SOUTH AFRICA / SUID-AFRIKA - Afrikaners worstel met angs, depressie [Maroela Media, Junie 2022] - Article & video in Afrikaans

Titel:

Video: Afrikaners worstel met angs, depressie

 

Outeur:

Elaine Krige

 

Gepubliseer:

Maroela Media, 3 Junie 2022

https://maroelamedia.co.za/nuus/sa-nuus/afrikaners-worstel-met-angs-depressie/

 

Aangehaal uit artikel:

Omtrent die helfte van Afrikaners landwyd het aangedui dat hulle die verlede jaar angs, depressie en huwelikskonflik ondervind het. Maatskaplike kwessies is veral onder inwoners van Kaapstad, Krugersdorp en Pretoria-Oos waargeneem.

 

University of Bath, UK (July 2022) - Study highlights heavy mental health burden of Covid-19 for ‘shielders’

Title:

Study highlights heavy mental health burden of Covid-19 for ‘shielders’

 

Published:

University of Bath, 1 July 2022

https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/study-highlights-heavy-mental-health-burden-of-covid-19-for-shielders/

 

From the press release:

Research from a new study suggests that health anxiety among the clinically vulnerable groups who shielded at home has risen since the first pandemic wave, despite developments in viral treatment and the roll-out of the vaccination programme.  

 

The new study, authored by psychologists at the University of Bath, is the first to use validated measures of mental health to focus on the effects of the pandemic for those who have been shielding or continue to shield. It finds that health anxieties among these groups grew in line with the length of time they spent indoors.

Factors That Predispose Undergraduates to Mental Issues: A Cumulative Literature Review for Future Research Perspectives [Scholarly Article - Frontiers in Public Health, February 2022]

Title:

Factors That Predispose Undergraduates to Mental Issues: A Cumulative Literature Review for Future Research Perspectives 

 

Authors:

Pierpaolo Limone & Giusi Antonia Toto

Learning Science Hub, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy

 

Published:

Frontiers in Public Health, 16 February 2022

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.831349/full

 

Abstract:

Distress and mental health issues among college students is an emerging topic of study. The aim of this research work is to illustrate academic and social risk factors and how they prove to be predictors of anxiety and depressive disorders. The methodology used is a cumulative literature review structured over 10 systematic phases, and is replicable. Showing considerable potential for cumulative research, the relevance of this study reflects the concern of the academic community and international governments. The articles selected range from categorization of disorders in relation to mental health, to reporting the condition of rhinestones and difficulties of students in university contexts. In conclusion, the research focusses upon predisposing, concurrent or protective factors relating to the mental health of university students, so that institutions can act on concrete dynamics or propose targeted research on this topic.

Effects of medical school on mental health and sleep habits [Preprint - medRxiv, January 2022]

Title:

Effects of medical school on mental health and sleep habits

Authors:

Blake McKinley, Bryan Daines, Mitchell Allen, Kayd Pulsipher,  View ORCID ProfileIsain Zapata & Benjamin Wilde 

[All the authors are from the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ivins, Utah, USA]

 

Published:

medRxiv, 14 January 2022

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.13.22269102v1

 

Note:

This article is a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed.

 

Abstracts:

BACKGROUND and OBJECTIVES 

This study aims to define changes in anxiety and depression among medical students while evaluating the association of sleep habits and other risk factors, including exercise habits and a diagnosis of chronic disease. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was also evaluated.  

 

DESIGN 

A cohort of first- and second-year medical students was evaluated longitudinally using survey methods to quantify changes from pre-medical school and summer break to each semester in medical school throughout years one and two.  

 

METHODS 

Data was analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) on the numeric responses of General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. Additional assessments evaluated exercise habits, chronic disease, and impact of COVID-19 Pandemic.  

 

RESULTS 

Depression, anxiety, and sleep habits displayed a cyclical change that was associated with the academic cycle. The COVID-19 pandemic was never significant. Medical students who had a chronic disease diagnosis had increased severity. Exercise did not play a role.  

 

CONCLUSION 

The main driver for depression, anxiety, and poor sleep quality was the academic cycle, while the COVID-19 pandemic did not have an impact on mental health.

 

An Islamic Form of Logotherapy in the Treatment of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Symptoms in University Students in Iran [Scholarly Article - Journal of Religion and Health, January 2022]

Title:

An Islamic Form of Logotherapy in the Treatment of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Symptoms in University Students in Iran 

 

Authors:

Shapour Fereydouni & Simon Forstmeier  

 

Published:

Journal of Religion and Health, 11 January 2022

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10943-021-01495-0

 

Abstract:

Previous research demonstrated that spiritually sensitive psychotherapy is an effective treatment for clients with depression or anxiety, with outcomes equivalent to secular control interventions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of spiritually sensitive logotherapy intervention in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in university students in Iran. Sixty students with elevated depression symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory II, BDI-II, 22 or greater) were randomly assigned to either a twelve-session group logotherapy programme or a control group. Results showed that spiritually sensitive logotherapy significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and stress, and significantly more so than in the control group (e.g. interaction effect for BDI-II: F = 56.8, p < 0.001, with a large effect size).

 

Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, August 2020–February 2021 [CDC, March 2021]

Title:

Symptoms of Anxiety or Depressive Disorder and Use of Mental Health Care Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, August 2020–February 2021

 

Author:

Anjel Vahratian, PhD; Stephen J. Blumberg, PhD; Emily P. Terlizzi, MPH & Jeannine S. Schiller, MPH 

Published:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 26 March 2021

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7013e2.htm#contribAff

From the Summary:

During August 2020–February 2021, the percentage of adults with recent symptoms of an anxiety or a depressive disorder increased from 36.4% to 41.5%, and the percentage of those reporting an unmet mental health care need increased from 9.2% to 11.7%. Increases were largest among adults aged 18–29 years and those with less than a high school education.

University of San Franscisco (PsyD, 2021) - The Effectiveness Of A Transaffirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group-Based Intervention To Help Transgender Individuals Suffering From Depression

Title:

The Effectiveness Of A Transaffirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group-Based Intervention To Help Transgender Individuals Suffering From Depression

 

Author:

Joy Riach 

Published:

University of San Francisco, 2021

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

https://repository.usfca.edu/diss/548/

Abstract:

Transgender individuals report higher levels of elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety due to psychological distress caused by pervasive transphobic discrimination and prejudice that persist in pathologizing and stigmatizing their lived experiences. An important first step would be to develop, implement, and assess transaffirmative interventions that address the mental health issues that this population is particularly susceptible to, such as depression. This current study was designed to assess the effectiveness of one such culturally adapted intervention, which was a 5-week-long, group-based therapy developed for treating depression in transgender individuals using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This was then followed with one final session 1 month after the last session. The researcher hypothesized that participating in this intervention would result in a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms among the participants. The data were analyzed using a one-way repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA; Field, 2016) and a paired samples t-test (Laerd Statistics, 2018). The study consisted of 14 transgender individuals who were divided into three treatment groups. In March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researcher adapted the intervention protocol to conducting individual therapy sessions over the phone. The results indicated that there was a significant difference in the means depressive symptoms scores for T1(preintervention) and T3 (1 month postintervention). Future researchers may wish to use a larger participant pool that includes a greater diversity of ethnic, cultural, geographical, and age groups. With this more diverse sample, more extensive analysis could be conducted, such as exploring differences between ethnicities, geographical locations, and age groups.

University of San Francisco, PsyD dissertation (2020) - Mental health outcomes of various types of fear among university students who have an undocumented legal status during the Donald Trump presidency

Title:

Mental health outcomes of various types of fear among university students who have an undocumented legal status during the Donald Trump presidency

 

Author:

Liliana Campos

 

Published:

Dissertation, Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD), University of San Francisco, 2020

https://repository.usfca.edu/diss/546/

Abstract:

Having an undocumented legal status is a risk factor for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety among university students. Much of the literature on the experiences of university students who hold an undocumented legal status has primarily focused on better understanding the educational, social, financial, and legal challenges among undergraduate students. The literature has addressed how some of these difficulties impact components of their social and mental health wellness. Yet, there is still a dearth of research focused on further understanding the experiences of students who hold an undocumented legal status from a psychological perspective, and specifically, with respect to the psychological effects of fear. This study focuses on understanding the long-lasting mental health effects of various forms of fear among university students, including undergraduate and graduate students. This parallel convergent mixed-methods study examines mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and trauma related to fear of deportation, fear of detention, fear of microaggressions, fear of hate speech, and fear of crime since the election of Donald Trump among university students who hold an undocumented legal status.

Effects of COVID-19 on College Students’ Mental Health in the United States: Interview Survey Study [Scholarly Article - Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2020]

Title:

Effects of COVID-19 on College Students’ Mental Health in the United States: Interview Survey Study

 

Authors:

Changwon Son, Sudeep Hegde, Alec Smith, Xiaomei Wang & Farzan Sasangohar

 

Published:

Journal of Medical Internet Research (J Med Internet Res), 22(9):e21279 (2020)

https://www.jmir.org/2020/9/e21279/

Abstract:

Background: Student mental health in higher education has been an increasing concern. The COVID-19 pandemic situation has brought this vulnerable population into renewed focus.  

 

Objective: Our study aims to conduct a timely assessment of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of college students.  

 

Methods: We conducted interview surveys with 195 students at a large public university in the United States to understand the effects of the pandemic on their mental health and well-being. The data were analyzed through quantitative and qualitative methods.  

 

Results: Of the 195 students, 138 (71%) indicated increased stress and anxiety due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Multiple stressors were identified that contributed to the increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive thoughts among students. These included fear and worry about their own health and of their loved ones (177/195, 91% reported negative impacts of the pandemic), difficulty in concentrating (173/195, 89%), disruptions to sleeping patterns (168/195, 86%), decreased social interactions due to physical distancing (167/195, 86%), and increased concerns on academic performance (159/195, 82%). To cope with stress and anxiety, participants have sought support from others and helped themselves by adopting either negative or positive coping mechanisms.  

 

Conclusions: Due to the long-lasting pandemic situation and onerous measures such as lockdown and stay-at-home orders, the COVID-19 pandemic brings negative impacts on higher education. The findings of our study highlight the urgent need to develop interventions and preventive strategies to address the mental health of college students.

Comorbid anxiety and depression psychopathology in university students: a network approach [Scholarly Article - South African Journal of Psychology, 27 November 2020]

Title:

Comorbid anxiety and depression psychopathology in university students: a network approach

 

Author:

Malose Makhubela

 

Published:

South African Journal of Psychology, 27 November 2020

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0081246320973839

 

Abstract:

Depression in university students is known to commonly co-occur with other mental disorders, especially anxiety. It is, however, not known how this comorbidity affects the psychopathology of depression in university students. Compared to commonly used methods, the clinical network approach provides a better framework for understanding comorbidity. Accordingly, regularized partial correlation network models were used in this study to (1) examine the severity structure of individual depressive symptoms by the level of comorbid anxiety, and (2) explore the gender differences among these symptoms in university students (N = 919; Mage = 21 years., SD = 2.99; 72% = Female). Anhedonia, hopelessness, worthlessness, self-blame, and loneliness were the most central symptoms of depression in this study. The Network Comparison Test revealed no statistically significant global structure and strength of the depressive symptom network by comorbid anxiety level and gender. Implications of the results and network framework with regard to developing alternative treatment options, and the optimization of clinical care and assessment of depression are discussed.

A Survey of Attitudes, Anxiety Status, and Protective Behaviors of the University Students During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Turkey [Scholarly Article - Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15 July 2020]

Title:

A Survey of Attitudes, Anxiety Status, and Protective Behaviors of the University Students During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Turkey

 

Authors:

Gulsum Akdeniz, Mariam Kavakci, Muharrem Gozugok, Semiha Yalcinkaya, Alper Kucukay & Bilal Sahutogullari

 

Published:

Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15 July 2020 

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00695/full

 

From the artciel:

A new coronavirus disease began on 31 December 2019 in Wuhan/China and has caused a global outbreak in only a few months resulting in millions being infected. In conjunction with its’ physical side effects, this outbreak also has a tremendous impact on psychology health. This study aims to assess the spread and frequency of protective behaviors, emotional and anxiety status among the Turkish population using a rapid survey during the COVID-19 outbreak. An online questionnaire was administered to 3,040 respondents between the ages of 18–30. This cross-sectional study was conducted from Apr 2 to Apr 8, 2020. While questions related to the outbreak were created by members of our neuroscience department, the Turkish version of the Abbreviated Beck Anxiety Inventory was included in our survey to measure anxiety status. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for statistical analysis. We found that 90% of respondents report washing hands more frequently since the outbreak while %50 wear protective gloves. Respondents were more fearful of their relatives catching the coronavirus disease than they were of themselves catching it. In response to the question, “What are your emotions about the coronavirus?”, 38% responded with “worried”. There was a significant correlation between anxiety status and consumption information from the media about COVID-19. Individual early protection behaviors might slow transmission of the outbreak. Our results showed that the behavior of the participants has changed in predictable ways during the COVID-19 outbreak. Understanding how emotional responses such as fear and anxiety status vary and the specific factors that mediate it may help with the design of outbreak control strategies.

Rising student mental health problems need urgent action

Title:

Rising student mental health problems need urgent action

 

Author:

Lesley Andrew

 

Published:

University World News, 19 September 2020

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20200918101649827

 

From the article:

Prompted by rising reports of student distress and suicide, universities are becoming increasingly responsive to the mental health and well-being needs of their students.

 

Psychology Today, 21 May 2020 - The Silent Pandemic: Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicide

Title:
The Silent Pandemic: Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicide

Author:
Azmaira H. Maker, Ph.D

Published:
Psychology Today, 21 May 2020
https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/helping-kids-cope/202005/the-silent-pandemic-depression-self-harm-and-suicide

From the article:
"Children and adolescents may not be adept at recognizing, expressing, or coping with isolation and with the resulting losses in their lives. As we appropriately and necessarily hold our children in ‘lock down’, children may experience a deep sense of loss of control, powerlessness, helplessness, and hopelessness, all critical psychological markers for depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide."

Note:
The author also lists the danger signs to watch out for that indicate that children and adolescents are suffering deeply!

Fear vs. Reality - CORONAVIRUS (Tech Blog post by Peter Diamandis) - Should I travel? Do I overstock my pantry? And is the world coming to an end?

Title:
Fear vs. Reality - CORONAVIRUS

Author:
Peter Diamandis

Published:
Tech Blog, 6 March 2020

From the blog post:
"Over the past week, our amygdalas (the fear centers of our brain) have been in overdrive.  

As Coronavirus (and anxiety) spread, I’m concerned by the level of pandemic fear circulating through our news and social media.  

The goal of this blog is to give you a thoughtful alternative to fear… to contextualize what you are hearing…"

To read this blog post:
https://www.diamandis.com/blog/coronavirus-fear-vs-reality