of adolescents with anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Methods: We compared two samples of adolescents and their parents – a community sample, recruited through secondary schools in England (n = 214) and a clinic-referred sample, who met diagnostic criteria for anxiety and/or depressive disorder and were recruited through a university-based research clinic (n = 246). Participants completed the RCADS-C/P with additional symptom impact and duration items, and the MFQ-C/P.Results: Using ROC curve analyses, we identified a set of 11 RCADS-C/P items (6 addressing anxiety and 5 addressing depression symptoms) for adolescent- and parent-report. This set of 11 symptom items achieved sensitivity/specificity values > .75, which were comparable to corresponding values for the original RCADS-C/P. Combining adolescent and parent-report improved the identification of anxiety/depression in adolescents compared to using adolescent-report alone. Finally, adding two symptom impact items further improved the sensitivity/specificity of the 11 symptom items, whereas adding suicidal ideation items did not.Conclusions: The 11 RCADS items accurately discriminated between the community and the clinic-referred sample with anxiety and/or depressive disorders and have the potential to quickly and accurately identify adolescents with these disorders in community settings.

Use of medications to enhance memory in a large community sample of 60–64 year olds

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony F. Jorm ◽  
Bryan Rodgers ◽  
Helen Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Gingko Biloba ◽  
Memory Problems ◽  
Objective Evidence ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background: There are no existing epidemiological data on use of medications to enhance memory.Method: A community survey was carried out in Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia, of an electoral roll sample of 2551 adults aged 60–64 years. Data collected included self-reports of using medications to enhance memory, tests of memory and other cognitive functions, anxiety, depression, physical health and use of other medications.Results: 2.8% of the sample reported using medications to enhance memory, the main ones being gingko biloba, vitamin E, bacopa (brahmi), and folic acid/B vitamins. Users were more likely to be female, to have subjective memory problems and to use other psychotropic medications. However, they did not differ in memory performance, anxiety, depression or physical health.Discussion: Some older people are using complementary medications to improve their memory or prevent memory loss, despite the lack of strong evidence for their effectiveness. These people show no objective evidence of memory impairment

scholarly journals The long-term mental health impact of peacekeeping: prevalence and predictors of psychiatric disorder

BJPsych Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Forbes ◽  
Meaghan O'Donnell ◽  
Rachel M. Brand ◽  
Sam Korn ◽  
Mark Creamer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
Military Mental Health ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Australian Community ◽  
Peacekeeping Missions

BackgroundThe mental health outcomes of military personnel deployed on peacekeeping missions have been relatively neglected in the military mental health literature.AimsTo assess the mental health impacts of peacekeeping deployments.MethodIn total, 1025 Australian peacekeepers were assessed for current and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses, service history and exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs). A matched Australian community sample was used as a comparator. Univariate and regression analyses were conducted to explore predictors of psychiatric diagnosis.ResultsPeacekeepers had significantly higher 12-month prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (16.8%), major depressive episode (7%), generalised anxiety disorder (4.7%), alcohol misuse (12%), alcohol dependence (11.3%) and suicidal ideation (10.7%) when compared with the civilian comparator. The presence of these psychiatric disorders was most strongly and consistently associated with exposure to PTEs.ConclusionsVeteran peacekeepers had significant levels of psychiatric morbidity. Their needs, alongside those of combat veterans, should be recognised within military mental health initiatives.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Web-Based Self-Help Program for Suicidal Thinking in an Australian Community Sample: Randomized Controlled Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. e15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bregje AJ van Spijker ◽  
Aliza Werner-Seidler ◽  
Philip J Batterham ◽  
Andrew Mackinnon ◽  
Alison L Calear ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Suicidal Thinking ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Australian Community

scholarly journals “Our Country Needs a Strong Leader Right Now”: Economic Inequality Enhances the Wish for a Strong Leader

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1625-1637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Sprong ◽  
Jolanda Jetten ◽  
Zhechen Wang ◽  
Kim Peters ◽  
Frank Mols ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Economic Inequality ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Democratic Values ◽  
Australian Community ◽  
Societal Inequality ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Societal inequality has been found to harm the mental and physical health of its members and undermine overall social cohesion. Here, we tested the hypothesis that economic inequality is associated with a wish for a strong leader in a study involving 28 countries from five continents (Study 1, N = 6,112), a study involving an Australian community sample (Study 2, N = 515), and two experiments (Study 3a, N = 96; Study 3b, N = 296). We found correlational (Studies 1 and 2) and experimental (Studies 3a and 3b) evidence for our prediction that higher inequality enhances the wish for a strong leader. We also found that this relationship is mediated by perceptions of anomie, except in the case of objective inequality in Study 1. This suggests that societal inequality enhances the perception that society is breaking down (anomie) and that a strong leader is needed to restore order (even when that leader is willing to challenge democratic values).

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