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The global elderly population is growing exponentially; with that comes the burden of mental health disorders and the associated comorbidities that these elderly suffer from. Psychological interventions have been proposed to offload that burden and decrease the severity or incidence of mental health disorders. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the current literature on psychological interventions for mental health disorders. The current literature suggests sufficient evidence backed by extensive literature supporting psychological interventions in older adults. This aspect of care should be investigated and incorporated into treatment plans for mental health disorders as well as a form of prevention of other organic diseases that could lead to mental health disorders.

Abstract Background Mental disorders affect one in two people globally, with COVID-19 exacerbating anxiety and depression. Stigma, a major hindrance to seeking mental health services, manifests as public, perceived, and self-stigma. Cultural misconceptions contribute to public stigma. Studies show high stigmatization among university students, impacting help-seeking behavior. Arab populations exhibit varied attitudes influenced by religious beliefs. The research aims to bridge gaps in understanding stigma among university students in Jordan, focusing on the impact of post post-COVID-19 era on mental health perceptions. The study hypothesizes differences in attitudes and stigma between medical and non-medical students, investigating these aspects in Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional study assessed attitudes and stigma related to seeking help among 1,151 university students in Jordan from June 20th to July 20th, 2023. The sample included diverse participants from Jordanian universities. Data were collected through an online survey covering sociodemographic details, psychological background, and attitudes using the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH). Ethical considerations included approval from the University of Jordan Institutional Review Board and informed consent from participants. Results The survey included 1151 participants. The overall mean age was 20.34 years. Among the participants, 761 (66.1%) were medical students, while 390 (33.9%) were non-medical students. The overall mean ATSPPHS score was 16.30. Medical students exhibited a significantly more positive attitude (73.3%) compared to non-medical students (26.7%). Being a medical student was associated with higher odds of having a positive attitude while being male was found to be a negative predictor. Conclusion Findings revealed that being a medical student and having prior mental health education were linked to more favorable attitudes, whereas male students tended to hold more negative views. Incorporating mental health education into non-medical curricula could be beneficial in diminishing stigma and fostering positive attitudes toward seeking help.

BACKGROUND: In an increasingly digital age, social media, particularly Facebook, has become an integral part of college students' lives. This study seeks to explore how gender and academic year may influence Facebook addiction and its impact on mental health among this demographic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The survey includes sociodemographic questions and BFAS, GAD-7, and BFAS scales. Data analysis was conducted by SPSS, with statistical tests conducted at a 95% confidence level. Normal distribution was tested with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Sperman’s correlation was conducted to assess any potential correlation and the Mann-Whitney test was used to investigate any significant differences in the mean score. RESULTS: This study included 1,098 college students aged 18 to 25 (mean age 21.35). A majority (62.8%) of the participants identified as female, and notably, 61.5% were clinical medical students. The Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) was utilized yielding a mean score of (mean: 16.43, SD: 5.934).. Interestingly, most participants reported "Rarely" or "Very Rarely" feeling restless or troubled when unable to use Facebook (64.5%). The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) unveiled that participant experienced mild anxiety, with a mean score of 8.63 (SD: 4.928). Approximately 43.2% reported mild anxiety. Depression, assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), reflected moderate depression with a mean score of 11.70 (SD: 6.39). Correlations were explored among BFAS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores. A strong positive correlation emerged between GAD-7 and PHQ-9 (r: 0.634, p-value < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significantly moderate positive correlation between BFAS and PHQ-9 (r: 0.344, p-value < 0.001) and a significantly small positive correlation between BFAS and GAD-7 (r: 0.282, p-value < 0.001). The Mann-Whitney Test was employed to investigate gender and academic year differences in scores. Female participants exhibited significantly higher scores than males in BFAS (p-value = 0.028), GAD-7 (p-value < 0.001), and PHQ-9 (p-value = 0.004). Additionally, preclinical students reported higher scores than clinical students in BFAS (p-value < 0.001) and PHQ-9 (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In summary, this study sheds light on the complex interplay between Facebook use, mental health symptoms, gender, and academic year among college students. It reveals a moderate level of Facebook addiction and varying degrees of anxiety and depression. Gender disparities are evident, with females reporting more severe symptoms. Furthermore, academic year impacts these factors, with preclinical students exhibiting higher scores. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for tailoring interventions and support mechanisms to address the unique challenges faced by college students in the digital age.

BACKGROUND: The rapid growth of AI has transformed various sectors, including healthcare. AI aids medical diagnoses and treatment planning, but challenges such as privacy and ethical concerns exist. Understanding AI is crucial for medical and dental students in Jordan to enhance patient care. This study examines students' attitudes, awareness, and understanding of AI to inform effective education and better healthcare practices. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan among medical and dental students from Nov 2022 to Mar 2023. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman's correlation. Ethical approval was obtained, and SPSS was used for analysis. RESULTS: The study involved 800 respondents, predominantly female (54.6%) and with an average age of 19.81 years. Most participants were medical students (64.6%), had a national diploma (75.0%), and were in their first or second year of education (73.1%). The majority were single (97.9%), and 75.1% resided in the central region. In terms of technology background, 38.8% had family members in the technology sector, and half used electronic devices for 3-6 hours daily. Over 75% used electronic devices for studying, while 44.1% had taken technology courses, with only 23.5% having specifically studied Artificial Intelligence (AI). Additionally, 46.0% had prior research experience, but only 18.0% had participated in AI-related research. Participants rated their overall technology knowledge at 2.91 ± 1.06 and AI knowledge at 2.43 ± 1.21. The main sources of AI information were social media (35.0%). Regarding AI applications, 28.0% believed it would enhance medical diagnosis, while 24.0% expressed concerns about hacking and cybersecurity. Only 10.0% planned to consistently incorporate AI into their future medical practice. Statistical tests revealed significant differences in awareness of AI based on study field (p-value = 0.034), income (p-value = 0.028), previous technology involvement (p-value = 0.004), ICDL course participation (p-value = 0.02), AI course participation (p-value < 0.001), and programming language learning (p-value = 0.001). Similar variations were observed in understanding AI basic principles, with additional significance related to research course participation (p-value < 0.001). Attitudes toward AI differed only among those with previous technology course involvement (p-value = 0.037). Spearman's correlation indicated a moderate positive association between awareness of AI in medicine and dentistry and understanding of AI basic principles (r: 0.491, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The younger generation of medical and dental professionals’ views AI as a collaborator in their practice. Strong interest and active engagement in AI-related courses highlight the importance of integrating AI education into medical curricula for innovative healthcare practices.

BACKGROUND: The widely recognized phenomenon known as 'medical student syndrome' refers to the tendency of many medical students to develop fears and symptoms of illnesses they are studying. Extensive research has underscored the substantial psychological pressure that medical students endure due to factors like a demanding workload, exam-related stress, anxiety arising from new clinical experiences, and the competitive academic environment. Given its classification as a mental health issue, 'medical student syndrome' has been investigated in multiple countries. Consequently, our study aims to delve deeper into this phenomenon among medical students, considering various demographic factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The survey includes sociodemographic questions and attitudes toward the syndrome, adapted from a Polish study. Data was using SPSS, with statistical tests conducted at a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: A total of 1,050 participants completed the questionnaire for this study, with 67.3% being females. The average age was 20.91 years, and the majority were unmarried (98.2%). Most participants reported a monthly income of less than 500 JDs, and only 16.2% identified as smokers. Clinical students accounted for 33.6% of the sample, while 11.2% indicated a history of mental illnesses. Additionally, 36.3% had taken previous courses related to mental illnesses, and 13.7% had sought psychiatric consultation. Furthermore, 15.6% had utilized psychiatric or psychotherapeutic counseling for other reasons, and 26.6% expressed a desire to visit a psychiatrist or psychologist due to their fear of falling ill. Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted to explore potential differences in total scores based on demographic and mental background factors. Preclinical students had significantly higher mean scores compared to clinical students (41.68 vs. 39.35, p = 0.001). Respondents who had used psychiatric or psychotherapeutic counseling for reasons other than those inquired had significantly higher scores than those who did not (43.85 vs. 40.35, p < 0.001). Similarly, respondents planning to visit a psychiatrist/psychologist due to their fear of falling ill scored significantly higher than those who did not share this intention (43.85 vs. 39.96, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the "year of study" variable was the only significant predictor of the total score, with a coefficient of -3.196, a t-statistic of -4.057, and a p-value < 0.001. This negative coefficient suggested that as the year of study increased, the total score tended to decrease significantly. However, the model had relatively weak explanatory power, with R² indicating that it explained only about 3.5% of the variance in the dependent variable, and R²adj accounting for approximately 2.7% after adjusting for model complexity. CONCLUSION: In summary, the study included a diverse group of participants with varying demographic and mental background factors. Preclinical students tended to have higher scores, and those with a history of seeking mental health services or expressing an intention to do so had higher scores. The year of study was a significant predictor of the total score, suggesting that as students progressed in their studies, their scores tended to decrease. However, the model's overall explanatory power was relatively limited.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to assess university students' attitudes and stigmas regarding seeking mental health help, focusing on the barriers they face. Existing literature highlights the prevalence of social stigma, embarrassment, and fear among medical students, which hinder their willingness to seek psychiatric treatment despite the burden of mental illness. METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional examination of university students in Jordan. A self-administered English questionnaire with three domains and 31 questions was used. The first domain collected sociodemographic data. The second domain measured attitudes using the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH), a higher score indicating a better help-seeking attitude. The third domain gauged stigma using the Stigma Scale for Receiving Psychological Help (SSRPH), a higher score indicating a higher degree of perceived stigma. A pilot test involving over 20 participants was conducted. Data analysis will be done via SPSS version 26. Normality was tested using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess associations between categorical and continuous variables. A significance level of p < 0.05 will be used. Finally, ethical considerations were obtained. RESULTS: In a study involving 1,151 participants. The average age of the participants was 22.35, with most identifying as female (70.7%) and single (95.1%). A majority had a monthly income exceeding 500 JDs, and around 60% lived in urban areas. Notably, 66.1% were medical students, and 88.3% were enrolled in public universities. Parental education was relatively high, with over 68% of mothers and 70% of fathers holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The study also delved into participants' mental health backgrounds, revealing that a significant portion had experienced the absence (27.6%) or death (22.7%) of first-degree relatives. A substantial number (71.5%) believed that mental illness carried a sense of embarrassment within their society, while 24.2% reported having family members who had experienced mental illness. The average score of ATSPPHS indicated that 84.7% had a negative attitude toward seeking professional help for emotional problems. Significant differences in attitudes were found across demographics, with females (p-value