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This quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group study developed an eight-session post-traumatic growth program for teachers who had experienced violence from students and/or parents and examined its effects on rumination, burnout, and post-traumatic growth. A convenience sample was recruited from 11 elementary schools in Jeonbuk province, South Korea. The experimental group (n = 27) participated in bi-weekly sessions over four weeks, whereas the control group (n = 27) read educational materials on post-traumatic growth during the same period. The experimental group exhibited significantly greater decreases in intrusive rumination and higher post-traumatic growth than the control group. The program could be an effective intervention to assist traumatized teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated how an online post-traumatic growth program affected rumination, social support, and post-traumatic growth. We recruited 33 firefighters from two Korean provinces and employed a nonequivalent control group pretest-post-test design. We administered the pretest for the intervention group (n = 16), consisting of eight sessions with an online workbook and messenger group counseling. We conducted post-tests immediately after the program and 4 weeks later. Post-traumatic growth and social support increased significantly. There were no statistically significant differences for intrusive or deliberate rumination. Psychological support programs should be developed to reflect firefighters' work characteristics and needs, including programs designed to induce rumination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of college students. The psychological distress from the pandemic increased risk for provisional rates of Major Depression Disorder (MDD) during an already crucial developmental period. Using an online survey, participants were assessed for a provisional diagnosis of MDD using a validated screening tool, along with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and psychosocial correlates. Findings showed a significant increase in the prevalence of MDD, and significant differences in social support, loneliness, substance use, GAD and suicidality were identified. Early screening and detection for potential MDD symptoms can reduce the severity, duration, and reoccurrence of future MDD episodes for college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has found that major depressive disorder (MDD) commonly occurs in hypothyroid populations. The purpose of this study was to use the biopsychosocial model to investigate factors associated with MDD and hypothyroidism by comparing hypothyroid patients with MDD and without MDD. A sample of 386 participants with hypothyroidism completed both cognitive and psychosocial self-reported assessments along with a questionnaire rating the severity of common hypothyroid symptoms. Participants were divided into two groups (MDD and no MDD) using the diagnostic criteria of the Patient Health Questionnaire. Univariate comparisons were used to assess differences in the severity of physical, psychological, and social correlates in participants with and without MDD. Participants with MDD reported significantly worse symptom severity, increased stress, and disruptions of cognitive functioning. Compared to individuals without MDD, they also indicated poorer quality of life, doctor–patient relationships, and treatment adherence. Individuals with comorbid depression and hypothyroidism reported worse outcomes across physical symptoms, social factors, and psychological and cognitive states than individuals without MDD. Integrating depression screeners and independent treatment for MDD, in addition to the patient's hypothyroid treatment plan, may result in hypothyroid symptom relief and greater quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women who have experienced intimate partner violence suffer from symptoms that persist long after the abuse has ended. However, the patterns and trajectory of these symptoms are poorly understood. The objective of this longitudinal research was to explore symptom trajectory typologies. A latent class growth analysis with multi-outcomes modeling was used to explore typologies based on women's (N = 30) trajectories over 4 months. Two distinct symptom typologies were identified: (1) consistently lessening symptom group (n = 16); (2) moderately worsening symptom group (n = 14). Women who experienced severe psychological vulnerability exhibited better symptom trajectories; a potential reflection of resilience in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the risk posed by attachment type in the development of anxiety or depression symptomatology in Mexican adults. This was case-control study in which anxiety and depression symptomatology levels were compared according to the attachment type reported by 3,666 participants. It was found that insecure attachment is a risk factor (p≤.001) for the development of severe levels of depression (OR = 2.12, CI 95%: 1.66–2.70) and anxiety symptomatology (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.30–1.77). Findings are discussed based on their implications for psychiatric nursing practice. The findings of this study enable nurses to consider the empirical validity of attachment theory for studying psychosocial aspects of mental health and to design intervention strategies that promote secure attachment in populations without psychiatric diagnoses to prevent anxiety and depression symptomatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with a mental illness may be exposed to stigma which, when internalised, negatively influences self-esteem, personal goal attainment and quality of life. However, people who are empowered may actively challenge stigma by engaging in meaningful opportunities, furthering their self-worth as they achieve control within their lives. People who are empowered through active treatment participation are more likely to reach recovery goals and experience the benefits of evidence-based practices. Hence, empowerment can be viewed as essential to the recovery and well-being of people with a mental illness. Participants in this quantitative study (N = 173) were diagnosed with a mental illness and were recruited via convenience sampling from mental health support groups in Australia. Internalised stigma was less common and empowerment more prevalent in this study than was found in previous studies. However high internalised stigma and low empowerment were present. The terms 'individual' and 'person with lived experience' which have been identified as the preferred terms in a previous study were highlighted as both empowering and recovery focussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with a mental illness may be exposed to stigma which, when internalised, negatively influences self-esteem, personal goal attainment and quality of life. Avoiding the use of stigmatising language and using terminology that does not exclude the positive characteristics of the individual may play an important role in challenging stigma. This study involved a mixed method approach to identify the terminology preferences of people with a mental illness in Australia. N = 173 participants were recruited via convenience sampling. The humanistic terms 'individual' and 'person with lived experience' were identified as the preferred terms. Qualitatively there was a wide variation in how the terms made the respondents think or feel, with only one of the terms – 'survivor,' having solely negative themes. When contrasting the two most commonly used clinical terms, 'client' was significantly preferred to 'patient'. The term 'consumer' was one of the least preferred terms. This suggests that the use of this term, which is in regular use in Australia, should be reconsidered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of a self-care intervention program on self-efficacy, dementia-preventive behavior, cognitive function, depression, and quality of life in elderly with mild cognitive impairment. The study employed a quasi-experimental study design using a nonequivalent control group pre-post. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, independent t-test, and repeated-measures ANOVA. The results of the study showed that the program reduced dementia risk and strengthened self-care ability in older adults with MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families of persons with mental illness (PMIs) are considered important resources for PMIs rather than as contributors to their mental illness. However, these families experience not only the burden of caregiving but also social stigma and discrimination in various aspects of their lives, and their psychosocial needs tend to be overlooked. This was a pilot study to explore the effects of a brief empowerment program on the empowerment and quality of life of families of PMIs in South Korea. A repeated-measures design with a control group and pre/post-follow-up testing was used. We enrolled 18 participants (experimental group = 9, control group = 9). The experimental group participated in an empowerment program consisting of four sessions over 4 weeks. Data were collected before and after the program, and again 4 weeks later. The χ2-test, Fisher's exact probability test, t-test, and repeated-measures analysis of covariance were used, as appropriate, to analyze data. The program significantly increased empowerment (F = 4.66, p =.020) and quality of life (F = 5.83, p =.009) among participants in the experimental group over time. Its therapeutic features, such as sharing their experiences, discussion, and presentations, can be applied to create effective psychosocial interventions for families of PMIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of a resilience enhancement programme on resilience, depression, anxiety, and problem drinking among female runaway youths living in shelters were evaluated. Participants were 32 youths (16 experimental and 16 control participants), assessed at pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up. The programme incorporated five protective factors associated with resilience: self-esteem, self-regulation, relational skills, problem-solving skills, and goal-setting skills. There were significant group-by-time interaction effects for resilience, anxiety, and problem drinking at one-month follow-up. The preliminary results suggest that providing female runaway youths with this programme focusing on protective factors may enhance resilience and mitigate anxiety, and problem drinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among 220 first year undergraduate university students in Ireland. Data were collected using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the Suicidal Behaviours Questionnaire. Findings indicated that 59% of participants experienced depressive symptoms and 28.5% had suicidal ideation. Financial stress and poor relationships with both parents, increased the odds of experiencing depressive symptoms. Sexual orientation, financial stress, and poor relationships with fathers, increased the odds of experiencing suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was also higher in those who had sought help in the past from mental health professionals. Nurses need to be aware of the factors associated with mental ill-health in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to identify the factors influencing gender differences in sleep quality between men and women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 300 young adults from three Korean universities. Participants were 20–40 years of age, used smartphones, and took no sleep medication. Participants completed questionnaires on sleep quality, exercise, stress, depression, and smart phone addiction. The predictors of sleep quality in men were coffee consumption, napping, depression, failure to engage in light exercise at least three times per week, being overweight, being in the potential smart phone addiction group, and being employed, which explained 30.2% of the variance. The predictors of sleep quality in women were education to college level or higher, smoking, and stress, which explained 30.5% of the variance. To improve sleep quality in this population, future intervention should contain life style modification strategies containing smartphone addiction prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This randomized controlled trial study aims to investigate the efficacy of an early psychological intervention called EMDR-RE compared to Critical Incident Stress Debriefing on 60 victims of workplace violence, which were divided into three groups: ‘EMDR-RE’ (n = 19), ‘CISD’ (n = 23), and ‘delayed EMDR-RE’ (n = 18). EMDR-RE and CISD took place 48 hours after the event, whilst third intervention was delayed by an additional 48 hours. Results showed that after 3 months PCLS and SUDS scores were significantly lower with EMDR-RE and delayed EMDR-RE compared to CISD. After 48 hours and 3 months, none of the EMDR-RE-treated victims showed PTSD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are no established screening criteria to help identify mothers of premature infants who are at risk for symptoms of emotional distress. The current study, using data obtained from recruitment and screening in preparation for a randomized controlled trial, aimed to identify potential risk factors associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress in a sample of mothers with premature infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit. One hundred, thirty-five mothers of preterm infants born at 26-34 weeks of gestation completed three self-report measures: the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (2nd ed.), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory to determine their eligibility for inclusion in a treatment intervention study based on clinical cut-off scores for each measure. Maternal sociodemographic measures, including race, ethnicity, age, maternal pregnancy history, and measures of infant medical severity were not helpful in differentiating mothers who screened positive on one or more of the measures from those who screened negative. Programs to screen parents of premature infants for the presence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression will need to adopt universal screening rather than profiling of potential high risk parents based on their sociodemographic characteristics or measures of their infant's medical severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to identify the sociodemographic, clinical, and functional determinants of quality of life in elderly (older than 60 years) patients from a Psychosocial Care Center. The sample was randomly selected patients undergoing treatment at the center during the study period. Quality of life was assessed using the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for older adults (WHOQOL-OLD). A total of 50 elderly individuals with a mean age of 67.5 ( SD = 5.72) years were included in the study. A hierarchical linear regression showed that clinical characteristics, such as severe symptoms of depression and a higher number of comorbidities, were related to lower quality of life. Better functional capacity and more frequent visits to the center were determinants of higher quality of life. These findings underscore the importance of assessing quality of life and of taking this variable into account when planning health interventions for elderly patients at a Psychosocial Care Center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]