Mutual Aid Groups for Loneliness, Psychosocial Disability, and Continuity of Care.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mutual help groups in continuity of care, loneliness and psychosocial disability in a Colombian context. For this, a quasi-experimental design is used, with pre- and post-intervention assessments due to non-randomized participant allocation. The study involved 131 individuals with mental disorders. The Psychosocial Disability Scale, The Alberta Scale of Continuity of Services in Mental Health, the UCLA Scale and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale were employed. The intervention was based on the core components of mutual aid groups. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed for the study variables, particularly in Loneliness, Continuity of Care, and various domains of psychosocial disability. A large effect size was found for these variables after the intervention. Most variables exhibited a moderate to large effect. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of mutual groups facilitated by mental health personnel at the primary care level.

Poetry in youth mutual aid groups for recovery in rural and semi-urban environments.

BACKGROUND: For mental disorders Mutual Aid Groups (MAG) have been proposed, however, these have lack of methodologies that approach the needs of young people. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of MAG in rural and semi-urban environments, developed through poetry, on the improvement of mental health. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was carried out in Caldas, Colombia. 171 adolescents participated, divided into 10 MAG. Child Behavior Checklist 4-18 (CBCL/4-18) was used and the nuclear components of the MAG were applied, adding elements of introduction to poetry, creation and group rituals. RESULTS: Statistically significant associations (P < .001) were found between the number of sessions and the reduction of symptoms, as well as a decrease in Internalizing Problems and Social problems, after participating in the groups. CONCLUSION: Poetry applied to the core components of the MAG can improve psychiatric symptoms in adolescents.

[Depressive symptoms in caregivers and association with affective and behavioral problems in children and adolescents]. / Síntomas depresivos en cuidadores y su relación con problemas afectivos y comportamentales en niños, niñas y adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between depressive symptoms in the caregiver and the presen ce of affective and behavioral problems in children and adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Descripti ve correlational cross-sectional research. SAMPLE: 1100 children and adolescents with their respective parents or caregivers from public schools in Caldas, Colombia. Instruments used: Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). RESULTS: The mean age was 12.1 years. According to the CBCL, up to 20% of the children and adolescents showed alteration in one of the syndromes for affective or behavioral difficulties. 34% of mothers and 14% of fathers showed for at least two weeks sadness, discouragement, depression, and loss of interest. When applying the PHQ- 9, 32.4% of the parents/caregivers were classified with depression. Parents/caregivers with such di sorders tend to perceive greater difficulty in coping with their daily lives compared with parents/ caregivers of children and adolescents who are not at risk (p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of depressive symptoms in the parents/caregivers is related to an increase in internalizing and externali zing symptoms in children and adolescents.