Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Relationship duration and mental health outcomes: findings from a 30-year longitudinal study
- Authors:
- GIBB Sheree J., FERGUSSON David M., HORWOOD L. John
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 198(1), January 2011, pp.24-30.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
It has been suggested that the association between marriage and mental health reflects a selection effect in that psychologically healthy individuals are more likely to become married. A limitation of existing research is the focus on legal marriage rather than the duration of a cohabiting relationship. This study was designed to examine the associations between relationship duration and mental health problems in a birth cohort of New Zealanders. At age 25 and 30 987 participants were questioned about their partner relationships over the preceding 12 months and the extent to which they had suffered from a defined list of psychiatric disorders. Associations were adjusted for covariates, including prior mental health problems. Longer relationship duration was significantly associated with lower rates of depression, suicidal behaviour and substance abuse/dependence. With the exception of substance abuse, the associations did not vary with gender. Legal relationship status was not significantly related to mental health once allowance had been made for relationship duration. The authors conclude that increasing relationship duration, but not legal relationship status, has a protective effect on mental health for men and women.
Reactions to abortion and subsequent mental health
- Authors:
- FERGUSSON David M., HORWOOD L. John, BODEN Joseph M.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 195(5), November 2009, pp.420-426.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
In this study to document emotional reactions to abortion, and possible links to subsequent mental health outcomes data were gathered on the pregnancy and mental health history of a birth cohort of over 500 women from New Zealand studied to the age of 30. Abortion was associated with high rates of both positive and negative emotional reactions; however, nearly 90% of respondents believed that the abortion was the right decision. Analyses showed that the number of negative responses to the abortion was associated with increased levels of subsequent mental health disorders. Further analyses suggested that, after adjustment for confounding, those having an abortion and reporting negative reactions had rates of mental health disorders that were approximately 1.4–1.8 times higher than those not having an abortion. Abortion was associated with both positive and negative emotional reactions. The extent of negative emotional reactions appeared to modify the links between abortion and subsequent mental health problems.
Abortion and mental health
- Author:
- FERGUSSON David M.
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 32(9), September 2008, pp.321-324.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
A recent Royal College of Psychiatrists’ statement concluded that current evidence on abortion and mental health is inconclusive. This contribution examines the background to the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ statement and the issues it raises. It is concluded that the best route to resolving such issues is through further and better research.
Burden of psychiatric disorder in young adulthood and life outcomes at age 30
- Authors:
- GIBB Sheree J., FERGUSSON David M., HORWOOD L. John
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 197(2), August 2010, pp.122-127.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Psychiatric disorders are common during young adulthood and comorbidity is frequent. Individual psychiatric disorders have been shown to be associated with negative economic and educational outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine whether the extent of common psychiatric disorder between ages 18 and 25 is associated with negative economic and educational outcomes at age 30, before and after controlling for confounding factors. The participants were 987 individuals from the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a longitudinal study of a birth cohort of individuals born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1977 and followed to age 30. Linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between psychiatric disorder from age 18 to 25 and workforce participation, income and living standards, and educational achievement at age 30, before and after adjustment for confounding factors. The results showed significant associations between the extent of psychiatric disorder reported between ages 18 and 25 and all of the outcome measures. After adjustment for confounding factors, the associations between psychiatric disorder and workforce participation, income and living standards remained significant, but the associations between psychiatric disorder and educational achievement were not significant. The article concludes that after due allowance had been made for a range of confounding factors, psychiatric disorder between ages 18 and 25 was associated with reduced workforce participation, lower income and lower economic living standards at age 30.
Childhood sexual abuse and adult developmental outcomes: findings from a 30-year longitudinal study in New Zealand
- Authors:
- FERGUSSON David M., McLEOD Geraldine F.H., HORWOOD L. John
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 37(9), 2013, p.664–674.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Objectives: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has been associated with many adverse medical, psychological, behavioural and socioeconomic outcomes in adulthood. This study aims to examine the linkages between CSA and a wide range of developmental outcomes over a protracted time period to age 30. Methods: Data from over 900 members of the New Zealand birth cohort the Christchurch Health and Development Study were examined. CSA prior to age 16 was assessed at ages 18 and 21 years, in addition to: mental health, psychological wellbeing, sexual risk-taking behaviours, physical health and socioeconomic outcomes to age 30. Results: After statistical adjustment for confounding by 10 covariates spanning socio-demographic, family functioning and child factors, extent of exposure to CSA was associated with increased rates of (B, SE, p): major depression (0.426, 0.094, <.001); anxiety disorder (0.364, 0.089, <.001); suicidal ideation (0.395, 0.089, <.001); suicide attempt (1.863, 0.403, <.001); alcohol dependence (0.374, 0.118, <.002); and illicit drug dependence (0.425, 0.113, <.001). In addition, at age 30 CSA was associated with higher rates of PTSD symptoms (0.120, 0.051, .017); decreased self-esteem (−0.371, 0.181, .041); and decreased life satisfaction (−0.510, 0.189, .007). Childhood sexual abuse was also associated with decreased age of onset of sexual activity (−0.381, 0.091, <.001), increased number of sexual partners (0.175, 0.035, <.001); increased medical contacts for physical health problems (0.105, 0.023, <.001); and welfare dependence (0.310, 0.099, .002). Effect sizes (Cohen's d) for the significant outcomes from all domains ranged from .14 to .53, while the attributable risks for the mental health outcomes ranged from 5.7% to 16.6%. Conclusions: CSA is a traumatic childhood life event in which the negative consequences increase with increasing severity of abuse. CSA adversely influences a number of adult developmental outcomes that span: mental disorders, psychological wellbeing, sexual risk-taking, physical health and socioeconomic wellbeing. While the individual effect sizes for CSA typically range from small to moderate, it is clear that accumulative adverse effects on adult developmental outcomes are substantial. (Publisher abstract)
Recurrence of major depression in adolescence and early adulthood, and later mental health, educational and economic outcomes
- Authors:
- FERGUSSON David M., BODEN Joseph M., HORWOOD L. John
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 191(10), October 2007, pp.335-342.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
It is unclear how the recurrence of major depression in adolescence affects later life outcomes. The aim was to examine the associations between the frequency of major depression at ages 16–21 and later outcomes, both before and after controlling for potentially confounding factors. Data were gathered from a 25-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of New Zealand children (n=982). Outcome measures included DSM–IV symptom criteria for major depression and anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, achieving university degree or other tertiary education qualification, welfare dependence and unemployment, and income at ages 21–25 years. There were significant (P<0.05) associations between the frequency of depression at ages 16–21 years and all outcome measures. After adjustment for confounding factors, the association between frequency of depression and all mental health outcomes, and welfare dependence and unemployment, remained significant (P<0.05). The frequency of depression in adolescence and young adulthood is associated with adverse mental health and economic outcomes in early adulthood.
Physical punishment/maltreatment during childhood and adjustment in young adulthood
- Authors:
- FERGUSSON David M., LYNSKEY Michael T.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 21(7), July 1997, pp.617-630.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Reports on a study of the relationships between retrospective reports of physical punishment/maltreatment and rates of adjustment difficulties at age 18 in a birth cohort of New Zealand subjects. Data were gathered over the course of an 18 year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of New Zealand born children. At age 18 retrospective reports of exposure to physical punishment/maltreatment were obtained. At this time the cohort was also assessed on measures of psychosocial adjustment including juvenile offending, substance abuse behaviours, and psychiatric disorder. Leads to three major conclusions: (1) Those exposed to harsh or abusive treatment during childhood are an at-risk population for juvenile offending, substance abuse, and mental health problems; (2) Much of this elevated risk arises from the social context within which harsh or abusive treatment occurs: (3) Nonetheless, exposure to abuse appears to increase risks of involvement in violent behaviour and alcohol abuse.