The positive mental health instrument: development and validation of a culturally relevant scale in a multi-ethnic asian population

Background

Instruments to measure mental health and well-being are largely developed and often used within Western populations and this compromises their validity in other cultures. A previous qualitative study in Singapore demonstrated the relevance of spiritual and religious practices to mental health, a dimension currently not included in exiting multi-dimensional measures. The objective of this study was to develop a self-administered measure that covers all key and culturally appropriate domains of mental health, which can be applied to compare levels of mental health across different age, gender and ethnic groups. We present the item reduction and validation of the Positive Mental Health (PMH) instrument in a community-based adult sample in Singapore.

Methods

Surveys were conducted among adult (21-65 years) residents belonging to Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnicities. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA, CFA) were conducted and items were reduced using item response theory tests (IRT). The final version of the PMH instrument was tested for internal consistency and criterion validity. Items were tested for differential item functioning (DIF) to check if items functioned in the same way across all subgroups. Results: EFA and CFA identified six first-order factor structure (General coping, Personal growth and autonomy, Spirituality, Interpersonal skills, Emotional support, and Global affect) under one higher-order dimension of Positive Mental Health (RMSEA = 0.05, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.96). A 47-item self-administered multi-dimensional instrument with a six-point Likert response scale was constructed. The slope estimates and strength of the relation to the theta for all items in each six PMH subscales were high (range:1.39 to 5.69), suggesting good discrimination properties. The threshold estimates for the instrument ranged from -3.45 to 1.61 indicating that the instrument covers entire spectrums for the six dimensions. The instrument demonstrated high internal consistency and had significant and expected correlations with other well-being measures. Results confirmed absence of DIF.

Conclusions

The PMH instrument is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used to measure and compare level of mental health across different age, gender and ethnic groups in Singapore.     

Information in mental health: qualitative study of mental health service users

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread proliferation of consumer health information provision, little is known about information needs or information-seeking behaviour in mental health. A qualitative study was therefore undertaken to explore these issues for mental health service users. DESIGN: In-depth interview study with purposive sample of 36 men and women with experience of mental health problems. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified. A general lack of information was equated with a lack of respect. People undertook their own research into their condition, and recognized the challenge to professionals. Stigma was widespread and inhibited information seeking. There was a desire for an explanation of mental health problems in physical terms. People particularly valued hearing other people's experience of mental health problems, for reasons of universality, instillation of hope, and understanding and empathy. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide support for a more equal partnership between patients and professionals. Information providers and health practitioners should take account of the value of other people's experience as an information source.     

Development,validity and reliability of the short multidimensional positive mental health instrument

Purpose

The 47-item positive mental health (PMH) instrument measures the level of PMH in multiethnic adult Asian populations. This study aimed to (1) develop a short PMH instrument and (2) establish its validity and reliability among the adult Singapore population.

Methods

Two separate studies were conducted among adult community-dwelling Singapore residents of Chinese, Malay or Indian ethnicity where participants completed self-administered questionnaires. In the first study, secondary data analysis was conducted using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to shorten the PMH instrument. In the second study, the newly developed short PMH instrument and other scales were administered to 201 residents to establish its factor structure, validity and reliability.

Results

A 20-item short PMH instrument fulfilling a higher-order six-factor structure was developed following secondary analysis. The mean age of the participants in the second study was 41 years and about 53 % were women. One item with poor factor loading was further removed to generate a 19-item version of the PMH instrument. CFA demonstrated a first-order six-factor model of the short PMH instrument. The PMH-19 instrument and its subscales fulfilled criterion validity hypotheses. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the PMH-19 instrument were high (Cronbach’s α coefficient = 0.87; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93, respectively).

Conclusions

The 19-item PMH instrument is multidimensional, valid and reliable, and most importantly, with its reduced administration time, the short PMH instrument can be used to measure and evaluate PMH in Asian communities.     

Retirement and mental health: analysis of the Australian national survey of mental health and well-being

Nation-wide research on mental health problems amongst men and women during the transition from employment to retirement is limited. This study sought to explore the relationship between retirement and mental health across older adulthood, whilst considering age and known risk factors for mental disorders. Data were from the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being, a cross-sectional survey of 10,641 Australian adults. The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders was analysed in the sub-sample of men (n = 1928) and women (n = 2261) aged 45-74 years. Mental health was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Instrument. Additional measures were used to assess respondents' physical health, demographic and personal characteristics. The prevalence of common mental disorders diminished across increasing age groups of men and women. Women aged 55-59, 65-69, and 70-74 had significantly lower rates of mental disorders than those aged 45-49. In contrast, only men aged 65-69 and 70-74 demonstrated significantly lower prevalence compared with men aged 45-49. Amongst younger men, retirees were significantly more likely to have a common mental disorder relative to men still in the labour force; however, this was not the case for retired men of, or nearing, the traditional retirement age of 65. Men and women with poor physical health were also more likely to have a diagnosable mental disorder. The findings of this study indicate that, for men, the relationship between retirement and mental health varies with age. The poorer mental health of men who retire early is not explained by usual risk factors. Given current policy changes in many countries to curtail early retirement, these findings highlight the need to consider mental health, and its influencing factors, when encouraging continued employment amongst older adults.     

Measuring population mental health and social well-being

Objectives  

This paper examines the relationships between indicators of positive and negative dimensions of mental health, social well-being and physical health.     

Concept mapping: an introduction to structured conceptualization in health care.

Structured conceptualization is a specific form of concept mapping that is a mixed methods participatory approach that combines group processes (brainstorming, sorting, group interpretation) with a sequence of multivariate statistical analyses (multidimensional scaling, hierarchical cluster analysis). Concept mapping's relevance to health care quality and services is described. The basic steps and analysis sequence in the concept mapping method are outlined and a brief example of the results for a health planning project are presented. Several examples of the use of concept mapping in health are provided.     

A review of mental health literacy in Singapore

ABSTRACT

Mental health is a major concern throughout the world. The lifetime prevalence of mental health problems in Singapore for those aged 18 years and above was reported to be 12%. However, studies on mental health literacy are relatively scarce in Singapore. The aim of this paper is to provide a topical review of local studies on mental health literacy, people’s knowledge of, and attitude toward mental illness, and beliefs about mental health treatment. A narrative review of studies on mental health literacy in Singapore covering the period from 1995 to 2016 highlights the findings from various local studies about attitudes toward mental illness, belief about the causes, and help-seeking behavior. Findings revealed that many lay people are unable to recognize different types of mental disorders. Negative attitudes toward mental illness that hinders individuals from seeking professional treatment, and help-seeking, are the common themes that emerge from the findings. Health professionals have differing views about the causes and treatment of mental disorders. Findings also revealed that treatment seeking and attitudes and beliefs toward mental illness are related to mental health literacy. Implications for promoting mental health literacy are provided.     

A developmental-contextual approach to understanding mental health and well-being in early adulthood

There is an increasing awareness of the social and economic burden of untreated mental illness. However, the question remains whether the individuals who are not identified as having a mental disorder are mentally healthy and socially functioning. This study aims to examine the sequence of Keyes's (Keyes, C. L. M. (2002). The mental health continuum: from languishing to flourishing in life. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43, 207–222.) mental health categories based on psychological status and well-being, and to identify qualitative differences in these categories by developmental-contextual factors and concurrent physical health status and social functioning. This study uses data from the UK 1958 National Child Development Study. Information was collected on the cohort members from childhood to age 33 years. Psychological distress (measured using the Malaise Inventory) and well-being (self-efficacy and appraisals of life circumstances) were assessed at age 33 years. Multinomial (polytomous) logistic regression models were used to examine the effects of individual characteristics and social contextual factors from childhood through adolescence on cross categorisations of psychological distress and well-being. Our findings suggest that there are similar early life predictors for both poor psychosocial functioning and mental ill-health. Our results also demonstrated a clear gradient of physical health and social functioning across mental health categories, even in the absence of mental disorder. Individual and social contextual factors in early life appear to offer clues as to why the absence of psychological distress does not always imply good mental health or social functioning.     

Investing in mental health and well-being: findings from the DataPrev project

A systematic review was conducted to determine the extent to which an economic case has been made in high-income countries for investment in interventions to promote mental health and well-being. We focused on areas of interest to the DataPrev project: early years and parenting interventions, actions set in schools and workplaces and measures targeted at older people. Economic evaluations had to have some focus on promotion of mental health and well-being and/or primary prevention of poor mental health through health-related means. Studies preventing exacerbations in existing mental health problems were excluded, with the exception of support for parents with mental health problems, which might indirectly affect the mental health of their children. Overall 47 studies were identified. There was considerable variability in their quality, with a variety of outcome measures and different perspectives: societal, public purse, employer or health system used, making policy comparisons difficult. Caution must therefore be exercised in interpreting results, but the case for investment in parenting and health visitor-related programmes appears most strong, especially when impacts beyond the health sector are taken into account. In the workplace an economic return on investment in a number of comprehensive workplace health promotion programmes and stress management projects (largely in the USA) was reported, while group-based exercise and psychosocial interventions are of potential benefit to older people. Many gaps remain; a key first step would be to make more use of the existence evidence base on effectiveness and model mid- to long-term costs and benefits of action in different contexts and settings.     

Demand and access to mental health services: a qualitative formative study in Nepal

Background

Nepal is experiencing a significant ‘treatment gap’ in mental health care. People with mental disorders do not always receive appropriate treatment due to a range of structural and individual issues, including stigma and poverty. The PRIME (Programme for Improving Mental Health Care) programme has developed a mental health care plan to address this issue in Nepal and four other low and middle income countries. This study aims to inform the development of this comprehensive care plan by investigating the perceptions of stakeholders at different levels of the care system in the district of Chitwan in southern Nepal: health professionals, lay workers and community members. It focuses specifically on issues of demand and access to care, and aims to identify barriers and potential solutions for reaching people with priority mental disorders.

Methods

This qualitative study consisted of key informant interviews (33) and focus group discussions (83 participants in 9 groups) at community and health facility levels. Data were analysed using a framework analysis approach.

Results

As well as pragmatic barriers at the health facility level, mental health stigma and certain cultural norms were found to reduce access and demand for services. Respondents perceived the lack of awareness about mental health problems to be a major problem underlying this, even among those with high levels of education or status. They proposed strategies to improve awareness, such as channelling education through trusted and respected community figures, and responding to the need for openness or privacy in educational programmes, depending on the issue at hand. Adapting to local perceptions of stigmatised treatments emerged as another key strategy to improve demand.

Conclusions

This study identifies barriers to accessing care in Nepal that reach beyond the health facility and into the social fabric of the community. Stakeholders in PRIME’s integrated care plan advocate strategic awareness raising initiatives to improve the reach of integrated services in this low-income setting.

     

Social support networks and maternal mental health and well-being

The link between social networks and mental health has increasingly been recognized by public health as an important topic of interest. In this paper, we explore this association among a specific group: mothers. Specifically, we discuss how maternal mental health can be understood in the context of social networks, the influence of specific social relationships, and how the type and quality of support can mediate maternal mental health outcomes. We review interventions that foster social networks to address maternal mental health as well as other related health outcomes. Findings suggest that interventions that combine multiple treatment approaches may be more effective in addressing mental health. Also, traditional measures of social networks may not be appropriate for vulnerable populations, with qualitative, rather than quantitative, indicators of social networks being more predictive of maternal health and well-being. The implications of these findings and future research directions are discussed.     

积极青少年发展视角下的儿童青少年身心健康研究

目的  积极青少年发展视角Positive youth development（PYD）为儿童青少年身心健康领域提供了新的研究范式,它强调青少年自身的优势和可塑性、强调个体与环境的互动对儿童青少年身心健康的影响。该视角对于全面理解儿童青少年身心健康具有重要的意义,为儿童青少年身心健康的跨学科研究和预防干预及推广性研究提供了理论支撑和实践指导,同时也对公共政策制定产生了重要的影响。本文立足于积极青少年发展的内涵、结构与测量,对青少年积极发展与身心健康关系的理论、二者关系的实证研究及未来展望等方面进行了系统评述。     

From financial analysis to policy development in mental health care: the need for broader conceptual models and partnerships

International mental health economics is emerging as a significant field in the increasingly intricate and interactive world in which we live. In line with this, the conceptualisation and gathering of pertinent data for international studies such as WHO's Atlas Project pose considerable methodological challenges. This paper outlines the need for broader conceptual models and partnerships and discusses some promising endeavours.