Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 5 of 5
Psychological distress as a key component of psychosocial functioning in community-dwelling older people
- Authors:
- SCHNITTGER Rebecca I. B., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(1-2), January 2012, pp.199-207.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Psychological distress is a critical issue affecting the quality of life in older adults with implications for both mental and physical health. The aim of this study was to explore the key components of psychosocial functioning in older adults with a focus on identifying the constituents of psychological distress. Another aim was to examine the relationship between these components and health outcomes such as frailty. The study was conducted at the Technology Research for Independent Living Clinic, a comprehensive geriatric assessment facility in Dublin. As part of a structured clinical assessment, 579 participants completed 9 primary psychosocial measures as well as a broad range of health and demographic secondary assessments. Principal factor analysis identified 3 core dimensions of the construct of psychosocial functioning. The first is related to a core internal component of psychological distress. The 2 other components are related to external and physiological functioning, specifically social support networks and sleep. These components, particularly psychological distress, were found to be associated with health outcomes associated with frailty.
The Facebook effect
- Authors:
- CAMMACK Vickie, BYRNE Kerry
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 123(6370),11 October 2013, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
Social networking technology is making it easier for patients' friends and family to provide support. Tyze a private social platform which has been developed in Canada, is one example. It consists of a shared calender, a messaging system and a 'CareWall' where stories and updates can be posted. Two users of the system are briefly profiled and the benefits they get from the system explained. (Original abstract)
Parenting a child with a disability: the role of social support for African American parents
- Authors:
- HA Jung-Hwa, GREENBERG Jan S., SELTZER Marsha Mailick
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 92(4), October 2011, pp.405-411.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
Having a child with a disability poses a significant risk to parents’ physical and emotional well-being. This risk may vary across different racial and ethnic groups who may face differing caregiving challenges due to their socioeconomic and environmental resources. This study examines the impact of having a child with a disability on parents’ mental and physical health among urban-dwelling African Americans. It also examines the extent to which positive and negative social interactions with family members other than the spouse moderate the impact of child’s disability on parental adaptation. Analyses are based on an African American sample collected in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin collected as part of the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS). The analytic sample consists of 48 parents of children with a disability and 144 comparison group parents of nondisabled children. The results show that having a child with a disability is associated with more somatic symptoms such as headaches, backaches, and trouble sleeping. However, the negative consequences of the child’s disability on parents’ mental health are reduced when parents receive greater positive support from family.
Post-divorce adjustment and social relationships: a meta-analytic review
- Authors:
- KRUMREI Elizabeth, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 47(3/4), 2007, pp.145-166.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A meta-analysis of the findings of 21 studies on the role of social relationships in post-divorce adjustment is reported. It shows that network relationships (such as being part of a circle of friends or a support group) are particularly associated with positive post-divorce adjustment, as reflected in measures of well-being. Conversely, one-to-one relationships (with, for example, a family member or close friend) are particularly important in protecting against maladjustment, as reflected by measures of psychological distress or physical ill-health. The limitations of the meta-analysis are such that the findings need to be interpreted with caution, but there are implications nonetheless for professionals working with divorcing or recently divorced clients.
Psychological abuse among older persons in Europe: a cross-sectional study
- Authors:
- MACASSA Gloria, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research, 5(1), 2013, pp.16-34.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
There is evidence to suggest that the rate of elder abuse in all its forms is growing. However, because of the difficulty of measuring it, psychological abuse may be underestimated. This cross sectional study used data collected in 2009 as part of the survey “Elder abuse: a multinational prevalence survey, ABUEL”. The participants were 4,467 randomly selected persons aged 60-84 years (2,559 women, 57.3 per cent) from seven EU countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Sweden). Participants answered a structured questionnaire either face-to-face or a mix of interview/self-response. The overall prevalence of psychological abuse was 29.7 per cent in Sweden, 27.1 per cent in Germany; 24.6 per cent in Lithuania and 21.9 per cent in Portugal. The lowest prevalence was reported in Greece, Spain and Italy with 13.2 per cent, 11.5 per cent and 10.4 per cent, respectively. Similar tendencies were observed concerning minor/severe abuse. The Northern countries (Germany, Lithuania, Sweden) compared to Southern countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain) reported a higher mean prevalence of minor/severe abuse (26.3 per cent/11.5 per cent and 12.9 per cent/5.9 per cent, respectively). Most perpetrators (71.2 per cent) were spouses/partners and other relatives (e.g. children). The analyses indicate that being from Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain was associated with a lower risk of psychological abuse. Low social support, living in rented housing, alcohol use, frequent health care use, and high scores in anxiety and somatic complaints were associated with increased risk of psychological abuse.