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Journal of Public Health (Oxford,... Jun 2024Following the Taliban's resurgence, Afghan girls were probited from attending school and university, likely causing adverse psychological effects. Therefore, the present...
BACKGROUND
Following the Taliban's resurgence, Afghan girls were probited from attending school and university, likely causing adverse psychological effects. Therefore, the present study investigated depression, suicidal ideation, and quality of life (QoL) among Afghan girls banned from education by the Taliban.
METHODS
A survey study assessed depression, suicidal ideation, and QoL among 426 females prohibited from attending secondary schools, high schools, and universities by the Taliban. The study used the CES-D 20 Scale to assess depression, and the WHOQOL-Bref Questionnaire to assess QoL. Associations between variables were tested with chi-square tests, and predictors of QoL were analyzed through multivariate regression analysis.
RESULTS
Among the 426 participants, 87.6% exhibited depression symptoms and 49.8% reported suicidal thoughts. Significant predictors of overall QoL included monthly family income (B = 0.147, P = 0.001), recent others' behavior toward participants (B = -0.247, P < 0.001), physical illness (B = 0.110, P = 0.011), experiencing a recent traumatic event (B = 0.108, P = 0.015), depression (B = -0.159, P < 0.001) and suicidal ideation (B = -0.187, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
In Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, the results indicated that female students who have been prohibited from studying in classes have a high prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation. Having depression and suicidal ideation significantly predicted decreased quality of life among female students.
PubMed: 38936836
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdae111 -
General Hospital Psychiatry Jun 2024Caregiving burden is set to increase with the rising incidence of cancer globally. The meta-analysis seeks to investigate the prevalence of suicide, suicidal ideation... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Caregiving burden is set to increase with the rising incidence of cancer globally. The meta-analysis seeks to investigate the prevalence of suicide, suicidal ideation and self-harm among the caregivers of patients with cancer (CPCs).
METHODS
This PRISMA-adherent systematic review involved a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and PsycINFO for all studies that evaluated the prevalence of suicide, suicidal ideation and self-harm in CPCs. Random effects meta-analyses were used for primary analysis.
RESULTS
Eleven studies were included. Meta-analyses indicated that the prevalence of suicidal ideation in CPCs was 11% (95%CI:6-18), suicide prevalence was 6% (95%CI:3-12), and self-harm prevalence was 15% (95%CI:8-26). Subgroup analyses revealed that CPCs above the age of 50 experienced a greater prevalence of suicidal ideation (17%, 95%CI:10-28) as compared to CPCs below 50 (6%, 95%CI:3-12). Family caregivers particularly spouses were also found to have a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation (17%, 95%CI:13-23), as compared to children (5%, 95%CI:2-10) or mothers (3%, 95%CI:1-8). Systematic review found that having a pre-existing mental health condition and lower socioeconomic status increased likelihood of suicidality.
CONCLUSION
We highlight the need for more support of CPCs at risk of suicidality. Additional research is warranted to identify other risk and protective factors.
PubMed: 38936297
DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2024.06.011 -
Health Science Reports Jun 2024The study and practice of medicine are known to contribute to burnout in medical students and junior doctors. There is limited data on the degree of mental health burden...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The study and practice of medicine are known to contribute to burnout in medical students and junior doctors. There is limited data on the degree of mental health burden for Australian medical students and doctors-in-training (DiT). This scoping review aims to explore the impact of medical training on the mental health of Australian medical students and DiT. Exploring the mental health landscape across different stages of training will help to establish putative factors underlying psychiatric comorbidities in this demographic.
METHODS
The Joanna Brigs Institute (JBI) framework for scoping review was utilized, involving the Population/Concept/Context (PCC) criteria to identify the target population and develop the search strategy. Peer-reviewed articles, published in English from 2012 to 2022 focusing on Australian medical students' and doctors-in-training mental health were considered.
RESULTS
Of the 177 articles identified, 24 studies were included in the review. The majority of the studies focused on DiT ( 19) of which interns and residents were most well represented ( = 12) followed by surgical training ( = 5), with general practice (GP) ( = 2) and physician specialties (nil) being poorly represented. Most studies were quantitative ( = 18), with qualitative studies( = 6) under represented. Common mental health themes identified were overall psychological distress, burnout, and depression/suicidal ideation with workplace harassment and discrimination being less well represented.
CONCLUSIONS
Australian DiT are not equally represented in the literature with how different specialty training pathways impact their mental health. Most studies were cross-sectional, preventing a detailed longitudinal assessment of burnout and work-associated psychological distress.
PubMed: 38933423
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.2214 -
Pediatrics Jul 2024
PubMed: 38932704
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-067026 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder causing progressive neurodegeneration which, aside from symptomatic therapies for controlling... (Review)
Review
: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder causing progressive neurodegeneration which, aside from symptomatic therapies for controlling psychological and motor problems, currently has no effective treatment. People who receive this diagnosis often feel disoriented and lost without guidance. Furthermore, HD patients are estimated to have a two to seven times greater risk of suicide death compared to the general population. The current review investigates the complex relationship between HD and suicide, seeking to identify key risk factors influencing suicidal ideation and behaviour in affected individuals. : We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were searched for on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases, and 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. : The findings reveal that emotional strain, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and the absence of a cure contribute to heightened suicidal tendencies in HD patients. Critical periods for suicide risk coincide with early symptomatic stages of disease or the successive phase, with the loss of independence impacting on daily functioning. Risk factors associated with HD include a depressive mood, cognitive impairments, and a history of suicide attempts. : From a prevention perspective, a comprehensive multidisciplinary and multidimensional approach could enhance the overall well-being of people with HD. In particular, screening for suicidal thoughts in people with HD could mitigate suicide risk.
PubMed: 38929966
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123437 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024The suicide rates in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago are among the highest in the Americas, containing significant Indo-Caribbean populations that are suggested... (Review)
Review
The suicide rates in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago are among the highest in the Americas, containing significant Indo-Caribbean populations that are suggested to be most vulnerable to suicide. This systematic review analyzes the existing literature and identifies knowledge gaps in risk and protective factors against suicide in these countries. The literature search conducted followed PRISMA guidelines using the PubMed and APA PsycInfo databases. The PRISMA flow diagram illustrated that eight scholarly papers were eligible for inclusion. Included literature examined stratified data focused on the aforementioned countries, as well as their Indo-Caribbean adolescent populations. Excluded literature did not mention suicidality, adolescents, Indo-Caribbeans, or the focal countries or was focused on the Jonestown mass murder-suicide event. The studies encompassed 6581 individuals. Identified risk factors include social stigma regarding suicide, mental health resource scarcity, and difficult socioeconomic conditions. The identified protective factors for youth include religious/spiritual practices and group activities. Limitations include database quantity, risk of publication bias, and the small sample for each study. A prevailing social stigma regarding suicide was identified. Greater research is needed relating to effects of suicide legislation, bereavement experiences, sociocultural contexts, geography, migration patterns, and culturally compatible interventions to aid future suicide prevention efforts. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023417494).
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Suicide; Risk Factors; Suicidal Ideation
PubMed: 38929047
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060801 -
BMJ Open Jun 2024Although adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor health in adulthood, positive childhood experiences (PCEs) can reduce the risk of negative health...
Promotive and protective effects of community-related positive childhood experiences on adult health outcomes in the context of adverse childhood experiences: a nationwide cross-sectional survey in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
Although adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor health in adulthood, positive childhood experiences (PCEs) can reduce the risk of negative health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether PCEs in the community (CPCEs, ie, trusted adults other than parents, supportive friends, belongingness to school, or community traditions) would have an independent effect on better health outcomes and moderate the association between ACEs and adult illnesses.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional survey.
SETTING
Data were gathered from a nationwide, cross-sectional internet survey conducted in Japan in 2022.
PARTICIPANTS
This study included 28 617 Japanese adults aged 18-82 years (51.1% female; mean age=48.1 years).
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
The associations among self-reported ACEs, CPCEs before the age of 18 years and current chronic diseases (eg, cancer and depression) were investigated using multivariable logistic regression models.
RESULTS
CPCEs were associated with lower odds of adult diseases (such as stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic pain, depression, suicidal ideation and severe psychological distress) after adjusting for ACEs. More CPCEs weakened the association between ACEs and adult diseases. Specifically, among those with ACEs, ≥3 CPCEs (vs 0-2 CPCEs) lowered the adjusted prevalence by ≥50% for stroke (2.4% to 1.2%), COPD (2.2% to 0.7%) and severe psychological distress (16.4% to 7.4%).
CONCLUSION
CPCEs could reduce ACE-related risk of poor physical and mental health in later life. Early-life interventions that enhance PCEs in schools and/or neighbourhoods are recommended.
Topics: Humans; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Male; Japan; Adult; Middle Aged; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Aged; Young Adult; Adolescent; Aged, 80 and over; Chronic Disease; Logistic Models
PubMed: 38925696
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082134 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Jun 2024Poor mental health among young adults in higher education is a growing concern. In recent years, the visibility of racism has sharply risen. Vicarious discrimination is...
BACKGROUND
Poor mental health among young adults in higher education is a growing concern. In recent years, the visibility of racism has sharply risen. Vicarious discrimination is defined as the secondhand witnessing of racism, and given society's increased accessibility to social media and the Internet, addressing vicarious violence is urgently needed to inform anti-racism and mental health efforts. The current study examined associations between vicarious discrimination and mental health across a large sample of young college students in the United States.
METHODS
We analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Study (HMS; 2020-2021; N = 130,566) and used multivariable logistic regression to examine whether past-year vicarious discrimination was associated with various mental health outcomes, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and direct discrimination.
RESULTS
The sample was predominantly white (n = 31,438, 63.66 %) and female-identifying (n = 34,313, 69.49 %) with an average age of 21.1 years. Approximately 35.9 % of the sample endorsed experiencing vicarious discrimination. Vicarious discrimination was associated with greater depression (OR:1.97; 95 % CI: 1.86,2.09, p < 0.001), anxiety (OR:1.82; 95 % CI: 1.72,1.92, p < 0.001), languishing (OR:1.75; 95 % CI: 1.65,1.87, p < 0.001), perceived need for treatment (OR:2.24; 95 % CI: 2.10,2.40, p < 0.001), suicidal ideation (OR:1.86; 95 % CI: 1.73,2.01, p < 0.001), suicide plan (OR:1.91; 95 % CI: 1.71,2.14, p < 0.001), suicide attempt (OR:1.89; 95 % CI: 1.51,2.36, p < 0.001), self-injurious behavior (OR:2.0; 95 % CI: 1.88,2.12, p < 0.001), and loneliness (OR:1.67; 95 % CI: 1.58,1.77, p < 0.001).
DISCUSSION
Consistent with growing literature, vicarious discrimination was associated with poorer mental health among young college students. Additional research could investigate moderators, mediators, and interventions to support those who may be impacted indirectly by discrimination.
PubMed: 38925312
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.06.082 -
Cancer Medicine Jun 2024Patients diagnosed with advanced stage cancer face an elevated risk of suicide. We aimed to develop a suicidal ideation (SI) risk prediction model in patients with...
BACKGROUND
Patients diagnosed with advanced stage cancer face an elevated risk of suicide. We aimed to develop a suicidal ideation (SI) risk prediction model in patients with advanced cancer for early warning of their SI and facilitate suicide prevention in this population.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We consecutively enrolled patients with multiple types of advanced cancers from 10 cancer institutes in China from August 2019 to December 2020. Demographic characteristics, clinicopathological data, and clinical treatment history were extracted from medical records. Symptom burden, psychological status, and SI were assessed using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to establish the model structure.
RESULTS
In total, 2814 participants were included in the final analysis. Nine predictors including age, sex, number of household members, history of previous chemotherapy, history of previous surgery, MDASI score, HADS-A score, HADS-D score, and life satisfaction were retained in the final SI prediction model. The model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 (95% confidential interval: 0.82-0.87), with AUCs ranging from 0.75 to 0.95 across 10 hospitals and higher than 0.83 for all cancer types.
CONCLUSION
This study built an easy-to-use, good-performance predictive model for SI. Implementation of this model could facilitate the incorporation of psychosocial support for suicide prevention into the standard care of patients with advanced cancer.
Topics: Humans; Suicidal Ideation; Male; Female; Neoplasms; China; Middle Aged; Aged; Risk Assessment; Adult; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38924382
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7439 -
Journal of Child and Adolescent... Aug 2024This study was designed to explore the relationships between depression, and the likelihood of suicide among young adolescents by considering various factors.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to explore the relationships between depression, and the likelihood of suicide among young adolescents by considering various factors.
DESIGN AND SAMPLES
It was conducted in a descriptive-cross-sectional format, with fieldwork spanning from November 16, 2022, to June 30, 2023. The study assessed the likelihood of depression, and suicide in young adolescents attending a university in Eastern Turkey.
MEASUREMENTS
Sociodemographic features survey form, Beck's Depression Inventory and Suicide Probability Scale were used to collect data.
RESULTS
The results from this investigation indicated that women, individuals with chronic illnesses, those with a history of psychiatric conditions, those expressing a constant desire to die, those with suicidal thoughts or plans, and those with a family member who had attempted suicide exhibited significantly higher mean scores for depression and suicide. There was a positive correlation between high depression scores and suicidal tendencies. However, no conclusive evidence of a link between depression, and suicide was established.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, certain demographic and psychological factors were identified as correlating with elevated levels of depression and suicidal tendencies among young adolescents. It is imperative that individuals identified as being at risk be promptly referred to appropriate units for comprehensive interventions and support.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Female; Male; Turkey; Cross-Sectional Studies; Suicide; Depression; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide, Attempted; Young Adult
PubMed: 38923673
DOI: 10.1111/jcap.12473