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Brief report: excessive alcohol use negatively affects the course of adolescent depression: one year naturalistic follow-up study
- Authors:
- MERIRINNE Esa, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adolescence, 33(1), February 2010, pp.221-226.
- Publisher:
- Academic Press
In this study, the researchers aimed to clarify the impact of the core alcohol use phenomenon of drunkenness-oriented drinking, in terms of weekly drunkenness, on the course of adolescent unipolar depression and psychosocial functioning, in a 1 year follow-up study of depressed adolescent patients referred from schools, health care centres and social and family counselling services to adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics in Finland. The authors conclude that excessive alcohol use (defined as weekly drunkenness) seems to negatively affect the course of depressive symptoms and, even after a year, psychosocial functioning, and that treatments designed to reduce alcohol use seem to be justified along with depression treatment, but that intervention studies are needed to evaluate the best approach.
Impact of social support on cognitive symptom burden in HIV/AIDS
- Authors:
- ATKINS Jana H., et al
- Journal article citation:
- AIDS Care, 22(7), July 2010, pp.793-802.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
As many as 50% of people living with HIV/AIDS report cognitive difficulties, which can be associated with objective neuropsychological impairments and depression. A number of studies have demonstrated an association between higher social support and lower rates of depression. This study examined the role social support may play in attenuating the effects of both neuropsychological status and depression on cognitive difficulties. A cross-sectional survey of 357 adult men with HIV in Toronto, Canada completed a battery of neuropsychological tests, questionnaires about cognitive difficulties and depression, and an interview that included an assessment of perceived level of social support. A multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that higher levels of cognitive symptom burden were significantly associated with depression while lower levels of cognitive symptom burden were significantly associated with greater social support and higher level of education. There was a significant interaction between neuropsychological status and depression; the presence of neuropsychological impairment with depression was associated with higher levels of cognitive symptom burden. There was also a significant interaction between social support and depression. Interestingly, social support was also associated with a lower cognitive symptom burden for non-depressed individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The article concludes by discussing the clinical implications of these findings for promoting psychological well-being in persons living with HIV/AIDS.
The relationship between depression and other psychosocial problems in a sample of adolescent pregnancy termination patients
- Authors:
- ELY Gretchen E., FLAHERTY Chris, CUDDEBACK Gary S.
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 27(4), August 2010, pp.269-282.
- Publisher:
- Springer
The relationship between depression and 16 other psychosocial life problems is examined in a sample of adolescent pregnancy termination patients. Using the Multidimensional Adolescent Assessment Scale (MAAS), depression and related psychosocial problems are assessed in a sample of 120 U.S. abortion patients ages 14–21. In general, patients scoring above the clinical cutscore for depression also reported higher levels of psychosocial problems in the other areas. Depression was significantly associated with problems with self-esteem, stress, guilt and confused thinking. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Physical activity and common mental disorders
- Authors:
- HARVEY Samuel B., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 197(5), November 2010, pp.357-364.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Levels of physical activity have decreased in high income countries. This is known to reduce physical health, but may also negatively affect mental health. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity and common mental disorders. It also established the importance of context, type and intensity of activity undertaken. In a clinical examination of 40,401 Norwegian residents, participants answered questions relating to the frequency and intensity of both leisure-time and workplace activity. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results revealed an inverse relationship between the amount of leisure-time physical activity and case-level symptoms of depression. This association was only present with leisure-time activity and was not dependent on the intensity of activities undertaken. Higher levels of social engagement were important in explaining the relationship between leisure activity and depression. The authors concluded that individuals who regularly engage in physical activity are less likely to exhibit symptoms of depression.
Poverty and common mental disorders in low and middle income countries: a systematic review
- Authors:
- LUND Crick, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 71(3), August 2010, pp.517-528.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
In spite of high levels of poverty in low and middle income countries (LMIC), and the high burden posed by common mental disorders (CMD), it is only in the last two decades that research has emerged that empirically addresses the relationship between poverty and CMD in these countries. Evidence from the 115 studies carried out in 33 different countries included in the review indicates that there is a relatively consistent association between common mental disorders (CMD) and some measures of poverty but not others. The variability in associations across poverty indicators are discussed in relation to measurement and population factors.
Common mental health problems at work: what we now know about successful interventions: a progress review
- Author:
- SEYMOUR Linda
- Publisher:
- Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 19p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report examines recent international research evidence on how to help people with depression and anxiety to stay in work or to return after a period of ill health. In 2005 the British Occupational Health Research Foundation published a systematic evidence review of published evidence for effective interventions that help people with depression and anxiety to remain in or return to work. This paper presents the results of an update of that review, examining papers in English from the international literature published between 2004 and the end of 2008. The paper reviews the findings of the updated evidence against the backdrop of recent developments in policy and practice, as well as an increasing understanding and concern about the human and economic costs associated with mental health problems and work. A number of key messages for research, policy and practice are presented. In particular, the evidence confirms that people with common mental health problems do not have to be completely well to return to work, and that, for many, going back to work actually helps their recovery.
Is neighborhood racial/ethnic composition associated with depressive symptoms? The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis
- Authors:
- MAIR Christina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 71(3), August 2010, pp.541-550.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, a 10 year longitudinal study of men and women aged 45 to 84 in the United States, this study investigated cross-sectional associations of neighbourhood racial or ethnic composition with depressive symptoms in healthy adults from 4 different racial/ethnic groups, in the context of research suggesting that the racial/ethnic composition of a neighbourhood may be related to the presence of depressive symptoms in residents. The study found that living in a neighbourhood with a higher percentage of residents of the same race/ethnicity was associated with increased Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale scores in African-American men and decreased scores in Hispanic men and women and Chinese women. The researchers discuss the findings and their implications, including the need for further exploration of which aspects of neighbourhood environments may contribute to the associations of race/ethnic composition with mental health.
Burden of chronic physical conditions and mental disorders in primary care
- Authors:
- FERNÁNDEZ Anna, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 196(4), April 2010, pp.302-309.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The World Health Organization (WHO) has projected HIV/AIDS, unipolar depression and ischaemic heart disease to be the three leading causes of burden of disease in 2030. This paper estimates the health-related quality of life and quality-adjusted life-year losses associated with mental disorders and chronic physical conditions in primary healthcare using data from the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in primary care study, an epidemiological survey carried out with primary care patients in Catalonia, Spain. Using a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 3815 primary care patients, a preference-based measure of health was derived from the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF–12): the Short Form–6D (SF–6D) multi-attribute health-status classification. Each profile created by the questionnaire had a weight assigned to it. Using non-parametric quantile regressions to model the association between both mental disorders, chronic physical condition and SF–6D scores, findings showed that the top three causes of quality-adjusted life-year losses annually per 100 000 participants were pain (5064), mood disorders (2634) and anxiety (805). In conclusion, estimation of quality-adjusted life-year losses showed that mood disorders ranked second behind pain-related chronic medical conditions.
Symptoms of depression and anxiety among a sample of South African patients living with HIV
- Authors:
- KAGEE Ashraf, MARTIN Lindi
- Journal article citation:
- AIDS Care, 22(2), February 2010, pp.159-165.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Little systematic epidemiological research has been conducted on the extent of psychiatric disorders among South African patients in general, and among patients living with HIV in particular – yet disorders such as depression and anxiety appear to be common with patients suffering from HIV. This study reports on a survey conducted among 85 patients receiving treatment at three HIV clinics in the Western Cape. Participants completed the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and the Beck Depression Inventory - both self-report instruments designed to measure mood disorder. The mean score of the sample on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist was 47.54, which was significantly different from the commonly used cut-off-point of 44 for clinically significant distress; 52.9% of the sample scored in the elevated range on this measure. On the Beck Depression Inventory, 37.6% of the sample fell in or above the normal range for depression. The results suggest that a considerable number of the sample may experience psychiatric difficulty, for which they may not be receiving treatment.
Physical activity for its mental health benefits: conceptualising participation within the Model of Human Occupation
- Author:
- COLE Fiona
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(12), December 2010, pp.607-615.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The mental health benefits of physical activity are well document but anecdotal evidence suggest that mental health service users may encounter problems initiating and sustaining their physical activity goals. This small qualitative study investigated the barriers and supports that people with depression and/or anxiety have experienced when attempting to participate in physical activity. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven participants of an English mental health community team who had expressed an interest in physical activity. Emerging themes were correlated with Model of Human Occupation concepts as a means of relating findings to potential practice applications. The findings confirmed the complexity of factors influencing participation, those relating to volition being most noteworthy. Negative self-perceptions of abilities affected motivation to engage in activities. Other treatments for depression and anxiety may be necessary before people can engage with physical activity. It was more likely to be used as an adjunct treatment initially but, once mental health issues were beginning to be resolved, its value as an intervention in its own right was increased. Habituated lifestyle activity and environmental factors were important. The author concludes that occupational therapists can use the Model of Human Occupation to conceptualise the complexities of engagement.