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Vijayakumar N, Whittle S. A systematic review into the role of pubertal timing and the social environment in adolescent mental health problems. Clin Psychol Rev 2023; 102:102282. [PMID: 37094393 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nandita Vijayakumar
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Sarah Whittle
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Victoria, Australia
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Nasrin N, Shohel TA, Shovo TEA, Farjana F, Nizam H, Heme MA, Islam A, Paul P, Hossain MT. A qualitative investigation of stressful life events and mental health disorders: The views of patients and caregivers in Bangladesh. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281649. [PMID: 36758052 PMCID: PMC9910653 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting mental health disorders among students has become a significant challenge in producing quality graduates with bright minds. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the underlying causes of students' mental health-related problems and their experiences while living with mental health disorders. This study investigates the causes and exposures of mental health problems among university students in Bangladesh. For this purpose, a qualitative method was used, and an unstructured in-depth interview schedule was used to collect data from students and caregivers. The students were selected from Khulna University, and data were collected in two consecutive months, i.e., November and December 2021. Using a convenient sampling technique, eight (8) students with mental health issues and five (5) caregivers were interviewed to obtain the necessary data. RESULTS The findings showed that the intertwined social circumstances led to mental health problems among university students. The students experienced deep depression following a breakup of their romantic affairs/relationships. The prolonged isolation or social distancing due to the government-imposed strict lockdown during the COVID-19 also produced frustration regarding the possible loss of both academic and professional careers. Furthermore, the growing academic pressure in a form of an unfamiliar approach to teaching and learning-online education-also compelled students to complain about depression and suicidal tendencies as parts of their experiences. CONCLUSIONS This study recommends that the government and policymakers prioritize mental health issues in educational institutions, and they should enforce specific strategies, such as introducing age-specific mental health services and student counseling at educational institutions to reduce growing mental health issues. Furthermore, a positive approach from the family and community is also required to battle against mental health disorders. Besides, nationally representative empirical research is recommended to comprehend the growing mental health issues among students in the 21st century to figure out solutions for the present and the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishad Nasrin
- Economics Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Tunvir Ahamed Shohel
- Sociology Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Taufiq-E-Ahmed Shovo
- Sociology Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Fariha Farjana
- Economics Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Hamalna Nizam
- English Discipline, Arts and Humanities School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Morsheda Akter Heme
- Sociology Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Ashraful Islam
- Economics Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Pranto Paul
- Economics Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Tanvir Hossain
- Sociology Discipline, Social Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
- * E-mail:
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Granski M, Javdani S, Anderson VR, Caires R. A Meta-Analysis of Program Characteristics for Youth with Disruptive Behavior Problems: The Moderating Role of Program Format and Youth Gender. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 65:201-222. [PMID: 31449683 PMCID: PMC8796870 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
There is high variability in efficacy for interventions for youth with disruptive behavior problems (DBP). Despite evidence of the unique correlates and critical consequences of girls' DBP, there is a dearth of research examining treatment efficacy for girls. This meta-analysis of 167 unique effect sizes from 29 studies (28,483 youth, 50% female; median age: 14) suggests that existing treatments have a medium positive effect on DBP (g = .33). For both boys and girls, the most effective interventions included (a) multimodal or group format, (b) cognitive skills or family systems interventions, and (c) length-intensive programs for (d) younger children. Boys demonstrated significantly greater treatment gains from group format interventions compared to girls, which is particularly important given that the group program format was the most prevalent format for boys and girls, with 14 studies involving 10,433 youth encompassing this category. This is the first meta-analysis to examine the effect of program characteristics in a sample of programs selected to be specifically inclusive of girls. Given that girls are underrepresented in intervention research on DBP, findings are discussed in terms of gender-responsive considerations and elucidating how key aspects of program structure can support more effective intervention outcomes for youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Granski
- Department of Applied Psychology, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shabnam Javdani
- Department of Applied Psychology, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Roxane Caires
- Department of Applied Psychology, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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Psychopathic Traits, Pubertal Timing, & Mental Health Functioning in Justice-Involved Adolescents. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2019; 145:52-57. [PMID: 33100453 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2019.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Although psychopathic traits and pubertal timing have garnered a great deal of attention as potent risk factors for antisocial trajectories, very little research has examined how these processes may be related. We investigated whether psychopathic traits were related to deviations in pubertal onset in a clinically-relevant sample of youth detained in juvenile detention facilities. One-hundred and thirty-seven adolescents (ages 12-17) completed surveys of pubertal timing, psychopathic traits, and mental health functioning. As predicted, psychopathic traits were found to be associated with pubertal timing, and the psychopathy facets evidenced differential associations with the onset of puberty. Trait disinhibition was associated with relatively earlier pubertal timing, whereas trait boldness appeared to confer protection against early pubertal onset in this sample. Symptoms of alcohol/ substance use and anger/ irritability were positively related to psychopathic traits, but only among youth who reported average-/late-pubertal development. These findings implicate psychopathic personality traits as individual difference variables that may influence the onset of pubertal timing and interact with pubertal timing to place justice-involved youth at risk for poor mental health.
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Donenberg G, Emerson E, Mackesy-Amiti ME, Fletcher F. Sexual risk among African American girls seeking psychiatric care: A social-personal framework. J Consult Clin Psychol 2019; 86:24-38. [PMID: 29300099 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined individual and social factors associated with sexual risk behavior among African American girls seeking outpatient mental health services across 2 years and key developmental transitions. METHOD African American females 12-16 years old (M = 14.5; SD = 1.15; n = 266) were recruited from eight outpatient mental health clinics and completed interviewer-administered and computer-assisted measures at baseline, 12, and 24 months. Analyses tested individual attributes (externalizing and internalizing problems) and family context (maternal acceptance-rejection, mother-daughter communication about sex) at baseline, peer influences (peer support of substance use, girlfriend dating behavior) and partner relationship characteristics (rejection sensitivity, partner risk communication frequency and openness) at 12 months, and girls' sexual behavior at 24 months. RESULTS At baseline, 32% of girls reported having had vaginal/anal sex compared with 60% at 24 months. Data analyses revealed robust associations between externalizing problems and maternal acceptance-rejection and mother-daughter risk communication during early adolescence, peer support of substance use and girlfriend dating behavior 1 year later, and girls' sexual risk taking 2 years later. CONCLUSION Findings support a social-personal framework (SPF) of sexual risk for African American girls seeking mental health care, underscoring the potential benefits of early intervention to reduce externalizing problems while strengthening mother-daughter communication and relationships to prevent subsequent sexual risk and associated negative outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Geri Donenberg
- Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science, Healthy Youths Program, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Erin Emerson
- Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science, Healthy Youths Program, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Mary Ellen Mackesy-Amiti
- Community Outreach Intervention Projects, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Faith Fletcher
- Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago
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Javdani S, Sadeh N, White HI, Emerson E, Houck C, Brown LK, Donenberg GR. Contextualizing pubertal development: The combination of sexual partners' age and girls' pubertal development confers risk for externalizing but not internalizing symptoms among girls in therapeutic day schools. J Adolesc 2019; 71:84-90. [PMID: 30641301 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Early pubertal development is associated with negative health and mental health outcomes. Research on the influence of puberty on mental health underscores a need to examine the interplay between puberty and exposure to environmental risk. This study investigates a more rarely studied aspect of girls' environments - romantic relationships with boyfriends. Specifically, this study examined sexual partner age and the timing of girls' pubertal development in relation to externalizing and internalizing symptoms among female students attending therapeutic day schools in the United States, a population at elevated risk for negative mental health outcomes. METHODS A total of 121 13 to 19-year-old adolescent girls (Mean age = 15.4; SD = 1.5) reported on the relative age of their past 3 sexual partners, their age of pubertal onset, and mental health challenges via clinical assessments of externalizing and internalizing symptoms. RESULTS Forty-three percent of participants qualified for at least one mental health diagnosis. Earlier pubertal onset predicted greater internalizing symptoms, and this effect did not depend on the age of girls' sexual partners. However, early-developing girls who also reported having a sexual partner more than 2 years older than them were at increased risk for externalizing symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Findings underscore that sexual relationships are an important risk factor for early-developing girls already at risk for mental health problems. Early developing girls with older partners may experience stronger social pressure to stay in relationships that expose them to partner violence and delinquency-related pressure, which combine with interpersonal stress to predict externalizing symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Javdani
- New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, United States.
| | - Naomi Sadeh
- University of Delaware, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Hope I White
- New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, United States
| | - Erin Emerson
- University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Department of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Christopher Houck
- Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Larry K Brown
- Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Geri R Donenberg
- University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Department of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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