Early puberty and early sexual activity are associated with bulimic-type eating pathology in middle adolescence.

PURPOSE: To examine the associations between early pubertal timing and early advanced sexual development with bulimic-type eating pathology in middle adolescents. METHODS: A total of 19,321 boys and 19,196 girls aged 14-16 years (mean age 15.3 years, standard deviation 0.59) responded to the School Health Promotion Study, a class-room survey among Finnish adolescents about health, health behavior, and school experiences. Bulimic-type eating pathology was assessed with a questionnaire formulated according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) criteria. Pubertal timing was assessed by self-reported age at menarche or oigarche. Statistical methods were used chi-square and logistic regression. RESULTS: Bulimic-type eating pathology among girls was associated with early menarche, early sexual experiences, and increasing age. Among boys, onset of ejaculations at the normative age was protective for bulimic-type eating pathology, and the risk was elevated among very early and late maturers. Early sexual experience was associated with bulimic-type eating pathology. CONCLUSION: To prevent bulimia nervosa and to create opportunities for early intervention, attention should be paid to early maturing girls and off-time maturing boys, as well as those with early onset of sexual activity.     

中小学生心理问题与欺凌他人行为的相关性

目的 分析中小学生校园欺凌他人行为的流行特点,探讨心理问题与欺凌他人行为的关系,为干预校园欺凌者的欺凌他人行为提供参考.方法 采用多阶段分层整群随机抽样的方法选取河南省安阳市、南阳市和新乡市的10581名中小学生作为调查对象,采用中国中学生心理健康量表和自制的青少年欺凌他人行为问卷,分析中小学生心理问题与校园欺凌他人行...     

Pediatric mental health problems and associated burden on families

Approximately 20% of children in the United States have mental health problems. The factors associated with childhood mental health problems and the associated burdens on families are not well understood. Therefore, our goals were to profile mental health problems in children to identify disparities, and to quantify and identify correlates of family burden. We used the National Survey of Children's Health, 2003 (n?=?85,116 children aged 3–17 years) for this analysis. The prevalence, unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of mental health problems and family burden were calculated for children by child-, family- and health systems-level characteristics. The prevalence of mental health problems among children aged 3–17 years was 18%. The odds of mental health problems were higher for boys, older children, children living in or near relative poverty, those covered by public insurance, children of mothers with fair or poor mental health, children living in homes without two parents, children without a personal doctor or nurse and children with unmet health care needs. Among families with children with mental health problems, 28% reported family burden. Correlates of family burden included white race, severity, older age, higher income, non-two-parent family structure and having a mother with mental health problems. In conclusion, childhood mental health problems are common, and disproportionally affect children with fewer family and health care resources. Families frequently report burden, especially if the mental health problem is moderate to severe, but the correlates of family burden are not the same correlates associated with mental health problems. Understanding those highest at risk for mental health problems and family burden will help assist clinicians and policy makers to ensure appropriate support systems for children and families.     

初中生心理问题早期干预的前瞻性研究

【目的】观察初中生心理卫生问题早期干预的效果。【方法】应用自编儿童心理卫生调查问卷、症状自评量表(Symptom Checklist 90,SCL-90)、父母养育方式评价量表(Egma Minnen av Bardndosnauppforstran,EMBU),以整群抽样的方法,抽取社区所属的中学1 585人为研究对象,随机选取其中一所中学841人为干预组,另一所中学744人为对照组,对干预组进行为期2年的综合干预,前瞻性观察心理卫生问题的干预效果。【结果】干预前干预组检出139人,阳性率16.53%;对照组117人,阳性率15.74%,两组比较差异无显著性(χ2=0.19,P>0.05)。干预前两组父母养育方式量表各因子得分比较,差异无显著性(P>0.05)。经过对干预组进行2年综合干预后,对两组再重新进行问卷调查,评估干预效果。干预组心理卫生问题检出阳性率明显下降至9.23%;对照组检出阳性率为16.50%,两组相比差异有非常显著性(χ2=18.41,P<0.01)。干预组在干预后父母养育方式量表各因子得分与对照组比较,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。【结论】对初中生的心理卫生问题进行早期干预,有助于减少心理问题的发生。     

中小学校青春期健康教育状况

青春期人口约占世界总人口的1／5，10-24岁青少年超过世界人口的1／4。这个年龄是生理和心理变化较明显的时期，需要社会的帮助。     

Low intake of B-vitamins is associated with poor adolescent mental health and behaviour

ObjectiveThe current prevalence of mental health problems in Western populations is approximately 20% and half of all adult mental health disorders are estimated to originate in adolescence. Diet plays an important role in modulating psychological wellbeing and B-vitamins are vital for the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. We aimed to examine the relationship between B-group vitamins and adolescent mental health and behaviour.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analysis of the West Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. The 17-year follow-up included collection of a food frequency questionnaire allowing B-vitamin intake calculation. Mental health was assessed using the Youth Self Report (YSR) which measures total, internalising (withdrawn/depressed) and externalising (aggressive/delinquent) behaviour scores. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse associations between B-vitamins and mental health with adjustment for relevant confounders (n = 709).ResultsLower intake of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and folate was associated with higher externalising behaviour scores (p ≤ 0.05). Reduced intake of vitamin B6 and folate was associated with higher internalising behaviour scores (p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionsPoor nutrition may contribute to the pathogenesis of mental health problems in adolescence. The role of B-vitamins requires further investigation in randomised controlled trials.     

Low intake of B-vitamins is associated with poor adolescent mental health and behaviour

ObjectiveThe current prevalence of mental health problems in Western populations is approximately 20% and half of all adult mental health disorders are estimated to originate in adolescence. Diet plays an important role in modulating psychological wellbeing and B-vitamins are vital for the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. We aimed to examine the relationship between B-group vitamins and adolescent mental health and behaviour.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analysis of the West Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. The 17-year follow-up included collection of a food frequency questionnaire allowing B-vitamin intake calculation. Mental health was assessed using the Youth Self Report (YSR) which measures total, internalising (withdrawn/depressed) and externalising (aggressive/delinquent) behaviour scores. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse associations between B-vitamins and mental health with adjustment for relevant confounders (n = 709).ResultsLower intake of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and folate was associated with higher externalising behaviour scores (p ≤ 0.05). Reduced intake of vitamin B6 and folate was associated with higher internalising behaviour scores (p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionsPoor nutrition may contribute to the pathogenesis of mental health problems in adolescence. The role of B-vitamins requires further investigation in randomised controlled trials.     

Work identity development in young adults with mental health problems

Abstract

Background: How we identify ourselves is strongly related to employment. Young adults are a vulnerable group with regard to entering the Labor market. If they also have mental health problems, entering becomes more difficult and increases risk of early marginalization. Nevertheless, working can be essential for personal recovery process.

Aims: To explore experiences of young adults with mental health problems who are starting to work, with a focus on the process of developing work identity.

Methods: Grounded theory design was used. The data collection consisted of 13 in-depth interviews with young adults with mental health problems aged 19–26 years, who had worked for at least three months.

Results: The experience of starting to work contributed to a process of internal and external change, new feelings, challenges, and understanding of the surrounding world. Former negative thought patterns became more positive. New roles and occupational patterns were developed and altered views on abilities, and thus self-efficacy. This development contributed to a work identity, and new directions in life.

Conclusions: There is therapeutic potential in supporting work identity development, and this support can empower the personal recovery process for young adults.     

Predicting mental health problems in general practitioners

A total of 704 general practitioners completed questionnairesenquiring about mental health problems (response rate=82.0%).Excessive anxiety was reported by 31.1%, troublesome depressionby 13.4%, exhaustion or stress (on three or more weekdays) by60.7%, and sleep difficulties by 47.6%. General practitionersaged 40–49 years old were most likely to report anxiety,exhaustion or stress, sexual and sleep difficulties. Retireddoctors reported mental health problems markedly less often.Predictive factors for anxiety were depression, one or morenights on-call per week, and exhaustion or stress; predictivefactors for depression were anxiety, and exhaustion or stress;predictive factors for exhaustion or stress were anxiety, depression,no hobbies, paperwork on three or more evenings per week, andsleep difficulties. Gender, country of origin, being single-handed,excessive alcohol consumption, and having no coping methodswere not predictive factors for mental health problems.     

Early childhood stunting is associated with poor psychological functioning in late adolescence and effects are reduced by psychosocial stimulation

Stunting is associated with deficits in cognition and school achievement from early childhood to late adolescence; however, there has been little investigation of emotional and behavioral outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine whether linear growth retardation (stunting) in early childhood is associated with poorer psychological functioning in late adolescence. The study was a prospective cohort study of stunted and nonstunted children. Participants were identified at age 9-24 mo by a survey of poor neighborhoods in Kingston, Jamaica, and a 2-y intervention trial of supplementation and stimulation was conducted in the stunted children. Psychological functioning was assessed at age 17 y in 103 of 129 stunted children enrolled and 64 of 84 nonstunted participants. Anxiety, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and antisocial behavior were reported by participants using interviewer-administered questionnaires and attention deficit, hyperactivity, and oppositional behavior were reported by parent interviews. The stunted participants reported significantly more anxiety (regression coefficient = 3.03; 95% CI = 0.99, 5.08) and depressive symptoms (0.37; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.72) and lower self-esteem (-1.67; 95% CI = -0.38, -2.97) than nonstunted participants and were reported by their parents to be more hyperactive (1.29; 95% CI = 0.12, 2.46). Effect sizes were 0.4-0.5 SD. Participants who received stimulation in early childhood differed from the nonstunted group in hyperactivity only. Children stunted before age 2 y thus have poorer emotional and behavioral outcomes in late adolescence. The findings expand the range of disadvantages associated with early stunting, which affects 151 million children <5 y old in developing countries.     

'Carers' of people with mental health problems: proposals in current public mental health policy in nine countries

This study investigates how public mental health policy addresses the role and needs of those who care for people with mental health problems. Public mental health policy recognises that carers are at increased risk of poor health. Countries want to ensure that mental health services are responsive to the needs of "carers", that carers participate in the planning and implementation of services and that more information should be made available to carers. Respite care is recommended as a way to improve the health of both carers and service users. Unfortunately, policies only identify possibilities for intervention, and rarely identify specific actions to be taken or clarify who has responsibility for delivering interventions. Further the financial implications of the proposals and the need for additional trained staff are seldom discussed. Current proposals for helping carers are inadequate.     

Housing stressors and persons with serious mental health problems

This paper describes the correlates and predictors of exposure to housing stressors among a sample of people with serious mental health problems and assesses the extent to which this experience detracts from their well-being in the community. Data were collected in a cross-sactional, two-city sample study conducted in two of New Zealand's largest cities, Auckland and Christchurch. Respondents were 203 former psychiatric inpatients, who, compared to random samples of the general population in the two cities, were younger, more often single, more residentially mobile, and more likely to be of ethnic minority status. Measures of respondents’ housing situations and standard demographic variables were collected, along with outcome measures including the World Health Organization Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (Babor & Grant 1989) and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) (Goldberg & Williams 1988). The principal housing problem in both cities was overcrowding. Coldness, cost and issues of maintenance were also of concern. Respondents could generally cite only passive coping strategies for dealing with these housing problems. Factor analysis was used to identify three housing stressor scales:‘physical condition’,‘cost’, and 'space/amenity’. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that socio-economic factors are significant predictors of housing stressors, with those respondents most dependent on social welfare living in the worst dwellings, as measured by the‘physical condition’ scale. This scale had the strongest relationship with psychiatric distress, as measured by the GHQ. These results lead us to conclude that concerns with respect to housing for people with serious mental health problems must move beyond issued of availability and affordability and embrace the quality of housing.     

Employment rehabilitation schemes for people with mental health problems

Although work and employment are important elements in the lives of people recovering from psychiatric illness, their access to meaningful occupation and paid employment is limited. A number of state and voluntary vocational rehabilitation schemes provide training or retraining for open employment but whether this is a realistic aim in the current economic climate has been questioned. This study, using direct observation and informal interviewing, explored the interaction between the staff and trainees of one such rehabilitation workshop. It sought to elicit information about the role of the workshop from both the trainer and trainee perspectives. The results indicate a number of differences between the staff and trainee models and illustrate the problems faced by the workshop in balancing its smooth operation against the needs and expectations of its staff and trainees. In particular, its organization around a relaxed interpretation of the ‘through-put’ concept of rehabilitation did not meet the requirements of all the trainees. We consider how employment rehabilitation schemes can achieve the dual role of both helping service users move into employment or other forms of meaningful occupation, and providing work and work substitutes for long-term users.     

银川地区部分中学生青春期性相关问题调查

目的 了解银川市中学生性知识、性观念、性行为、性教育现状及其对性知识的需求状况，以指导青春期性健康教育工作。方法 采用问卷调查的方式对银川市900名中学生进行调查。结果 大多数中学生的性科学知识缺乏，了解性知识的途径局限，且接触黄色网站以及色情读物较多；传统的性观念受到严峻的挑战，中学生对开展性健康知识教育普遍欢迎(89％)。结论 在中学生中开展以青春期性知识为主的性健康教育势在必行，需要社会各界的理解与支持。     

Harmful drinking is associated with mental health conditions and other risk behaviours in Australian young people

Objective : To investigate factors associated with alcohol use in adolescents, with the focus on analysing the comorbidities between single‐occasion harmful‐drinking episodes with mental health issues and risk behaviours. Methods : This study used data from the Young Minds Matter survey, designed to inform on the prevalence of the seven most common mental health disorders of children and adolescents. Logistic regression modelling was used to assess the odds of harmful drinking behaviour in young people aged 13–17 years in Australia. Results : We found a strong association between single‐occasion harmful drinking and mental health issues, which hold after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Young people with severe mental health issues within the past year were four times more likely to have been drinking at harmful levels in the past 30 days. Conclusions : Alcohol use can have adverse health effects among children and adolescents. Research has found a bidirectional association between alcohol use and mental health conditions where the presence of one issue almost doubles the risk of having the other issue. Implications for public health : The comorbidity between these issues suggests the need for strategies to integrate policies addressing mental health and alcohol use disorders in young people.     

安化县中学生心理健康问题及成因流行病学调查

目的了解中学生心理健康状况及产生心理问题的因素,促进社会关注中学生的心理健康。方法采用随机整群抽样的方法抽取安化县初、高中学生4 237名,用宗氏抑郁自评量表(SDS)、宗氏焦虑自评量表(SAS)、症状自评量表(SCL-90)、12项一般健康问卷(GHQ-12)及匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)进行评定。结果中学生抑郁症状检出率52.56%,焦虑心理检出率26.95%,有明显心理障碍或精神病性症状者8.95%。SCL-90单因子分析,强迫因子均值(2.23±0.60),人际关系(2.14±0.71),敌对(2.03±0.75),偏执(1.98±0.68)。影响中学生心理健康的常见社会心理因素有:父母关系差、学习压力、家庭经济贫困、留守儿童、独生子女、不适学习环境等。结论中学生心理健康状况不容乐观,心理问题较为常见。建议社会、家庭及政府教育部门应采取有效措施应对,促进中学生的身心健康。     

心理健康教育对初中生心理健康的影响

目的：探讨心理健康教育活动课程对学生心理健康的影响。方法：选取某中学初二年级两个班进行心理健康教育课干预，另两个平行班作为对照组，比较心理健康诊断测验（MHT）评分上的差异。结果：实施心理健康教育活动课程后干预班和对照班在MHT3项内容量表上评分差异有显意义；实施心理健康教育活动课程后男生在对人焦虑量表上评分变化明显，而女生在学习焦虑、对人焦虑、身体症状量表上变化明显。结论：开设心理健康教育课程可促进中学生心理健康。