Discover mental health最新文献

Background: Previous findings have established a negative association between financial strain and mental health, although this kind of investigation among Nigerian university students is relatively scarce. However, the mechanism as well as the conditions among the associations have not received sufficient research attention in the literature. Therefore, this study investigated the link between financial strain and mental health as well as the mediating effect of subjective happiness in the association between financial strain and mental health among university students. The study also explored the moderated mediated role of gender in the relationship.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used self-report measures of the Mental Health Scale, Financial Strain Scale, and Subjective Happiness Scale for data collection. A total of 196 university students aged 18-29 (female = 51.5%; mean age = 21.11 ± 1.64 years) participated in the study. Data were analysed with the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and Hayes PROCESS macro statistical tools.

Results: A negative predictive association was linked with financial strain and mental health among university students. Further, subjective happiness was found to statistically mediate the link between financial strain and mental health. Also, gender did not have conditional indirect effect on subjective happiness on mental health through subjective happiness.

Conclusion: The study concluded that financial strain negatively linked with mental health and subjective happiness was associated with a mediation pattern between financial strain and mental health with no moderating effect in the association. Intervention policies aimed at reducing financial strain as well as student's wellbeing programs aimed at improving positive affect among university students should be tailored toward enhancing students' mental health.

Objective: To assess psychological distress and its predictors among postpartum women at a tertiary health institution.

Methods: We adopted an analytical cross-sectional design. We recruited 195 postpartum women using a purposive sampling technique. A structured paper questionnaire adapted from previous studies was used. We assessed psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). The predictors of psychological distress were determined using multivariable binary logistic regression. The level of significance was set at 0.05.

Results: The overall mean score was 18.96 ± 6.48 from a total obtainable score of 50 from the K10 scale. Fifty-one (26.2%) reported a high level of psychological distress. Young age (AOR = 2.132, 95% CI 1.659-5.935), a low education level (AOR = 3.362, 95% CI 1.822-4.873), multiparity (AOR = 2.431, 95% CI 1.581-7.755), previous history of abortion (AOR = 3.530, 95% CI 2.474-5.060), pre-pregnancy alcohol use (AOR = 3.167, 95% CI 1.265-7.786), and intimate partner violence (AOR = 5.493, 95% CI 3.410-7.142) were significant predictors of postpartum psychological distress.

Conclusion: Our study finds a high prevalence of psychological distress among postpartum women and recommends that targeted screening and interventions should be developed to provide support and treatment for pregnant and postpartum women identified with psychological distress.

Background: Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is a significant challenge in public health and treatment policy. While medicalization has facilitated greater access to treatment services, it may also lead to dependency on pharmacological treatments and increased unnecessary healthcare costs. This study aimed to explore psychiatrists' perspectives on the demedicalization of CUD.

Methods: This qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach and was conducted in Iran. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 psychiatrists experienced in the field of addiction. The qualitative data were analyzed using inductive content analysis, by the Graneheim and Lundman approach.

Results: Four main themes obtained from the interviews: "Advantages of Demedicalization", "Disadvantages of Demedicalization", "Social and Cultural Impacts", and "Policy Making and Suggested Interventions". Key perceived benefits included reducing social stigma, enhancing patient empowerment, reducing dependency on pharmacological treatments, and addressing the socio-economic and psychological roots of cannabis use. The main reported disadvantages included increasing treatment challenges and exacerbation of social damages. Regarding sociocultural effects, participants emphasized improved social interactions and changes in cultural attitudes. In terms of policy making and interventions, the psychiatrists recommended modifying legal approaches, adopting a comprehensive and multifaceted treatment model, and preventing the dangerous normalization of cannabis use.

Conclusion: The psychiatrists emphasized that the demedicalization of CUD could offer potential benefits, such as reducing social stigma and improving social acceptance, while they also highlighted some potential risks. These insights may inform future policies and practices regarding CUD.

Background: Depression is a common mental illness that negatively affects quality of life and is often comorbid with chronic medical conditions. Limited evidence exists on its burden among patients with eye diseases. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression in patients with eye diseases and explore contributing factors, highlighting the link between depression and ocular conditions.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 24 to April 24, 2023, at the Tertiary Eye Clinic of the University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital. A systematic random sample of 561 participants was recruited, and 557 completed the survey (99.3% response rate). Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Result: The prevalence of depression was 44.3% (95% CI: 40.3-48.5%). Factors significantly associated with depression included being widowed, poor social support, severe visual impairment, treatment duration > 4 years, diabetes mellitus, and current alcohol use.

Conclusion: Depression was highly prevalent among patients with eye diseases in this setting. Routine screening and psychosocial support should be integrated into ophthalmic care to improve patient outcomes.

Introduction: Mobile mental health apps provide a potential solution by offering tailored access to resources for mental health education, self-assessment, and self-care. However, mental health apps designed for the Ethiopian setting are scarce; therefore, this study assesses the usability and user experience of a locally adapted app addressing depression and anxiety.

Objective: To determine the usability of a newly developed 'Mental Health Solution App' among individuals with depression and anxiety in Ethiopia.

Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was used to evaluate the usability and user experience of a culturally adapted version of the 'Mental Health Solution App' in Ethiopia. The study was conducted at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, and Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital from January 10 to February 20, 2025. The quantitative strand involved a cross-sectional survey using the Amharic version of the Mobile App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) (n = 370). The qualitative strand comprised in-depth interviews (n = 20) analyzed via reflexive thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke's six-step framework. This design enabled triangulation of usability metrics with user narratives, offering a comprehensive understanding of app functionality, engagement, and contextual relevance.

Results: The survey involved 370 participants. Of these, 158 suffered from major depressive disorders, while 212 suffered from anxiety disorders. Usability testing of the Amharic 'Mental Health Solution App' showed high satisfaction, a mean score above 6.18 on a 7-point scale across ease of use (6.18 to 6.43), interface satisfaction (6.38-6.60), and usefulness (6.31-6.71). Four themes were identified (user experience, feature liking, benefit, and suggestions).

Conclusion: The Mental Health Solution App's usability in terms of ease of use, interface satisfaction, and usefulness was deemed very good. Mood tracking and crisis support were the app's most preferred features. However, it can be challenging to navigate emergency first aid during moments of distress. The findings indicate that a customized app designed for Ethiopian culture and language could help individuals suffering from depression and anxiety within an educated, urban cohort receiving mental health care in Ethiopia.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable (it is an app usability test).

Background: Adolescents and young adults in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), face multiple barriers to accessing quality mental health care, shaped by cultural expectations, systemic gaps, and widespread stigma. In Nigeria, little is known about how these factors intersect within psychiatric inpatient settings. This study explored the lived experiences of adolescents and young adults receiving inpatient psychiatric care to inform more culturally responsive, family-engaged, and psychologically supportive models of care.

Methods: Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Approach, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 28 participants aged 13 to 28 years, all receiving care at a public psychiatric hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria. Participants were purposively sampled and represented a range of diagnostic categories. The hospital, serving a diverse catchment area, reflects a hybrid system of biomedical and traditional models of care. Interviews were conducted over nine months and analysed through iterative, reflexive engagement, supported by member checking to enhance credibility and contextual grounding.

Results: Participants described a range of emotionally charged experiences, with stigma emerging as a major theme. Several reported social withdrawal, strained family dynamics, and shifts in how they were perceived by others. Relationships with peers in hospital varied, offering both connection and tension. Personal coping strategies, such as prayer, art, music, and peer dialogue were commonly described. Despite these efforts, many expressed a desire for consistent psychological support and greater engagement from staff. Hospital environments were viewed as both protective and limiting, with concerns raised about overcrowding, lack of privacy, and emotional neglect.

Conclusion: While the findings cannot be generalised, they offer important insights into the mental health journeys of young people within a Nigerian inpatient setting. Participants called for greater emotional and relational support, staff communication, and culturally sensitive care. These perspectives highlight areas for further research and service improvement in youth mental health provision across similar contexts.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Its etiology involves a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. The oxytocin (OT) system, central to social behavior and emotional regulation, has emerged as a key area of interest in ASD research. This review synthesizes current evidence, highlighting that dysregulation of OT and its receptor (OTR) signaling, often characterized by lower baseline OT levels and altered OTR expression due to genetic and epigenetic factors, contributes to the social and behavioral deficits observed in ASD. While aberrant OT/OTR signaling presents a potential target for therapeutic intervention, the narrative has evolved beyond simple peptide replacement. Critical analysis reveals that intranasal OT administration, as a standalone treatment, yields inconsistent results due to its non-specific delivery and inability to address core circuit-level dysfunctions established during neurodevelopment. Promising future avenues include the development of selective OTR agonists, epigenetic modulation to correct OTR expression, and the use of OT as a targeted adjunct to enhance behavioral therapy efficacy. This paper provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the integrative mechanisms linking OT/OTR signaling to ASD, evaluates the therapeutic potential of correcting this pathway, and emphasizes the necessity for personalized, biomarker-driven approaches to improve social cognition and neural connectivity in individuals with ASD.

Background: Diabetes distress, the emotional burden and stress related to managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, has been linked to poor self-management and adverse health outcomes. In Palestine, particularly in the North of West Bank, adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus face unique social and economic challenges that may exacerbate diabetes distress, impacting their ability to maintain effective diabetes management. Addressing diabetes distress is crucial for improving health outcomes and quality of life in this population, yet research on its prevalence and associated factors in the North of West Bank is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of diabetes distress and identify its associated demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the North of West Bank, Palestine.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 404 adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus in various healthcare centers across the North of West Bank. Participants completed the Diabetes Distress Scale-17 and a sociodemographic questionnaire, and additional clinical data such as HbA1c levels. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to identify associations between diabetes distress and demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors, with a focus on assessing the impact of these variables on distress levels.

Results: Of the 423 eligible individuals approached, 404 participants were included in the final analysis (response rate: 95.5%). The median age was 55 years (IQR: 49-63), with a nearly equal gender distribution. Poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 6.4%) was observed in 76.0% of participants, and 74.3% reported one or more comorbidities. High and moderate levels of diabetic distress were reported by 29.0% and 25.2% of participants, respectively, with emotional and regimen-related distress being the most prevalent domains. Significant factors associated with higher distress included comorbidities, smoking, urban residence, unemployment, living with family, and residence in Nablus. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that absence of comorbidities, younger age, living alone, and non-urban residence were protective factors against high distress (p < .05). The model explained 20.1% of the variance in distress levels (Nagelkerke R² = 0.201).

Conclusion: Diabetes distress is common among adults with type 2 diabetes and is significantly influenced by clinical, sociodemographic, and lifestyle factors. Routine screening and targeted psychosocial interventions are essential, especially for high-risk groups, to improve both psychological well-being and diabetes outcomes.