Mental health science最新文献

Research on bullying and LGBTQ+ Black and Latinx youth is limited, yet findings suggest experiencing bullying is associated with high levels of psychological distress, which can be internalized. Similarly, research on aspects such as parental acceptance and informed therapy suggest these can operate as protective factors when experiencing oppression. Yet, these relations are often tested individually. Thus, using an intersectional approach, we explore the cumulative effect of these variables using a sample of LGBTQ+ Black and Latinx youth to highlight specific mental health disparities among these groups. Using a national online cross-sectional survey with LGBTQ+ Black and Latinx youth (N = 2414), we assessed the relation between school bullying (predictor), internalized LGBTQ+ stigma (mediator), and psychological distress (outcome) and tested the influence of access to therapy (moderator 1) and parental acceptance (moderator 2) in a moderated mediation analysis. Additionally, a second moderated mediation analysis tested among participants who have access to therapy if LGBTQ+ informed therapy (moderator 1) and parental acceptance (moderator 2) influenced the relation between our main variables. Using a moderated mediation analysis PROCESS Model 11 for two models, results suggested in model 1 that internalized stigma mediated the relation between school bullying and psychological distress. Furthermore, both parental acceptance and access to therapy moderated the association between school bullying and internalized LGBTQ+ stigma. The second model found that for those with access to therapy, receiving LGBTQ+ -informed therapy and high parental acceptance disrupted the relationship between school bullying and internalized LGBTQ+ stigma. Our findings suggested that LGBTQ+ Black and Latinx youth receiving LGBTQ+ informed therapy reported less internalized LGBTQ+ stigma, particularly when parental acceptance is high. Implications and limitations are discussed.

While Latino adolescents of all genders in the US experience inequities in depressive symptoms, suicide attempts, and access to mental health services in comparison to non-Latino White peers, they are underrepresented in adolescent mental health research. Additionally, little has been written on how to best engage Latino adolescents in mental health research. Given that this population has unique developmental and cultural needs, our purpose is to outline strategies for increasing engagement of Latino teens in mental health-focused studies based on lessons learned from three investigators’ programs of research. This manuscript describes the research programs of three bilingual investigators who have dedicated their research careers to addressing mental health inequities of Latino adolescents. We synthesize lessons learned across all aspects of study design, focusing on recommendations to facilitate the engagement of Latino adolescents in mental health research. Based on the successes and challenges in our programs of research, we provide four key recommendations to increase engagement of Latino adolescents in mental health research: (1) Become knowledgeable about the values, culture, and language of the local Latino community; (2) Consider recruitment strategies that are inclusive of both clinical and community Latino teen samples; (3) Balance the autonomy of the Latino teen with family values throughout the research process; and (4) Offer flexible data collection options knowing that teens and parents may have various levels of comfort with sharing information about themselves and their mental health. Researchers can build upon the lessons from our combined almost 40 years of research experience with Latino adolescents, emerging adults, and parents. Through consideration of these recommendations, the recruitment of diverse groups of Latino teens into mental health research can be bolstered with the goal of generating translatable knowledge to help address mental health inequities faced by this population.

Suicide is a major public health concern that has negatively impacted people worldwide socioeconomically, physically, and psychologically. Every instance is a heart-breaking loss that deeply impacts families, communities and nations, leaving lasting repercussions for those left behind. The aim of the study was to explore precipitating factors of people who experienced a suicide attempt. A qualitative descriptive exploratory design was used with the help of a semi-structured interview guide to collect data from thirteen (13) suicide attempters' with ages between 20 and 48 years. The data were transcribed verbatim after it had been audio recorded digitally. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis with MAXQDA 20. Information gathered yielded two major themes and six subthemes as the precipitating factors for suicide attempt. The two main themes were (1) Social/family issues, with its subthemes; mistrust, wasted resources and parental pressure (2) Psychological issues with the subthemes; Childhood experiences, emotional breakdown and difficult life pursuits. The study showed that suicide is a very complex problem in every society and there is general ignorance about the triggers, signs and appropriate help seeking strategies. It is therefore vital to create massive public awareness on suicide attempt triggers and symptoms through health education to help save lives.

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), despite a high prevalence of mental health conditions, less than 10% of those living with mental illness access professional mental health services (MHS). This systematic review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesise studies conducted in SSA seeking to understand the barriers and facilitators to accessing MHS for adults in SSA. A systematic search of PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases was conducted using key terms (Barriers, Facilitators, Access, Mental Health Services, and Sub-Saharan Africa) with 16 studies meeting the eligibility criteria for inclusion. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal tools based on the articles’ study methodology. Data from the included studies were extracted using a standardised proforma and grouped into source details, methodology, participants’ characteristics and the main finding(s). A narrative synthesis was adopted to systematically summarise and evaluate included studies. Only nine of 46 Sub-Saharan African countries were represented in the included studies. Barriers included lack of or little knowledge of mental disorders and professional services; negative attitudes held towards mental health services; cultural and religious beliefs leading to over-reliance on traditional and spiritual interventions; and stigmatising beliefs that included self-stigmatisation, stigma and discrimination from family, the community, and healthcare providers. Facilitators to accessing mental health services were more limited and included awareness of mental disorders and the services offered; social support and acceptance by family members and the community; and the availability of community-based mental health services. This systematic review identified barriers such as limited knowledge, stigma, and reliance on traditional interventions inhibiting access to mental health services in Sub-Saharan Africa. The region's limited representation and scarcity of facilitators highlights an urgent need for targeted interventions to improve mental health accessibility.

Youth involved in the juvenile justice system are more likely to have a substance use disorder and/or suicidality (e.g., suicidal thoughts and behavior) compared to other youth. Although parental support and monitoring may play an important role in youth substance use and suicidality outcomes, the potential mechanisms have not been elucidated. Our purpose was to evaluate the extent to which parental support and monitoring were associated with latent, continuous construct scores of suicidality and substance use and to determine whether youths’ hopelessness may indirectly affect these relationships among a sample of youth referred to the juvenile justice system. The sample included juvenile justice-referred youth aged 14–17 (N = 77; 69% White, 58% male, 74% non-Hispanic). The primary predictors of interest were parental support and monitoring, measured by the Parent Support Scale and Parental Monitoring Scale. The primary potential mediator of interest was hopelessness. Linear regression was used to model continuous suicidality and substance use severity scores, measured via a computer adaptive test, on parental support and monitoring. We tested hopelessness as a potential mediator. All analyses controlled for age, sex assigned at birth, race, ethnicity, and family income. After adjustment, parental support was associated with decreased suicidality severity (β = −0.30, p = 0.002). Parent support and monitoring were associated with youth-reported hopelessness. The indirect mediation effects of hopelessness in the relationship between parental support (β = −0.18 [SE, 1.73]), as well as parental monitoring (β = −0.17 [SE, 0.20]), and suicidality severity were statistically significant. Parental support and youth hopelessness may be important intervention targets for improving and addressing disparities in substance use and suicidality among juvenile justice-referred youth. Hope-based interventions may be effectively integrated into existing juvenile justice programs, and their potential to improve both mental health and behavioral outcomes among justice-involved youth should be examined.

Contrary to the “model minority” stereotype of being exceptionally healthy and successful, Asian American (AA) youth experience mental health disparities and are less likely to seek help. In 2020, suicide was the leading cause of death for AA youth aged 10–19. Parenting is essential for promoting youth mental health, and AA parenting is unique in the context of acculturation and enculturation. However, the impact of parenting on youth mental health among AA families remains underexplored and unsynthesized. This review aims to synthesize existing literature from 2003 onward on parenting and mental health outcomes among AA youth. Four databases were searched, yielding 44 articles published after 2003 for inclusion. Empirical studies meeting the following criteria were included: population focused on AA youth, study conducted in the U.S., included a mental health outcome, and included a parenting measure. Findings emphasize the importance of parenting in shaping the mental health outcomes of AA youth. Intergenerational acculturation gaps and family conflicts are associated with increased mental health risks, while parental warmth/support and family cohesion serve as protective factors. These findings highlight the need for culturally tailored parenting interventions to improve AA youth mental health. Future research should evaluate or adapt existing evidence-based parenting programs to ensure cultural appropriateness and effectiveness in improving mental health of AA youth, ultimately reducing mental health disparities.