Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health"’ Sort:
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Welfare resources among children in care
- Authors:
- SALLNÄS Marie, WIKLUND Stefan, LAGERLÖF Hélène
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 15(4), 2012, pp.467-483.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study investigated living conditions in on-going foster and residential care for 272 children, aged 13 to 18 years, in three counties in mid-Sweden. Using concepts from welfare research and replicated national surveys of living conditions on a population of placed children, the authors assessed the extent to which these children enjoy such a standard while in care. In other words, it is possible to assess the compensatory capacity of state care for a population of children that has been recognised as deprived in terms of welfare resources in their birth families. The conclusion concerning the welfare dimensions studied is that children in care in general have less access to resources than their peers in the normal population. This holds particularly true for children in residential care, where the differences are substantial. In other words, the care context differentiates the extent to which society acts to compensate for the initial disadvantaged position from which children in care often originate. Implications for practice are discussed.
Movement in mind: the relationship of exercise with cognitive status for older adults in the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC)
- Authors:
- LINDWALL Magnus, RENNEMARK Mikael, BERGGREN Tomas
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(2), March 2008, pp.212-220.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of light and strenuous exercise, and self-reported change in exercise status, with different components of cognitive function, and gender differences in this relation, in a large, representative sample included in the Swedish National study on Aging and Care (SNAC). Eight-hundred-and-thirteen participants in age-cohorts from 60-96 years completed a wide range of cognitive function tests, the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) and survey questions concerning exercise behaviour and exercise change with light or strenuous intensity. ANCOVA, controlling for age, education, depression, functional status and co-morbidity, demonstrated a main effect for light exercise, but not for strenuous exercise, on five of the six cognitive tests and the MMSE, for men but nor for women. A negative change in exercise status was associated with lower MMSE scores for men but not for women. Individuals exercising with light intensity several times a week had the highest cognitive test and MMSE scores and the inactive group had the lowest scores. The results of the study may contribute to increased knowledge in the exercise-mental health relationship for elderly and spawn new research specifically on gender differences in this relation.
The determinants of mental health: a qualitative analysis of health policy documents
- Author:
- SOLIN Pia Crista Milana
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 8(2), May 2006, pp.3-11.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article reports on an exploratory analysis of the determinants of mental health in health policy documents from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, England and Portugal during 1985-2004. Similarities and differences in mental and somatic health were examined, using qualitative content analysis. The results of the analysis are compared with some frequently applied health determinant conceptualisations and with the conclusions of previous research. The article concludes by pointing out that the determinants of mentally and somatic health are constructed differently, which seems to affect the design of health promotion policy.
Refugee resettlement programmes as potential mental health promoting settings? A qualitative study of resettlement staff's constructions of refugees' mental health in everyday episodes
- Authors:
- LINDENCRONA Fredrik, EKBLAD Solvig
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care, 2(1), March 2006, pp.48-62.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This study examines resettlement staff's constructions of refugees' health in everyday episodes within the resettlement programme. Individual and group interviews with 28 members of staff were carried out and analysed using grounded theory methodology. The constructions of health in these episodes focused on mental health, the latter understood as a concept stressing the dynamic fit between person, programme and external environment. It is concluded that if a comprehensive strategy focusing on creating mental health among refugees thought inter-sectoral co-ordination is developed, resettlement programmes can probably be developed into mental health-promoting settings.
State intervention and mental well-being among the unemployed
- Author:
- STRANDH Mattias
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Policy, 30(1), January 2001, pp.57-80.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
- Place of publication:
- Cambridge
This article investigates how unemployment benefit systems and active labour market policy measures affect mental well being among the unemployed in Sweden. The study uses a longitudinal and nationally representative survey of 3,500 unemployed Swedes. Three different types of active labour market policy measures involving the unemployed were studied, "activation", "vocational training" and "workplace participation" measures. Of these only involvement in "workplace participation" was found to have a clearly positive effect on mental well-being among those participating. Of the two Swedish unemployment benefit systems, the more generous income replacement Unemployment Benefits and the less generous flat rate Cash Unemployment Benefits, only access to income replacement Unemployment Benefits was found to mediate the mental well-being of unemployment. The positive effect of access to income replacement Unemployment Benefits was further accentuated when unemployment was prolonged. Those with access to this benefit system seemed to suffer no further deterioration of mental well-being, while the mental well-being of the rest of the unemployed further deteriorated.
‘I teach them that anything is possible’ - exploring how adult leaders perceive and handle social factors of youth mental health in the context of young people’s civic engagement
- Authors:
- GOTFREDSEN Anne C., LANDSTEDT Evelina
- Journal article citation:
- Community Development Journal, 56(3), 2021, pp.506-523.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The aim of this qualitative study was 2-fold: to explore, in the context of young people’s civic engagement in Sweden, (i) how adult leaders perceive social factors of youth mental health and (ii) how adult leaders handle such social factors within their organizations. Interviews were conducted with leaders engaged in various civic organizations that provide leisure activities for young people. Using thematic analysis, three themes were constructed. Firstly, the social landscape of youth mental health described how adult leaders perceived the social factors of youth mental health within the context of civic engagement. Secondly, the organizational structures developed by adult leaders illustrated the organizing forms that leaders created for young people’s civic engagement. Thirdly, adult leaders’ strategies for addressing the social factors of youth mental health reflected the strategies developed to handle e.g. stress and achievement pressure. The adult leaders recognized the importance of their organizations and their huge potential to have a positive impact on youth mental health. However, some participants also saw limitations in terms of their own resources and competence. They found themselves having to address the complex issue of social factors of youth mental health regardless of whether they felt competent and prepared to do this or not. Our findings contribute to the existing knowledge on youth and community development via the role of adult leaders in promoting young people’s mental health by highlighting the organizational structures and leadership strategies developed by them. (Edited publisher abstract)
Outcomes for treatment of hypersexual behavior provided by specialized social welfare units
- Author:
- KJELLGREN Cecilia
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 29(1), 2019, pp.103-112.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Purpose: This study explores outcomes of treatment provided by specialized units within the social welfare sector in Sweden to clients seeking help with hypersexual behavior. Method: The participants were 27 males and 1 female (M = 40.3 years) who sought help from one of the three specialized units within social welfare in Sweden. A pretest–posttest group design was used to assess changes after treatment. Quantitative data were collected through interviews and self-report forms. Results: At posttreatment stage (on average a 10-month follow-up), mental health was significantly improved and hypersexual behavior reportedly reduced. The treatment at the specialized units appeared to help the clients. Conclusions: The specialized units seemed to deliver favorable service without shaming and stigmatizing participants. As this study can be considered a pilot study, it needs to be replicated. (Edited publisher abstract)
What makes supportive relationships supportive? The social climate in supported housing for people with psychiatric disabilities
- Author:
- ANDERSSON Gunnel
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 14(5), 2016, pp.509-529.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The link between social support, well-being, and mental health has been established in numerous studies in a variety of disciplines since the 1970s. A specific type of support is professional social support for people with psychiatric disabilities living in the community. This study emphasizes the relationship between the professional and the person with psychiatric disability in supported housing. The results show that a supportive relationship involves a social climate with the following components: interest in the individuality, care/concern, and respect for the integrity of the individual. The results also indicate that the social climate has a crucial influence on perceived support, as exemplified by supportive and unsupportive types of relationship. (Publisher abstract)
Life satisfaction among children in different family structures: a comparative study of 36 western Societies
- Authors:
- BJARNASON Thoroddur, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Society, 26(1), January 2012, pp.51-62.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Children living in less fortunate economic circumstances can be expected to be less satisfied with life and the association between single parenthood and reduced life satisfaction may be partly due to economic hardship. This paper examines differences in life satisfaction among 184,496 children in different family structures in 36 western countries. Findings revealed that children living with both biological parents reported higher levels of life satisfaction than children living with a single parent or parent–step-parent. Children in joint physical custody reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction than their counterparts in other types of non-intact families. Difficulties in communicating with parents were strongly associated with less life satisfaction but did not mediate the relation between family structure and life satisfaction. Children in the Nordic countries characterised by strong welfare systems reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction in all living arrangements except in single father households. While such life events as divorce or single motherhood may be heavily stigmatised in some countries and certain segments within countries, they may well be relatively meaningless in other social contexts. This may be a major source of the considerable variation in life satisfaction among children in living with single mothers or step-parents in different countries.
Unemployment benefits, job search activity and mental health: discouraging or buffering effects?
- Author:
- MALMBERG-HEIMONEN Ira
- Journal article citation:
- Nordisk Sosialt Arbeid, 25(1), 2005, pp.2-16.
- Publisher:
- Universitetsforlaget AS
The modern welfare state forms an important buffer against individual market risks, but has become less effective. Changes are being made in labour market policies generally by restricting access to unemployment benefits and by linking benefits to job search activity. Nevertheless, the effects of these changes are in many cases inconsistent and minor. This study investigates whether unemployment benefits have an impact on job search patterns and whether they are associated in some way with the risks of mental health problems. The study included young unemployed 18-24 year-olds from four countries including Sweden, Finland, Germany and Spain.