Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Screening for alcohol abuse and dependence in older people using DSM criteria: a review
- Authors:
- BEULLENS J., AERTGEERTS B.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 8(1), January 2004, pp.76-82.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Alcohol abuse and dependence in older people are important problems, which frequently remain undetected by health services. Therefore, screening instruments for alcohol abuse and dependence in elderly people would be useful in clinical practice. To assess the quality of screening instruments we performed a literature search in Medline (1966-2002) and PsycINFO (1967-2002). Seven research reports were found. The MAST-G and especially the CAGE appear appropriate. The two questions of Cyr and Wartman, AUDIT and the MAST do not appear appropriate in screening for alcohol abuse and dependence in elderly people in a clinical environment.
The effect of midlife risk factors on dementia in older age
- Author:
- PERSONAL SOCIAL SERVICES RESEARCH UNIT
- Publisher:
- Public Health England
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 45
- Place of publication:
- London
This evidence review examines the association between different midlife (ages 40 to 64) risk factors and onset of dementia later in life. The review covers all types of dementia and in all age groups. The review is part of a wider study to help commissioners to make decisions about the prioritisation of primary prevention measures for dementia. The risk factors considered comprise: smoking, excessive drinking, high blood pressure, lack of physical activity and obesity, diabetes, depression and other common mental health conditions, social isolation and loneliness, and lifelong learning and cognitive stimulation. The review shows that there is evidence that the risk of dementia is increased by: physical inactivity, current smoking, diabetes, hypertension in mid-life, and obesity in mid-life and depression. It also shows that mental activity can reduce the risk of dementia. The review identifies areas for future research. (Edited publisher abstract)
Across the wire: veterans, mental health and vulnerability
- Author:
- FOSEY Matt
- Publisher:
- Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 20p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This paper explores what is known from the published literature about the mental health of people who have served in the armed forces, about the links between mental health and alcohol use in service personnel, and about veterans in the criminal justice system. There appears to be a specific group of people whose needs are not met fully on discharge. This group mainly consists of single young men, with difficulties in adjusting to change, poor social skills and limited basic education, who leave the services early. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is not the most common mental health problem experienced by veterans. Depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse are far more prevalent, especially among young men leaving the services early. Veterans are less likely to go to prison than the general population. They are reported to comprise approximately 3.5% of the total prison population, which is about 20% fewer veterans in prison compared with a similarly matched non-veteran population. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations.
The mental health of veterans: executive briefing
- Author:
- MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 8p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Many veterans (ex-members of the armed forces) who develop mental health problems experience a common mental disorder such as depression or anxiety, with a smaller number being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. Veterans also experience a high rate of alcohol abuse, which can be linked to mental health problems. Post-deployment reservists appear to be at a greater risk of developing psychiatric problems than regular service personnel, and younger men who have served for a relatively short period are at higher risk of suicide and are more likely to experience problems returning to civilian life. Many veterans do not seek help for their problems, partly because of the stigma attached to mental illness, or because they lack confidence that civilian health professionals will understand the military context. More needs to be done both in terms of understanding the origins and range of mental health problems that veterans may have, and providing accessible and appropriate services.
Suicide and homelessness
- Authors:
- BONNER Adrian, LUSCOMBE Claire
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 8(3), September 2009, pp.7-19.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Suicide behaviour rates vary significantly between countries due to a range of cultural, behavioural and health-related factors. Gender and age-related factors also appear to be important. The homeless population is particularly at risk, due to multiple complex issues that relate to social exclusion, alcohol, drug, mental health and nutritional issues. Studying homeless people is problematic due to access, the transitory nature of their contact with statutory services, problems of self-report and recall. There is an increasing interest from practitioners and academic researchers in spiritual factors that appear to modulate the responses of an individual to the internal and external threats that underlie the motivation to end his or her life. Effective approaches to suicide prevention and crisis management require a good understanding of the interplay between this complex set of biological, psychological and social domains. These are explored in the final section of this review. This paper aims to provide a non-systematic review of the existing literature published in academic journals and relevant ‘grey literature’ and focuses on themes in the literature that may inform both policy and practice.
Substance abuse among Southeast Asians in the U.S.: implications for practice and research
- Authors:
- O'HARE Thomas, van TRAN Thanh
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 26(3), 1998, pp.69-80.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Discusses how the literature on Asian-American substance use has shown a general increase in consumption and related problems due, in part, to the effects of acculturation toward U.S. drinking norms. The combined influences of mental health disorders, which frequently co-occur with substance abuse, and acculturation pressures suggest that a significant increase in substance abuse problems may be in progress for Southeast Asian immigrants. Preliminary evidence appears to bear out the hypothesis. Outlines the literature on substance abuse among Vietnamese, Cambodians and Laotians in the U.S., and makes tentative recommendations for assessment, treatment and future research.
A review of integrated care for concurrent disorders: cost effectiveness and clinical outcomes
- Author:
- KARAPAREDDY Venu
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 15(1), 2019, pp.56-66.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Objective: The recognition of concurrent disorders (combined mental health and substance use disorders) has increased substantially over the last three decades, leading to greater numbers of people with these diagnoses and a subsequent greater financial burden on the health care system, yet establishing effective modes of management remains a challenge. Further, there is little evidence on which to base recommendations for a particular mode of health service delivery. This paper will further summarize the existing treatment models for a comprehensive overview. The objectives of this study are to determine whether existing service models are effective in treating combined mental health and substance use disorders and to examine whether an integrated model of service delivery should be recommended to policy makers. The following two research questions are the focus of this paper: (1) Are the existing service models effective at treating mental health and substance use disorders? (2) How are existing service models effective at treating mental health and substance use disorders? Methods: We used various databases to systematically review the effectiveness of service delivery models to treat concurrent disorders. Models were considered effective if they are found to be cost-effective and significantly improve clinical and social outcomes. Results: This systematic review revealed that integrated models of care are more effective than conventional, nonintegrated models. Integrated models demonstrated superiority to standard care models through reductions in substance use disorders and improvement of mental health in patients who had diagnoses of concurrent disorders. Our meta-analysis revealed similar findings, indicating that the integrated model is more cost-effective than standard care. Conclusions: Given the limited number of studies in relation to service delivery for concurrent disorders, it is too early to make a strong evidence-based recommendation to policy makers and service providers as to the superiority of one approach over the others. However, the available evidence suggests that integrated care models for concurrent disorders are the most effective models for patient care. More research is needed, especially around the translation of research findings to policy development and, vice versa, around the translation from the policy level to the patients’ level. (Edited publisher abstract)
Child aware practice in adult social services: a scoping review
- Authors:
- TILBURY Clare, WALSH Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 69(3), 2016, pp.260-272.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The development of “child aware” practice is about the capacity and capability of adult health and social service providers to identify and respond to the needs of children. A scoping review of the literature considered five adult adversities associated with family stress and reduced parenting capacity: mental illness, alcohol and substance abuse, homelessness, intellectual disability, and domestic violence. Although there are specific needs for children pertaining to particular adversities, there was substantial commonality of potential effects. These included emotional and psychological difficulties, physical and mental health problems, academic difficulties, language delays, peer difficulties, stigma, trauma reactions, loss and grief, instability, and social exclusion. How children react to difficulties in their family depends upon various protective factors, a child's frame of reference, and other dynamics within the family that can offset risks. The findings aim to inform policy, programme development, and practice in adult social services, enhancing their responsiveness to children. (Publisher abstract)
Frequent peer problems in Australian children and adolescents
- Authors:
- DENHAM Renee, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research, 8(3), 2016, pp.162-173.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Whilst overt bullying has received considerable attention for its negative impact on the emotional well-being of children and adolescents, peer problems such as excessive teasing and social exclusion have received less consideration. The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence, demographic, and clinical correlates of frequent peer problems in children and adolescents who participated in the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being. Design/methodology/approach: Participants were a nationally representative sample of 2,107 children (aged 6-12 years), and 1,490 adolescents (aged 13-17 years). Frequent peer problems (excessive teasing or social exclusion) were measured by parental report for children, and self and parental report for adolescents. Associations with a number of mental health problems were examined, including being in the clinical range for internalising and externalising symptoms, having major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or conduct disorder, low self-esteem, experiencing suicidal ideation and behaviour, or using marijuana and alcohol. Findings: One in 30 children and one in 20 adolescents experienced frequent peer problems. Parents less commonly identified frequent peer problems than were self-reported by their adolescent children. Frequent peer problems were strongly associated with all mental health problems except alcohol and marijuana use. Originality/value: Frequent peer problems are associated with a greatly increased risk of mental health problems. Identifying those children and adolescents with frequent peer problems provides opportunity for assessment and intervention of emotional and behavioural problems. (Publisher abstract)
Intersection of suicidality and substance abuse among young Asian-American women: implications for developing interventions in young adulthood
- Authors:
- HAHM Hyeouk Chris, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 7(2), 2014, pp.90-104.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the current literature uncovering specific factors associated with self-harm and suicidality among this population. Design/methodology/approach: Of an original 32 articles, 12 were chosen for in-depth empirical review due to relevance to the topics at hand, quality of research, and significance of findings. Out of 12, six articles examined the barriers of mental health utilisation among this population. Findings: The literature review revealed that the limited research only aims to understand the intersection of suicidality, mental health, and substance abuse among this population. The paper also found that there are few existing interventions specifically tailored to this population. Research limitations/implications: Six articles examined substance use and mental health/suicidality. Among these articles, only three examined the relationship between substance use and mental health, while the other three studied suicidality/mental health alone. This shows a gap in existing literature investigating the comorbid relationship between mental health issues and substance use issues among Asian-American women. Given the extensive research on the correlation between substance use and suicidality, or substance use and mental illness among other ethnic/racial groups, it is imperative to address this comorbid relationship among Asian Pacific Islander women as well. Practical implications: It is imperative for professionals in the fields of public health, mental health, medicine, and substance abuse to proactively combat the “model minority” myth and to design and implement interventions targeting family dynamics, coping with immigration/acculturative stresses, mental illnesses, suicidal behaviours, and substance abuse among Asian-American populations across the developmental lifespan. Social implications: The pernicious effects of the “model minority” myth must be recognised as a public health problem, as it contributes to the under-diagnosis and under-treatment of Asian-Americans in general, and young Asian-American women in particular, as they are often suffering mental illnesses and comorbid substance abuse problems alone. Future studies should include large-scale sampling of various Asian ethnic subgroups, in order to investigate potential differences in suicidal behaviours and comorbid substance abuse among Asian subpopulations. Originality/value: The paper has provided specific suggestions for interventions to adequately respond to the mental health needs of young Asian-American women. These include addressing the cultural stigma and shame of seeking help, underlying family origin issues, and excessive alcohol and drug use as unsafe coping, as well as incorporating empowerment-based and mind-body components to foster an intervention targeting suicidality among Asian-American women in early adulthood. (Edited publisher abstract)