16 research outputs found
DetectaWeb Project: study protocol of a web-based detection of mental health of children and adolescents
No full textIntroduction Traditionally, research and practice addressing mental health has been conducted within a unidimensional model, explaining mental health as the presence/absence of psychological problems (distress or psychopathological symptoms). More recently, accumulative evidence has supported a bi-dimensional model, which conceptualises psychological problems and psychological strengths (well-being) as related-yet-distinct continua that, when considered together, yields a more comprehensive understanding of individuals. The DetectaWeb Project is a web-based early detection assessment of the mental health continuum (MHC) for children and adolescents and aims to: develop a web-based platform for screening of the MHC, including both psychological problems (anxiety, depression and suicidality) and personal strengths (emotional, cognitive/psychological and social aspects); examine the prevalence of the MHC among children and adolescents; and analyse key determinants (risk and protective factors) of the MHC. Methods and analysis We will conduct an ongoing, multicentre observational, cross-sectional study of Spanish children and adolescents. Participants will be assessed through a web-based platform. In order to validate the web-based screening system, a clinical reappraisal will be completed among a subsample of respondents. To elucidate youth’s levels of subjective distress and well-being, we will include measures of anxiety, depression, suicidality, well-being, externalising problems and socio-demographic variables. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been obtained at all sites. All participants will sign a free and informed consent form before the assessment. Results of the study will be communicated during national and international meetings in the field of clinical and health psychology with children and adolescents. Publications will be sought in journals usually read by psychologists or psychiatrists involved in the development of epidemiological studies and interventions for mental health promotion based on resilience building for children and adolescents.Detecta Web Project is a funded project by the Vicerrectorado for Research and Technological Development from Miguel Hernández University (BANCAJA-UMH, call 2010), the Department of Health Care (Consejeria de Sanidad) from the Valencian Community (SMI 10/2014), and a grant for the hiring of predoctoral research assistant granted the third author (ProgramVALi+d, Department of Education, Research, Culture and Sport from the Valencian Community)
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and their links to depression and anxiety in clinic- and community-based pediatric samples: A network analysis
No full textBackground: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and associated with more severe OCD, greater impairment, and worse treatment outcome. Beyond twin studies showing that genetic factors contribute to the high co-occurrence, few studies have examined how OCD, depression, and anxiety are linked in youth, and current studies often fail to account for OCD and anxiety heterogeneity. Methods: Network analysis was used to investigate how OCD were linked to depression and anxiety in multinational youth diagnosed with OCD (total n = 419) and in school-recruited, community-based samples of youth (total n = 2 991). Results: Initial results aligned with earlier work showing that severity of obsession-related symptoms are important in linking OCD to depression in youth with OCD. However, when symptom content of OCD (e.g., washing, ordering) was fully taken into account and when measures of anxiety were included, specific OCD symptom dimensions (primarily obsessing and doubting/checking) were linked to specific anxiety dimensions (primarily panic and generalized anxiety) which in turn were linked to depression. These results were replicated in three separate community-based samples from Chile, Italy, and Spain using different measures of anxiety and depression. Limitations: Cross-sectional data were analyzed which precludes causal inference. Self-report measures were used. Conclusions: Youth with OCD with symptoms related to doubting/checking and obsessing should be carefully assessed for symptoms of panic and generalized anxiety. Non-responders to standard OCD treatment may benefit from interventions targeting panic and generalized anxiety, but more research is needed to test this hypothesis
Social Emotional Health Survey-Secondary (SEHS-S): A Universal Screening Measure of Social-Emotional Strengths for Spanish-Speaking Adolescents
No full textGender differences in suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
No full textOBJECTIVES: To assess the association between gender and suicide attempt/death and identify gender-specific risk/protective factors in adolescents/young adults. METHODS: Systematic review (5 databases until January 2017). Population-based longitudinal studies considering non-clinical populations, aged 12-26 years, assessing associations between gender and suicide attempts/death, or evaluating their gender risk/protective factors, were included. Random effect meta-analyses were performed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven studies were included. Females presented higher risk of suicide attempt (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.54-2.50), and males for suicide death (HR 2.50, 95% CI 1.8-3.6). Common risk factors of suicidal behaviors for both genders are previous mental or substance abuse disorder and exposure to interpersonal violence. Female-specific risk factors for suicide attempts are eating disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, being victim of dating violence, depressive symptoms, interpersonal problems and previous abortion. Male-specific risk factors for suicide attempt are disruptive behavior/conduct problems, hopelessness, parental separation/divorce, friend's suicidal behavior, and access to means. Male-specific risk factors for suicide death are drug abuse, externalizing disorders, and access to means. For females, no risk factors for suicide death were studied. CONCLUSIONS: More evidence about female-specific risk/protective factors of suicide death, for adolescent/young adults, is needed.Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social, PSND (Exp. 2015I015), Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER (PI13/00343), Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria-ISCIII (CD12/00440; CM14/00125), DIUE Generalitat de Catalunya (2017 SGR 452), and European Regional Development Fund (PSI2017-90650-REDT)
Social Emotional Health Survey-Secondary (SEHS-S): A Universal Screening Measure of Social-Emotional Strengths for Spanish-Speaking Adolescents
No full textThe Social Emotional Health Survey-Secondary (SEHS-S), which is a measure of core psychological assets based on a higher-order model of Covitality, is comprised of 36 items and four latent traits (with three measured subscales): belief in self (self-efficacy, self-awareness, and persistence), belief in others (school support, family coherence, and peer support), emotional competence (emotional regulation, behavioral self-control, and empathy), and engaged living (gratitude, zest, and optimism). Previous international studies have supported the psychometric properties of the SEHS-S. The present study extended this research by examining the psychometric properties of a Spanish-language adaptation with a sample of 1042 Spanish adolescents (Mage = 14.49, SD = 1.65.). Confirmatory factor analyses replicated the original factorial structure, with hierarchical omega between 0.66–0.93, with 0.94 for the total score. Factorial invariance across genders revealed small latent mean differences. A path model evaluated concurrent validity, which revealed a significant association between Covitality and bidimensional mental health (psychological distress and well-being). Specifically, correlational analyses showed a negative association with internalizing/externalizing symptoms, and positive associations with subjective well-being, health-related quality of life, and prosocial behaviors. This study provides an example of a culturally relevant adaptation of an international tool to measure student strengths, which is critical to planning school programming and policy.The Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness of the Government of Spain (I+D+i Projects, 2017, reference number: PSI2017-88280-R, and Research Networks PSI2015-70943-REDT and PSI2017-90650-REDT) and the Department of Education, Research, Culture, and Sport from Valencian Community of Spain through two grants for the hiring of PhD research assistant awarded to M.R-R. [ACIF/2015/155; VALi+d Program) and R.F. (ACIF/2019/052; VALi+d Program) funded this research
Predictive models of cetacean distributions off the west coast of Scotland
No full textThe main purpose of this study was to produce and test the reliability of predictive models of cetacean distributions off the west coast of Scotland. Passive acoustic and visual surveys were carried out from platforms of opportunity between 2003 and 2005. Acoustic identifications were made primarily of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), delphinids, and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) were used to relate species’ distributions to a range of environmental variables over a range of temporal and spatial scales.
Predictive models of delphinid distributions showed both inter-annual and inter-month variations. Combining all data for all months and years resulted in a model that combined the environmental influences from each monthly and yearly model. Overall, delphinids were found to associate with the deep (> 400m) warm water (10.5°C-12.5°C), and in areas of deep thermocline.
Relationships between sperm whales and environmental variables were consistent over changes in grain size (9 km or 18 km), but not between areas. Although sperm whales were distributed in deep water characterised by weak thermoclines and strong haloclines in the most northerly area (Faroe-Shetland Channel), they were found in deep productive areas with cold surface temperature in the more southerly waters (Rockall Trough).
Within the southern Inner Hebrides, high use areas for harbour porpoises were consistently predicted over time (in years) and with differing survey techniques (acoustic versus visual), but not over space (southern Inner Hebrides versus whole of the Inner Hebrides). Harbour porpoises were mainly distributed in areas with low tidal currents and with higher detection rates during spring tides.
The use of prey as a predictor variable within models of delphinid distribution shows some promise: there were correlations between delphinid and herring (Clupea harengus) in shelf-waters in 2005 but not in 2004. These models can be used in mitigating acoustic threats to cetaceans in predicted high use areas off the west coast of Scotland
The associations of childhood adversities and mental disorders with suicidal thoughts and behaviors:Results from the World Mental Health International College Student Initiative
No full textObjectiveTo investigate the associations of demographic variables, childhood adversities (CAs), and mental disorders (MDx) with onset, transition, and persistence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) among first-year university students.MethodPoisson regression models within a discrete-time survival framework were constructed using web-based self-report survey data from 72,288 incoming university students across 18 countries (response rate=20.9%; median age=19 years, 57.9% female, 1.4% transgender, 21.0% non-heterosexual). These models examined the associations of four demographic variables, five CAs, and eight MDx with STB outcomes.ResultsLifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts was 47.0%, 26.0%, and 9.6%, respectively; 12-month estimates were 30.6%, 14.0%, and 2.3%. In unadjusted analyses, associations were strongest between lifetime onset of suicidal ideation and CAs (RR range 4.4–7.0), particularly parental psychopathology (relative risk [RR]=7.0 [95% CI 6.5–7.7]), followed by MDx (RR range 1.3–3.0). Of the demographic subgroups, transgender students had highest risk of STB (lifetime ideation onset RR=2.4 [2.3–2.6]; ideation-to-attempt transition RR=1.5 [1.3–1.8]). In fully adjusted models, strongest predictors of lifetime ideation onset were emotional abuse (RR=2.1 [1.9–2.2]), major depressive disorder (RR=2.0 [1.9–2.1]), and bipolar disorder (RR=1.8 [1.6–2.0]). Ideation-to-attempt transition remained most strongly associated with panic disorder (RR=1.5 [1.3–1.7]), bipolar disorder (RR=1.4 [1.2–1.7]), and sexual abuse (RR=1.4 [1.2–1.7]). Most predictors were significantly but weakly associated with persistence of ideation and plan, while only physical abuse remained associated with repeated suicide attempts (RR=1.3 [1.0–1.8]).ConclusionCAs and MDx are strong predictors of both onset of and transition within the STB spectrum, underscoring the importance of implementing early-life prevention interventions
Ecological Momentary Assessment of Mental Health Problems Among University Students: Data Quality Evaluation Study
No full textBackground:
The use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) designs has been on the rise in mental health epidemiology. However, there is a lack of knowledge of the determinants of participation in and compliance with EMA studies, reliability of measures, and underreporting of methodological details and data quality indicators.
Objective:
This study aims to evaluate the quality of EMA data in a large sample of university students by estimating participation rate and mean compliance, identifying predictors of individual-level participation and compliance, evaluating between- and within-person reliability of measures of negative and positive affect, and identifying potential careless responding.
Methods:
A total of 1259 university students were invited to participate in a 15-day EMA study on mental health problems. Logistic and Poisson regressions were used to investigate the associations between sociodemographic factors, lifetime adverse experiences, stressful events in the previous 12 months, and mental disorder screens and EMA participation and compliance. Multilevel reliability and intraclass correlation coefficients were obtained for positive and negative affect measures. Careless responders were identified based on low compliance or individual reliability coefficients.
Results:
Of those invited, 62.1% (782/1259) participated in the EMA study, with a mean compliance of 76.9% (SD 27.7%). Participation was higher among female individuals (odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% CI 1.06-1.87) and lower among those aged ≥30 years (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.43 vs those aged 18-21 years) and those who had experienced the death of a friend or family member in the previous 12 months (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.94) or had a suicide attempt in the previous 12 months (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10-0.64). Compliance was particularly low among those exposed to sexual abuse before the age of 18 years (exponential of β=0.87) or to sexual assault or rape in the previous year (exponential of β=0.80) and among those with 12-month positive alcohol use disorder screens (exponential of β=0.89). Between-person reliability of negative and positive affect was strong (RkRn>0.97), whereas within-person reliability was fair to moderate (Rcn>0.43). Of all answered assessments, 0.86% (291/33,626) were flagged as careless responses because the response time per item was <1 second or the participants gave the same response to all items. Of the participants, 17.5% (137/782) could be considered careless responders due to low compliance (<25/56, 45%) or very low to null individual reliability (raw Cronbach α<0.11) for either negative or positive affect.
Conclusions:
Data quality assessments should be carried out in EMA studies in a standardized manner to provide robust conclusions to advance the field. Future EMA research should implement strategies to mitigate nonresponse bias as well as conduct sensitivity analyses to assess possible exclusion of careless responders
Self-esteem and suicidal behaviour in youth: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
No full textBackground: Previous literature suggests that low self-esteem is a risk
factor for suicide attempts, but no meta-analyses have been conducted
to assess this association in adolescents/young adults. The present study
examined the relationship between low self-esteem and suicide attempts in
young people (12-26 years old). Method: Meta-analyses were performed
using random-effects models (ES) and odds ratio (OR). Heterogeneity and
sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: From 26,883 initial titles,
22 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 9 studies had data that could
be included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that youths
with lower self-esteem were more likely to have future suicide attempts,
with an effect size (self-esteem as continuous variable) of d = .58 (95% CI
= .44 - .73) and, for low self-esteem (categorical variable) an OR = 1.99
(95% CI = 1.39-2.86; p < .001). Conclusion: A low level of self-esteem is
a risk factor for suicide attempts in adolescents/young adults
Childhood adversities and their associations with mental disorders in the World Mental Health International College Student surveys initiative
No full textPurpose
This study investigates associations of childhood adversities (CAs) with lifetime prevalence, 12-month prevalence, and 12-month persistence of mental disorders in a large cross-national sample of university students.
Methods
Data came from epidemiologic surveys carried out by the World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS)Initiative across 18 countries (n=60,719). The web-based surveys screened for lifetime and 12-month prevalence and age-of-onset of common DSM-5 disorders (Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar I/II Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Alcohol and Drug Use disorders, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and five types of CAs (family dysfunction, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect). Multivariable Poisson regression models estimated associations of CA type, number, and frequency with disorders.
Results
The majority of incoming students reported exposure to at least one CA (64.9%), including 50.0 % family dysfunction, 42.2 % emotional abuse, 21.2 % physical abuse, 18.8 % neglect, and 5.0 % sexual abuse. Lifetime and 12-month disorders were significantly associated with CAs in multivariable models, although associations with disorder persistence were weaker. Population attributable risk proportions of 12-month disorders associated with CAs were in the range of 40.7–61.0 % for anxiety and mood disorders and 13.5–55.2 % for substance use disorders.
Conclusion
Six out of ten university students arrive at university having been exposed to CAs. These students have substantially higher risk of mental disorders than other students, primarily due to associations with lifetime risk rather than persistence. Given the considerable distress and impairment caused by mental disorders, these results underscore the need for primary and secondary prevention efforts
