Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Functional somatic syndromes and childhood physical abuse in women: data from a representative community-based sample
- Authors:
- FULLER-THOMSON Esme, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aggression Maltreatment and Trauma, 20(4), May 2011, pp.445-469.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Functional somatic syndromes have been defined as patterns of somatic symptoms “for which adequate examination does not reveal sufficiently explanatory structural or other specified pathology”. This study explored whether childhood physical abuse was associated with functional somatic syndromes in women while controlling for age, race, and four domains of potentially confounding factors: other childhood adversities; adult health behaviours; socioeconomic status and stressors; and mental health. Data was drawn from a regional sample 7,342 women from of the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey. Women reported whether they had been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). Findings revealed that 749 women reported physical abused during their childhood. Also, childhood physical abuse was significantly associated with CFS, FM, and MCS. The authors concluded that clinicians involved in the management of functional somatic syndromes should assess patients for a history of childhood abuse.
National perinatal mental health project report: perinatal health of black and minority ethnic women: a review of current provision in England, Scotland and Wales
- Author:
- EDGE Dawn
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 63p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Relatively little is known about whether and to what extent current provision meets the needs of black and minority ethnic women with respect to mental health. This report discusses issues of need that arise out of the overlapping aspects of ethnicity, culture, language and gender with mental health. This represents a useful approach for influencing commissioning and provision of services. This, in turn, can mean that services are better able to respond to the presenting needs of all women. To underpin this, the report calls for better pre- and post-registration training in order to strengthen the understanding and skills of practitioners. It also highlights the importance of a stronger evidence base in terms of clinical as well as service evaluation. Critically, it underscores the requirement to develop and improve care pathways in primary care and in non-statutory provision, as part of an overall framework for improvement.
An examination of intimate partner violence and psychological stressors in adult abortion patients
- Authors:
- ELY Gretchen E., OTIS Melanie D.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(16), November 2011, pp.3248-3266.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article explores the relationship between partner violence, pregnancy termination, and the mental well-being of the women involved. An exploratory study aimed to identify the prevalence of intimate partner violence and specific psychological stressors in adult abortion patients. The participants were a convenience sample of 188 women seeking abortion services in an urban Southeastern city who completed a self-report survey. The results indicated that almost 15% of respondents reported a history of abuse by the co-conceiving partner. In addition, women who reported having had one or more past abortions were more likely to also report that the person involved in the current pregnancy had also emotionally abused them. Women reporting one type of partner abuse were significantly more likely to also report other types of abuse. Women reporting abuse were less likely to report informing their co-conceiving partner of their appointment at the clinic, less likely to report that their partner contributed financially to the abortion cost, and more likely to report partner refusal to wear a condom. Women who reported emotional abuse were more likely to score higher on all but one of the psychological stressor scales.
Psychosocial consequences of intimate partner violence for women and men in Canada
- Authors:
- ANSARA Donna L., HINDIN Michelle J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(8), May 2011, pp.1628-1645.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Recent studies have suggested that intimate partner violence (IPV) may have different consequences associated with different patterns of violence, abuse, and control. This study examined the psychosocial consequences associated with different patterns of physical violence, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and controlling behaviour using data from 676 women and 455 men interviewed for the 2004 Canadian General Social Survey on Victimization. Findings revealed that experiencing any pattern of violence was associated with a range of negative psychosocial outcomes for both women and men. The increasingly negative impact and perceived dangerousness of IPV for those experiencing more severe and chronic patterns of violence and control were also shown. These findings were more pronounced for women as they experienced the most chronic pattern of abuse and control. The psychosocial consequences were also greater for women than for men with similar experiences of IPV. In conclusion, gender, the nature of the violence, abuse, and control experienced all influenced the psychosocial impact of IPV.
The impact of domestic abuse for older women: a review of the literature
- Authors:
- McGARRY Julie, SIMPSON Chris, HINCHLIFF-SMITH Kathryn
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 19(1), January 2011, pp.3-14.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The UK has an ageing population, and emerging national policy initiatives are beginning to recognise domestic abuse as an issue for older women. As such, it is fundamental that health and social care professionals are able to both identify domestic abuse and understand the particular experiences and needs of older women affected by domestic abuse. This literature review aimed to: provide a comprehensive summary of the impact of domestic abuse for older women particularly within the context of health; to explore the particular barriers to recognition and reporting abuse; and to highlight the particular gaps in our knowledge and understanding from a policy and care provision perspective. Overall findings showed that, while research in this area may be scarce, the work that has been undertaken to date would suggest that domestic abuse is both a significant and an under-recognised phenomenon with a wide-ranging impact on the lives and health of older women. Findings also suggest that older women’s experiences of domestic abuse are distinctly different from those in younger age groups and that these differences have not been adequately acknowledged.
Women's experience of forensic mental health services: implications for practice
- Authors:
- COOKE Kerry, BAILEY Di
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 6(4), 2011, pp.186-194.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
A pilot study was undertaken to explore women's experiences of forensic mental health care and inform a potential larger scale research project. Participants were recruited from women service users of a forensic community mental health team. In-depth interviews were undertaken with 7 women who had experience of using secure services. Using content analysis, three broad themes were identified: women's experiences of different settings and treatments, relationships with staff, and the impact of placements and social contacts. The article discusses the findings, with examples from the interviews. It reports that despite their relatively disadvantaged position, the women were able to articulate what worked and offered clear suggestions for improving services.
Addressing unmet needs in incarcerated women with co-occurring disorders
- Authors:
- SALINA Doreen D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 37(4), July 2011, pp.365-378.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Women are increasingly entering and leaving the criminal justice system with unmet needs relating to lack of mental health and substance abuse treatment and availability of basic resources. The presence of unmet needs is likely to impact the success of community entry of incarcerated women. This study aimed to identify the most prevalent critical needs reported by incarcerated women with co-occurring disorders. The participants were 281 incarcerated women diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders. The women completed interviews while incarcerated and again at 1, 3 and 6 months after community re-entry. The findings revealed that the women had the same or a higher number of needs after spending 6 months in the community compared to those reported while incarcerated. A low level of social support was related to negative outcomes. The article concludes that incarcerated women require holistic evaluation assessments and integrated treatment plans that encourage staff to comprehensively assess clients at intake and link them to support services during and after incarceration.
On the streets and refusing help
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 15.9.11, 2011, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
The case of a women who sleeps rough in London and refuses help is described. She do not take drugs or abuse alcohol but may have undiagnosed mental health issues. Three College of Social Work representatives explain how they would respond to the case.
The trauma recovery and empowerment model: a quasi-experimental effectiveness study
- Authors:
- FALLOT Roger D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 7(1-2), January 2011, pp.74-89.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) groups are designed to be responsive to the complex needs of women with histories physical and/or sexual abuse and co-occurring serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) for 153 women from two community mental health agencies in Washington, compared to 98 receiving normal services at two agencies in Baltimore. Findings revealed that TREM participants showed greater reductions in alcohol and drug abuse severity, anxiety symptoms, and current stressful events. They also showed greater increases in perceived personal safety. There were no group differences in change for posttraumatic stress disorder and overall mental health symptoms, physical and mental health–related quality of life, and exposure to interpersonal abuse. The authors concluded that the study provided evidence for the effectiveness of the TREM intervention for women trauma survivors with co-occurring mental health disorders.
An interpretative phenomenological analysis of African Caribbean women’s experiences and management of emotional distress
- Authors:
- SISLEY Emma J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 19(4), July 2011, pp.392-402.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
African Caribbean women are under-represented in UK mental health outpatient services, despite sociocontextual vulnerabilities which may increase emotional distress. This study aimed to explore understandings and experiences of personal distress held by African Caribbean women and examine coping choices including help-seeking from mental health services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 African Caribbean women who were recruited following their self-referral to self-help community wellbeing workshops in central London. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of the data revealed 5 super-ordinate themes: explanations of distress; experiences of distress; managing distress; social and cultural influences; and seeking help. Gender roles and a cultural legacy of being strong and hiding distress emerged as influential in the participants’ beliefs about managing personal difficulties. This was balanced with an acknowledgement that intergenerational differences highlighted an increasing acceptance amongst the community of talking about issues and seeking professional support. The study provides support for tailoring services to individual needs using a flexible approach which empowers individuals from black and minority ethnic groups by valuing explanatory models of distress alternative to the westernised medical model. Furthermore, the findings emphasise the importance of readily available information about statutory and voluntary community resources which use language relevant to the communities they are aimed at engaging.