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Objectives. To examine whether referral for social determinants of health (SDH) needs decreases psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and improves level of functioning and quality of care among diverse adults. Methods. Data are from control participants (n = 503 adults) in a randomized controlled trial testing a mental health intervention in North Carolina and Massachusetts. We fitted multilevel mixed-effects models to repeated assessments (baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months) collected between September 2019 and January 2023. Results. After referral to services for trouble paying utility bills, participants reported lower PTSD symptoms. Participants reported better quality of care when receiving referrals to mental health care. After adjusting for income and employment status, we found that participants who were referred more often also had lower PTSD symptoms and better levels of functioning. Conclusions. Referrals for certain SDH needs might decrease PTSD symptoms and improve self-reported quality of care and functioning. However, referrals alone, without ensuring receipt of services, might be insufficient to affect other mental health outcomes. Research is needed on training and providing care managers time for offering interpersonal support, securing services, and understanding agencies' contexts for addressing high SDH needs. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S3):S278–S288. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307442) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined cultural differences in the item characteristic functions of self-reported of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mania-hypomania in a Latino population taking Computerized Adaptive Tests for Mental Health (CAT-MH) in Spanish versus a non-Latino sample taking the tests in English. We studied differential item functioning (DIF) of the most common adaptively administered symptom items out of a bank of 1,008 items between Latino (n = 1276) and non-Latino (n = 798) subjects. For depression, we identified 4 items with DIF that were good discriminators for non-Latinos but poor discriminators for Latinos. These items were related to cheerfulness, life satisfaction, concentration, and fatigue. The correlation between the original calibration and a Latino-only new calibration after eliminating these items was r = .990. For anxiety, no items with DIF were identified. The correlation between the original and new calibrations was r = .993. For mania-hypomania, we identified 4 items with differential item functioning that were good discriminators for non-Latinos but poor discriminators for Latinos. These items were related to risk-taking, self-assurance, and sexual activity. The correlation between the original and new calibration was r = .962. Once the identified items were removed, the correlation between the original calibration and a Latino-only calibration was r = .96 or greater. These findings reveal that the CAT-MH can be reliably used to measure depression, anxiety, and mania in Latinos taking these tests in Spanish. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trajectory studies of the COVID-19 pandemic have described patterns of symptoms over time. Yet, few have examined whether social determinants of health predict the progression of depression and anxiety symptoms during COVID-19 or identified which social determinants worsen symptom trajectories. Using a racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse sample of adults participating in a randomized clinical trial with pre-existing moderate to severe depression and/or anxiety symptoms, we compare symptom patterns before and during COVID-19; characterize symptom trajectories over a 20-week follow-up period; and evaluate whether social determinants are associated with within- and between- person differences in symptom trajectories. Data were collected before and during COVID-19 in Massachusetts and North Carolina. On average, depression and anxiety symptoms did not seem to worsen during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. During COVID-19, anxiety scores at follow-up were higher for participants with baseline food insecurity (vs no food insecurity). Depression scores at follow-up were higher for participants with food insecurity and for those with utilities insecurity (vs no insecurity). Participants with child or family care responsibilities at baseline had depression symptoms decreasing at a slower rate than those without these responsibilities. We discuss the important implications of these findings. • In a sample of adults with pre-existing anxiety or depression, symptoms generally did not worsen during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Anxiety and depression at 20-week follow-up were higher for people with baseline food insecurity (vs no food insecurity). • Depression at 20-week follow-up was higher for people with baseline utilities insecurity (vs no utilities insecurity). • Trouble with childcare or family care at baseline predicted slower improvement in depression symptoms over the 20-week period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]