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Comparing sense of coherence, depressive symptoms and anxiety, and their relationships with health in a population-based study
- Authors:
- KONTINEN Hanna, HAUKKALA Ari, UUTELA Anitta
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 66(12), June 2008, pp.2401-2412.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The strong negative correlations observed between the sense of coherence (SOC) scale and measures of depression and anxiety raise the question of whether the SOC scale inversely measures the other constructs. The main aim of the present study was to examine the discriminant validity of the three measures by comparing their associations with health indicators and behaviours. The participants were 25 to 74-year-old Finnish men (n = 2351) and women (n = 2291) from the National Cardiovascular Risk Factor Survey conducted in 1997. The SOC scale had high inverse correlations with both depression (r = −0.62 among both men and women) and anxiety measures (r = −0.57 among the men and r = −0.54 among the women). Although confirmatory factor analyses suggested that it was possible to differentiate between SOC, cognitive depressive symptoms and anxiety, the estimated correlations were even higher than those mentioned above. Education was related only to SOC, but the associations of SOC, cognitive depressive symptoms and anxiety with self-reported and clinically measured health indicators (body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol) and health behaviours were almost identical. The variation in the lowest SOC tertile was more strongly associated with health variables than in the highest tertile. To conclude, the size of the overlap between the SOC and depression scales was the same as between depression and anxiety measures. This indicates that future studies should examine the discriminant validity of different psychosocial scales more closely, and should compare them in health research in order to bring parallel concepts into the same scientific discussion.
The relationship between self-reported health and mental health problems among older adults in New Zealand: experiential avoidance as a moderator
- Authors:
- ANDREW D. H., DULIN P. L.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 11(5), September 2007, pp.596-603.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study sought to examine the influence of experiential avoidance (EA) as a moderating variable between reported physical health problems and anxiety and depression among older adults. Experiential avoidance has been found in previous studies to be strongly associated with a number of psychological disorders in younger adults but has received minimal attention in older populations. Two-hundred-and-eight individuals from New Zealand between the ages of 70 and 92 years old participated in this study. The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire were used to measure anxiety, depression and EA, respectively. It was hypothesized that self-reported health (SRH) and EA would be associated with depression and anxiety at the zero order level. It was also hypothesized that EA would be a unique predictor of depression and anxiety and would moderate the relationships between SRH and both depression and anxiety. Multiple regression analyses indicated that EA explained 8% of the unique variance in depression, 20% in anxiety and moderated the relationships between SRH and both depression and anxiety. This study also found that the relationships involving EA were more pronounced with anxiety as compared with depression in this elderly sample. The theoretical and practical applications of these findings are discussed.
Self-reported health, perceived racial discrimination, and skin color in African Americans in the CARDIA study
- Author:
- BORRELL Luisa N.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 63(6), September 2006, pp.1415-1427.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This study investigates the association between self-reported physical and mental health and both perceived racial discrimination and skin colour in African American men and women. We used data from the longitudinal coronary artery risk development in young adults study (CARDIA) in African American men and women (n=1722) in the USA. We assessed self-reported mental and physical health status and depressive symptoms at the Year 15 (2000–2001) follow-up examination using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-12) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Skin colour was measured at the Year 7 examination (1992–1993). To assess racial discrimination, we used a summary score (range 0–21) for 7 questions on experiencing racial discrimination: at school, getting a job, getting housing, at work, at home, getting medical care, on the street or in a public setting. Self-reported racial discrimination was more common in men than in women (78.1% versus 73.0%) and in those with higher educational attainment, independent of gender. Discrimination was statistically significantly associated with worse physical and mental health in both men and women, before and after adjustment for age, education, income, and skin colour. For example, mental health decreased an average of 0.29 units per unit increase in racial discrimination score in men; this became 0.32 units after adjustment. There was no association between self-reported physical and mental health and skin colour. Further studies of the health consequences of discrimination will require investigation of both the upstream determinants of discrimination and the downstream mechanisms by which perceived discrimination affects health outcomes.
Prevalence and correlates of depression in Chinese elderly patients with pneumoconiosis
- Authors:
- TANG W. T., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 10(2), March 2006, pp.177-181.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Recent literature suggests that patients with pneumoconiosis may be at higher risk of developing psychiatric problems, particularly depressive illness. There are no published data on depressive disorders in elderly patients with pneumoconiosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and correlates of depressive disorders in a community sample of elderly Chinese patients with pneumoconiosis in Hong Kong. Two hundred and one patients with pneumoconiosis were randomly selected from the case register of the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board of Hong Kong. A psychiatrist conducted a structured clinical interview to diagnose depressive disorders according to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Version IV criteria. Nineteen (9.5%) patients had depressive illness. Univariate logistic regression revealed that the number of comorbid conditions, and the scores on the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) were significant predictors of depressive disorders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that IADL and LSNS scores were the only independent predictors of depressive disorders. In conclusion, depressive disorders were common and associated with poorer functional ability and social support in patients with pneumoconiosis.
Depression and dementia: coexistence and differentiation
- Author:
- WARRINGTON Jill
- Publisher:
- University of Stirling. Dementia Services Development Centre
- Publication year:
- 1996
- Pagination:
- 37p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Stirling
This report reviews the complex relationship between these two conditions and gives guidance on the recognition and management of depression in older people. Contents include: defining depression and dementia; how common are depression and dementia in the elderly?; what causes depression; how do depression and dementia relate to each other?; depressive dementia (pseudodementia); depression as a secondary condition to dementia.
A longitudinal study of chronic disease and depressive symptoms in a community sample of older people
- Authors:
- DENT O.F., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 3(4), November 1999, pp.351-357.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Previous research on the association between illness and depression in older people has relied on self-reported diagnoses with their inherent limitations in scope and reliability. This Australian longitudinal study examined the association between depressive symptoms and medically-diagnosed chronic physical and neurodegenerative disease and disability in community-living older people.
When is suicide a real risk?
- Author:
- -
- Journal article citation:
- Community Nurse, 3(4), May 1997, p.22.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
Provides some guidance on how to distinguish potentially serious mental health problems from normal growing pains in young people.
Learning disabilities: positive practice guide
- Authors:
- DAGNAN Dave, et al
- Publisher:
- Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 34
- Place of publication:
- London
This practice guide provides information on how to best support people with learning disabilities to access their local Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. It is aimed at those who work in, commission, or refer to the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. The guide outlines the reasonable adjustments that are recommended to ensure that people with learning disabilities get the maximum benefit from treatment within an IAPT service. Areas discussed include: service models, changes to referral and access pathways; screening; adjustments to mainstream IAPT pathways; assessment; adaptations to treatment and interventions; and making information accessible. Practical examples are included to show how some teams have made reasonable adjustments to support access to IAPT service. The guide also covers the importance of training and developing the workforce and provides key points for commissioners of IAPT services consider to ensure that mainstream services effectively meet the needs of people with learning disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Intergenerational and interconnected: mental health and well-being in grandparent caregiver families
- Authors:
- SMITHGALL Cheryl, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 90(2), April 2009, pp.167-175.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
Research shows that a substantial number of grandparent caregivers are caring for children with developmental delays or emotional or behavioural problems, and that many caregivers have clinical levels of depression. This study explores grandparent-caregiver families’ mental health needs as well as use of and barriers to accessing mental health services. Interviews with families revealed unmet mental health needs and an interconnectedness between grandchildren’s and their grandparent caregivers’ well-being. In the survey component, service providers described problems highly consistent with those reported by grandmothers, including school-related or attention-related concerns among children and depression, stress, and frustration among grandparents. Findings highlight implications for practitioners and policymakers regarding service access, expectations about services, and the fit between clients’ needs and the services available.
Impact of psychiatric disorders on health-related quality of life: general population survey
- Authors:
- SAARNI Samuli I., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 190(4), April 2007, pp.326-332.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with generic preference-based instruments enables comparisons of severity across different conditions and treatments. This is necessary for rational public health policy. The aim was to measure HRQoL decrement and loss of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) associated with pure and comorbid forms of depressive and anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence. A general population survey was conducted of Finns aged 30 years and over. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and HRQoL was measured with the 15D and EQ–5D questionnaires. Dysthymia, generalised anxiety disorder and social phobia were associated with the largest loss of HRQoL on the individual level before and after adjusting for somatic and psychiatric comorbidity. On the population level, depressive disorders accounted for 55%, anxiety disorders 30%, and alcohol dependence for 15% of QALY loss identified in this study. Chronic anxiety disorders and dysthymia are associated with poorer HRQoL than previously thought.