Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Impact of social support on cognitive symptom burden in HIV/AIDS
- Authors:
- ATKINS Jana H., et al
- Journal article citation:
- AIDS Care, 22(7), July 2010, pp.793-802.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
As many as 50% of people living with HIV/AIDS report cognitive difficulties, which can be associated with objective neuropsychological impairments and depression. A number of studies have demonstrated an association between higher social support and lower rates of depression. This study examined the role social support may play in attenuating the effects of both neuropsychological status and depression on cognitive difficulties. A cross-sectional survey of 357 adult men with HIV in Toronto, Canada completed a battery of neuropsychological tests, questionnaires about cognitive difficulties and depression, and an interview that included an assessment of perceived level of social support. A multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that higher levels of cognitive symptom burden were significantly associated with depression while lower levels of cognitive symptom burden were significantly associated with greater social support and higher level of education. There was a significant interaction between neuropsychological status and depression; the presence of neuropsychological impairment with depression was associated with higher levels of cognitive symptom burden. There was also a significant interaction between social support and depression. Interestingly, social support was also associated with a lower cognitive symptom burden for non-depressed individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The article concludes by discussing the clinical implications of these findings for promoting psychological well-being in persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Experiences of depression, the role of social support and its impact on health outcomes
- Authors:
- SMITH Lorriane, HILL Nicholas, KOKANOVIC Renata
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 24(6), 2015, pp.342-346.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Little research has been conducted into the value of support from the perspective of the person experiencing depression, or the types of support that are valued. Aim: This article aims to identify the beneficial sources of social support, what form these took, and when and how these sources of support helped. Methods: Narrative interviews with a maximum variation sample of 42 Australians who had experienced depression. Interviews were audio and/or video recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a coding framework and thematic analysis. Results: Themes included 'early warning system,' 'staying the course' and 'striving for normality.' Practical support made a difference to participants’ health outcomes such as hospitalisation and access to therapy. Seemingly invisible sources of support were recognised and acknowledged by participants particularly when they were seeking to maintain wellness. Conclusions: Support varied according to the trajectory of the depression experience. Some forms of support can make a real difference to health outcomes. The authors propose an alternative interpretation to current understandings about the role of social support. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social support, negative life events and mental health
- Authors:
- DALGARD Odd Steffen, BJORK Sven, TAMBS Kristian
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 166, January 1995, pp.29-34.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
In a 10-year follow-up of a survey from Oslo, 503 persons were reinterviewed using the same questionnaire. The questionnaire includes information about social support, 'locus of control' and mental health as well as negative life events and long-lasting mental strain during the year prior to the follow-up. Confirms the "buffer hypothesis", that social support protects against the development of mental disorder only when the individual is exposed to stressors, like negative life events. This buffering effect was especially strong for depression.
Associations between loneliness and perceived social support and outcomes of mental health problems: a systematic review
- Authors:
- WANG Jingyi, et al
- Journal article citation:
- BMC Psychiatry, 18(156), 2018, Online only
- Publisher:
- BioMed Central
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: The adverse effects of loneliness and of poor perceived social support on physical health and mortality are established, but no systematic synthesis is available of their relationship with the outcomes of mental health problems over time. In this systematic review, we aim to examine the evidence on whether loneliness and closely related concepts predict poor outcomes among adults with mental health problems. Methods: six databases and reference lists for longitudinal quantitative studies that examined the relationship between baseline measures of loneliness and poor perceived social support and outcomes at follow up were searched. Thirty-four eligible papers were retrieved. Due to heterogeneity among included studies in clinical populations, predictor measures and outcomes, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: substantial evidence was found from prospective studies that people with depression who perceive their social support as poorer have worse outcomes in terms of symptoms, recovery and social functioning. Loneliness has been investigated much less than perceived social support, but there is some evidence that greater loneliness predicts poorer depression outcome. There is also some preliminary evidence of associations between perceived social support and outcomes in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders. Conclusions: Loneliness and quality of social support in depression are potential targets for development and testing of interventions, while for other conditions further evidence is needed regarding relationships with outcomes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Is the naturalistic course of depression in older people related to received support over time? Results from a longitudinal population-based study
- Authors:
- HOUTJES Wim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(6), 2017, pp.657-663.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objectives: To test the interrelation of the naturalistic course of depression in older people with long-term support received. Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Methods: A sample of 277 adults age 55–85 years participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, with clinically relevant depressive symptoms at baseline (scores ≥16 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) were followed up over a period of 13 years. General estimating equations were used to examine the relation between depression course and emotional/instrumental support received over time. In addition, partner status, gender, and age were tested as modifiers. Results: A 2-way interaction between depression courses types and time showed significant differences in instrumental support received over time in older people with a late-life depression. Three-way interactions showed that associations between depression course and support variables were modified by gender and partner status. Conclusion: Both men and singles, with a chronic course of depression may be at risk to lose emotional and instrumental support over time. Professional attention is needed to prevent a chronic course of late-life depression, and to preserve personal social networks. (Publisher abstract)
Does context matter? Examining the mental health among homeless people
- Authors:
- FITZPATRICK Kevin, MYRSTOL Brad A., MILLER Elizabeth
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 51(2), 2015, pp.215-221.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Limited research exists that explores the impact of community on the health and wellbeing of homeless people. Using multivariate models, this research explores what factors are related to depressive symptoms among homeless people living in two distinctly different communities. Results suggest that context matters, but not for every circumstance examined in these models. While some variables exhibit a consistent relationship with depressive symptoms, the role of social capital is noted as particularly important to lowering symptomatology, yet its impact differs significantly by location. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social relationships and depression among people 65 years and over living in rural and urban areas of Quebec
- Authors:
- MECHAKRA-TAHIRI Samia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(11), November 2009, pp.1226-1236.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In this article, the authors aim to compare the prevalence of depression within the elderly Quebec population residing in rural areas, urban areas and metropolitan Montreal, and to assess differences in the associations between social relationships and depression across these urban and rural settings. Data used originated from a longitudinal study conducted in 2005-2006 on the mental health of the community dwelling population aged over 65 able to understand and speak French, and was based on a sample of 2,670 older people, with interviews conducted by trained interviewers. The results showed that the prevalence of depression was higher in rural and urban areas than in metropolitan Montreal, and indicated that social support and the lack of conflict in intimate relationships were associated with lower prevalence of depression in all areas. The authors conclude that geographic differences in depression exist within the elderly population in Quebec that may generate significant impact on their health and functional abilities, and that further research should be conducted to explain these differences.
Low-linking social capital as a predictor of mental disorders: a cohort study of 4.5 million Swedes
- Authors:
- LOFOS Jonas, SUNDQUIST Kristina
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 64(1), January 2007, pp.21-34.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Few previous studies have analyzed the association between different dimensions of social capital and mental disorders. This study examines whether there is an association between a relatively new theoretical concept describing the amount of trust between individuals and societal institutions, i.e. linking social capital, and hospitalization due to depression or psychosis. The entire Swedish population aged 25–64, a total of 4.5 million men and women, was followed from January 1, 1997, until the first hospital admission due to depression or psychosis during the study period, or the end of the study on December 31, 1999. Small area neighbourhood units were used to define neighbourhoods. The definition of linking social capital was based on mean voting participation in each neighbourhood unit, categorized in tertiles. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and neighbourhood-level variance in four different models. The results showed strong associations between linking social capital and hospitalization due to depression or psychosis. These associations decreased considerably in both men and women, but still remained significant, after adjustment for age, housing tenure, education, employment status, marital status, and country of birth. However, the results for depression (both men and women) no longer remained significant after adjustment for neighbourhood deprivation. In contrast, the results for psychosis decreased considerably but remained significant after adjustment for neighbourhood deprivation. The association between low levels of voting participation and hospitalization due to depression or psychosis might reflect neighbourhood differences in linking social capital, which could affect vulnerable individuals negatively. Decision-makers should take into account the evidence of a neighbourhood effect on mental health in decisions regarding the sites of psychiatric clinics and other kinds of community support for psychiatric patients.
How do we treat unhappiness
- Authors:
- MAXWELL Margaret, McCOLLAM Allyson, HALLIDAY Emma
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, March 2005, pp.26-28.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Reports findings of a study that explored how people experiencing common mental health problems understand self-help and use it as a coping strategy. The study focused on capacity for the development of self-help within primary care to address mental health needs. The 18-month qualitative study was undertaken in two local health co-operatives (LHCCs) within one primary care trust in Scotland. Individual interviews and multi-disciplinary discussions were conducted with staff, and 34 service users were also recruited for in-depth interviews to explore their views, needs, and how these needs were being met. Findings suggest that improving primary care responses for people with common mental health problems should increase the availability of social support, particularly for those people who are isolated.
Self-reported health, self-esteem and social support among young unemployed people: a population-based study
- Authors:
- AXELSSON Lars, EJLERTSSON Goran
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 11(2), April 2002, pp.111-119.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
A population-based study was performed in southern Sweden in the autumn of 1998. The aim was to study connections between self-reported health, self-esteem and social support among unemployed ( three months) young people. The sample consisted of 264 unemployed individuals aged 20–25 years, and 528 individuals of the same age, randomly selected from the population register and not registered as unemployed. The response rate was 72%. Defined by means of factor analysis, mental health consisted of the symptoms tearfulness, dysphoria, sleeping disturbance, restlessness, general fatigue and irritability. The unemployed had more mental health problems than young people who were working or studying. Restlessness and dysphoria were significantly over-represented in the unemployed among both sexes. However, good social support seemed to predict mental health. Support from parents was most important, particularly in males. Those with low self-esteem and poor parental support were especially vulnerable.