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The poor general health of the severely mentally ill: impact of schizophrenic diagnosis
- Authors:
- CHAFETZ Linda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 41(2), April 2005, pp.169-184.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This study focused on poor health among the severely mentally ill and additional risks associated with schizophrenia. Records of 781 clients in short-term residential treatment programs provided data. The schizophrenic subgroup was compared to others in bivariate analyses, with significant findings included in logistic regression. Those with schizophrenia were more likely to be male, unemployed, and insured by MediCal/Medicare. Most health problems occurred at similar rates across diagnoses, reflecting common environmental risk factors. Those with schizophrenia had less substance abuse and fewer liver conditions, but more diabetes and chronic respiratory problems. Implications for providers and for research are discussed.
Characteristics of individuals with severe mental illness who use emergency services
- Author:
- YOUNG Alexander S.
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 41(2), April 2005, pp.159-168.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Emergency services are both a safety net and a locus for acute treatment. While the population with severe, persistent mental illness uses emergency services at a high rate, few studies have systematically examined the causes of this service use. This study examines a random sample of 179 people who were high utilizers of services from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Interviews were conducted and 5years of service use data were studied. Greater use of emergency services was associated with male gender, minority race, severe illness, homelessness, and less family support. Efforts to reduce emergency services need to improve access to appropriate community services, particularly for people who are homeless or lack family support.
New York State residential treatment center admissions: differences in histories of maltreatment, behavioral problems, and mental health problems
- Authors:
- BAKER Amy J.L., PURCELL James F.
- Journal article citation:
- Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 22(3), 2005, pp.39-53.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study explored how the histories of young people entering residential treatment in New York State varied depending upon the age and gender of the residents. Specifically, the study asked whether children who were admitted to residential treatment centers (RTCs) under 12 years of age had a different set of characteristics than young persons who were 12 years and older when admitted (and whether boys had different characteristics than girls). Three sets of characteristics were examined: history of maltreatment, history of behavioural problems, and history of mental health problems. One-fourth of the admissions in FY 2001 was randomly selected from a sample of 16 RTCs. A review of agency records provided the information to complete the standardized data collection instrument. The results revealed statistically significant patterns of associations by age and gender. As populations shift within agencies and across time, knowledge of the characteristics associated with various age and gender groups can be used to facilitate agency planning and training of staff members. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Common mental disorders in a young urban population in Colombia
- Authors:
- HARPHAM Trudy, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 187(2), August 2005, pp.161-167.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study measures the prevalence of common mental disorders among low-income young people in the city of Cali, Colombia and to examine associations with violence and social capital. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire was administered to 1057 young people aged 15-25 years. Social capital, violence, alcoholism and socio-demographic variables were also measured. The results found 255 young people (24%) with common mental disorders. Being a woman, having limited education and experiencing high levels of violence were the main risk factors for common mental disorders. Social capital did not emerge as a risk factor. The study found a large burden of mental ill health among young people was found; this requires urgent interventions and more research on the mechanisms which link mental health and violence.
Changes and predictors of change in objective and subjective quality of life: multiwave follow-up study in community psychiatric practice
- Authors:
- RUGGERI Mirella, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 187(2), August 2005, pp.121-130.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This Italian study aims to describe changes at 2 and 6 years in objective and subjective quality of life in 261 individuals attending a community mental health service and to identify predictors of change in each life domain. The research used a prospective study of demographic, diagnostic and service utilisation characteristics, psychopathology, functioning, disability, self-esteem, affect balance and service satisfaction. Female gender, unmarried status, older age, less education and greater disability predicted a worsening of objective quality of life over time, but explain a small amount of variance. The variance in subjective quality of life was higher (greater than 40%). Greater clinician-rated anxiety and depressive symptoms had a negative effect on satisfaction with health and general well-being. Psychological status, self-esteem and satisfaction with service were the most important predictors in almost all subjective domains; these variables should be important targets for treatment.
Socio-economic inequalities in suicide: a European comparative study
- Authors:
- LORANT Vincent, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 187(1), July 2005, pp.49-52.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Social factors have been shown to be predictors of suicide. It is not known whether these factors vary between countries. The aim was to present a first European overview of socio-economic inequalities in suicide mortality among men and women. The authors used a prospective follow-up of censuses matched with vital statistics in ten European populations. Directly standardised rates of suicide were computed for each country. In men, a low level of educational attainment was a risk factor for suicide in eight out of ten countries. Suicide inequalities were smaller and less consistent in women. In most countries, the greater the socio-economic disadvantage, the higher is the risk of suicide. The population of Turin evidenced no socio-economic inequalities. Socio-economic inequalities in suicide are a generalised phenomenon in western Europe, but the pattern and magnitude of these inequalities vary between countries. These inequalities call for improved access to psychiatric care for lower socio-economic groups.
Patients' characteristics and treatment outcome in a group-analytic psychotherapeutic community
- Authors:
- TZIOTZIOU Anna, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Therapeutic Communities: the International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, 26(3), Autumn 2005, pp.245-260.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This study aimed to record the characteristics of all 816 patients treated in the Psychotherapeutic Community of the Open Psychotherapy Centre (OPC) from 1980 to 1999 and the discussion of the parameters which influence outcome. It is a retrospective study, based mainly on archives of the therapeutic sector of the OPC. The data recorded concerns the epidemiological characteristics: demographic, and the psychiatric clinical. The findings indicate some factors which are statistically correlated to the outcome, such as previous hospitalization, duration of therapy, medication, diagnosis and gender. Finally a patients profile is described, based on those characteristics which are the most common.
A sociology of mental health and illness
- Authors:
- ROGERS Ann, PILGRIM David
- Publisher:
- Open University Press
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 269p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Maidenhead
- Edition:
- 3rd ed.
The revised edition of this best-selling book provides a clear overview of the major aspects of the sociology of mental health and illness. As well as drawing upon a range of social theories and methods to illustrate its points, it provides the reader with information which is organized along dimensions of class, gender, race and age. The mental health professions are critically analysed and long standing debates about the role of legalism explored. Organizational aspects of psychiatry are examined as well as the growing relevance of community mental health work. The book ends with a discussion of the various ways in which psychiatric patients and their relatives can be understood in their social context.
The Cambridge handbook of age and ageing
- Editors:
- JOHNSON Malcolm L., (ed.)
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 744p.
- Place of publication:
- Cambridge
This is a guide to the current body of knowledge, theory, policy and practice relevant to age researchers and gerontologists around the world. It contains almost 80 original chapters, commissioned and written by the world's leading gerontologists from 16 countries and 5 continents. The broad focus of the book is on the behavioural and social sciences but it also includes important contributions from the biological and medical sciences. It provides comprehensive, accessible and authoritative accounts of all the key topics in the field ranging from theories of ageing, to demography, physical aspects of ageing, mental processes and ageing, nursing and health care for older people, the social context of ageing, cross cultural perspectives, relationships, quality of life, gender, and financial and policy provision.
Young people, gender and suicide: a review of research on the social context
- Authors:
- SMALLEY Nina, SCOURFIELD Jonathan, GREENLAND Katy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 5(2), August 2005, pp.133-154.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The paper reviews some recent research on the social context of suicide in young people, with particular reference to evidence about the gendered character of suicidal behaviour. It does not constitute a systematic review of relevant literature, but is informed by thorough searching. Key messages from the research reviewed are presented in relation to some specific social domains. These are employment, social cohesion and social comparison, mental illness, family and relationships, sexual orientation and help-seeking. There is some discussion in the article of the implications of this research for suicide prevention, both in terms of policy and in terms of the practices of individual social workers.