Search

Experiencing discrimination is associated with poorer mental health and the demographic patterning of discrimination may explain social inequalities in mental health. The present research examined prevalence of perceived discrimination in the UK and associations with social inequalities in mental health. Data were taken from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (n = 32,003). Population subgroups (sex, age, ethnicity, health, religiousness, income, education, and occupation), perceived personal discrimination (personal experience) and perceived belonging to a discriminated group (identified as belonging to a group discriminated against in this country), and probable mental health problems (GHQ-12 assessed, cut off 4+) were reported on in 2019/2020. Nineteen percent of participants perceived personal discrimination in the last year, 9% perceived belonging to a discriminated group, and 22% had probable mental health problems. There were significant inequalities in both perceived discrimination and mental health. Being a younger adult, of mixed ethnicity, having health problems, having a university degree, and being unemployed increased risk of mental health problems and these associations were partially explained by perceived discrimination being more common among these groups. Perceived discrimination is common among UK adults, but prevalence differs by population subgroup. Perceived discrimination may contribute to social inequalities in mental health.

Objective: We assessed perceptions of recently proposed UK obesity policies (mandatory calorie labeling, banning of advertisements of unhealthy food and drinks online and before 9 pm on TV, and banning “buy one get one free” deals for unhealthy food and drinks) in people with an eating disorder (ED) and other mental health conditions. Method: A total of 1273 participants with a self‐reported lifetime mental health condition (N = 583 with an ED) completed an online survey in September–November 2022. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine support for and potential adverse effects of policies in participants with and without an ED. A qualitative analysis of the potential effects of the policy on current ED symptoms was also conducted to better understand how and why policies may be damaging or beneficial. Results: Participants with an ED had a lower level of support for the implementation of the calorie labeling policy compared to those without an ED (43% vs. 58%). Half of the participants with an ED (55%) reported that labeling may worsen their ED symptoms. Qualitative data indicated perceived potential harm (e.g., a gateway to relapse, negative effects on mood) and perceived benefits (e.g., feeling informed and reassured) of calorie labeling in participants with an ED. No differences in support or perceived harms of the other two policies were observed between participants with versus without an ED. Discussion: Future studies are warranted to explore the potential effects of calorie labeling and how to mitigate negative impacts on people with an ED. Public Significance: This research is the first to assess the perceptions of UK obesity‐related policies in people with an ED and other mental health conditions. Participants with an ED (vs. without) were more likely to disagree with the government implementing the calorie labeling policy. These findings highlight the potentially harmful effects of calorie labeling in people with an ED and the need for future

Background: Bullying victimization has been found to be associated with suicidal behaviors among adolescents. However, there is a lack of studies examining the mediating pathways. Purpose: This study aims to investigate psychological distress as a candidate mediator to the association between bullying victimization and suicidal behaviors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 10,883 records of school-going adolescents, retrieved from the 2015 Indonesia Global School-based Student Health Survey (IGSHS). The primary independent variable was the experience of being bullied in the last 30 days. In contrast, the dependent variable was any suicidal behaviors (i.e., suicidal ideation, planning, or attempt) reported in the last 12 months. Psychological distress as a candidate mediator was measured as loneliness, anxiety-induced sleep disturbance (in the past 12 months), and a combination of both measures – psychological distress. Causal mediation analysis with single mediation models was used to investigate the mediation using psychological distress measures by adjusting for potential confounders. Results: This study found conceivable pathways linking bullying victimization to suicidal behaviors through all measures of psychological distress with statistically significant Natural Indirect Effect (NIE): loneliness (aOR=1.17; 95%CI=1.11-1.27), anxiety-induced sleep disturbance (aOR=1.16; 95%CI=1.10-1.27), and psychological distress (aOR=1.21; 95%CI=1.15-1.31). The proportions mediated by loneliness, anxiety-induced sleep disturbance, and psychological distress accounted for 24.58%, 23.03%, 29.27%, respectively. Findings also suggest that the mediation by all measures of psychological distress persisted among both genders, with higher proportions mediated reported among boys. Conclusion: Psychological distress mediated the associations between bullying victimization and suicidal behaviors among Indonesian adolescents.

Background: While a legion of evidence indicates green spaces (e.g., parks) support health, there is a paucity of studies investigating their potential role in the development of prosocial behaviour (i.e., a range of behaviours that benefit others or promote positive relationships with others) across childhood and adolescence. The review of current evidence suggests that exposure to nearby green space may increase prosocial behaviour, but most of the evidence is cross-sectional, hindering causal inferences and understandings of temporality. Furthermore, most of this research has focused on the quantity of green space (i.e., the amount of green space available in the residential environment), neglecting the potentially critical importance of green space quality (i.e., aspects or attributes of green space that influence its utilisation) as a key determinant in its use and in the development of prosocial behaviour. Besides, candidate mediators and effect modifiers have not been comprehensively examined by previous studies, limiting understandings of plausible pathways and potential contingencies in who benefits. Therefore, research on green space quality and prosocial behaviour is important to improve the quality of current evidence and inform avenues on how to maximise the role of green space in shaping the development of prosocial behaviour. Enhancing the development of prosocial behaviour from a young age is important due to health, psychological, and social benefits. Aims: This PhD thesis primarily aimed to examine the longitudinal association between green space quality and prosocial behaviour among children and adolescents. This thesis also investigated whether the accumulation of, or changes in, green space quality during childhood and adolescence were associated with the development of prosocial behaviour. Potential effect modifiers of the association and plausible pathways in which green space quality may influence prosocial behaviour were also assessed. In ad

2020 by the authors. Indirect female sex workers (FSWs), a type of FSW working under the cover of entertainment enterprises (e.g., karaoke lounge, bar, etc.), remain as an important key population for HIV transmission, signaling the need of appropriate interventions targeting HIV-related behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the association between social capital and HIV testing uptake. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 indirect FSWs in Denpasar, Bali. The dependent variable was HIV testing uptake in the last six months preceding the survey. The main independent variables were social capital constructs: social cohesion (perceived peer support and trust) and social participation. Variables of socio-demographic characteristics were controlled in this study to adjust the influence of social capital. Binary logistic regression was performed. The prevalence of HIV testing in the last six months was 72.50%. The multivariate analysis showed that only peer support from the social capital constructs was associated with HIV testing uptake. Indirect FSWs who perceived a high level of support within FSWs networks were 2.98-times (95% CI = 1.43-6.24) more likely to report for HIV testing. Meanwhile, perceived trust and social participation did not show significant associations in relation to HIV testing uptake. As social cohesion (support) within FSWs' relationships can play an important role in HIV testing uptake, existing HIV prevention programs should consider support enhancement to develop a sense of belonging and solidarity.

2020 Putra, Astell-Burt, Cliff, Vella, John and Feng. The plausible role of nearby green space in influencing prosocial behaviour among children and adolescents has been studied recently. However, no review has been conducted of the evidence testing the association between green space and prosocial behaviour. This systematic review addresses this gap among children and adolescents. Within this review, we propose a conceptual framework describing potential pathways linking green space to prosocial behaviour, discuss the direction, magnitude, moderators, and mediators of the association, and develop a narrative synthesis of future study directions. Out of 63 extracted associations from 15 studies, 44 were in the positive or expected direction, of which 18 were reported to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Overall, the current evidence shows that exposure to green space may potentially increase prosocial behaviour among children and adolescents, with some contingencies (e.g., child's sex and ethnic background). However, the volume and quality of this evidence is not yet sufficient to draw conclusions on causality. Further, heterogeneity in the indicators of green space exposure could lead to mixed findings. In addition, none of the included studies investigated potential mediators. Nevertheless, this review provides preliminary evidence and a basis for further investigation with rigorous study methodology capable of drawing causal inferences and testing potential effect modifiers, linking pathways, and relevant green space measures.