Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Perception of mattering and suicide ideation in the Australian working population: evidence from a cross-sectional survey
- Authors:
- MILNER A., PAGE K.M., LAMONTAGNE A.D.
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 52(5), 2016, pp.615-621.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Thoughts about suicide are a risk factor for suicide deaths and attempts and are associated with a range of mental health outcomes. While there is considerable knowledge about risk factors for suicide ideation, there is little known about protective factors. The current study sought to understand the role of perceived mattering to others as a protective factor for suicide in a working sample of Australians using a cross-sectional research design. Logistic regression analysis indicated that people with a higher perception that they mattered had lower odds of suicide ideation than those with lower reported mattering, after controlling for psychological distress, demographic and relationship variables. These results indicate the importance of further research and intervention studies on mattering as a lever for reducing suicidality. Understanding more about protective factors for suicide ideation is important as this may prevent future adverse mental health and behavioural outcomes. (Publisher abstract)
Household stress and adolescent behaviours in urban families: the mediating roles of parent mental health and social supports
- Authors:
- REYNOLDS Andrew D., CREA Thomas M.
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Family Social Work, 21(4), 2016, pp.568-580.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Using exploratory data analysis techniques, the authors propose a model of parent psychosocial well-being that links financial strains and household stressors to adolescents' pro-social behaviours and vulnerability through parent mental health and social supports. Parents of urban youth (n = 781) who planned to attend a summer camp for at-risk youth responded to questions surveying household, parent and child factors related to early adolescent development. The authors expected that the relationship of household stressors – including financial strain and household difficulties – with adolescent behaviours would be mediated by parent depression and anxiety. They also anticipated that parent social supports would have both direct and indirect effects (via parent mental health) on adolescents' pro-social behaviours. Study findings are consistent with the hypotheses and the model performed similarly for both adolescent males and females. Implications for practice and policy in the context of programmes for urban youth are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Perceived social support and mental health states in a clinic-based sample of older HIV positive adults
- Authors:
- KAPADIA Farzana, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services, 15(4), 2016, pp.417-427.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Despite a high prevalence of mental health problems in older, HIV+ adults (aged ≥ 50), few studies have examined the relationship between perceived social support and mental health burdens in this group. In a clinic-based sample of 100 adults, 23% and 29% met criteria for one and more than one mental health burden, respectively. In multivariable binary logistic models, perceived receipt of positive and emotional social support as well as overall support was inversely associated with the presence of mental health burdens. There is a need for additional investigation of how social support can help mitigate mental health burdens among HIV+ older adults. (Publisher abstract)
Creating Connections: impact report 2014-2016.
- Authors:
- FISHER Jackie, GINGELL Rachel
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 14
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
Impact evaluation of a self-management and peer support programme for single parents living in Cardiff and Newport, developed by the Mental Health Foundation and Gingerbread. The programme was developed with £318,000 of Big Lottery Cymru funding. The aims of the programme were: to improve mental wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem; help participants to make their own goal choices and develop the skills needed to achieve their goals; and to improve social networks and help develop sustained friendship. A total of 206 single parents attended the programme, 12 peer support groups were created, and 21 single parents were trained as volunteers. In addition, over 1,500 single parents and their families benefited from community activities and projects organised by their peers. The impact evaluation also identified improvements on three outcomes: a significant increase in wellbeing after six months (from 42-48 on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale); a total of 83 per cent of single parents (33 out of 40) surveyed achieved their primary goal within six months; and improvements in health promoting lifestyle scores, including the subscales of general health, exercise and nutrition on the 'Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLPII).' (Edited publisher abstract)
Mutuality, wellbeing and mental health recovery: exploring the roles of creative arts adult community learning and participatory arts initiatives: research briefing
- Authors:
- LEWIS Lydia, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Wolverhampton
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 12
- Place of publication:
- Walsall
Reports on a study to explore the benefits of mutuality in creative adult community learning (ACL) and community arts settings, how this can impact mental health and wellbeing for those involved, and how the goals of mutuality, wellbeing and mental health recovery affect wider educational goals in adult community learning. The study involved five adult community learning groups in the West Midlands, including a ‘confidence through creativity’ art group (targeted for wellbeing) and a ‘reablement’ art course (targeted for mental health recovery) and two London-based mental health participatory arts organisations. Research methods included interviews and focus groups with adult learners and participants (n=50); practitioners and volunteers (n=16); and wider stakeholders and project organisers (n=10). The findings are discussed across the three main aims to the project. Benefits in participation included opportunities for social connection and the development of relationships of care and support through shared participation in the creative initiatives. Barriers and challenges were also identified, including: professional and organisational boundaries and responsibilities; tension between individualism and communality in the settings; and difficulties surrounding group participation. The report concludes that community-based creative arts adult education and art therapy initiatives are of significant value to a ‘mutual’ recovery and wellbeing and highlights the implications for policy, provision, practice and research. (Edited publisher abstract)
Feasibility study of increasing social support to enhance a healthy lifestyle intervention for individuals with serious mental illness
- Authors:
- ASCHBRENNER Kelly A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 7(2), 2016, p.289–313.
- Publisher:
- Society for Social Work and Research
Objective: Healthy lifestyle interventions addressing obesity in people with serious mental illness (SMI) lead to modest weight losses that tend not to be sustained over time. By augmenting lifestyle interventions with family and peer support targeting health behaviour change, greater weight loss might be obtained and sustained in this population. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of increasing support from family and friends to enhance a healthy lifestyle intervention (In SHAPE) adapted for individuals with SMI. Method: A sample of 7 dyads (14 total participants) participated in this small-scale open-feasibility trial of social support strategies to enhance health promotion. Weekly 1-hour health coaching sessions were augmented by sessions designed to increase support for healthy eating and exercise through active learning and didactic instruction. Feasibility was assessed by programme participation and by examining participants’ satisfaction and exploring suggestions for improving the model post-intervention. Results: The majority of participants (57%) nominated a friend, followed by adult child-parent pairs (28%) and sibling pairs (14%) to participate as support partners in the study. All participant-partner dyads (100%) completed 12 sessions within 16 weeks. Participants reported high satisfaction and perceived benefits from the programme. Recommend modifications by the dyads included more interactive sessions, a combination of group and dyadic sessions, and hands-on cooking classes. Conclusions: This formative research showed that the study design is feasible and that the intervention can facilitate social support for health behaviour change in people with SMI. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention. (Edited publisher abstract)
Relationships in the 21st century: the forgotten foundation of mental health and wellbeing
- Author:
- MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 12
- Place of publication:
- London
Examines how investing in building and maintaining good relationships and tackling the barriers to forming them positively impact on mental health and wellbeing. The evidence shows that people who are more socially connected to family, friends, or their community are happier, physically healthier and live longer, with fewer mental health problems than people who are less well connected. The paper looks at relationships across the life course and why they matter, focusing on children and young people, adults and later life. Higher rates of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety have been associated with loneliness, isolation and social rejection during adolescence and similarly having few close relationships has been linked to higher rates of depression and stress in older adults. The report calls on national governments, public bodies and employers to promote good relationships and tackle barriers, including mounting pressures on work–life balance and the impact of bullying and unhealthy relationships. (Edited publisher abstract)
A psychometric examination of multimorbidity and mental health in older adults
- Authors:
- JONES Salene M.W., AMTMANN Dagmar, GELL Nancy M.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 20(3), 2016, pp.309-317.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Multimorbidity, the presence of multiple chronic medical conditions, is particularly prevalent in older adults. The authors examined the relationship of multimorbidity with mental health, social network and activity limitations in the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative, age-stratified sample of older adults. Method: After excluding participants who used a proxy to complete the survey and those who did not answer any of the depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and positive and negative affect items, the final sample was 7026. A disease count of 10 conditions (heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, lung disease, stroke, dementia, cancer, fracture) was used. Results: Factor analysis indicated a one factor structure for disease count was tenable, although cancer did not appear to fit the model. Therefore, a count of the nine other diseases was used. Disease count was related to increased depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and negative affect and less positive affect. All individual diseases including cancer were related to worse mental health as was having two or more conditions. Disease count, having two or more conditions and several individual diseases (heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, cancer and fracture) were also related to increases in social network size while other individual diseases (osteoporosis, diabetes, lung disease, stroke and dementia) were related to decreases in social network size. All the measures of multimorbidity and individual diseases were associated with the increased odds of activity limitations. Conclusions: Results support a broader focus for older adults with multimorbidity that includes mental health needs. (Edited publisher abstract)