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Betting on a different horse: a qualitative analysis of mental health in health promotion policies
- Authors:
- SOLIN Pia, LEHTO Juhani
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 3(3), September 2004, pp.8-17.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
Aims to analyse the position and role of mental health in health promotion policy. Policy documents from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, England and Portugal indicate that, although mental health is considered a serious issue, it is problematic in policy terms. Arguments make the case for the importance of mental health within the health promotion agenda, including the classification of mental illness as a public health problem, socio-economic and individual costs of mental health problems, and the view that mental wellbeing is a crucial element of overall health. However, problems of definition and measurement, and a traditional focus on treatment and care, continue to make mental health promotion problematic for policy makers.
The role of social support in suicidal ideation: a comparison of employed vs. unemployed people
- Authors:
- FARIAS Miguel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 29(1), 2020, pp.52-59.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: With the financial crisis, the number of unemployed has grown up, and so has suicidal ideation in these individuals. Although extensive research has been done about the factors associated with it, studies about protective factors are also necessary. Aims: To examine the relationship between unemployment and suicidal ideation, and the protective effect of social support. Methods: Participants were 149 people in full-time employment (age M = 41.63, SD = 10.37), 55 unemployed (M = 42.25, SD = 10.23 years), and 32.72 months average unemployment time (SD = 26.13). Instruments were a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) and the Social Support Appraisal (SSA). Results: Suicidal ideation was significantly higher in the unemployed group, and positively associated with duration of unemployment. Social support, both from family and friends, was found to be a protective factor in suicidal ideation, particularly in long-term unemployment. Limitations: Cross-sectional study, convenience sample. Conclusions: Suicidal ideation is markedly present in unemployed individuals, particularly those unemployed for a year or more, and social support from family and friends may act as a significant protective factor. (Publisher abstract)
Psychopathy: a comprehensive review of its assessment and intervention
- Authors:
- MOREIRA Diana, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aggression and Violent Behavior, 19(3), 2014, pp.191-195.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Psychopathy is one of the most studied personality disorders, in terms of the negative impact that the behaviours associated with this disorder — particularly, the criminal behaviour — have in the community where the individual lives. The aim of this article is to present a comprehensive literature review on psychopathy, focusing some difficulties related to its concept, assessment, and intervention. Here, psychopathy is presented as a construct resulting from decades of clinical and empirical research, and whose dimensional nature justifies the possibility of assessing the general population. Studies indicate that psychopathy is manifested in a number of behaviours resulting from biological and personality factors related to a series of family history and environmental factors. The authors emphasise the need for more empirical research on psychopathy in the general population in Portugal, regarding the development and adaptation of measures of the construct. (Edited publisher abstract)
Health and mental health needs and experiences of minority clients in Portugal
- Authors:
- MOLEIRO Carla, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care, 5(1), June 2009, pp.15-24.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The paper addresses diversity, multi-culturalism and mental health. It reports qualitative data from a larger project on multi-cultural counselling competencies in Portugal which sought to meet the needs identified by specific minority groups by developing integrative, responsive and culturally sensitive treatments. A qualitative study is presented, with the aim of exploring the representations of mental health and illness held by ethnic minority groups in Portugal, as well as their specific needs and obstacles encountered in their interactions with health professionals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the results indicate that the meanings of health and mental health varied. Meanings of psychological health were related to general well-being. Help-seeking behaviours were associated with providing and receiving family and social support, mainly among participants of African descent. Although the great majority of participants had had no experience of counselling or psychotherapy, they expected psychologists to be multiculturally sensitive, as well as knowledgeable about diversity and multi-culturalism. Implications for development of mental health services for minority clients are discussed.
Impacts of therapeutic horticulture on happiness and loneliness in institutionalized clients with mental health conditions
- Authors:
- MOURAO Isabel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 85(2), 2022, pp.111-119.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Introduction: Therapeutic horticulture (TH) can be considered a non-pharmacological approach to support psychiatric treatments for the improvement of physical and mental health, but information is lacking on whether it has advantages as compared to more conventional occupational therapies (OTs). Method: The study focused on institutionalized 25 clients attending TH among other OTs and 15 clients attending OT other than TH. The measures used were the 'Subjective Happiness Scale' (SHS) and the 'Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults' (SELSA-S), along with sociodemographic and clinical data. The study design was descriptive, observational and cross-sectional. Results: Scores obtained from the SHS and SELSA-S were generally similar for both groups, although 40% of clients in the TH group perceived relaxation. These are in agreement with previous studies performed with chronic schizophrenia clients reporting that TH might effectively decrease depression/anxiety symptoms, but the feeling of hopelessness and quality of life did not change, probably due to long-term institutionalization and required medication that may limit other effects. Within the TH group, clients preferred specific horticultural tasks and more days/week attending activities decreased loneliness and increased happiness. Conclusion: TH interventions as an integrative treatment option merits further study on both process and outcome evaluation, to maximize its effectiveness. (Edited publisher abstract)
Emotional and behavioral problems and psychosocial skills in adolescents in residential care
- Authors:
- CAMPOS Joana, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 36(3), 2019, pp.237-246.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Research suggests that mental health problems in adolescents in residential care (RC) are more prevalent than for youth in the community, and that psychosocial competencies are protective factors of mental health. This study compared adolescents in RC in Portugal, with a Portuguese community sample on the incidence of mental health problems and psychosocial skills, explored gender differences and the relationships between mental health problems and psychosocial competencies. Four hundred and forty-three adolescents in RC participated. Results showed that the RC adolescents had higher levels of mental health problems lower academic achievement, a poorer social support network, but were more involved in sports and hobbies, household chores than the adolescents in the normative sample. Gender differences were observed. Psychosocial skills were negatively correlated with mental health problems. These findings indicate an urgent need in Portugal for early screening of mental health problems and socio-cognitive interventions for youth in RC. (Edited publisher abstract)
Key elements of a family intervention for schizophrenia: a qualitative analysis of an RCT
- Authors:
- GRACIO Jaime, GONÇALVES‐PEREIRA Manuel, LEFF Julian
- Journal article citation:
- Family Process, 57(1), 2018, pp.100-112.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Schizophrenia is a complex biopsychosocial condition in which expressed emotion in family members is a robust predictor of relapse. Not surprisingly, family interventions are remarkably effective and thus recommended in current treatment guidelines. Their key elements seem to be common therapeutic factors, followed by education and coping skills training. However, few studies have explored these key elements and the process of the intervention itself. We conducted a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the records from a pioneering family intervention trial addressing expressed emotion, published by Leff and colleagues four decades ago. Records were analyzed into categories and data explored using descriptive statistics. This was complemented by a narrative evaluation using an inductive approach based on emotional markers and markers of change. The most used strategies in the intervention were addressing needs, followed by coping skills enhancement, advice, and emotional support. Dealing with overinvolvement and reframing were the next most frequent. Single‐family home sessions seemed to augment the therapeutic work conducted in family groups. Overall the intervention seemed to promote cognitive and emotional change in the participants, and therapists were sensitive to the emotional trajectory of each subject. On the basis of our findings, we developed a longitudinal framework for better understanding the process of this treatment approach. (Edited publisher abstract)
Psychological abuse among older persons in Europe: a cross-sectional study
- Authors:
- MACASSA Gloria, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research, 5(1), 2013, pp.16-34.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
There is evidence to suggest that the rate of elder abuse in all its forms is growing. However, because of the difficulty of measuring it, psychological abuse may be underestimated. This cross sectional study used data collected in 2009 as part of the survey “Elder abuse: a multinational prevalence survey, ABUEL”. The participants were 4,467 randomly selected persons aged 60-84 years (2,559 women, 57.3 per cent) from seven EU countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Sweden). Participants answered a structured questionnaire either face-to-face or a mix of interview/self-response. The overall prevalence of psychological abuse was 29.7 per cent in Sweden, 27.1 per cent in Germany; 24.6 per cent in Lithuania and 21.9 per cent in Portugal. The lowest prevalence was reported in Greece, Spain and Italy with 13.2 per cent, 11.5 per cent and 10.4 per cent, respectively. Similar tendencies were observed concerning minor/severe abuse. The Northern countries (Germany, Lithuania, Sweden) compared to Southern countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain) reported a higher mean prevalence of minor/severe abuse (26.3 per cent/11.5 per cent and 12.9 per cent/5.9 per cent, respectively). Most perpetrators (71.2 per cent) were spouses/partners and other relatives (e.g. children). The analyses indicate that being from Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain was associated with a lower risk of psychological abuse. Low social support, living in rented housing, alcohol use, frequent health care use, and high scores in anxiety and somatic complaints were associated with increased risk of psychological abuse.