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Qiu L, Xu H, Li Y, Zhao Y, Yang Q. Gender differences in attitudes towards psychological help-seeking among chinese medical students: a comparative analysis. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1314. [PMID: 38750484 PMCID: PMC11095043 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18826-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical students are known to be at a greater risk of psychological disorders compared to the general population. However, their rate of help-seeking behavior is low. The purpose of this study was to explore the influencing factors of attitudes towards psychological help-seeking among Chinese medical students and to examine its gender differences. METHODS A total of 3,453 medical students from three medical colleges in Hainan Province, China, completed anonymous questionnaires that included socio-demographic attributes, the Family APGAR Index, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20), and the Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help Short Form (ATSPPH-SF). Associations between predictor variables and attitudes towards help-seeking were explored using multivariate linear regression, and regression models with interaction terms were employed to test gender difference. RESULTS The mean score on ATSPPH-SF Scale was 15.04 ± 3.45, with males scoring significantly lower than females (14.34 vs. 15.64, P < 0.0001). For both male and female groups, psych knowledge, mental health status, family function and help-seeking utility perception significantly influenced attitudes toward psychological help-seeking. Furthermore, having more than once psycho-help experiences was positively correlated with women's attitudes. Significant interactions were found between gender and mental health status. CONCLUSION Attitude towards seeking psychological help was relatively negative among Chinese medical students. The implementation of interventions should take into account the at-risk population, especially the males and individuals with poor mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Qiu
- School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hengyi Xu
- Institute of Social Development and Health Management, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingqi Li
- School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghui Zhao
- School of Management, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Yang
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, People's Republic of China.
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Chimoriya R, Mohammad Y, Thomson R, Webster C, Dunne R, Aibangbee M, Ip D, Slewa-Younan S. Mental illness stigma and associated factors among Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant populations in Australia. Int J Ment Health Syst 2023; 17:11. [PMID: 37138317 PMCID: PMC10155307 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-023-00580-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant populations form a significant proportion of Australia's population. Despite high levels of psychological distress among Arabic-speaking populations, low uptake of mental health services has been demonstrated. Evidence suggests poor levels of mental health literacy (MHL) and high levels of stigmatising attitudes among Arabic-speaking populations, which may act as barriers to help-seeking behaviours. This study aimed to explore the relationships between measures of mental illness stigma, socio-demographic factors and psychological distress, as well as to determine the factors associated with MHL (i.e., correct recognition of mental illness and knowledge of causes) among Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant populations in Australia. METHODS Participants were recruited from non-government organisations in Greater Western Sydney that provided support services to Arabic-speaking migrants and/or refugees. As this study is nested within an interventional pilot study evaluating a culturally tailored MHL program, only the pre-intervention survey responses for 53 participants were utilised. The survey measured key aspects of MHL (i.e., recognition of mental illness, knowledge of causes), levels of psychological distress (using K10 scale), and stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness (using Personal Stigma Subscales and Social Distance Scale). RESULTS The Personal Stigma subscale of 'Dangerous/unpredictable' was strongly positively correlated with participants' K10 psychological distress scores and strongly negatively correlated with years of education completed. There were moderate negative correlations between two Personal Stigma subscales ('Dangerous/unpredictable' and 'I-would-not-tell-anyone') and the length of stay in Australia. Being female was associated with an increase in personal stigma demonstrated by higher scores for 'I-would-not-tell-anyone' subscale than males. Similarly, increase in age was associated with a decrease on scores of the personal stigma 'Dangerous/unpredictable'. CONCLUSIONS While future research with larger sample size are needed, the study findings can be considered as adding to the evidence base on mental illness related stigma in Arabic-speaking populations. Further, this study provides a starting point in developing the rationale for why population sub-group specific interventions are required to address mental illness stigma and improve MHL among Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant populations in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh Chimoriya
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Yaser Mohammad
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Russell Thomson
- School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Cheryl Webster
- Anglicare, Anglican Community Services, Baulkham Hills, Australia
| | - Rachel Dunne
- Anglicare, Anglican Community Services, Baulkham Hills, Australia
| | | | - David Ip
- Anglicare, Anglican Community Services, Baulkham Hills, Australia
| | - Shameran Slewa-Younan
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia.
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia.
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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Dabbagh R, Alwatban L, Alrubaiaan M, Alharbi S, Aldahkil S, AlMuteb M, Alsahli N, Almutairi R. Depression, stress, anxiety and burnout among undergraduate and postgraduate medical trainees in Saudi Arabia over two decades: A systematic review. MEDICAL TEACHER 2023; 45:499-509. [PMID: 36355388 DOI: 10.1080/0142159x.2022.2139669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests physicians have higher rates of mental distress than other professionals. Although multiple studies have been conducted among Saudi medical trainees to address this issue, no reviews assessed multiple psychological problems simultaneously. We aimed to examine the prevalence and trends of depression, anxiety, burnout and stress among Saudi medical trainees. METHODS A systematic review was conducted searching PubMed/Medline, OVID, Scopus, PsychInfo, EBSCOhost and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) for studies addressing depression, burnout, stress and anxiety among Saudi medical trainees, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to evaluate quality. The main findings were summarised in tables. RESULTS We identified 57 records from 2001 to 2020. Overall (mild, moderate or severe) depression ranged from 28% to 70.6%, while stress ranged from 30.5% to 90.7%. Burnout was primarily assessed among residents with an overall prevalence reaching 85.5%. Overall anxiety ranged from 52.7% to 67%, and was only assessed among undergraduates. Higher levels of all four mental conditions were reported among females. CONCLUSION This review suggests high prevalence of depression, stress, burnout and anxiety among medical trainees, with higher estimates for females compared to males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rufaidah Dabbagh
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lemmese Alwatban
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Sultan Alharbi
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahad Aldahkil
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona AlMuteb
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nora Alsahli
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rahaf Almutairi
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Gearing RE, Brewer KB, Cheung M, Leung P, Chen W, He X. Suicide in China: Community Attitudes and Stigma. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023; 86:809-832. [PMID: 33535898 DOI: 10.1177/0030222821991313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
China accounts for an estimated third of the world's suicides, yet individuals experiencing suicidality typically do not seek out or receive treatment. This study examines community perceptions and public stigma toward suicide. In Shanghai, China 186 adults were recruited to participate in a survey with an experimental vignette describing a suicidal individual, manipulated on gender and age, followed by questions eliciting attitudes toward suicide. Most participants agreed that the suicidal subject had a serious problem, with seriousness of the problem decreasing with participant's age. Participants reported moderate levels of public stigma. More stigma was found toward adolescent subjects rather than adult. Male subjects were perceived as being more likely to change than females. The public's accurate view of suicide without biases could help prevent suicide from getting worse. Public perceptions regarding a suicidal individual's likelihood to change could lead to stigma reduction, which can subsequently help with effective crisis intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin E Gearing
- Center for Mental Health Research and Innovation in Treatment Engagement and Service (MH-RITES Center), University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Kathryne B Brewer
- College of Health and Human Services, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Monit Cheung
- Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Patrick Leung
- Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Wanzhen Chen
- University of Science and Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuesong He
- School of Social and Public Administration, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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Altwaijri YA, Puac-Polanco V, Al-Subaie AS, Ad-Dab’bagh Y, Al-Habeeb AH, Bilal L, Sampson NA, King AJ, Chatterji S, Kessler RC. The comparative importance of mental and physical disorders for health-related days out of role in the general population of Saudi Arabia. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:289. [PMID: 35151288 PMCID: PMC8840674 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12721-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A major component of illness burden is role impairment. As part of the recently-completed Saudi National Mental Health Survey (SNMHS), we compare the number of days out of role in the Saudi population associated with ten core mental disorders assessed in the survey to those associated with ten commonly occurring chronic physical disorders. Methods The SNMHS was a household survey that assessed prevalence of ten common anxiety, mood, disruptive behavior, and eating disorders in a nationally representative sample of n = 1981 citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) ages 15–65. Comparison information was obtained on prevalence of ten common chronic physical disorders and number of health-related days out of role (DOR) in the 30 days before interview. Generalized linear models were used to examine univariate and multivariable associations of disorders with DOR and to calculate population attributable risk (PAR) separately and overall for the disorders controlling for socio-demographics. Results 19.9% of respondents had one or more of the selected mental disorders and 47.1% had one or more of the selected physical disorders. Nine mental disorders and two physical disorders were associated with increased DOR. PAR was 32.9% for mental disorders, 27.0% for physical disorders, and 59.9% for both combined. Conclusions Mental disorders are associated with a substantial proportion of all health-related DOR in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Programs to detect and treat mental disorders might lead to substantially decreased role impairment in the Kingdom. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12721-z.
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Aggarwal R, Coverdale J, Balon R, Beresin EV, Guerrero APS, Louie AK, Morreale MK, Brenner AM. To Disclose or Not: Residency Application and Psychiatric Illness. ACADEMIC PSYCHIATRY : THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENCY TRAINING AND THE ASSOCIATION FOR ACADEMIC PSYCHIATRY 2020; 44:515-518. [PMID: 32860198 PMCID: PMC7455098 DOI: 10.1007/s40596-020-01296-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Adam M Brenner
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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