International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(5), May 2008, pp.497-503.
Publisher:
Wiley
This study aimed to compare the attitudes and knowledge of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among older adults depressed patients across three culturally different populations and to explore the relationship between culture, knowledge and attitudes. The study was conducted in one centre in each country. A semi-structured survey was used which included three sections: demographics characteristics, attitudes towards and knowledge of ECT. A total of 75 patients were recruited in this study: 30 patients from England; 30 patients from Argentina; and 15 patients from Canada. There was a significant difference in knowledge about ECT across the three countries. No significant difference was found in terms of attitudes. Knowledge was poor in all three countries. The most influential factor shaping subjects' attitudes and knowledge of ECT differed for the three countries. A weak correlation was found between knowledge of and attitudes towards ECT across all patients from the three different countries. No evidence was found that a particular cultural background affects attitudes towards ECT.
This study aimed to compare the attitudes and knowledge of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among older adults depressed patients across three culturally different populations and to explore the relationship between culture, knowledge and attitudes. The study was conducted in one centre in each country. A semi-structured survey was used which included three sections: demographics characteristics, attitudes towards and knowledge of ECT. A total of 75 patients were recruited in this study: 30 patients from England; 30 patients from Argentina; and 15 patients from Canada. There was a significant difference in knowledge about ECT across the three countries. No significant difference was found in terms of attitudes. Knowledge was poor in all three countries. The most influential factor shaping subjects' attitudes and knowledge of ECT differed for the three countries. A weak correlation was found between knowledge of and attitudes towards ECT across all patients from the three different countries. No evidence was found that a particular cultural background affects attitudes towards ECT.
British Journal of Psychiatry, 192(4), April 2008, pp.275-278.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Few studies have examined whether attributional style (an individual's explanation of why events happen) is a genetically influenced vulnerability factor for depression. The aim was to investigate whether attributional style is an enduring vulnerability trait for recurrent depression. As part of the Cardiff Depression Study, we interviewed 108 people with depression and their siblings, and a control group of 105 healthy individuals and their siblings, using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule. Participants also completed the Attributional Style Questionnaire. Regression analyses showed that attributional style results from mood state and is not a familial risk factor for depression. However, the tendency to internalise negative events was related to having had a prior episode of depression, suggesting a `scarring' effect. Also, non-severe events were associated with one subset of optimistic attributions. Attributional style mainly measures current mood and does not reflect a familial risk factor for depression.
Few studies have examined whether attributional style (an individual's explanation of why events happen) is a genetically influenced vulnerability factor for depression. The aim was to investigate whether attributional style is an enduring vulnerability trait for recurrent depression. As part of the Cardiff Depression Study, we interviewed 108 people with depression and their siblings, and a control group of 105 healthy individuals and their siblings, using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule. Participants also completed the Attributional Style Questionnaire. Regression analyses showed that attributional style results from mood state and is not a familial risk factor for depression. However, the tendency to internalise negative events was related to having had a prior episode of depression, suggesting a `scarring' effect. Also, non-severe events were associated with one subset of optimistic attributions. Attributional style mainly measures current mood and does not reflect a familial risk factor for depression.
de JONG-MEYER Renate, KUCZMERA Arkadius, TRIPP Jurgen
Journal article citation:
British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 46(3), September 2007, pp.371-376.
Publisher:
Wiley
This study aimed to examine the effects of experimentally induced positive vs. negative mood on reported positive and negative future events in a group of depressive adolescents. Adolescent in-patients with elevated depression were randomized into a positive or negative mood induction condition (N=24 in each group) and then presented with the Future Thinking Task asking participants to generate
This study aimed to examine the effects of experimentally induced positive vs. negative mood on reported positive and negative future events in a group of depressive adolescents. Adolescent in-patients with elevated depression were randomized into a positive or negative mood induction condition (N=24 in each group) and then presented with the Future Thinking Task asking participants to generate as many future events of a specified valence as possible. The inductions resulted in significant mood differences between groups. The assumed interaction between mood condition and reported positive and negative future events was confirmed. Particularly, the generation of negative future event representations differed between the mood induction groups. Dysphoric adolescents given a negative mood induction differ from those given a positive mood induction in their ability to think of future positive and negative events that they might experience.
... (USII). Identifies four types of unsupportive or upsetting responses and finds out their association with depression among people living with HIV.
Although numerous studies of people living with HIV have focused on positive social support, researchers have directed surprisingly little attention to the nature and effects of negative social interactions in the population. Based on data from a diverse sample of people with HIV, the authors conducted a factor analysis to develop the HIV version of the Unsupportive Social Interactions Inventory (USII). Identifies four types of unsupportive or upsetting responses and finds out their association with depression among people living with HIV.
Aging and Mental Health, 19(12), 2015, pp.1063-1070.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
In current society, an increasing population of older adults and a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in late life is noticeable. A possible protective resource is ‘Meaning in Life’. The objective of this study is to identify from a person-oriented view (a) Meaning in Life-profiles, based on Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning dimensions, and (b) their associations with depressive symptoms.
(Edited publisher abstract)
In current society, an increasing population of older adults and a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in late life is noticeable. A possible protective resource is ‘Meaning in Life’. The objective of this study is to identify from a person-oriented view (a) Meaning in Life-profiles, based on Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning dimensions, and (b) their associations with depressive symptoms.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, depression, attitudes, mental health, quality of life;
British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(4), November 2012, pp.376-395.
Publisher:
Wiley
Overgeneralisation (defined as unjustified generalisation on the basis of a single incident), is a prominent concept in cognitive theories of personality and depression. This study carried out in the Netherlands investigated whether it is restricted to negative attributions directed at the self or also extends to positive self-attributions and attributions of situations in the outside world.
Overgeneralisation (defined as unjustified generalisation on the basis of a single incident), is a prominent concept in cognitive theories of personality and depression. This study carried out in the Netherlands investigated whether it is restricted to negative attributions directed at the self or also extends to positive self-attributions and attributions of situations in the outside world. The study participants were 87 psychiatric patients (34 with major depressive disorder, 18 with borderline personality disorder, and 35 with both) and 50 never-depressed non-patients, who all completed various measures of overgeneralisation. The article describes the study background and methodology, and presents the results of data analysis. It reports that patient groups differ from non-patients with respect to negative and positive overgeneralisation, and that there is variation in positive or negative and direction of overgeneralisation among patients with major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder. It suggests that these patients lack a buffer against negative overgeneralisation directed at the self, and discusses the implications of the study findings.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, personality disorders, self-esteem, attitudes, depression;
Health and Social Care in the Community, 20(4), July 2012, pp.412-419.
Publisher:
Wiley
Gay communities often report high rates of both depression and illicit drug usage. However, little is known about how beliefs about drug use affect clinical encounters between gay men and health professionals, and in turn affect clinical communication and care, particularly in relation to depression. This study compared doctor and patient beliefs about the role of illicit drug use in gay men’s depression. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 general medical practitioners and 40 gay men with depression in Australia. Findings revealed that doctors thought that illicit drug use was: related to depression; impeded effective diagnosis and treatment of depression; and increased the level of complexity involved in caring for gay men with depression. Gay men thought that illicit drug use was: closely related to depression; could be helpful in dealing with difficult experiences; and was just what gay men did living in a big city. Both groups believed drug use and depression were related, but doctors emphasised the negative outcomes of drug use and interpreted these in relation to health. Doctors believed that communication with gay male patients could be improved if both groups acknowledged
Gay communities often report high rates of both depression and illicit drug usage. However, little is known about how beliefs about drug use affect clinical encounters between gay men and health professionals, and in turn affect clinical communication and care, particularly in relation to depression. This study compared doctor and patient beliefs about the role of illicit drug use in gay men’s depression. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 general medical practitioners and 40 gay men with depression in Australia. Findings revealed that doctors thought that illicit drug use was: related to depression; impeded effective diagnosis and treatment of depression; and increased the level of complexity involved in caring for gay men with depression. Gay men thought that illicit drug use was: closely related to depression; could be helpful in dealing with difficult experiences; and was just what gay men did living in a big city. Both groups believed drug use and depression were related, but doctors emphasised the negative outcomes of drug use and interpreted these in relation to health. Doctors believed that communication with gay male patients could be improved if both groups acknowledged their divergent views of illicit drugs and their potential role in mental health.
Subject terms:
attitudes, depression, doctors, drug misuse, gay men;
Journal of Public Mental Health, 8(2), June 2009, pp.4-14.
Publisher:
Emerald
This paper reports on research into adolescents' mental health literacy, focusing on their ability to recognise two diagnosable mental illnesses and three mental health problems associated with loss. A vignette-based questionnaire was developed and completed by a school-based sample of adolescents in England. Different levels of understanding were identified for each vignette. Participants responded well, demonstrating the different levels of understanding. Grading of the responses provided an opportunity to explore and discuss differences between professional and lay understanding of mental health and illness. The article also considers the implications for practice in terms of mental health promotion.
This paper reports on research into adolescents' mental health literacy, focusing on their ability to recognise two diagnosable mental illnesses and three mental health problems associated with loss. A vignette-based questionnaire was developed and completed by a school-based sample of adolescents in England. Different levels of understanding were identified for each vignette. Participants responded well, demonstrating the different levels of understanding. Grading of the responses provided an opportunity to explore and discuss differences between professional and lay understanding of mental health and illness. The article also considers the implications for practice in terms of mental health promotion.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, stress, young people, attitudes, depression;
Social Science and Medicine, 69(8), October 2009, pp.1137-1143.
Publisher:
Elsevier
Psychiatry has provided primary care physicians with tools for recognising and labelling mild, moderate or severe ‘depression’. General practitioners (GPs) in the UK have been guided to manage depression within primary care and to prescribe anti-depressants as a first-line treatment. The present study aimed to examine how GPs would construct ‘depression’ when asked to talk about those anomalous patients for whom the medical frontline treatment did not appear to be effective. Twenty purposively selected GPs were asked in an interview to talk about their experience and management of patients with depression who did not respond to anti-depressants. GPs initially struggled to identify a group, but then began to construct a category of person with a pre-medicalised status characterised by various deviant features such as unpleasant characters and personalities, manipulative tendencies, people with entrenched social problems unable to fit in with other people and relate to people normally. GPs also responded in non-medical ways including feeling unsympathetic, breaking confidentiality and prescribing social interventions. In effect, in the absence of an effective medical treatment, depression
Psychiatry has provided primary care physicians with tools for recognising and labelling mild, moderate or severe ‘depression’. General practitioners (GPs) in the UK have been guided to manage depression within primary care and to prescribe anti-depressants as a first-line treatment. The present study aimed to examine how GPs would construct ‘depression’ when asked to talk about those anomalous patients for whom the medical frontline treatment did not appear to be effective. Twenty purposively selected GPs were asked in an interview to talk about their experience and management of patients with depression who did not respond to anti-depressants. GPs initially struggled to identify a group, but then began to construct a category of person with a pre-medicalised status characterised by various deviant features such as unpleasant characters and personalities, manipulative tendencies, people with entrenched social problems unable to fit in with other people and relate to people normally. GPs also responded in non-medical ways including feeling unsympathetic, breaking confidentiality and prescribing social interventions. In effect, in the absence of an effective medical treatment, depression appeared to become demedicalised. The implications of this process are discussed in relation to patients' subsequent access or lack of access to services and the way in which these findings highlight the processes by which medicine frames disease.
Subject terms:
medication, stereotyped attitudes, attitudes, depression, general practitioners;
Social Science and Medicine, 67(4), August 2008, pp.657-665.
Publisher:
Elsevier
... The findings indicated that depression and stress were consistently reported to have a high impact on life and work relative to other CHPs, with work being perceived as a primary cause of these complaints. The social, moral and economic pressures involved in work and sickness absence emerged as a major theme. Differences were identified in beliefs about CHPs and work according to gender, age
Common health problems (CHPs) such as pain, depressed mood and fatigue are often cited as causes of disability and incapacity for work. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate beliefs about CHPs in relation to work. Focus groups (n = 16) were undertaken with 79 people aged 17–83 in South Wales, UK, where there is a high prevalence of limiting long-term illnesses in a number of areas. The findings indicated that depression and stress were consistently reported to have a high impact on life and work relative to other CHPs, with work being perceived as a primary cause of these complaints. The social, moral and economic pressures involved in work and sickness absence emerged as a major theme. Differences were identified in beliefs about CHPs and work according to gender, age and socio-economic status. Beliefs were relatively consistent across geographical locations, although changes in forms of work and social structure of communities were more salient issues within the ex-coalfield areas. Care needs to be taken that initiatives aimed at reducing incapacity for work due to CHPs do not simply add to the pressure to ‘be well’.