Psychometric validation of the Italian version of the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS)

Background.Many instruments have been developed and validated to assess the stigma associated with mental disorders and its various domains across different populations. To our knowledge, the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS) is the only validated questionnaire to analyse the presence of reported and intended stigmatising/discriminatory behaviours towards people with mental health problems in the general population. The aims of the study presented herein are to translate and validate the RIBS in Italian language and to adapt it to the Italian socio-cultural background (RIBS-I).Method.The RIBS considers reported and intended behaviours across four different domains: (1) living with, (2) working with, (3) living nearby and (4) continuing a relationship with someone with a mental health problem. The validation process included four phases: (1) translation/back translation of the questionnaire from English to Italian and vice versa; (2,3) face validity and reliability of RIBS-I; (4) description of model fit through confirmatory factor analysis. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of the general public via distribution in public places such as shopping centres, markets, squares, cinemas and other gathering places. Questionnaires were administered by trained mental health professionals.Results.A total of 447 lay respondents were recruited. The mean age was 38.08 (s.d. = ±14.74) years. Fifty-seven per cent of the sample (n = 257) were female. The Cronbach alpha of RIBS-I was 0.83. All indices of model fit were above the reference values: Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) = 0.987 (GFI > 0.9); Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI) = 0.975 (AGFI > 0.9); Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.994 (CFI > 0.9); and Root-Mean-Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.023 (RMSEA < 0.05). The χ2 = 23.60 (df = 19; p = 0.21) and χ2/df = 1.24 supported the model.Conclusions.The RIBS-I demonstrated good psychometric properties and it can be considered a useful tool to: (1) assess stigmatising (actual or potential) behaviours in the general population; (2) test the efficacy of anti-stigma campaigns and actions; (3) design further studies to better understand the relationship between the three different components of stigmatisation: knowledge, attitudes and behaviours.

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COVID-19: Emergence of Mental Health Upheaval and Transition in Human Future Perspectives: A Qualitative Study

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Studies ◽

10.32996/jhsss.2020.2.6.11 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (6) ◽

pp. 94-100

Author(s):

Saba Khurshid ◽

Sidra Mumtaz ◽

Hafsa Khalil Toor ◽

Rubina Hanif

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Psychological Services ◽

Mental Health Crisis ◽

Future Perspectives ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Major Transition

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is constantly posing warning and creating mental health crisis among people without any discrimination. Therefore, the current study purpose is to explore mental health upheaval and transition in future perspectives due to COVID-19. Using exploratory study design, semi structure interviews were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed by using Thematic Content Analysis. The major themes which were identified showed that COVID-19 is constantly eliciting panic and mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression, fears of death, xenophobia, OCD and uncertainty about future among general population. Results also indicated the major transition in public future perspectives and perception. Concern related to adjustability in life after pandemic is major emerging future concern among Pakistani People. During pandemic outbreak, people are becoming vulnerable to different mental health problems. To overcome these issues successfully, role of mental health professionals cannot be denied. There is strong need to devise activities and strategies which help people to increase resilience and build strong relationships during the period of social distancing. This paper gives a deep insight into mental health problems among general population due to COVID-19 and it also implicates need of psychological services to overcome these issues.

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Depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms between population in quarantine and general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case-controlled study

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03108-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chengmin Wang ◽

Weidong Song ◽

Xiaohui Hu ◽

Shaoguang Yan ◽

Xing Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Health Problems ◽

Controlled Study ◽

China Mainland ◽

The Impact ◽

Insomnia Symptoms

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic have caused mental and psychological problems on the general population, patients, and related workers. Our study is to determine the impact of mental and psychological symptoms among population in quarantine for 2 weeks during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A case-controlled study design have conducted at department of psychiatry of Shenzhen Longgang Center for Chronic Disease Control in Shenzhen, China mainland from 7th April to 15th June 2020.1674 participants (aged 18 to 65 years) in quarantine for 2 weeks and 1743 age-sex matched controls living in Shenzhen were recruited between 7th April 2020 and 15th June 2020. The assessment of depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms were determined by self-reported questionnaires PHQ-9, GAD-7, and ISI, respectively. Results A total of 1674 participants in quarantine for 2 weeks and 1743 age-sex matched controls (32.6 ± 9.3 years vs. 32.7 ± 10.7 years, 49.8% vs. 47.8% females) were recruited. Population in quarantine had higher score on PHQ-9 (6.1 ± 5.5 vs. 3.0 ± 3.7, p < 0.001), GAD-7 (4.2 ± 4.7 vs. 1.9 ± 3.7, p < 0·001), and ISI (5.5 ± 5.8 vs. 3.1 ± 5.0%, p < 0.001) compared to general population. Population in quarantine showed significantly higher risks of depression (OR: 4.55, 95% CI: 3.82–5.41), anxiety (OR: 2.92, 95% CI: 2.43–3.51), and insomnia (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 2.02–2.89), when compared to the general population. Younger, more education, non-married and lower household income showed higher risks of mental health problems. Conclusions Population in quarantine had a higher level of depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms than controls. Specifically, they were at a higher risk prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia, especially the severity of depression, when compared to controls. Younger, more education, non-married, and lower income population in quarantine were at higher risks of mental health problems. Mental health professionals should pay attention to the mental and psychological symptoms for population in quarantine.

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Relationship between Psychological Distress and Prolonged Sedentary Bouts in the Elderly: Four Period Analysis

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9060676 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 676

Author(s):

Yutaka Owari

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Goodness Of Fit ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

The Elderly ◽

Sample Population ◽

Elderly Individuals ◽

Sedentary Bouts ◽

Fit Index

Background: Too much sitting is associated with low mental health in elderly individuals. We clarified the relationship between psychological distress and the rate of prolonged sedentary bouts (PSBs) among the elderly over four periods. Methods: In a secondary analysis, a sample population of 68 adults aged 65 years or older in Japan was used. The following proxy variables were used: PSB (mental health) and the Kessler 6 scale; K6 scores (psychological distress). Results: Using the cross-lagged effects models, from “2016 K6” to “2017 PSB” (p = 0.004), from “2017 K6” to “2018 PSB” (p < 0.001), and from “2018 K6” to “2019 PSB” (p = 0.021) were all significant; however, the reverse were not all significant in one period. In four periods, from “2016 PSB” to “2019 K6” (p = 0.025) was significant; however, the reverse was not significant. Fit indices were obtained: χ2 = 7.641 (p = 0.182), goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.891, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.901, and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.121 in structural equation modelling. Conclusions: Psychological distress may affect the rate of PSB after one year, and the rate of PSB may affect the rate of psychological distress after three years in elderly individuals.

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COVID-19 pandemic related long-term chronic stress on the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the general population

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03385-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tian Qi ◽

Ting Hu ◽

Qi-Qi Ge ◽

Xiao-Na Zhou ◽

Jia-Mei Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Chronic Stress ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Factors Associated

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for more than 1 year, causing far-reaching and unprecedented changes in almost all aspects of society. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on depression and anxiety, and explore the factors associated with it. Methods A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted to assess mental health problems from February 2 to February 9, 2021 by using patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7). The insomnia severity index (ISI), demographic data and COVID-19 related variables were measured by a self-designed questionnaire. The factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms were identified by Pearson chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results In the study that 1171 participants enrolled, the overall prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among general people was 22.6 and 21.4% respectively in the present study. Living alone was a potential risk factor for depressive symptoms, while regular exercises was a potential protective factor. The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was significantly associated with the severity of insomnia symptoms and the negative feelings about pandemic. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic- related chronic stress has brought about profound impacts on long-term mental health in the general population. The level of insomnia and a negative attitude towards the pandemic are significantly correlated with unfavorable mental health. However, we failed to found a significant association of age and gender with the mental health symptoms, although they were recognized as well-established risk factors during the outbreak by some other studies. This discrepancy may be because the acute and chronic effects of the pandemic are influenced by different factors, which reminds that more attention should be paid to the intrinsic psychological factors and physical reactions towards COVID-19.

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Uninsured Children With Psychosocial Problems: Primary Care Management

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.106.s3.930 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 106 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 930-936 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thomas K. McInerny ◽

Peter G. Szilagyi ◽

George E. Childs ◽

Richard C. Wasserman ◽

Kelly J. Kelleher

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychosocial Problems ◽

The United States ◽

Behavior Study ◽

Care Practices ◽

Uninsured Children ◽

Primary Care Practices

Objective. Nearly 14% of children in the United States are uninsured. We compared the prevalence of psychosocial problems and mental health services received by insured and uninsured children in primary care practices. Methods. The Child Behavior Study was a cohort study conducted by Pediatric Research in Office Settings and the Ambulatory Sentinel Practice Network. Four hundred one primary care clinicians enrolled an average sample of 55 consecutive children (4–15 years old) per clinician. Results. Of the 13 401 visits to clinicians with 3 or more uninsured patients, 12 518 were by insured children (93.4%) and 883 were by uninsured children (6.6%). A higher percentage of adolescents, Hispanic children, those with unmarried parents, and those with less educated parents were uninsured. According to clinicians, uninsured children and insured children had similar rates of psychosocial problems (19%) and severe psychosocial problems (2%). For children with a clinician-identified psychosocial problem, we found no differences in clinician-reported counseling, medication use, or referral to mental health professionals. Conclusions. Among children served in primary care practices, uninsured children have similar prevalence of clinician-identified psychosocial and mental health problems compared with insured children. Within their practices, clinicians managed uninsured children much the same way as insured children.psychosocial problems, uninsured children, pediatrics, family medicine, primary care.

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Experience of stigma among Chinese mental health patients in Hong Kong

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.28.12.451 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 28 (12) ◽

pp. 451-454 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

K. F. Chung ◽

M. C. Wong

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Chinese People ◽

The People ◽

Mental Health Patients ◽

Stigma Of Mental Illness

Aims and MethodThe study was intended to rectify the lack of data on how Chinese people experience the stigma of mental illness. A questionnaire on perceived stigmatisation, experiences of rejection and ways of coping with stigma was completed by 193 persons attending a psychiatric out-patient clinic in Hong Kong.ResultsMost of the participants were aware of the stigma associated with mental illness, but experiences of rejection were relatively less frequent. Eleven per cent of the respondents indicated that they were neglected by health care professionals and 8% had been avoided by family members. The most frequently reported coping method was maintaining secrecy about the illness.Clinical ImplicationsIn China, people with mental health problems experience stigma in various degrees. However, some of the people surveyed expressed feelings of relief that others were supportive and sympathetic towards their illness. Mental health professionals should maintain optimism in helping their patients to cope with the stigma.

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Mental health problems, benefits and tackling discrimination

BJPsych Bulletin ◽

10.1192/bjb.2018.43 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 42 (5) ◽

pp. 200-205 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Alexander Galloway ◽

Billy Boland ◽

Gareth Williams

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Clinical Evidence ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Health Problems ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Policy Institute

SummaryPoverty is strongly associated with mental illness. Access to state benefits can be a lifeline for people with mental health problems in times of hardship and can assist them on their journey of recovery. However, benefit application processes can discriminate against those with mental illness and can result in individuals unjustly missing out on support. Clinical evidence from mental health professionals can ameliorate these challenges and ensure that people get access to financial help.Declaration of interestDr Billy Boland is on the advisory board of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.

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What Is the Role of Resilience and Coping Strategies on the Mental Health of the General Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Results from the Italian Multicentric COMET Study

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11091231 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1231

Author(s):

Gaia Sampogna ◽

Valeria Del Del Vecchio ◽

Vincenzo Giallonardo ◽

Mario Luciano ◽

Umberto Albert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Adaptive Coping ◽

Current Increase ◽

Stress Symptoms ◽

Low Levels

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health are now well documented, however, few studies have been focused on the role of coping strategies and resilience in counterbalancing these detrimental effects. Data are derived from the COvid Mental hEalth Trial (COMET), a national multicentric trial carried out in the Italian general population. The final sample consisted of 20,720 participants, 53.1% (n = 11,000) of the sample reported low levels of resilience. Adaptive coping strategies and resilience levels did not have any significant protective impact on the levels of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Only self-distraction was a risk factor for poor mental health (Beta Coefficient, B = 0.1, 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 0.003 to 0.267 for stress symptoms; B = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.077 to 0.324 for anxiety symptoms and B = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.105 to 0.382 for depressive symptoms). High levels of resilience were predicted by adaptive coping strategies, such as acceptance (B = 1.8, CI 95% = 1.4–2.7). Exposure to the different weeks of lockdown, being infected by COVID-19, and being a healthcare professional did not influence the levels of resilience. Our findings should be carefully considered, since the low levels of resilience may represent the missing link between the pandemic and the current increase in mental health problems.

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Social position of persons with disabilities in and out of residential institution

Stanovnistvo ◽

10.2298/stnv1402091m ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 91-111

Author(s):

Milan Markovic

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Economic Activity ◽

Census Data ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Equality Of Opportunity ◽

Access To Education ◽

Persons With Disabilities ◽

Residential Settings ◽

Almost All

The 2011 Census in the Republic of Serbia introduced, for the first time questions about difficulties in functioning, following the Recommendations from the Washington Group on Disability Statistics. Since there are no stable and continuous sources on the position of persons with disabilities in Serbia, the Census results may be used as a relevant source on disability measurement. Of course, due to the main goal of census disability measurement, and that is a general identification of disability in population, these results should be employed with certain reservations and carefully, especially because of some methodological specification in approaching disability. The main use of census data on disability should be found in evaluating the "equality of opportunity" in relevant areas, such as economic activity (labour and employment), education, living sources, etc. and this is to be achieved mainly through comparison between the values in the general population and population with disabilities. Having done that, we were able to conclude on visible inequality of opportunities between the general and population with disabilities. These discrapancies are indeed evident first in the area of education-especially in accessing elementary education, where the percentage of persons with disabilities that never attended school is extremely high (12.2% v. 2.68% in general population). The unfavourable status of persons with disabilities in the context of education continues in almost all levels of education. An even more obvious inequality of opportunity is present in the area of economic activity, where the prevalence of inactive persons with disability is very high - almost 90%. Having gone through all the age categories, what becomes abvious is a significantly lower activity among all age groups in comparison to the same groups in general population. However, the main goal of this article was to detect the discrapancies existing between the position of persons with disabilities that live in the community and those living in institutional settings - institutions for collective housing. In both areas of education and economic activity, the results tell us very much about a much more problematic status of those living in residential settings. Overall, the access to education is much lower with residents, making an even more negative picture about this smaller group of persons with disabilities in Serbia. In the area of economic activity, the percentage of economically active persons with disabilities in residential settings does not climb to one percent (0.30% excluding the homes for adults and the elderly), which is indeed a worrying situation. Having in mind well known facts on the effects of institutionalization of persons with disabilities in terms of almost all their rights and freedoms, the results that we have encountered are to confirm a negative status of those living in residential settings. Experiences of discrimination, marginalization, segregation and exclusion are evident in the census results. Even if one tries to focus only on analyzing the equality of opportunity in the given context, in comparison with the general population, or even only with the contingent of persons with disabilities out of the residential settings, those living in institutions in Serbia are seriously suffering from lack of access to education, training, labour market and other important areas of life and social functioning. In addition, a potentially relevant insight has been made into the correlation of the type of problem and the status within economic activity and education of persons with disabilities in Serbia. The results confirm that those persons identified through census questions that aim at detecting problems of mental health (intellectual and psycho-social disability) are in the least favourable position in both of the observed areas. Such conclusions should also be connected to a specifically problematic social inclusion and acceptance of those with mental health problems and the extremely high burden of social stigma towards them, combined with the long-going practice of exclusion and discrimination (legal capacity, education, employability, etc.).

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A Revised Model of Trust in Internet-Based Health Information and Advice: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/11125 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (11) ◽

pp. e11125

Author(s):

Elizabeth Sillence ◽

John Matthew Blythe ◽

Pam Briggs ◽

Mark Moss

Keyword(s):

Goodness Of Fit ◽

Online Survey ◽

Patient Experiences ◽

Model Fit ◽

Key Factors ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Personal Experiences ◽

And Coping ◽

Fit Index ◽

Significant Direct Effect

Background The internet continues to offer new forms of support for health decision making. Government, charity, and commercial websites increasingly offer a platform for shared personal health experiences, and these are just some of the opportunities that have arisen in a largely unregulated arena. Understanding how people trust and act on this information has always been an important issue and remains so, particularly as the design practices of health websites continue to evolve and raise further concerns regarding their trustworthiness. Objective The aim of this study was to identify the key factors influencing US and UK citizens’ trust and intention to act on advice found on health websites and to understand the role of patient experiences. Methods A total of 1123 users took part in an online survey (625 from the United States and 498 from the United Kingdom). They were asked to recall their previous visit to a health website. The online survey consisted of an updated general Web trust questionnaire to account for personal experiences plus questions assessing key factors associated with trust in health websites (information corroboration and coping perception) and intention to act. We performed principal component analysis (PCA), then explored the relationship between the factor structure and outcomes by testing the fit to the sampled data using structural equation modeling (SEM). We also explored the model fit across US and UK populations. Results PCA of the general Web trust questionnaire revealed 4 trust factors: (1) personal experiences, (2) credibility and impartiality, (3) privacy, and (4) familiarity. In the final SEM model, trust was found to have a significant direct effect on intention to act (beta=.59; P<.001), and of the trust factors, only credibility and impartiality had a significant direct effect on trust (beta=.79; P<.001). The impact of personal experiences on trust was mediated through information corroboration (beta=.06; P=.04). Variables specific to electronic health (eHealth; information corroboration and coping) were found to substantially improve the model fit, and differences in information corroboration were found between US and UK samples. The final model accounting for all factors achieved a good fit (goodness-of-fit index [0.95], adjusted goodness-of-fit index [0.93], root mean square error of approximation [0.50], and comparative fit index [0.98]) and explained 65% of the variance in trust and 41% of the variance in intention to act. Conclusions Credibility and impartiality continue to be key predictors of trust in eHealth websites. Websites with patient experiences can positively influence trust but only if users first corroborate the information through other sources. The need for corroboration was weaker in the United Kingdom, where website familiarity reduced the need to check information elsewhere. These findings are discussed in relation to existing trust models, patient experiences, and health literacy.

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