Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Activation or discouragement - the effect of enforced participation on the success of job-search training
- Authors:
- MALMBERG-HEIMONEN Ira, VUORI Jukka
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 8(4), December 2005, pp.451-467.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In recent years, there has been a shift in labour market policies towards enforcing unemployed workers’ participation in labour market programmes by means of financial sanctions. Requirements of activation and financial sanctions have changed the nature of social work and generated a conflict between client needs and policy requirements. This Finnish study investigates whether and how enforced participation modifies the impact of job-search training on re-employment and mental health. A total of 627 unemployed persons participated in this six-month follow-up study with a control group. In particular, those unemployed workers who were not able to meet the goal of the enforced initiatives by gaining employment are at risk of adverse mental health effects or even of discouragement on the labour market. The results of the follow-up study show that enforced participation did not increase re-employment; however it impaired the positive mental health impacts of the programme. Further analyses demonstrate that enforced participation in job-search training decreased re-employment among the longer-term unemployed workers. It is important that social workers acknowledge the risks that are involved with the enforcement for the more vulnerable groups of unemployed workers.
Prevention of psychological distress and promotion of resilience amongst unaccompanied refugee minors in resettlement countries
- Authors:
- MITRA Ritu, HODES Matthew
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 45(3), 2019, pp.198-215.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Aim: As increasing numbers of unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) are arriving in Europe, there is a need to investigate which factors promote psychological resilience and improve their mental health. This review aims to identify preventive post settlement influences, including living arrangements, access to mental health services, and effective treatments that may improve mental health outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted of published papers in any language for children (<18 years) entering a host country, unaccompanied and seeking asylum. Specific studies were eligible if they examined any treatment or nontreatment influences on mental health or psychological resilience for the URM. Thirteen published quantitative studies were identified. Results: URMs in more supportive living arrangements including foster care had lower risk of PTSD and lower depressive symptoms compared with those in semi‐independent care arrangements. URMs living in reception settings that restricted freedom had more anxiety symptoms. Regarding help seeking, one study found only 30% of URMs had foster parents or guardians who could detect a mental health need. Two papers found the URMs had low levels of contact with mental health services despite the high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms. URMs were less likely than accompanied children to receive trauma‐focused interventions, cognitive therapy, or even practical assistance with basic social needs. With regard to treatment evaluation, only case series were identified. Three studies found cognitive behavioural therapy improved PTSD symptoms and mental health outcomes. A less structured approach (mental health counselling alone) did not improve functional health outcomes. Conclusion: Higher support living arrangements with low restrictions are associated with lower psychological distress. Most URMs are not receiving psychological interventions, and there is a dearth of studies evaluating treatment effectiveness for this group. There is an urgent need for more research to investigate pathways to mental health services and treatment efficacy in this vulnerable group. (Publisher abstract)
Public health implications of spiritual healing practice, in conditions such as depression
- Author:
- BELL Charles J.M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 12(1), 2013, pp.6-9.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper examines the public health implications of spiritual healing practice in mental health care for conditions such as depression. It reviews the current research into spiritual healing, and in particular its use in depression. Scientific and anecdotal evidence was considered, and areas of improvement were identified. The attitudes of physicians and patients may affect the efficacy of patient-defined spiritual healing, which is currently lacking in rigorous academic research. A better scientific understanding may aid in a cost-benefit analysis of such treatments in the future. This paper should aid those involved in public health-care planning or who practice psychotherapeutic methods to ensure they utilise all possible methods, whilst working within a rigorous evidence-based framework. (Edited publisher abstract)
HIV and mental health
- Author:
- JACOBS Nicola
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, June 2011, pp.29-32.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
There is an increasing awareness of the relationship between HIV and mental health. This article reports on research undertaken by the National AIDS Trust looking at psychological support for people living with HIV. Data gathered from focus groups and an expert seminar showed that: 1) experiences of mental health services varies across the country; 2) psychological support is most valued at times of stress; and 3) psychological intervention can make a considerable difference to long term health and well being.
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.
Effectiveness of a life story intervention for adults with intellectual disability and depressive and trauma‐related complaints
- Authors:
- BEERNINK Janny, WESTERHOF Gerben J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33(6), 2020, pp.1340-1347.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Introduction: People with intellectual disability have a higher chance of developing mental disorders than the general population. Yet, few evidence‐based interventions exist. This article evaluates My Lifestory, a narrative intervention tailored to people with intellectual disability and depressive or trauma‐related complaints. Method: A quasi‐experimental research design was adopted with an experimental condition (My Lifestory) and a matched control condition (care as usual). Measurements took place before the intervention, at the end of the intervention and at follow‐up two months later. Measurements focused on psychiatric complaints, well‐being, life satisfaction, mastery, and purpose in life. Results: Participants in the intervention condition improved more in psychiatric complaints, well‐being, life satisfaction, and purpose in life, but not in mastery, than participants in the control condition. Effect sizes were large in the intervention condition and small in the control condition. Discussion: Despite some limitations, this study adds to the evidence base of this narrative intervention. (Edited publisher abstract)
‘I had a sort of epiphany!’ An exploratory study of group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for older people with depression
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS Caroline Myferi, MEETEN Frances, WHITING Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 22(2), 2018, pp.208-217.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been successful in reducing depressive symptoms in people with chronic-recurrent depression. However, the research evaluating the efficacy of this approach, and other innovative treatments for mood disorders, has mainly been with people under 65 years. This paper aims to help redress this imbalance by exploring older people's own reflections of their experience of MBCT. Methods: A qualitative approach was used to explore 13 participants' experiences of MBCT; participants were interviewed pre and post-intervention and again after six months. To see whether the standard course requires any adaptations for older participants, the two MBCT course facilitators were interviewed post-intervention. Results: Thematic analysis identified five overarching themes and showed that older people reported positive changes in their mental health and well-being and reported being ‘released from the past’. The facilitators reported that they needed to be aware of later life issues, such as loneliness and potential physical limitations, but otherwise only minor adaptations were needed to the standard MBCT course for older people. Conclusion: MBCT is an acceptable approach for people aged 65 years and over and further research should explore potential mechanisms of change including changes in meta-cognitive awareness and self-compassion. (Publisher abstract)
A randomised controlled study to explore the effect of life story review on depression in older Chinese in Singapore
- Authors:
- CHAN Moon F., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 21(5), 2013, p.545–553.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
There is little evidence to support the efficacy of the life storybook creation process, which incorporates the use of narratives, in mediating depression levels. The study aimed to examine the effects of the life storybook creation process on depressive symptoms among older community-dwelling Chinese adults in Singapore. A randomised controlled trial was conducted from January 2011 to March 2012. Twenty-six Chinese aged over 60 years, who were able to communicate in Chinese and/or English, and with mild to severe depression were randomly allocated to either the life storybook (intervention) group (n = 14) or the non-life storybook (control) group (n = 12). Subjects in the intervention group were interviewed on a one to one basis on five sessions over 8 weeks. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Generalised estimating equations were used to examine the effects of the intervention on the elderly peoples’ depression level. Significant reductions in depression scores were found in the intervention group from baseline (mean 7.9 [SD 3.0]) to week 8 (2.5 [1.7], χ2 = 15.25, P < 0.001). At week 8, the intervention group showed a lower level of depression than the control (χ2 = 4.33, P = 0.037). This study supports the life storybook creation process as an effective intervention for depressed older Chinese adults living in the community. The findings suggest that this intervention may enhance the quality of care provided by healthcare providers as the therapeutic relationship between provider and client is being established. (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)
A pilot study of yogic meditation for family dementia caregivers with depressive symptoms: effects on mental health, cognition, and telomerase activity
- Authors:
- LAVRETSKY H., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(1), 2013, pp.57-65.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examined the effects of brief daily yogic meditation, Kirtan Kriya, on mental health, cognitive functioning, and immune cell telomerase activity in family dementia caregivers with mild depressive symptoms. Participants performed Kirtan Kriya or passively relaxed to music for 12 minutes each day for eight weeks. Of 49 recruited subjects, 45 were randomised and 39 completed the intervention: 23 subjects in the meditation group and 16 subjects in the relaxation group. The severity of depressive symptoms, mental and cognitive functioning were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Telomerase activity was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC). The meditation group showed significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms and greater improvement in mental health and cognitive functioning compared with the relaxation group. In the meditation group, 65.2% showed 50% improvement on the Hamilton Depression Rating scale and 52% of the participants showed 50% improvement on the Mental Health Composite Summary score of the Short Form-36 scale compared with 31.2% and 19%, respectively, in the relaxation group. The meditation group showed 43% improvement in telomerase activity compared with 3.7% in the relaxation group. Brief daily meditation by family dementia caregivers may improve mental and cognitive functioning and lower depressive symptoms. This improvement is accompanied by an increase in telomerase activity suggesting improvement in stress-induced cellular aging.