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Background: Suicide is one of the most important causes of deaths in the United Kingdom, and the numbers are currently increasing. Aim: There are numerous identified determinants of suicidality, and physical multimorbidity is potentially important but is currently understudied. Thus, this study aims to investigate the association of physical multimorbidity with suicidality. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007, which was conducted in England between October 2006 and December 2007 by the National Center for Social Research and Leicester University were analyzed. Respondents were asked about 20 physical health conditions, and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were assessed. Results: Out of 7,403 individuals aged 16 years or over, the prevalence of physical multimorbidity, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts were 35.1%, 4.3%, and 0.7%, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared to no physical conditions, 1, 2, 3, and ⩾4 conditions were associated with significant 1.79 (95% CI [1.25, 2.57]), 2.39 (95% CI [1.63, 3.51]), 2.88 (95% CI [1.83, 4.55]), and 6.29 (95% CI [4.12, 9.61]) times higher odds for suicidal ideation. Mediation analysis showed that cognitive problems (mediated percentage 39.2%) and disability (37.5%) explained the largest proportion between multimorbidity and suicidal ideation. Pain (38.0%) and cognitive problems (30.7%) explained the largest proportion between multimorbidity and suicide attempts. Conclusion: In this large sample of UK adults, physical multimorbidity was associated with significantly higher odds for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Moreover, several potential mediators were identified, and these may serve as future targets for interventions that aim to prevent suicidality among people with physical multimorbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-heterosexual individuals are at high risk for a variety of factors associated with the emergence of psychotic experiences (PEs) (e.g. common mental disorders, substance use, and stress). However, there is a scarcity of data on the association between sexual orientation and PEs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the sexual orientation-PE relationship, and to identify potential mediators in this relationship. Methods: This study used nationally representative cross-sectional data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. Sexual orientation was dichotomized into heterosexual and non-heterosexual. Past 12-month PE was assessed with the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted to analyze the association between sexual orientation and PEs, and to identify potential mediators involved in this relationship. Results: The final sample consisted of 7275 individuals aged ⩾16 years. The prevalence of non-heterosexual orientation and any PE was 7.1% and 5.5%, respectively. After adjusting for sex, age, and ethnicity, non-heterosexual orientation was positively associated with any PE (odds ratio 1.99, 95% confidence interval 1.34–2.93). The strongest mediators involved in this relationship were borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits (mediated percentage = 33.5%), loneliness (29.1%), and stressful life events (25.4%). Conclusions: These findings suggest that there is a positive relationship between sexual orientation and PEs in the general population in England, and that underlying mechanisms may involve BPD traits, loneliness, and stressful life events. Future studies with a longitudinal design are warranted to shed more light on how these factors are implicated in the association between sexual orientation and PEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual activity is a central component of intimate relationships and has been shown to have numerous benefits for health and wellbeing. Studies have shown that people with disabilities often report less satisfaction with their sex lives, but none have examined the levels of sexual activity in older adults with visual problems. We investigated associations between self-rated eyesight and sexual activity in a population-based sample of older adults. Analyses were conducted using data from 2587 men and 3238 women participating in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Participants provided information on self-rated eyesight in three domains: overall, at distance, and up close (categorised as: excellent/very good/good/fair–poor), sexual activity (any vs. none in the last year), and frequency of sexual intercourse in the last month (not at all, once, 2–3 times, once a week or more) among those who were sexually active. Associations between self-rated eyesight and sexual activity were examined using adjusted logistic regression. Relative to excellent self-rated eyesight, fair–poor eyesight was consistently associated with significantly lower odds of being sexually active in men (overall eyesight OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.26–0.64, p < 0.001) but not in women (overall eyesight OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.70–1.41, p = 0.959). However, among women who were sexually active, there was some evidence that fair–poor eyesight was associated with lower frequency of sexual intercourse in the last month (e.g. fair–poor eyesight at distance OR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.31–0.66, p < 0.001). No association between self-rated eyesight and frequency of sexual intercourse was observed for men. Identifying ways to help older patients with impaired vision achieve a more active sex life could help to improve the health and wellbeing of this population group. Visual impairment is associated with lower prevalence of any sexual activity in older men, and lower frequency of sexual intercourse in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low handgrip strength has been shown to be associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. One area of mental health that is understudied in relation to grip strength is chronic stress, which can exist independently to depression, or as a comorbidity or precursor to this condition. The present study examined cross‐sectional associations between grip strength, an established marker of physical function, and (a) depressive symptoms and (b) chronic stress utilizing hair cortisol concentrations, while accounting for multiple pertinent confounding variables. Method: Data were used from wave 6 (2012/13) of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, a panel study of older (≥50 years) community‐dwelling men and women. Grip strength was measured in kg using a hand‐held dynamometer. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 8‐item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Hair cortisol concentrations (pg/mg) were determined from samples of scalp hair and log‐transformed for analysis to correct skewness. Associations of grip strength with depressive symptoms and hair cortisol concentration were tested using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, wealth, smoking status, physical activity, body mass index, limiting long‐standing illness, arthritis, diabetes, and hair treatment. Results: The sample comprised of 3741 participants (mean age 68.4 years, 66.4% female). After adjustment for age and sex, grip strength was significantly and negatively associated with both depressive symptoms (B = −0.038, SE = 0.004, P < 0.001) and hair cortisol (B = −0.003, SE = 0.001, P = 0.029). However, in the fully‐adjusted models, both associations were attenuated and only the association with depressive symptoms remained statistically significant (B = −0.015, SE = 0.004, P < 0.001; hair cortisol B = −0.002, SE = 0.001, P = 0.088). Conclusion: In a large sample of older adults in England, grip strength was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Results were inconclusive regarding the association between grip strength and chronic stress. Further research examining the longitudinal relationships between muscular strength and specific aspects of mental health, while also exploring the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these associations, is warranted before recommendations for policy and practice can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the high prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) and individuals living alone in the United Kingdom, the goal of this study using English nationally representative data was to examine the association between living alone and CMDs, and to identify potential mediating factors of this association. The data were drawn from the 1993, 2000 and 2007 National Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys. CMDs were assessed using the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R), a questionnaire focusing on past week neurotic symptoms. The presence of CMDs was defined as a CIS-R total score of 12 and above. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses were conducted to analyze the association between living alone and CMDs, and to identify mediators in this association. The prevalence of CMDs was higher in individuals living alone than in those not living alone in all survey years. Multivariable analysis showed a positive association between living alone and CMDs in all survey years (1993: odds ratio [OR] = 1.69; 2000: OR = 1.63; and 2007: OR = 1.88). Overall, loneliness explained 84% of the living alone-CMD association. Living alone was positively associated with CMDs. Interventions addressing loneliness among individuals living alone may be particularly important for the mental wellbeing of this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The experience of discrimination is common in individuals with mental health problems and has been associated with a range of negative outcomes. As yet, however, there has been an absence of research on this phenomenon in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current study examined the association between ADHD symptoms and mental health discrimination in the general adult population. Methods The analytic sample comprised 7274 individuals aged 18 and above residing in private households in England that were drawn from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, 2007. Information on ADHD was obtained with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener. A single-item question was used to assess mental health discrimination experienced in the previous 12 months. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations. Results The prevalence of discrimination increased as ADHD symptoms increased but was especially elevated in those with the most severe ADHD symptoms (ASRS score 18–24). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis that was adjusted for a variety of covariates including common mental disorders, ADHD symptoms (ASRS ≥ 14) were associated with almost 3 times higher odds for experiencing mental health discrimination (odds ratio: 2.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.49–5.31). Conclusion ADHD symptoms are associated with higher odds for experiencing mental health discrimination and this association is especially elevated in those with the most severe ADHD symptoms. Interventions to inform the general public about ADHD may be important for reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with this disorder in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and eating problems often coexist, but many of the previous studies have not taken into account key variables which may be important in this association. Thus, the goal of this study was to assess the association between ADHD symptoms and disordered eating, while taking into account of a variety of factors. Method: This study used cross‐sectional, nationally representative data from 7,403 people aged ≥16 years from England who participated in the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS). ADHD symptoms were assessed with the Adult ADHD Self‐Report Scale (ASRS) Screener. Questions from the five‐item SCOFF screening instrument were used to identify possible ED. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: The prevalence of possible eating disorder (ED) was much higher among those with ADHD symptoms (ASRS score ≥14) compared to those without ADHD symptoms (19.2 vs. 5.7%). ADHD symptoms were associated with possible ED (odds ratio [OR] = 3.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.56–4.72) after adjustment for age, sex, and ethnicity. After further adjustment for alcohol dependence, drug use, intelligence quotient, stressful life events, perceived stress, impulsivity, depression, anxiety disorder, and borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits, the OR was attenuated to 1.32 (95% CI = 0.82–2.13). Anxiety and BPD were the factors that led to the largest degree of attenuation. Discussion A high prevalence of disordered eating in individuals with ADHD was observed. Factors such as co‐existing anxiety and BPD traits may be particularly important in this association. Future research should focus on the factors involved in the association between ADHD symptoms and disordered eating behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research has produced conflicting findings on the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pain, while studies among community-dwelling adults are lacking. This study examined the association between ADHD symptoms and pain in the general adult population, and the extent to which this association is influenced by comorbid common mental disorders (CMDs). Data came from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey which included a representative sample of the English adult household population aged ≥16 years (N=7403). The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener was used to obtain information on ADHD symptoms, while pain was assessed by the degree to which it interfered with work activity in the previous month. The Clinical Interview Schedule Revised (CIS-R) was used to evaluate six categories of CMDs. In a binary logistic regression analysis adjusted for socio-demographic factors and physical health conditions, an ADHD symptom score ≥14 was strongly associated with extreme pain (odds ratio [OR]: 3.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.09–4.74). The OR was attenuated greatly after further adjustment for CMDs (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.05–2.58) but remained statistically significant. Adults with ADHD symptoms have higher odds for experiencing pain. CMDs are influential in this association but do not fully explain it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information on the association between subclinical psychosis and pain is scarce, and the role of common mental disorders (CMDs) in this association is largely unknown. The aim of the current study was to therefore assess this association in the general population using nationally representative data from England.Methods: Data for 7403 adults aged≥16years were used from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. Five forms of psychotic symptoms were assessed by the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire, while pain was assessed in terms of the level of its interference with work activity in the past four weeks. The Clinical Interview Schedule Revised (CIS-R) was used to assess anxiety disorders, depressive episode, and mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (MADD). Participants with probable or definite psychosis were excluded. The association between psychotic symptoms and pain was assessed by ordinal and binary logistic regression analysis.Results: When adjusted for confounders other than CMDs, psychotic symptoms were significantly associated with pain [e.g., the OR (95%CI) for the severest form of pain (binary outcome) was 1.78 (1.11-2.85)]. However, this association was no longer significant when CMDs were controlled for in most analyses. Anxiety disorders and depressive episode explained 34.8%-47.1% of the association between psychotic symptoms and pain, while this percentage increased to 62.7%-78.0% when the sub-threshold condition of MADD was also taken into account.Conclusions: When coexisting psychotic symptoms and pain are detected, assessing for anxiety and depression (even at sub-threshold levels) may be important for determining treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of engaging in suicidal behavior. To date, however, there has been comparatively little research on this in the general adult population, or on the role of common mental disorders (CMDs) in this association. The current study examined these associations using nationally representative data from England.Methods: Data came from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007. Information was obtained from 7403 household residents aged ≥16 years on perceived loneliness and lifetime and past 12-month suicide ideation and attempts. The Clinical Interview Schedule Revised (CIS-R) was used to assess six forms of CMD. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine these associations.Results: Loneliness was associated with suicidal behavior. Although adjusting for CMDs attenuated associations, higher levels of loneliness were still significantly associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts with odds ratios (OR) for those in the most severe loneliness category ranging from 3.45 (lifetime suicide attempt) to 17.37 (past 12-month suicide attempt). Further analyses showed that ORs for suicidal behavior were similar for individuals who were lonely without CMDs, and for those respondents with CMDs who were not lonely. Lonely individuals with CMDs had especially elevated odds for suicidal ideation.Limitations: This study used cross-sectional data and a single-item measure to obtain information on loneliness.Conclusion: Loneliness is associated with suicidal behavior in the general adult population. This highlights the importance of efforts to reduce loneliness in order to mitigate its harmful effects on health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the association between psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in the general adult population. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the association using nationally-representative data from England. Methods: Data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey was analyzed. The sample consisted of 7403 adults aged ≥16 years. Five forms of PLEs (mania/hypomania, thought control, paranoia, strange experience, auditory hallucination) were assessed with the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire. The association between PLEs and NSSI was assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Hierarchical models were constructed to evaluate the influence of alcohol and drug dependence, common mental disorders, and borderline personality disorder symptoms on this association. Results: The prevalence of NSSI was 4.7% (female 5.2% and male 4.2%), while the figures among those with and without any PLEs were 19.2% and 3.9% respectively. In a regression model adjusted for sociodemographic factors and stressful life events, most types of PLE were significantly associated with NSSI: paranoia (OR 3.57; 95%CI 1.96–6.52), thought control (OR 2.45; 95%CI 1.05–5.74), strange experience (OR 3.13; 95%CI 1.99–4.93), auditory hallucination (OR 4.03; 95%CI 1.56–10.42), and any PLE (OR 2.78; 95%CI 1.88–4.11). The inclusion of borderline personality disorder symptoms in the models had a strong influence on the association between PLEs and NSSI as evidenced by a large attenuation in the ORs for PLEs, with only paranoia continuing to be significantly associated with NSSI. Substance dependence and common mental disorders had little influence on the association between PLEs and NSSI. Conclusions: Borderline personality disorder symptoms may be an important factor in the link between PLEs and NSSI. Future studies on PLEs and NSSI should take these symptoms into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a scarcity of literature investigating the association between minority sexual orientations and subjective cognitive complaints (SCC). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between identifying as a sexual minority and SCC in a large sample of adults from England. The study further aimed to identify the extent to which the association could be explained by several behavioral, psychological and clinical factors. Cross-sectional data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) were analyzed. Sexual orientation was dichotomized into heterosexual and sexual minority orientation. SCC referred to subjective concentration and memory complaints. Control variables included sex, age, ethnicity, marital status, education, employment, and income. Influential factors included smoking status, alcohol dependence, perceived stress, the number of stressful life events, depression, any anxiety disorder, sleep problems, and obesity. This study included 7,400 participants (51.4% women; mean [standard deviation] age 46.3 [18.6] years). After adjusting for control variables, sexual minority orientation was positively and significantly associated with subjective concentration (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.12–1.76) but not memory complaints (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.96–1.47). The number of stressful life events, sleep problems and any anxiety disorder explained 13.4%, 11.0% and 10.9% of the association between sexual orientation and subjective concentration complaints, respectively. In this large sample of English adults, identifying as a sexual minority was significantly associated with subjective concentration complaints, while stressful life events, sleep problems, and anxiety explained a large proportion of the association. Targeted interventions towards sexual minority groups to reduce SCC may be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Different types of childhood abuse are positively associated with adulthood disability. • Increasing numbers of types of childhood abuse are associated with higher odds of adulthood disability. • The association between any childhood abuse and adulthood disability is largely explained by anxiety disorder, number of chronic physical conditions, and loneliness. The aim of this study was to examine the association of childhood sexual and physical abuse with disability in adulthood, and to assess how several demographic, physical, behavioral, psychosocial, and psychiatric factors may influence this association. This study used nationally representative cross-sectional data from 7403 people aged ≥ 16 years who participated in the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. Information on childhood sexual talk, sexual touching, sexual intercourse, and physical abuse occurring before the age of 16, and disability in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living in adulthood were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. After adjusting for age, sex, and ethnicity, we found a positive association between different types of childhood abuse and adulthood disability: sexual talk (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.27–1.85); sexual touching (OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.49–2.22); sexual intercourse (OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.75–3.81); physical abuse (OR 2.84; 95% CI 2.20–3.68). Increasing number of types of childhood abuse was associated with increased odds of adulthood disability. The odds of adulthood disability was increased for individuals who experienced all types of childhood abuse versus no childhood abuse (OR 3.59; 95% CI 1.64–7.84). Finally, the association between any childhood abuse and adulthood disability was largely explained by anxiety disorder, number of chronic physical conditions, and loneliness. Childhood abuse is positively associated with adulthood disability in England. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to understand the potentially complex interplay of factors that may increase risk for disability in individuals who experienced childhood abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The prevalence of disability increased with decreasing intelligence quotient (IQ). • The negative IQ–disability association persisted in the adjusted regression models. • About 37% of this association was explained by socioeconomic status. No study has investigated the association between intelligence quotient (IQ) and disability (i.e., difficulties in activities of daily living [ADL] or instrumental activities of daily living [IADL]) in the general population. The goal of this nationally representative study was to analyse the potential IQ–disability association in England and identify influential factors in this association. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (n = 6872). IQ was assessed by using the National Adult Reading Test, which consists of a list of 50 words and is scored by counting the number of errors in reading the words aloud. Disability was defined as difficulties in at least 1 of the 7 domains of ADL and IADL. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted to analyze the association between IQ and disability and identify potential factors involved in this relationship, estimating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among the 6872 participants, the mean (SD) age was 46.9 (18.9) years; 51.8% were women. The prevalence of disability increased from 27.7% with IQ 120–129 to 51.0% with IQ 70–79. After adjusting for sex, age and ethnicity, as compared with IQ 120–129, with IQ 110–119, 100–109, 90–99, 80–89, and 70–79, the probability of disability was increased (OR 1.22 [95% CI 1.01–1.48], 1.42 [1.16–1.72], 1.86 [1.54–2.25], 2.41 [1.92–3.03], and 4.71 [3.56–6.17], respectively). In addition, we found a positive association between a 1-SD decrease in IQ and disability (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.43–1.63). Finally, income (mediated percentage 26.9%), social class (18.0%) and education (11.6%) strongly affected the IQ–disability association, and these socioeconomic factors collectively explained 37.1% of the association. Low IQ was positively associated with disability in England, and socioeconomic status explained more than one-third of this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Several studies have reported a positive association between sedentary behaviour and perceived stress. • None has examined the relationship between sedentary behaviour and an objective measure of stress in a population sample. • We analysed the association between TV viewing and hair cortisol using data from a large population sample of older adults. • Self-reported sedentary behaviour was not associated with a biomarker of chronic stress. Several studies have reported a positive association between sedentary behaviour and perceived stress, but none using a population-based sample has examined this relationship using an objective measure of stress exposure. The aim of this study was therefore to analyse the association between sedentary behaviour (operationalised as daily TV viewing time) and levels of cortisol in hair (an objective measure of chronic stress) using data from a large population-based sample of older adults. Analyses used cross-sectional data from older adults (≥50 years) participating in Wave 6 (2012/13) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Hair cortisol concentrations were determined from the scalp‐nearest 2 cm hair segment. TV viewing time was self-reported and categorised as <2, 2 < 4, 4 < 6, or ≥6 h/day. Covariates included age, sex, ethnicity, education, wealth, limiting long-standing illness, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity, body mass index, and depressive symptoms. The sample comprised 3555 men and women, of whom 284 (8.0%) reported watching less than 2 h of TV per day, 1160 (32.6%) 2–4 h, 1079 (30.4%) 4–6 h, and 1032 (29.0%) ≥6 h. Mean hair cortisol concentrations for those spending <2, 2 < 4, 4 < 6, and ≥6 h per day watching TV were 0.862, 0.880, 0.889, and 0.934 log pg/mg, respectively. Differences between groups were not statistically significant in unadjusted (p =.088) or adjusted (p =.663) models. In a large sample of older adults in England, self-reported sedentary behaviour was not associated with a biomarker of chronic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and sarcopenia are two common conditions in older people. It is not widely known if MCI could predict the onset of sarcopenia. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether MCI could predict the occurrence of sarcopenia in a population of older adults., Methods: In the ELSA (English Longitudinal Study on Ageing), MCI was defined as the absence of dementia, preserved functional capacity and low performance in three objective cognitive tests. Sarcopenia was diagnosed as having low handgrip strength and low skeletal muscle mass index during follow-up. The longitudinal association between MCI at the baseline and incident sarcopenia was assessed using a multivariable logistic regression model, reporting the data as adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI)., Results: 3,106 participants (mean age of 63.1 years; 55.3% males) were included. People with MCI reported significantly lower mean handgrip strength values and Skeletal Mass Index (SMI), as well as a higher prevalence of obesity at baseline. At baseline, 729 people had MCI and during the ten years follow-up period, 12.1% of the initial population included had sarcopenia. On multivariate analysis, adjusted for 18 potential confounders, the presence of MCI (OR = 1.236; 95%CI: 1.090-1.596, p = 0.01) significantly predicted the onset of sarcopenia during follow-up., Conclusion: The presence of MCI at baseline was associated with a higher incidence of sarcopenia at ten-years follow-up, demonstrating a likely role of MCI as a predictor of the onset of sarcopenia in older people., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Perceived discrimination has been linked to psychotic experiences (PEs). However, as yet, information is lacking on the relationship between different forms of discrimination and PEs. This study examined this association in the English general population., Methods: Nationally representative, cross-sectional data were analyzed from 7363 adults aged 16 and above that came from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, 2007. Self-reported information was obtained on six forms of discrimination (ethnicity, sex, religious beliefs, age, physical health problems/disability, sexual orientation), while PEs were assessed with the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire (PSQ). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations., Results: In a fully adjusted logistic regression analysis, any discrimination was significantly associated with PEs (odds ratio [OR]: 2.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.75-3.48). All individual forms of discrimination were significantly associated with PEs except sexual orientation. Multiple forms of discrimination were associated with higher odds for PEs in a monotonic fashion with those experiencing ≥ 3 forms of discrimination having over 5 times higher odds for any PE. In addition, experiencing any discrimination was associated with significantly increased odds for all individual forms of PE with ORs ranging from 2.16 (95%CI: 1.40-3.35) for strange experience to 3.36 (95%CI: 1.47-7.76) for auditory hallucination., Conclusion: Different forms of discrimination are associated with PEs in the general population. As discrimination is common at the societal level, this highlights the importance of public policy and evidence-based interventions to reduce discrimination and improve population mental health., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the association between weight status and sexual activity in middle-aged and older adults., Methods: Cross-sectional analysis on Wave 6 (2012/13) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Data were from 2,200 men and 2,737 women aged ≥50 years (mean 68.2 years). The explanatory variable was weight status, defined as normal-weight (BMI: ≤24.9), overweight (BMI: 25.0-29.9) or obese (BMI: ≥30) based on objective measurements of height and weight. Outcome variables were any self-reported sexual activity in the last year (yes/no) and, if yes, frequency of sexual intercourse in the last month. Covariates included a range of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related variables. Associations were analysed using binary (past-year sexual activity) and ordinal (frequency of past-month sexual intercourse) logistic regression models., Results: The majority (73.3%) of men and half (50.0%) of women reported any sexual activity in the last year. The odds of reporting any sexual activity in the last year did not differ significantly by weight status in either men or women. However, among those who were sexually active, men with overweight (OR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.15-1.81, p = 0.002) or obesity (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.07-1.77, p = 0.015), and women with overweight (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.05-1.71, p = 0.017) reported significantly more frequent sexual intercourse in the last month compared with those who had a BMI in the normal-weight range, after adjustment for covariates., Conclusion: Older adults with overweight or obesity who are sexually active engage in more frequent sexual activity than those who are normal weight., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Physical activity (PA) is a potential modifiable correlate of the age-related decline in sexual function, but no studies have explicitly tested this. This study aimed to examine associations between PA, television viewing (TV) time and sexual activity, problems, and concerns. Data were from 7,038 men and women aged ≥50 years participating in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. PA and TV viewing time were self-reported. Sexual behaviour and concerns were assessed by self-completion questionnaire. Covariates included age, partnership status, socio-economic status, limiting long-standing illness, smoking status, alcohol intake and depressive symptoms. The odds of reporting any sexual activity were increased among individuals who participated in moderate (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.24⁻2.15 in men) or vigorous (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.50⁻2.84 in men, OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.09⁻1.85 in women) PA at least once a week. Erectile difficulties were less common among men who were active (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.44⁻0.77 for vigorous PA). Women who watched ≥6 hours of TV/day had lower odds of thinking about sex frequently (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50⁻0.96) or, if they did not live with a partner, being sexually active (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22⁻0.72). Encouraging older adults to be more physically active could help to improve sexual relationships and, as a result, mental health and wellbeing., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Despite an increasing focus on the role of mood and emotions in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as yet, there has been comparatively little research on positive emotions. To address this research gap, the current study examined the association between ADHD symptoms and happiness using data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. The analytic sample comprised 7274 adults aged 18 and above residing in private households in England. Information was collected on ADHD symptoms using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener, while happiness was assessed with a single (3-point) measure. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis and a mediation analysis were performed to examine associations. Greater ADHD symptom severity was associated with higher odds for feeling less happy. Mood instability (percentage mediated 37.1%), anxiety disorder (35.6%) and depression (29.9%) were all important mediators of the association between ADHD and happiness. Given that happiness has been linked to a number of beneficial outcomes, the results of this study highlight the importance of diagnosing ADHD in adults and also of screening for and treating any comorbid psychiatric disorders in these individuals., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pain has been linked with an increased risk of engaging in suicidal behavior. However, the role of common mental disorders (CMDs) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits in this association is largely unknown. This study was based on data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (N = 7403). Suicidal behavior referred to past 12-month suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Pain was assessed in terms of the level of its interference with work activity in the past four weeks. BPD traits were assessed with the structured interview for DSM disorders questionnaire, and CMDs with the Clinical Interview Schedule Revised (CIS-R). Multivariate logistic regression and mediation analyses were conducted to analyze the association between pain and suicidal behavior, and the role of CMDs and BPD traits in this association. The prevalence of past 12-month suicidal ideation and suicide attempt increased from 2.7% to 11.5% and 0.2% to 2.4%, respectively, between no pain and extreme pain. Pain was found to be significantly associated with suicidal ideation (ORs = 1.61-2.92) and suicide attempt (ORs = 2.95-6.70). CMDs were significant mediators in the pain-suicidal behavior relationship but did not fully explain the association. BPD had little influence in this association. Assessing suicide risk in individuals with pain may be important for suicide prevention. Treating CMDs may reduce risk for suicide in these individuals but other factors leading to higher risk for suicidal behavior should also be investigated in future studies., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Psychotic disorders have been associated with suicidality but information on the association between subclinical psychosis and suicidality in the general adult population is scarce., Methods: Data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (n=7403) were analyzed. This was a nationally representative survey of the English adult household population (aged ≥16years). Five types of psychotic symptoms (hypomania, thought control, paranoia, strange experience, auditory hallucination) occurring in the past 12months were assessed with the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire. Participants with probable or definite psychosis were excluded. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between psychotic symptoms and suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in the past 12months., Results: The prevalence of at least one psychotic symptom was 5.4%. After adjusting for potential confounders including mental disorders, each individual psychotic symptom was significantly associated with suicidal ideation with odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 3.22 to 4.20. With the exception of thought control, all symptoms were also associated with significantly higher odds for suicide attempt (ORs 3.95 to 10.23). Having at least one psychotic symptom was associated with ORs of 3.13 (95%CI 2.09-4.68) and 3.84 (95%CI 1.67-8.83) for suicidal ideation and suicide attempt respectively. In addition, a greater number of psychotic symptoms was associated with higher odds for suicidal ideation and suicide attempt., Conclusions: Psychotic symptoms, regardless of the type, were independently associated with higher odds for suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Assessment and management of suicide risk in individuals with psychotic symptoms may be important for suicide prevention., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)