scholarly journals Psychological Autopsy and Forensic Considerations in Completed Suicide of the SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients. A Case Series and Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 11547
Author(s):  
Roxana-Mihaela Crisan ◽  
Ciprian Ionut Bacila ◽  
Bogdan Neamtu ◽  
Adrian Nicolae Cristian ◽  
Elena Topîrcean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Medical Histories ◽  
As Stress

Our paper aims to present three cases of committed suicide in SARS-CoV-2 infection during the quarantine period. We investigated if there is a role for the infection itself in triggering the suicidal act or if it is augmented by other risk factors such as fear, psychosocial stress, lifestyle changes, and social isolation. To this goal, we analyzed the clinical, paraclinical, histopathological, toxicological records, mental health conditions, psychological, social, cultural, and economic aspects in detail. One patient committed suicide at home, by hanging, while the other two during hospitalization in the red zone, within the Sibiu County Emergency Clinical Hospital, hanging and falling from a height, respectively. The autopsy was carried out within the restricted area for COVID-19 in Sibiu County Forensic Medicine Service. Patients’ medical histories were analyzed based on the available medical reports. Additionally, we interviewed a family member, applying the so-called psychological autopsy method, based on open-ended questions and standardized instruments (questionnaire) to point out the motives and behavioral changes that might explain the committed suicide. With this data, we could fulfill a design to elucidate and outline the reasons for the suicidal act. Our findings showed that the mental state deteriorated progressively, both in preexisting depressive and non-depressive backgrounds. Furthermore, we highlight the COVID-19 psychological impact in the suicidal acts. Further on, we reviewed the risk factors presented in the literature that are associated with mental health problems and behavioral changes such as stress, anxiety, depressions, sleep disorders, impulsivity, loneliness.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Changes among Polish University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9571
Author(s):  
Karolina Fila-Witecka ◽  
Adrianna Senczyszyn ◽  
Agata Kołodziejczyk ◽  
Marta Ciułkowicz ◽  
Julian Maciaszek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
University Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Eating Pattern

Students worldwide have been impacted by nationwide safety closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating an environment with loss of interaction with colleagues, social isolation, boredom, and economic uncertainty. Since university students were considered uniquely vulnerable to mental health problems even before the pandemic, this study aimed to investigate lifestyle and behavioral changes experienced by this population due to the epidemiological situation and their effect on their mental health. Data were collected via an online survey conducted among university students across Poland. The survey addressed recent lifestyle changes that were a result of the pandemic as well as psychological distress, symptoms of insomnia and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The results indicate that protective factors include maintaining a daily routine, staying physically active, following a usual eating pattern and taking care of sleep hygiene. Changes in behavior contributing to poorer mental health included giving up a daily routine, neglecting meals, tidiness, hygiene as well as social relationships, changes in food intake, sleeping schedule, a decrease in physical activity and the onset of sexual dysfunctions. A history of psychiatric treatment and an increase in self-harm as well as an increase in alcohol and tobacco consumption were also found to be associated with psychological distress. Experienced lifestyle and behavioral changes and their impact on mental health were apparent throughout the obtained data, highlighting the need for psychological support in the studied population. Based on the results we were able to establish a list of protective and risk factors influencing the everyday life and psychological wellbeing of students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which could also be translated into life skills.

Association between Criminological Risk Factors and Mental Health Problems among Urban Jail Inmates

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernie Gonzalez ◽  
Jorge G. Varela ◽  
Erika J. Canales ◽  
Alexandra Tellez ◽  
Amy B. Percosky
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Jail Inmates

Loneliness, social isolation and cardiovascular risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackson Alun ◽  
Barbara Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cardiac Events ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Traditional Risk Factors

Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly being acknowledged as risk factors for both physical and mental health problems. Recent statistics demonstrate that loneliness and isolation are on the rise internationally, to the point of being classed as an epidemic. In this paper, the authors outline some of the recent research linking loneliness and isolation to significant chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes; mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression; cognitive disorders and dementia. Isolation has also been shown to compromise recovery after acute cardiac events, being associated with increased hospital readmission and premature death. Indeed, isolation has now been identified as a risk factor equivalent in effect to traditional risk factors such as smoking, hypertension and obesity. While distinguishing between objective and subjective indicators of isolation, the authors highlight the complexity of this phenomenon, both in terms of definition and measurement, as well as the interplay between subjective and objective indicators. Important clinical implications for health professionals working with cardiac patients are also proposed, in terms of screening for isolation, and possible interventions to support patients at risk of isolation. The aim of the current article is to emphasise the importance of acknowledging loneliness and isolation as key risk factors requiring urgent attention, both in research and in clinical practice.

scholarly journals From Stress to Psychopathology: Relationship with Self-Reassurance and Self-Criticism in Czech University Students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Jaroslava Dosedlova ◽  
Denise Andrzejewski ◽  
Greta Kaluzeviciute ◽  
Makoto Sakai
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Transactional Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
As Stress

AbstractPsychological stress has become a major concern, potentially leading to diverse health problems including psychopathology such as depression and anxiety. Transactional Model of Stress and Coping is an established model, conceptualizing stressful experiences via person–environment relationship. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the pathway from stress to depression/anxiety, with a focus on self-criticism (inadequate-self and hated-self) and self-reassurance (reassured-self) in Czech students who suffered from high prevalence of mental health problems. Convenience sample of 119 undergraduates completed the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 and the Forms of the Self-Criticizing/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale. Correlation and path analyses were conducted. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were used to aid an accurate and complete report of the study. Depression, anxiety, and stress were positively associated with inadequate-self and hated-self while negatively associated with reassured-self. Both inadequate-self and hated-self partially mediated the stress–depression and stress–anxiety relationships, whereas reassured-self only partially mediated the stress–depression relationship. Inadequate-self had greater impact on the stress–depression/anxiety pathways than hated-self and reassured-self. Findings indicate that clinical treatment may benefit from targeting the feelings of inadequacy to prevent stress progressing to psychopathology. This is particularly relevant as stress levels are rising globally. Our findings offer developments to the Transactional Model, and help practitioners and educators identify solutions to protect mental health of Czech university students.

Cardiovascular disease and meaning in life: A systematic literature review and conceptual model

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Joel Vos
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Meaningful Life ◽  
Psychological Treatments

Abstract Objectives Previous studies have shown that psychological stress and mental health problems increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, such as heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, after CVD events, the majority of patients report large stress. However, psychological treatments have only modest effects in CVD patients. Therefore, it has been argued that new conceptual models are needed to understand the aetiology of stress and mental health problems in CVD patients. Therefore, this study included a systematic literature review and a conceptual model on the role of meaning in life for psychological stress, mental health, and CVD risks. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted on relationships between CVD and meaning in life. PRISMA/MOOSE review guidelines were followed. These findings were used to build a conceptual model. Results The literature review included 113 studies on meaning and CVD. The included studies described meaning as a predictor of cardiovascular risks and health, meaning-centered needs of patients in conversations with medical staff, meaning-centered changes after CVD events, meaning-centered coping with CVD, meaning as motivator of CVD-related lifestyle changes, and meaning as an element in psychological treatments of CVD patients. In sum, the literature showed that a central clinical concern for patients is their question how to live a meaningful life despite CVD. Meaning-centered concerns seem to lead to lower motivation to make lifestyle changes, more psychological stress, lower quality-of-life, worse physical well-being, and increased CVD risk. The ability to live a meaningful life after CVD events is related with lower stress, better mental health, and several biomarkers. Significance of results An evidence-based conceptual framework was developed for the relationship between meaning and CVD. It may be hypothesized CVD patients may benefit from psychological therapies focused on meaning.

scholarly journals Associations among child abuse, mental health, and epigenetic modifications in the proopiomelanocortin gene (POMC): A study with children in Tanzania

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4pt2) ◽  
pp. 1401-1412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Hecker ◽  
Karl M. Radtke ◽  
Katharin Hermenau ◽  
Andreas Papassotiropoulos ◽  
Thomas Elbert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Epigenetic Modifications ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Low Exposure ◽  
Altered Gene

AbstractChild abuse is associated with a number of emotional and behavioral problems. Nevertheless, it has been argued that these adverse consequences may not hold for societies in which many of the specific acts of abuse are culturally normed. Epigenetic modifications in the genes of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis may provide a potential mechanism translating abuse into altered gene expression, which subsequently results in behavioral changes. Our investigation took place in Tanzania, a society in which many forms of abuse are commonly employed as disciplinary methods. We included 35 children with high exposure and compared them to 25 children with low exposure. Extreme group comparisons revealed that children with high exposure reported more mental health problems. Child abuse was associated with differential methylation in the proopiomelanocortin gene (POMC), measured both in saliva and in blood. Hierarchical clustering based on the methylation of the POMC gene found two distinct clusters. These corresponded with children's self-reported abuse, with two-thirds of the children allocated into their respective group. Our results emphasize the consequences of child abuse based on both molecular and behavioral grounds, providing further evidence that acts of abuse affect children, even when culturally acceptable. Furthermore, on a molecular level, our findings strengthen the credibility of children's self-reports.

scholarly journals Predictors of persistent maternal depression trajectories in early childhood: results from the EDEN mother–child cohort study in France

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1999-2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. van der Waerden ◽  
C. Galéra ◽  
M.-J. Saurel-Cubizolles ◽  
A.-L. Sutter-Dallay ◽  
M. Melchior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Preschool Period ◽  
Persistent Depression ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

BackgroundMaternal depression in the pre- and postpartum period may set women on a course of chronic depressive symptoms. Little is known about predictors of persistently elevated depressive symptoms in mothers from pregnancy onwards. The aims of this study are to determine maternal depression trajectories from pregnancy to the child's fifth birthday and identify associated risk factors.MethodMothers (N = 1807) from the EDEN mother–child birth cohort study based in France (2003–2011) were followed from 24–28 weeks of pregnancy to their child's fifth birthday. Maternal depression trajectories were determined with a semi-parametric group-based modelling strategy. Sociodemographic, psychosocial and psychiatric predictors were explored for their association with trajectory class membership.ResultsFive trajectories of maternal symptoms of depression from pregnancy onwards were identified: no symptoms (60.2%); persistent intermediate-level depressive symptoms (25.2%); persistent high depressive symptoms (5.0%); high symptoms in pregnancy only (4.7%); high symptoms in the child's preschool period only (4.9%).Socio-demographic predictorsassociated with persistent depression were non-French origin;psychosocial predictorswere childhood adversities, life events during pregnancy and work overinvestment;psychiatric predictorswere previous mental health problems, psychological help, and high anxiety during pregnancy.ConclusionsPersistent depression in mothers of young children is associated to several risk factors present prior to or during pregnancy, notably anxiety. These characteristics precede depression trajectories and offer a possible entry point to enhance mother's mental health and reduce its burden on children.

Postpartum Psychosis: Risk factors and Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ousman Bajinka
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Postpartum Psychosis ◽  
Specialist Care ◽  
Puerperal Psychosis

Following childbirth, with a psychosis and associated mood disturbance, Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) is studied to be a severe mental health condition. PPP affects 1 to 2 per 1000 women among the psychiatric emergency. To curb this severe disorder, acute clinical intervention is warranted. Maternal mental health problems with a focus on depression as the condition with the biggest public health impact should be the way forward. This review is set to look into the risk factors, prevention and management of PPP. Both the acute onset and recurrence of psychiatric illness are common during the perinatal period as women are more vulnerable during this period. Timely detection and effective management of perinatal psychiatric disorders are critical for managing PPP. Part of the management strategies for women who experience PPP is to seek guidance on further pregnancies and risk of illness. Since PPP is a disturbing complication of childbirth that carries high risks for both mother and child, if one is at high risk of developing puerperal psychosis, there is the need for a specialist care during pregnancy and be seen by a psychiatrist.

scholarly journals FACTORES DE RIESGO ASOCIADOS A LOS MALOS TRATOS A PERSONAS MAYORES SEGÚN EL GÉNERO DE LAS VÍCTIMAS

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 289
Author(s):  
Carmen Touza Garma ◽  
Carmen Prado Nóvoa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Domestic Abuse ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Factores De Riesgo ◽  
Salud Mental ◽  
Las Mujeres

Abstract.RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ELDER ABUSE BY GENDER OF THE VICTIMSElder abuse is an increasingly recognized social problem because it is a violation of Human Rights and because of its serious consequences for the wellbeing and quality of life of older people. In addition, the prevalence of the problem could increase due to the aging population. Within this context, women appear in some studies as more frequent victims of abuse than men, although there are few studies that analyze why the risk of suffering domestic abuse may be higher in women than in men. The objective of this research was to assess whether there are different risk factors depending on the gender of the victims. The study involved 46 professional of social services teams who analyzed the situation of 202 elderly people (134 women and 68 men) through an assessment protocol that collected information on major risk factors for domestic abuse raised in the investigations. The results showed that although both genders shared a large number of risk factors, some turned out to be only significant for women: three factors related to the care-receiver (lack of income, problems of mental health and signs of cognitive decline) and four factors related to the caregiver (problems of mental health, problems with alcohol or other drugs, having experienced abuse at other times in his or her life and being financially dependent). These results could indicate some factors that increase the vulnerability of women and have important implications for the prevention and detection of risk situations of abuse.Key words: elder abuse, risk factors, human sex differences, gender.Resumen.Los malos tratos a la personas mayores son un problema social cada vez más reconocido porque suponen una violación de los Derechos Humanos y porque pueden producir graves consecuencias en su bienestar y calidad de vida. Además, la prevalencia del problema podría aumentar debido al envejecimiento de la población. Dentro de este contexto, la mujeres aparecen en algunos estudios como víctimas más frecuentes de los malos tratos que los varones, aunque son escasos los estudios que analicen por qué el riesgo de sufrir malos tratos domésticos puede ser mayor en las mujeres que en los hombres. El objetivo de esta investigación fue valorar si existen distintos factores de riesgo en función del género de las víctimas. En el estudio participaron 46 profesionales de equipos de servicios sociales que analizaron la situación de 202 personas mayores (134 mujeres y 68 hombres) a través de un protocolo de valoración que recogía información sobre los principales factores de riesgo de los malos tratos domésticos planteados en las investigaciones. Los resultados encontrados mostraron que aunque ambos géneros compartían un elevado número de factores de riesgo, algunos resultaron ser únicamente significativos para las mujeres: tres factores relacionados con la persona mayor (la falta de ingresos económicos, los  problemas de salud mental y la presencia de signos de deterioro cognitivo) y cuatro factores relacionados con el cuidador (los problemas de salud mental, los problemas con el alcohol u otras drogas, haber sufrido malos tratos y ser económicamente dependiente). Estos resultados podrían indicar algunos factores que aumentarían la vulnerabilidad de las mujeres y tienen importantes implicaciones para la prevención y detección de situaciones de riesgo de malos tratos.Palabras clave: malos tratos a las personas mayores, factores de riesgo, diferencias de género.

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