Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Supporting frail older people with depression and anxiety: a qualitative study
- Authors:
- FROST Rachael, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 24(12), 2020, pp.1977-1984.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Depression and anxiety are common in later life, particularly when people are frail. This leads to reduced quality of life, faster decline in physical health and increased health/social care use. Available treatments are commonly not tailored to people with frailty. We explored frail older peoples’ experiences of depression and/or anxiety and how services could be adapted to their needs. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 28 older people in the UK purposively sampled for practice location and severity of frailty and anxiety/depression. We asked about symptoms, interactions with physical health, help-seeking, treatments and what might help in future. We audio-recorded and transcribed interviews, using thematic analysis to inductively derive themes. Results: Frail older people had low expectations of their wellbeing at this point in life due to multiple physical health issues and so anxiety and mild depressive symptoms were normalised. There was a particular reluctance and uncertainty regarding help-seeking for anxiety. Treatments were considered appropriate where they aligned with coping skills developed over their lifetime, and facilitated independence and problem-solving skills. Most older people felt their knowledge of mental health was limited and relied upon information about and endorsement of therapies from an expert. This was usually their GP, but access was often problematic. Online methods of accessing information and therapies were not popular. (Edited publisher abstract)
The role of shame in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
- Authors:
- KEEN Nadine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(2), 2017, pp.115-129.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objectives: To examine the role of shame and its relationship to depression in schizophrenia. It was predicted that individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia would exhibit higher levels of shame due to the stigma associated with their diagnosis, independently of depression levels, compared with psychiatric and medical control groups. Design: Cross-sectional design with three groups: individuals with a diagnosis of (1) schizophrenia, (2) depression, and (3) rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Sixty individuals participated in the study (20 per group). Groups were compared on questionnaires assessing external shame, trait shame and guilt, and depression. Results: The pattern of group differences depended on the type of shame measure used. Both the schizophrenia and depression groups exhibited higher levels of external shame, or seeing others as shaming, than the medical group. For individuals with schizophrenia, seeing others as shaming was associated with higher levels of depression, a relationship not found in either control group. They also showed lower levels of trait guilt and shame (at trend level), compared with both control groups. No difference was found between the groups on depression, suggesting that the observed differences were not attributable to differences in levels of depression. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of shame in schizophrenia, especially the link between seeing other people as shaming and depression, which was unique to this group. These results suggest that stigma associated with a diagnosis of mental illness, and schizophrenia in particular, has negative emotional consequences that may impede recovery, and should be addressed by psychological and social interventions. (Publisher abstract)
Researching the mental health status of asylum seekers: reflections and suggestions for practice
- Authors:
- BERNARDES Dora, WRIGHT John, LIVINGSTONE Andrew G.
- Journal article citation:
- Diversity and Equality in Health and Care, 9(3), 2012, pp.201-208.
- Publisher:
- Insight Medical Publishing
This study investigated aspects of the mental health of asylum seekers who had recently arrived in the UK. It used the Post-Migration Living Difficulties Scale, the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, the PTSD Symptom Scale Interview, the Clinical Outcomes Routine Evaluation and in-depth interviews. A total of 29 asylum seekers, 26 of whom were male, representing 13 countries, agreed to take part. Findings revealed that the participants all experienced a feeling of fear and sadness about the uncertainty of their application for asylum, while fear of deportation affected their ability to carry out activities of daily life. Social support was deemed essential in helping them cope with these difficulties. The paper ends with some reflections on the challenges that arose during the investigation, and presents recommendations to help other researchers undertaking similar research.
Improving mental health services for older people
- Author:
- HARION Nerys
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 21.08.07, 2007, pp.21-22.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
The UK Inquiry into Mental Health and Well-Being in later life has revealed that the care of older people with mental health problems is inadequate. The author outlines the some of the recommendations of the report and the five main priority areas for action.
Issues and outcomes associated with adult mental health self-help materials: a “second order” review or “qualitative meta-review”
- Author:
- PAPSWORTH Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 14(4), August 2006, pp.387-406.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
This review evaluates the evidence associated with the effectiveness of self-help materials designed to help individuals suffering with adult mental health (AMH) problems, and explores the methodological status of the field as well as issues associated with self-help delivery. An original second-order review perspective was used, where previous individual reviews are systematically retrieved, compared and contrasted qualitatively. Self-help treatment manuals appear to be effective for several types of anxiety disorder as well as with assertiveness difficulties. There is early support for its use with depression. Less powerful and more variable evidence exists for its use with habit disorders and as a computer-delivered modality. Certain methodological limitations remain within the field including, for instance, compliance/drop-out and generalization issues. Self-help looks set to be an important component in AMH services. Studies do not seem to have attempted to fully evaluate the “added-value” dimensions which justify the use of self-help materials. Interventions should be offered which are based on a person's presenting difficulties, personal preferences and their individual characteristics. Several themes associated with the individual characteristics which might advantage the self-help modality are explored and some future research guidance is listed.
Sub-syndromal and syndromal symptoms in the longitudinal course of bipolar disorder
- Authors:
- PAYKEL Eugenee, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 189(2), August 2006, pp.118-123.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
There have been few detailed longitudinal symptom studies of bipolar disorder. The aim was to describe the course of bipolar disorder over 18 months in 204 patients receiving mental healthcare. Patients were interviewed every 8 weeks, with weekly ratings of depression, mania and overall severity. Participants were symptomatic 53% of the time, with sub-syndromal symptoms present for twice as long as major disorder, and depressive symptoms three times more than manic symptoms. Individuals who were experiencing an episode at baseline spent 33% of the 18 months with substantial sub-syndromal symptoms, 17% with major disorder and 28% symptom free. Those not experiencing a baseline episode spent twice as long symptom free and half as long at disorder levels. Changes in symptom level were frequent. Predictors of sub-syndromal symptoms were similar to those of major disorder. Sub-syndromal residual symptoms are an important problem in recurrent bipolar disorder and require therapeutic intervention
Socio-economic position and common mental disorders: longitudinal study in the general population in the UK
- Authors:
- SKAPINAKIS Petros, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 189(2), August 2006, pp.109-117.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Individuals in lower socio socio-economic groups have an increased prevalence of common mental disorders. The aim was to investigate the longitudinal association between socio-economic position and common mental disorders in a general population sample in the UK. Participants (n=2406) were assessed at two time points 18 months apart with the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule. The sample was stratified into two cohorts according to mental health status at baseline. None of the socio-economic indicators studied was significantly associated with an episode of common mental disorder at follow-up after adjusting for baseline psychiatric morbidity. The analysis of separate diagnostic categories showed that subjective financial difficulties at baseline were independently associated with depression at follow-up in both cohorts. These findings support the view that apart from objective measures of socio-economic position, more subjective measures might be equally important from an aetiological or clinical perspective
Mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in two longitudinal UK population cohorts
- Authors:
- KWONG Alex S. F., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 218(6), 2021, pp.334-343.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation measures are likely to have a marked effect on mental health. It is important to use longitudinal data to improve inferences. Aims: To quantify the prevalence of depression, anxiety and mental well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, to identify groups at risk of depression and/or anxiety during the pandemic. Method: Data were from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) index generation (n = 2850, mean age 28 years) and parent generation (n = 3720, mean age 59 years), and Generation Scotland (n = 4233, mean age 59 years). Depression was measured with the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire in ALSPAC and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in Generation Scotland. Anxiety and mental well-being were measured with the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7 and the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Results: Depression during the pandemic was similar to pre-pandemic levels in the ALSPAC index generation, but those experiencing anxiety had almost doubled, at 24% (95% CI 23–26%) compared with a pre-pandemic level of 13% (95% CI 12–14%). In both studies, anxiety and depression during the pandemic was greater in younger members, women, those with pre-existing mental/physical health conditions and individuals in socioeconomic adversity, even when controlling for pre-pandemic anxiety and depression. Conclusions: These results provide evidence for increased anxiety in young people that is coincident with the pandemic. Specific groups are at elevated risk of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is important for planning current mental health provisions and for long-term impact beyond this pandemic. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental health in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional analyses from a community cohort study
- Authors:
- JIA Ru, et al
- Journal article citation:
- BMJ Open, 10(9), 2020, p.e040620. Online only
- Publisher:
- BMJ Publishing Group
Objectives Previous pandemics have resulted in significant consequences for mental health. Here, we report the mental health sequelae of the COVID-19 pandemic in a UK cohort and examine modifiable and non-modifiable explanatory factors associated with mental health outcomes. We focus on the first wave of data collection, which examined short-term consequences for mental health, as reported during the first 4–6 weeks of social distancing measures being introduced. Design Cross-sectional online survey. Setting Community cohort study. Participants N=3097 adults aged ≥18 years were recruited through a mainstream and social media campaign between 3 April 2020 and 30 April 2020. The cohort was predominantly female (n=2618); mean age 44 years; 10% (n=296) from minority ethnic groups; 50% (n=1559) described themselves as key workers and 20% (n=649) identified as having clinical risk factors putting them at increased risk of COVID-19. Main outcome measures Depression, anxiety and stress scores. Results Mean scores for depression (Embedded Image =7.69, SD=6.0), stress (Embedded Image =6.48, SD=3.3) and anxiety (Embedded Image = 6.48, SD=3.3) significantly exceeded population norms (all p<0.0001). Analysis of non-modifiable factors hypothesised to be associated with mental health outcomes indicated that being younger, female and in a recognised COVID-19 risk group were associated with increased stress, anxiety and depression, with the final multivariable models accounting for 7%–14% of variance. When adding modifiable factors, significant independent effects emerged for positive mood, perceived loneliness and worry about getting COVID-19 for all outcomes, with the final multivariable models accounting for 54%–57% of total variance. Conclusions Increased psychological morbidity was evident in this UK sample and found to be more common in younger people, women and in individuals who identified as being in recognised COVID-19 risk groups. Public health and mental health interventions able to ameliorate perceptions of risk of COVID-19, worry about COVID-19 loneliness and boost positive mood may be effective. (Edited publisher abstract)
A longitudinal study of financial difficulties and mental health in a national sample of British undergraduate students
- Authors:
- RICHARDSON Thomas, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 53(3), 2017, pp.344-352.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Previous research has shown a relationship between financial difficulties and poor mental health in students, but most research is cross-sectional. To examine longitudinal relationships over time between financial variables and mental health in students. A national sample of 454 first year British undergraduate students completed measures of mental health and financial variables at up to four time points across a year. Cross-sectional relationships were found between poorer mental health and female gender, having a disability and non-white ethnicity. Greater financial difficulties predicted greater depression and stress cross-sectionally, and also predicted poorer anxiety, global mental health and alcohol dependence over time. Depression worsened over time for those who had considered abandoning studies or not coming to university for financial reasons, and there were effects for how students viewed their student loan. Anxiety and alcohol dependence also predicted worsening financial situation suggesting a bi-directional relationship. Financial difficulties appear to lead to poor mental health in students with the possibility of a vicious cycle occurring. (Publisher abstract)