ABSTRACT
Objective: To reveal the classification characteristics of college students' mental health literacy and compare their differences in professional psychological help-seeking behavior. Methods: Totally 12 850 college students were selected and assessed with the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (MHLQ), Self-made Questionnaire of Professional Psychological Help-seeking Behavior in Non-epidemic and COVID-19 epidemic and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Latent profile analysis was used to classify the mental health literacy of college students. The Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the differences in professional psychological help-seeking behavior of different classes of college students. Results: College students' mental health literacy could be divided into three classes including low-literacy group (7.4%), medium-literacy group (50.2%) and high-literacy group (42.4%). After controlling for demographic variables and depression level, logistic regression analysis found that there was no significant correlation between mental health literacy and professional psychological help-seeking behavior in non-epidemic situations. In the COVID-19 epidemic, compared with the low-literacy group, the medium-literacy group was more likely to seek professional psychological help (OR=1.32). The medium-literacy group and the high-literacy group were more likely to recommend others for help (OR=1.77, 2.45). Conclusion: The mental health literacy of college students has classification characteristics. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the college students with higher mental health literacy have greater possibility of seeking professional help and recommending others for seeking help. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] 目的: 了解大学生心理健康素养的分类特点, 比较不同分类大学生在专业心理求助行为上的差异。方法: 选取 12 850 名大学生, 采用心理健康素养问卷（MHLQ）、自编非疫情和新冠肺炎疫情中专业心理求助行为自评表、病人健康问卷抑郁量表（PHQ-9）进行调查。采用潜在剖面分析将大学生心理健康素养分类, 采用 χ² 检验和 logistic 回归分析探讨不同类别大学生专业心理求助行为的差异。结果: 大学生心理健康素养可分为低素养组（7.4%）、中等素养组（50.2%）和高素养组（42.4%） 3 类。非疫情中, 心理健康素养与专业心理求助行为无关联;在新冠肺炎疫情中, 相比低素养组, 中等素养更可能寻求专业心理求助（OR=1.32）, 中等素养组、高素养组更可能推荐他人求助（OR=1.77、2.45）。结论: 大学生心理健康素养有类别特征。新冠肺炎疫情中, 心理健康素养较高的大学生的专业求助或推荐求助可能性更大。 (Chinese) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Chinese Mental Health Journal / Zhongguo Xinli Weisheng Zazhi is the property of Chinese Mental Health Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
There is growing evidence that adolescents in high socioeconomic status groups may be at increased risk for some mental health concerns. This scoping review aims to synthesize empirical literature from 2010 to 2021 on mental health concerns and help-seeking behaviors among this adolescent group. Six comprehensive electronic databases yielded 1316 studies that were systematically reviewed in Covidence to identify relevant research. PRISMA-ScR analysis was used. Eighty-three studies met the eligibility requirements. NVivo was employed for coding, data extraction, and analysis. Key findings suggest substance use, in particular, alcohol, is the main mental health concern among adolescents in high socioeconomic status groups. Other main mental health concerns were externalizing and risk behaviors, bullying, depression, anxiety and stress. These concerns were shown to be influenced by parents, peers, school, and neighborhood contextual factors. Three emerging subgroups were identified as being at higher risk of mental health concerns among adolescents in high socioeconomic status groups. Specifically, adolescents residing in boarding schools, those with high subjective social status (e.g., popular) or low academic performance. Being pressured by parents to perform well academically was identified as a risk-factor for substance use, depression and anxiety. Albeit limited, areas explored for help-seeking behaviors centered on formal, semi-formal and informal support. Further research examining multi-level socioeconomic status factors and mental health concerns and help-seeking behaviors are urgently needed to inform appropriate interventions for this under-represented group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Background: Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is recognized as a major threat to human public health. Obviously, accurate and in-depth identification of patients' help-seeking behavior not only explains the process but also is able to identify the related factors, challenges, strengths, and weaknesses, and depicts participants' expectations for optimization and improvement. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted based on content analysis and through individual interviews (in person and by phone) with people with a history of COVID-19 disease until data saturation was reached between June and September 2020 in Tehran, Iran. Findings: In this study, 15 in-depth individual interviews were conducted. Strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to improve the help-seeking behavior were extracted in four levels: individual, family, social, and health system. The most important strengths were self-care (individual level), empathy of family members (family), charitable activities (social), and human resources (health system). The most important weaknesses in these levels included lack of attention to health protocols, lack of requirements for full quarantine, economic problems, and lack of proper monitoring by the health system. Conclusion: The most important and key element to improve the help-seeking behavior is human resources and promoting the individual capabilities in various aspects. © 2023, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.
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Objective: To reveal the classification characteristics of college students' mental health literacy and compare their differences in professional psychological help-seeking behavior. Methods: Totally 12 850 college students were selected and assessed with the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (MHLQ), Self-made Questionnaire of Professional Psychological Help-seeking Behavior in Non-epidemic and COVID-19 epidemic and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Latent profile analysis was used to classify the mental health literacy of college students. The Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the differences in professional psychological help-seeking behavior of different classes of college students. Results: College students' mental health literacy could be divided into three classes including low-literacy group (7.4%), medium-literacy group (50.2%) and high-literacy group (42.4%). After controlling for demographic variables and depression level, logistic regression analysis found that there was no significant correlation between mental health literacy and professional psychological help-seeking behavior in non-epidemic situations. In the COVID-19 epidemic, compared with the low-literacy group, the medium-literacy group was more likely to seek professional psychological help (OR=1.32). The medium-literacy group and the high-literacy group were more likely to recommend others for help (OR=1.77, 2.45). Conclusion: The mental health literacy of college students has classification characteristics. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the college students with higher mental health literacy have greater possibility of seeking professional help and recommending others for seeking help. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] 目的: 了解大学生心理健康素养的分类特点, 比较不同分类大学生在专业心理求助行为上的差异。方法: 选取 12 850 名大学生, 采用心理健康素养问卷（MHLQ）、自编非疫情和新冠肺炎疫情中专业心理求助行为自评表、病人健康问卷抑郁量表（PHQ-9）进行调查。采用潜在剖面分析将大学生心理健康素养分类, 采用 χ² 检验和 logistic 回归分析探讨不同类别大学生专业心理求助行为的差异。结果: 大学生心理健康素养可分为低素养组（7.4%）、中等素养组（50.2%）和高素养组（42.4%） 3 类。非疫情中, 心理健康素养与专业心理求助行为无关联;在新冠肺炎疫情中, 相比低素养组, 中等素养更可能寻求专业心理求助（OR=1.32）, 中等素养组、高素养组更可能推荐他人求助（OR=1.77、2.45）。结论: 大学生心理健康素养有类别特征。新冠肺炎疫情中, 心理健康素养较高的大学生的专业求助或推荐求助可能性更大。 (Chinese) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Chinese Mental Health Journal / Zhongguo Xinli Weisheng Zazhi is the property of Chinese Mental Health Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
Objective: To reveal the classification characteristics of college students' mental health literacy and compare their differences in professional psychological help-seeking behavior. Methods: Totally 12 850 college students were selected and assessed with the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (MHLQ), Self-made Questionnaire of Professional Psychological Help-seeking Behavior in Non-epidemic and COVID-19 epidemic and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Latent profile analysis was used to classify the mental health literacy of college students. The Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the differences in professional psychological help-seeking behavior of different classes of college students. Results: College students' mental health literacy could be divided into three classes including low-literacy group (7.4%), medium-literacy group (50.2%) and high-literacy group (42.4%). After controlling for demographic variables and depression level, logistic regression analysis found that there was no significant correlation between mental health literacy and professional psychological help-seeking behavior in non-epidemic situations. In the COVID-19 epidemic, compared with the low-literacy group, the medium-literacy group was more likely to seek professional psychological help (OR=1.32). The medium-literacy group and the high-literacy group were more likely to recommend others for help (OR=1.77, 2.45). Conclusion: The mental health literacy of college students has classification characteristics. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the college students with higher mental health literacy have greater possibility of seeking professional help and recommending others for seeking help. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] 目的: 了解大学生心理健康素养的分类特点, 比较不同分类大学生在专业心理求助行为上的差异。方法: 选取 12 850 名大学生, 采用心理健康素养问卷（MHLQ）、自编非疫情和新冠肺炎疫情中专业心理求助行为自评表、病人健康问卷抑郁量表（PHQ-9）进行调查。采用潜在剖面分析将大学生心理健康素养分类, 采用 χ² 检验和 logistic 回归分析探讨不同类别大学生专业心理求助行为的差异。结果: 大学生心理健康素养可分为低素养组（7.4%）、中等素养组（50.2%）和高素养组（42.4%） 3 类。非疫情中, 心理健康素养与专业心理求助行为无关联;在新冠肺炎疫情中, 相比低素养组, 中等素养更可能寻求专业心理求助（OR=1.32）, 中等素养组、高素养组更可能推荐他人求助（OR=1.77、2.45）。结论: 大学生心理健康素养有类别特征。新冠肺炎疫情中, 心理健康素养较高的大学生的专业求助或推荐求助可能性更大。 (Chinese) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Chinese Mental Health Journal / Zhongguo Xinli Weisheng Zazhi is the property of Chinese Mental Health Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite existing research on mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, studies related to help-seeking intention for mental health, particularly in Indonesia, are limited. During this unprecedented crisis, it is important to determine help-seeking intention, to allow providers of mental health services to deliver the appropriate intervention and so as to avoid the worst scenario. The aim of this study was to determine factors predicting help-seeking intention during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD(S): A cross-sectional approach using questionnaires were employed. Items on sociodemographic factors were asked. Several instruments were also administered: the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and the General Help-seeking Questionnaire. Online questionnaires were distributed via email, WhatsApp Messenger, and Facebook Messenger during the period August 11-21, 2020, yielding responses from 1340 participants (females = 971, males = 369). The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULT(S): The results showed that age, education, occupation, living in an infected area, and fear were statistically significant predictors of help-seeking intention. CONCLUSION(S): Mental health services need to be equitably available for people of various sociodemographic backgrounds during the COVID-19 pandemic. To improve and strengthen help-seeking intention, providers of mental health services should consider providing appropriate services based on age, education, and occupation. They also need to take into consideration special emphasis for those who are living in infected areas, leading to them being in a state of heightened fear, which is also a predictor.Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA.
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As a major virus outbreak in the twenty-first century, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented risks to global mental health. Because of the severity of the virus, people were forced to isolate themselves and confine themselves to their homes. This was linked to people's inability to work, seek help from loved ones, and participate in their communities. Stressors that contribute to anxiety and depression include loneliness, fear of infection, suffering and death for oneself and loved ones, bereavement grief, and financial worries. As a result, covid 19 is a source of psychological distress. This paper investigates the impact of these stressors on all age groups in society, including today's youth, the elderly, and even health workers. Because Buddhism has a longstanding experience with medicine and preaches calmness and acceptance of fear, it is not surprising that Buddhist ideas come to the aid of those in need during times of crisis. However, it receives little attention. Thus, this paper focuses on theories such as mindfulness meditations, engaged Buddhism, and cultivating compassion, all of which can aid in increasing positive emotions and thus reducing stressors. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results is the property of ResearchTrentz and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
Objective: To reveal the classification characteristics of college students' mental health literacy and compare their differences in professional psychological help-seeking behavior. Methods: Totally 12 850 college students were selected and assessed with the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (MHLQ), Self-made Questionnaire of Professional Psychological Help-seeking Behavior in Non-epidemic and COVID-19 epidemic and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Latent profile analysis was used to classify the mental health literacy of college students. The Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the differences in professional psychological help-seeking behavior of different classes of college students. Results: College students' mental health literacy could be divided into three classes including low-literacy group (7.4%), medium-literacy group (50.2%) and high-literacy group (42.4%). After controlling for demographic variables and depression level, logistic regression analysis found that there was no significant correlation between mental health literacy and professional psychological help-seeking behavior in non-epidemic situations. In the COVID-19 epidemic, compared with the low-literacy group, the medium-literacy group was more likely to seek professional psychological help (OR=1.32). The medium-literacy group and the high-literacy group were more likely to recommend others for help (OR=1.77, 2.45). Conclusion: The mental health literacy of college students has classification characteristics. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the college students with higher mental health literacy have greater possibility of seeking professional help and recommending others for seeking help. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] 目的: 了解大学生心理健康素养的分类特点, 比较不同分类大学生在专业心理求助行为上的差异。方法: 选取 12 850 名大学生, 采用心理健康素养问卷（MHLQ）、自编非疫情和新冠肺炎疫情中专业心理求助行为自评表、病人健康问卷抑郁量表（PHQ-9）进行调查。采用潜在剖面分析将大学生心理健康素养分类, 采用 χ² 检验和 logistic 回归分析探讨不同类别大学生专业心理求助行为的差异。结果: 大学生心理健康素养可分为低素养组（7.4%）、中等素养组（50.2%）和高素养组（42.4%） 3 类。非疫情中, 心理健康素养与专业心理求助行为无关联;在新冠肺炎疫情中, 相比低素养组, 中等素养更可能寻求专业心理求助（OR=1.32）, 中等素养组、高素养组更可能推荐他人求助（OR=1.77、2.45）。结论: 大学生心理健康素养有类别特征。新冠肺炎疫情中, 心理健康素养较高的大学生的专业求助或推荐求助可能性更大。 (Chinese) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Chinese Mental Health Journal / Zhongguo Xinli Weisheng Zazhi is the property of Chinese Mental Health Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
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Using a cross-sectional survey (N = 1,225), this study examines the psychological well-being (stress, anxiety, depression), life satisfaction, supportive parent communication, and likelihood to seek mental and emotional support from different sources between FGCSs and non-FGCSs during the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results show that while FGCSs and non-FGCSs report similar levels of stress and depression, FGCSs have higher anxiety and lower life satisfaction and supportive parent communication than non-FGCSs. Although supportive parent communication is negatively associated with stress, anxiety, and depression and positively associated with life satisfaction in both groups, these associations are stronger for FGCSs than non-FGCSs. Further, FGCSs are less likely to seek mental and emotional help from family and friends than non-FGCSs, while these help-seeking behaviors may mitigate their mental distress and enhance their life satisfaction. We address college mental disparity and highlight the lack of interpersonal support for FGCSs' mental wellness during this health crisis. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of College Student Psychotherapy is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
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Objective: The spread of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a lockdown that caused a widespread discomfort among the Italian-and worlwide-population, as evidenced by several national and international studies. GliPsicologiOnline (GPO) was conceived as a reaction to this scenario of great difficulty. GPO is a free online service that aims at addressing the citizens' needs of listening and support, as well as dealing with psychoeducational issues. The aim of this study was to describe the population that has requested psychological support using the GPO platform, with particular focus on the distribution throughout Italy and the type of problems that emerged in relation to age. Furthermore, the time of onset of the specific problem reported and the type of intervention implemented by therapists of the Institute for the Study and Research of Psychic Disorders (ISeRDiP) was also taken in consideration. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with data collected by a group of ISeRDiP researchers, who were also involved as clinicians in the active phase of the project. The database allowed analysis using descriptive statistics and qualitative comparison of infra-cluster results. Results: 157 individuals joined the project (138 women, 19 men), with an average age of 29 years. 74% went through only one session (15% two, 11% three sessions). The GPO service was contacted by 15 different Italian regions with a greater participation by the Lombard population (32%). The majority of the sample (93%) did not request help for symptoms directly related to Covid-19, but rather for psychological problems that developed in the context of isolation due to lockdown. Notably, in 44% of cases, the perceived discomfort was experienced for the first (mainly of the anxious type, 19%). Strong variability in the reasons for seeking help has also emerged. Conclusions: The service offered by the GPO project gave the Italian population an opportunity to receive free support, prevent negative psychological outcome, improve psychoeducation and learn about the potential of online support services. It is not surprising that the majority of the help seeking individuals came from the Lombardy region, which was more affected than others by the pandemic. Moreover, the variability of the reasons for seeking help seems to be in line with difficulties throughout development phases and life cycle typically reported in the age group taken into consideration. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (Italian) Oggetto: La diffusione della pandemia da Covid-19 ha portato a un lockdown che ha visto l'emergere, nella popolazione italiana, ma non solo, di un disagio diffuso, come evidenziato da diversi studi nazionali e internazionali. In questa situazione di forte difficolta nasce "GliPsicologiOnline" (GPO), un progetto creato per rispondere gratuitamente ai bisogni di ascolto, psicoeducazione e supporto, attraverso l'utilizzo di una piattaforma online. Obiettivo del presente studio e quello di descrivere la popolazione che ha richiesto supporto psicologico attraverso l'utilizzo della piattaforma GPO, con particolare riferimento alla distribuzione sul territorio italiano e al tipo di problematiche emerse in relazione all'eta. Particolare attenzione e stata inoltre posta all'individuazione dell'epoca di insorgenza della problematica rappresentata e ai tipi di interventi di aiuto prevalenti messi in atto dai terapeuti dell'Istituto per lo Studio e la Ricerca sui Disturbi Psichici (ISeRDiP). Metodo: Sulla base dei dati e stato condotto uno studio descrittivo trasversale con raccolta dati crosssezionale da parte di un gruppo di ricercatori ISeRDiP, coinvolti anche come clinici nella fase attiva del progetto. La creazione di un database, ove sono state indicate le variabili di interesse, ha permesso di procedere a un'analisi tramite statistiche descrittive e comparazione qualitativa dei risultati infracluster. Risultati: Al progetto hanno aderito 157 soggetti, (138 donne, 19 uomini), con un'eta media di 29 anni. Il servizio GPO e stato contattato da 15 diverse regioni italiane con una maggior partecipazione da parte della popolazione lombarda (32%). La maggioranza del campione (93%) non ha richiesto aiuto per una sintomatologia direttamente connessa al Covid ma per problematiche psicologiche sviluppatesi nell'ambito dell'isolamento dovuto al lockdown;nel 44% dei casi, infatti, il disagio emerso era di nuova insorgenza (prevalentemente di tipo ansioso, 19%). E' emersa altresi una forte variabilita nei motivi della richiesta di aiuto. Conclusioni: Il servizio offerto dal progetto GPO ha rappresentato un'opportunita per la popolazione italiana di ricevere un sostegno gratuito, fare prevenzione sul danno psicologico, migliorare la cultura psicologica e conoscere le potenzialita dei servizi di supporto online. Non stupisce che la maggior richiesta di aiuto sia pervenuta dalla regione Lombardia, piu colpita di altre dalla pandemia, e la variabilita dei motivi della richiesta di aiuto che, in base alla fascia d'eta presa in considerazione, sembra essere in linea con le problematiche tipiche delle fasi di sviluppo e del ciclo di vita. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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Background: COVID-19 pandemic had multiple associated actions from government and consequences for public. NIMHANS Bangalore had initiated a national helpline for psychosocial support for people affected by COVID pandemic. Large number of individuals contacted the helpline for seeking various kinds of help. This paper reports the temporal patterns of help seeking behavior in a population exposed to COVID-19 pandemic and associated adversities. Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify meaningful patterns in help seeking behavior of population affected by the biological disaster to improve our understanding population level behavioral patterns. This could also provide insight useful for health policy and administration. Methods: Distribution analysis of 316,134 calls received during the period of 28th March 2020 – 31st December 2020 on two temporal factors. We used Microsoft excel for the analysis of data. Results: Temporal distribution shows a sudden spike (forming a J curve) in the first four weeks of starting the helpline, this was followed by sharp decline for next four weeks and finally showing a slow decline with fluctuating patterns over next 32 weeks. Pattern of data on hourly rates of calls shows a maximum number of help seeking calls during 10am-8pm, and least numbers of calls during 12am-5am. Conclusions: The descriptive analysis of temporal patterns in help seeking behaviours drawn from this large dataset of national helpline provide insights and reference for health administrators and policy makers in effective planning and efficient utilization of scarce mental health resources. © 2023 DMICS.
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Background: The university years are associated with a variety of stressors, and recently, COVID-19 has presented an additional burden on students' mental well-being. As mental health manifestations of stressors may differ between countries, this study compared students from Switzerland and the Republic of Georgia regarding the burden of stressors and the role of potentially culture-dependent risk and protective factors of mental health (i.e., help-seeking, cross-cultural coping, fatalism, sense of coherence). Method: We assessed two samples of university students in Georgia (N = 425) and German-speaking Switzerland (N = 298), using a cross-sectional design. Quantitative data were collected with online questionnaires during the third wave of the pandemic. Mental health screenings included measures of depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. Results: General life- and COVID-19-related stress levels were higher in Georgia than in Switzerland. Georgian students experienced more adjustment disorder symptoms but lower levels of depression and anxiety. While Swiss students reported more protective factors (formal and informal help-seeking, sense of coherence), Georgian students experienced more risk factors (fatalism and avoidance coping). Despite significant correlations between potentially culture-dependent risk and protective factors and mental health, few associations remained significant above and beyond the impact of general life stress. Conclusions: The high prevalence of stressors and adjustment disorder symptoms and risk factors for mental health among Georgian students illustrates a potential need for psychosocial support with stress management. The cross-cultural applicability of Western models of student mental health services should be evaluated. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement The agenda of global mental health calls for addressing prevention and quality gaps, although achieving this aim is not possible if the divergent needs of specific populations, among them young people, are not studied and considered. This study explores the mental health stressors and needs of university students and compares Swiss and Georgian students' potentially culture-dependent risk and protective factors. Needs-based tailored interventions could be developed based on the findings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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Background: Domestic violence (DV) is one of the most pressing women's health concerns globally. Previous literature shows that women tend to seek help from informal sources (i.e., close friends and family) rather than formal sources (i.e., legal and police). Owing to the increased time spent at home and worsened social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, more women experiencing DV visited online health communities (OHCs) to seek help due to their anonymity and timely responses. However, OHCs may circulate unverified risky, and unhealthy information to users. Despite the surge of literature examining information discussed in the DV population, it is still unclear what types of help women sought and received the most from OHCs. Without such knowledge, we cannot evaluate the usefulness of OHCs for women who would like to seek help in OHCs after a traumatic DV experience.Purpose: The aims of this study were to 1) describe the types of help sought by the women with DV experiences in OHCs, 2) describe the type and pattern (i.e., communication style) of the advice given in the OHC to women with DV experiences and 3) explore whether the needs of women with DV experiences were matched with the help they received in OHCs. Methods: This is an exploratory, descriptive study to explore help-seeking behaviors by women experiencing DV on the subreddit community r/domesticviolence from November 14, 2020, through November 14, 2021. For our analysis, we included posts by adult women (i.e., aged 18 or above) experiencing DV who seek advice on DV relationships or dealing with DV-related issues. We excluded posts from non-abused women, women victims under 18, non-English posts, good news announcements, gratitude posts without any advice-seeking, and posts related to advertisements. Two nursing students used the codebook developed and verified by a domain expert. Aims 1 & 2 used manual annotation and thematic analysis and Aim 3 used computation text mining tool (i.e., Linguistic Inquiry Word Count) and non-parametric statistical analysis (i.e., t-test or Mann-Whitney U). Results: Among 1,996 postings crawled, 250 postings were included after screening for women with DV experience. 68.8% sought information support, and 36% sought emotional support. DV (n = 43, 25%) and legal (n = 21, 12.2%) knowledge were the most frequent types of information help being sought. Based on initial postings, five themes emerged. 97.2% of the postings received information support, while 87.6% received emotional support. DV knowledge (n=414, 26.4%), DV shelter (n=242, 15.4%), and legal knowledge (n=190, 12.1%) were the most frequent types of information help received in OHC, while 68.6 % of postings received encouragement as emotional support. 29.6% offered networking help, and 78% offered experience sharing. Based on the comments, seven themes emerged. 80% of postings matched with the type of help requested, while 17 linguistic or postings features were found to be significantly different between the two groups (i.e., matched help and unmatched help). Conclusions: OHC is a resourceful platform for help-seeking among women with DV experience. This study can guide the development of future algorithms to detect help-seeking behavior within OHCs effectively. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
The rapid global spread of COVID-19 has put increased pressure on health and social service providers, including social workers who continued front line practice throughout the pandemic, engaging with some of the most vulnerable in society often experiencing multiple adversities alongside domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Movement restrictions and stay-at-home orders introduced to slow the spread of the virus, paradoxically leave these families at even greater risk from those within the home. Utilising a survey methodology combining both open- and closed-ended questions, this study captured a picture of social work practice in Ireland with families experiencing DVA during the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight both the changes and challenges in work practices and procedures that limit social work assessment and quality contact with families, changes to the help-seeking behaviours from victims/survivors, as well as emerging innovative practice responses with enhanced use of technology. Implications for practice include an increased awareness of the risk and prevalence of DVA accelerated by the pandemic. Conclusions assert that social work assessment and intervention with families experiencing DVA must remain adaptive to the changing COVID-19 context and continue to develop innovative practice approaches.
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Background: Public health strategies, many of which required restricting movement of people, such as lock-downs and social-distancing measures had to be resorted to world-wide, to reduce the incidence and transmission of COVID-19, leading to a decline in healthcare utilization by non-COVI-19 patients, which is detrimental to people suffering from chronic-illnesses. This study aimed to assess treatment-seeking behavior among patients with chronic illnesses during the pandemic and the new normal. Methods: This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with sixteen patients aged 30 -55 years with chronic diseases. Three focus group sessions were also held. The indepth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted until saturation point was achieved. Purposive sampling was used, and data were analyzed thematically. The study centers were two public hospitals and one general practitioner setting in Sri Lanka. Findings: Three main themes were identified. Namely, change of treatment seeking behaviour, difficulties in healthcare access and adherence and high out of pocket expenditure. Majority had diabetes, hypertension or both. Trigger factors for changing the healthcare setting during the pandemic were long waiting times, lack of staff to conduct the clinic, lack of drugs and investigations, and fear and anxiety associated with the pandemic. Treatment access and adherence were found difficult due to lack of high expenditure on transportation, prolonged waiting times, difficulties in buying the drugs, and spending on laboratory investigations. The reasons for high cut-off pocket expenditures were mostly for transportation, drugs, consultations and investigation. Some mentioned that due to difficulties in obtaining the treatment, they resort to adopting a healthy lifestyle, taking indigenous medication, and taking the drugs in a different frequency and regime. Very few agreed that they received the drugs via the postal service but stated that this was not regular, and that not all the drugs were available. Conclusion: Healthcare system-related and patient-related factors lead people to change their treatment-seeking behavior. Any health intervention to promote people's treatment-seeking behavior and to continue acess and adherence, especially for a chronic illness, should consider these complex trigger factors of individual needs, goals, and issues.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has significantly impacted the world and Nepal is no exception. The pandemic has caused a reduction in health service delivery, especially for women's health conditions, resulting in an increase in challenges for an already vulnerable group. Maternity care, reproductive health services, preventive interventions, nutritional advice and mental health care are not being addressed and with an increase in domestic violence, the health and wellbeing of women in Nepal is precarious and needs to be addressed immediately. Copyright © 2020, Kathmandu University. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Filipinos are often reluctant to seek professional mental health (MH) help. However, literature reveals that online counselling is preferable to face‐to‐face (F2F) MH services, with the pandemic possibly magnifying technology's anonymity and disinhibiting benefits. To further explore facilitators of online MH help‐seeking, this study tapped into the lived stories of Filipino adults who experienced at least one counselling session from March 2020 to March 2022. Among 83 screened respondents, 11 semistructured interviews were transcribed and analysed following Crossley's (2000) method. Findings reveal an overarching online MH counselling narrative composed of three phases and their respective events: (a) Precounselling (Resiliency Narrative versus MH Awareness, Turning Point, and Linking versus Searching);(b) Counselling (Two‐way Introduction, Unloading and Untangling, and Decision to Maintain or Terminate);and (c) Postcounselling (Relapse and Journey towards Growth and Advocacy). Three all‐encompassing facilitators were embedded throughout the process: Autonomy, Financial Capability, and MH Institutions. Notably, participants attributed their MH help‐seeking to autonomy, despite culture and stigma, because of enabling environments that entail heightened MH literacy, positive past experiences with professional MH help, social support and encouragement, and a sense of shared reality. Benefits unique to online counselling were also apparent among participants' narratives, including alleviating geographical boundaries and added financial and personal pressures. Overall, findings posit that Filipino adults consider online counselling as a preferable alternative to F2F counselling, thus necessitating further development and institutional support. [ FROM AUTHOR]
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nature of communication has changed dramatically owing to lockdowns and the need for social distancing with ongoing outbreaks. As a result, patient's help-seeking behavior for mental health may have changed. We summarized the research on help-seeking behavior for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigated changes that have occurred. METHODS: This study was a systematic review. We searched four literature databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CHINAHL, and PsycINFO. We included the following in the review: 1) studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2) studies that dealt with help-seeking behavior for mental health. Eligible studies were summarized according to characteristics such as research participants and study type. RESULTS: In total, 41 studies (38 observational studies 2 qualitative studies and 1 randomized trial) were eligible for the review. Most studies reported delays, decreases, or deficits in help-seeking behavior. The study participants included medical professionals, local residents, hospitals, children and adolescents, online participants, pregnant women, people who experienced intimate partner violence, those with eating disorders, and other individuals. LIMITATIONS: Findings from observational studies may have bias as confounder. Meta-analysis could not be performed, because the studies had variations of design. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, delay in seeking help from mental health services may have resulted in lost opportunities to link patients with appropriate treatment and care. The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing as of 2022. Therefore, it is important to examine the impact of the pandemic on mental health in future research.
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INTRODUCTION: In Malaysia, death due to tobacco smoking habits recorded as more than 23 thousand yearly. Hence smoking cessation should be emphasized to reduce the annual mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study is to identify the help-seeking behavior in smoking cessation among adult smokers and to determine its predictive factors during the Full Movement Control Order (FMCO) in Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Data were collected from cross-sectional surveys of Malaysian adult smokers. The questionnaire was distributed online through the official social media account of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOHM) which commenced from 31st May 2021 in conjunction with the World No Tobacco Day. A multivariate binomial logistic regression was employed to analyze the relationship model between the predictors with the helpseeking for smoking cessation. RESULT: Out of 2,545 Malaysian adult smokers who have responded, 2,303 were males (90.5% of respondents) with mean age(sd) of 34.82(8.11) years (18 to 77 years). Slightly half (n=1353, 53%) have reported seeking help for smoking cessation and (n=1468, 57.7%) reported being unaware of the quitline services. Factors, such as quit smoking attempt (OR;1.844, 95% CI = 1.384-2.458), Covid-19 pandemic situation (OR;1.841, 95% CI=1.553-2.183), being married (OR: 1.279, 95% CI = 1.04- 1.57), unaware about quitline services (OR;0.660, 95% CI = 0.557-0.781), non-alcohol drinkers (OR;0.658, 95% CI=0.473-0.916) significantly predicted the behaviour of helpseeking for smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study would potentially support public health efforts in Malaysia in further enhancing health promotion and education programs as well as further strengthen the policy towards quit smoking issues. [ FROM AUTHOR]