Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 14
Failure and delay in treatment-seeking across anxiety disorders
- Authors:
- JOHNSON Emily M., COLES Meredith E.
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 49(6), 2013, pp.668-674.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Anxiety disorders are a significant mental health problem. Despite the availability of effective treatments most sufferers do not seek help. The current study assesses delays in treatment-seeking, failure to seek treatment, and reasons for delaying treatment for individuals with anxiety disorders. Data were drawn from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiological Surveys including 3,805 participants and analyses focused on treatment-seeking variables. Results indicate that individuals with anxiety disorders are less likely to seek treatment from a professional and more likely to experience delays in obtaining both any treatment, and effective treatment, than individuals with other forms of mental illness (in this case unipolar depression or substance use disorders). Deficits in mental health literacy (knowledge and beliefs about mental illness) were commonly endorsed as reasons for having delayed seeking treatment. The current study highlights the importance of improving knowledge about anxiety disorders to improve treatment-seeking. (Publisher abstract)
Does music therapy improve mental health in adults? A review
- Authors:
- LEE Jungup, THYER Bruce A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 23(5), 2013, pp.591-603.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The current review provides a summarized synthesis and evaluation of studies addressing the effects of music therapy (MT) alone or MT added to standard care on mental health among adults. Potential studies were identified through electronic bibliographic databases and manual searches. Studies were included for review if (1) the study methodology involved a randomized control trial, (2) the study outcome included a measure of mental health, (3) the study sample included adults ages 18 and older, and (4) the study was published in an English language peer-reviewed journal since 2006. Applying these criteria, the search yielded 593 studies, 9 of which were ultimately retained for review. These studies generally found MT to be more effective than no treatment or than standard care alone. Long-term studies were few, and results suggest no meaningful differences over time. (Publisher abstract)
Relationship between obesity and depression in older Australian adults and examination of dietary patterns as influencing factors
- Authors:
- BUYS Nicholas, SUN Jing
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 15(2), 2013, pp.263-274.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study aims to investigate the association between depression and obesity in older adults in Australia and the influencing effects of dietary patterns. The cross-sectional study design was used for the study. The study was conducted across nine community settings in Gold Coast, Queensland. The study cohort included 301 randomly selected men and women, aged 50–88 years. Depression was measured using the General Health Questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) was assessed according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics criteria, and obesity was classified as a BMI of 30.0 kg/m2. Dietary pattern was measured using a standardized Food Frequency Questionnaire. The associations between anxiety or depression and BMI and the dietary patterns were estimated using multinomial logistic regression models. In all participants, dietary patterns were associated with both depression and obesity. Diets had mediating effects on the association between depression and obesity. Participants who consumed more high-fat meat products and fewer fruits and vegetables had an increased chance of obesity. Participants who were depressed did not have an increased chance of obesity when dietary patterns were adjusted in the multinomial logistic regression model. The results of the study suggest that dietary patterns are related to both depression and obesity and are important mediators in the increasing probability of obesity. The results have implications to inform intervention programmes to target dietary-intake behaviour change so that depression and obesity can be prevented (Publisher abstract)
Exploring mental health adjustment of children post sexual assault in South Africa
- Authors:
- MATHEWS Shanaaz, ABRAHAMS Naeemah, JEWKES Rachel
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 22(6), 2013, pp.639-657.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Large numbers of children are affected by child sexual abuse in South Africa. This study aimed to assess psychological adjustment of children post sexual assault. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with caretakers, and structured interviews using mental health assessment screening tools were given to children at three intervals over a five-month period after presentation at a sexual assault centre. Almost half of the children met clinical criteria for anxiety, and two-thirds met criteria for full symptom post-traumatic stress disorder two to four weeks post disclosure. With standard care, the authors observed some recovery; 43.3% of children still met full symptom post-traumatic stress disorder nearly six months postdisclosure. Our findings indicate that current practice in South Africa does not promote adequate recovery for children. (Publisher abstract)
Effects of structural family therapy on child and maternal mental health symptomatology
- Authors:
- WEAVER Addie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 23(3), 2013, pp.294-303.
- Publisher:
- Sage
A pilot study examined the effect of structural family therapy on children’s impairment and depressive symptomatology and mothers’ depressive symptomatology and anxiety for 31 families served by a community mental health clinic in the United States. A one group predesign/postdesign, with a baseline and two follow-up time points, was used. A series of repeated measures analyses of variance showed significant improvement for mothers’ depression and anxiety. Mothers’ ratings of their children’s impairment significantly improved though children’s self-rated impairment and depressive symptomatology did not change. Results were confirmed using random regression analyses. Structural family therapy has promise for simultaneously addressing mothers’ and children’s needs in community mental health settings. However, structural barriers impacting feasibility were identified and discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Common threads: improving the mental health of Bhutanese refugee women through shared learning
- Authors:
- MITSCHKE Diane B., AGUIRRE Regina T. P., SHARMA Bonita
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 11(3), 2013, pp.249-266.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are disproportionately experienced by refugees who have often witnessed traumatic events in the process of fleeing their homelands. This study examined the effect of a group-based financial education program for Bhutanese refugee women who had been recently resettled in the United States. Participants were divided into three groups, two that were provided a version of the intervention and one that served as a control. Results from pre/post and follow-up assessments indicate that participants in both intervention groups experienced significantly less depression, anxiety, somatization, and PTSD symptoms at posttest and that these improvements in mental health status persisted at 3-month follow-up. Control participants' mental health symptoms became more severe over time. These results suggest that a structured group-based educational intervention can have a positive impact on the mental health of recently resettled refugees. The results also provide evidence that without intervention, recently resettled refugees may actually experience declines in mental health status over time in their host country. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ensuring ill health is not all in the mind
- Author:
- STANTON Emma
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 7.2.13, 2013, pp.32-33.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme is a national initiative aimed at improving access to routine evidence-based treatments for people with common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. This article looks at the initial objectives of the programme, existing outcome and performance data and reviews the success of the programme.
Smartphones for smarter delivery of mental health programs: a systematic review
- Authors:
- DONKER Tara, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15(11), 2013, Online only
- Publisher:
- JMIR Publications
Objective: To systematically review the research evidence supporting the efficacy of mental health mobile phone applications (apps) for mobile devices (such as smartphones and tablets) for all ages. Methods: A comprehensive literature search (2008-2013) in MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, PsycTESTS, Compendex, and Inspec was conducted. Trials that examined the effects of mental health apps (for depression, anxiety, substance use, sleep disturbances, suicidal behavior, self-harm, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, stress, and gambling) delivered on mobile devices with a pre- to posttest design or compared with a control group were included. The control group could consist of wait list, treatment-as-usual, or another recognized treatment. Results: In total, 5464 abstracts were identified. Of those, 8 papers describing 5 apps targeting depression, anxiety, and substance abuse met the inclusion criteria. Four apps provided support from a mental health professional. Results showed significant reductions in depression, stress, and substance use. Within-group and between-group intention-to-treat effect sizes ranged from 0.29-2.28 and 0.01-0.48 at posttest and follow-up, respectively. Conclusions: Mental health apps have the potential to be effective and may significantly improve treatment accessibility. However, the majority of apps that are currently available lack scientific evidence about their efficacy. The public needs to be educated on how to identify the few evidence-based mental health apps available in the public domain to date. Further rigorous research is required to develop and test evidence-based programs. Given the small number of studies and participants included in this review, the high risk of bias, and unknown efficacy of long-term follow-up, current findings should be interpreted with caution, pending replication. Two of the 5 evidence-based mental health apps are currently commercially available in app stores. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mentally ill parents in psychiatric outpatient care: results of the study ‘HELP-S for Children’
- Authors:
- BOENISCH-ALERT S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 15(5), 2013, pp.254-262.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Knowledge about mentally ill parents, particularly in psychiatric outpatient care is scarce. The study presented here aims to investigate the characteristics of mentally ill parents with minor children in psychiatric outpatient care. All outpatients with minor children, who came to a psychiatrist's practice in Saxony, Germany, at an appointed date filled out a questionnaire (including diagnosis, sociodemographic data, perceived needs and usage of health care system). Data were analysed using SPSS 18.0. The study sample (n = 128) was characterised by a high percentage of women (75%), and high rates of depression (53.1%), anxiety disorder (19.5%) and addiction (10.9%). The main difference between mothers and fathers was the significantly higher rate of custody in mothers. Of the sample, 21.2% of the children of the mentally ill parents (n = 41) had already received treatment because of psychological or behavioural problems. Mentally ill mothers are more likely to retain a caretaking role in their children's lives. Mentally ill fathers are more likely to have an inpatient stay after the birth of the first child. Treatment rates of 21.2% of children of mentally ill parents concerning psychological or behavioural difficulties are alarmingly high. Therefore, psychiatric outpatient care as the biggest part of psychiatric standard care in Germany should get more attention in research and care for mentally ill parents and their children. (Edited publisher abstract)
Measuring national well-being: health, 2013
- Authors:
- BEAUMONT Jen, LOFTS Helen
- Publisher:
- Office for National Statistics
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 14
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This report analyses by age and other variables two of the current measures of national wellbeing: ‘satisfaction with health’ and ‘evidence of mental ill-health (GHQ)’ and their relationship to well-being. Respondents were asked how dissatisfied or satisfied they were with their health, if their health limited moderate activity and to answer questions which gave some indication of their mental health (GHQ). The data used are from Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) 2010–11. (Edited publisher abstract)