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Iorfino F, Varidel M, Capon W, Richards M, Crouse JJ, LaMonica HM, Park SH, Piper S, Song YJC, Gorban C, Scott EM, Hickie IB. Quantifying the interrelationships between physical, social, and cognitive-emotional components of mental fitness using digital technology. NPJ MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 3:36. [PMID: 38977903 PMCID: PMC11231280 DOI: 10.1038/s44184-024-00078-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Mental fitness is a construct that goes beyond a simple focus on subjective emotional wellbeing to encompass more broadly our ability to think, feel, and act to achieve what we want in our daily lives. The measurement and monitoring of multiple (often interacting) domains is crucial to gain a holistic and complete insight into an individual's mental fitness. We aimed to demonstrate the capability of a new mobile app to characterise the mental fitness of a general population of Australians and to quantify the interrelationships among different domains of mental fitness. Cross-sectional data were collected from 4901 adults from the general population of Australians engaged in work or education who used a mobile app (Innowell) between September 2021 and November 2022. Individuals completed a baseline questionnaire comprised of 26 questions across seven domains of mental fitness (i.e., physical activity, sleep and circadian rhythms, nutrition, substance use, daily activities, social connection, psychological distress). Network analysis was applied at both a domain-level (e.g., 7 nodes representing each cluster of items) and an individual item-level (i.e., 26 nodes representing all questionnaire items). Only 612 people (12%) were functioning well across all domains. One quarter (n = 1204, 25%) had only one problem domain and most (n = 3085, 63%) had multiple problem domains. The two most problematic domains were physical activity (n = 2631, 54%) and social connection (n = 2151, 44%), followed closely by daily activity (n = 1914, 39%). At the domain-level, the strongest association emerged between psychological distress and daily activity (r = 0.301). Psychological distress was the most central node in the network (as measured by strength and expected influence), followed closely by daily activity, sleep and circadian rhythms and then social connection. The item-level network revealed that the nodes with the highest centrality in the network were: hopelessness, depression, functional impairment, effortfulness, subjective energy, worthlessness, and social connectedness. Social connection, sleep and circadian rhythms, and daily activities may be critical targets for intervention due to their widespread associations in the overall network. While psychological distress was not among the most common problems, its centrality may indicate its importance for indicated prevention and early intervention. We showcase the capability of a new mobile app to monitor mental fitness and identify the interrelationships among multiple domains, which may help people develop more personalised insights and approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Iorfino
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Mathew Varidel
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - William Capon
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew Richards
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jacob J Crouse
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Haley M LaMonica
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shin Ho Park
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Piper
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Carla Gorban
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Ian B Hickie
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Ogden L, McAllister C, Neely-Barnes S. Assessment of Integration of Disability Content into Social Work Education. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 16:361-376. [DOI: 10.1080/1536710x.2017.1392394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Ogden
- School of Social Work, Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carolyn McAllister
- School of Social Work, California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California, USA
| | - Susan Neely-Barnes
- Department of Social Work, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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Peterson D, Gordon S, Neale J. It can work: Open employment for people with experience of mental illness. Work 2017; 56:443-454. [PMID: 28269806 DOI: 10.3233/wor-172510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has tended to focus on the barriers to employment for people with mental illness and the extra support they may need. This research contributes to the knowledge base pertaining to this population by looking at successful employment relationships in New Zealand. OBJECTIVE To describe factors enabling and/or sustaining the open employment of people with experience of mental illness. METHOD Fifteen pairs of employers and employees were interviewed individually but consecutively (using a semi-structured interview schedule) about their perceptions of the critical factors that enabled and sustained the employee's employment. Employee participants were recruited by advertisement, with employers approached through their employees. Transcripts were analysed using a thematic analysis. RESULTS Themes raised in the interviews included the meaning of work, disclosure of mental illness, the benefits of working, special arrangements or accommodations, the work environment and key things employers and employees do to sustain successful employment. CONCLUSION Four critical success factors were identified relating to disclosure, the employment relationship, freedom from discrimination and workplace flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Peterson
- Suicide and Mental Health Research Group, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Gordon
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jenny Neale
- Health Services Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
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O'Donnell L, Himle JA, Ryan K, Grogan-Kaylor A, McInnis MG, Weintraub J, Kelly M, Deldin P. Social Aspects of the Workplace Among Individuals With Bipolar Disorder. JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR SOCIAL WORK AND RESEARCH 2017; 8:379-398. [PMID: 29416591 PMCID: PMC5798466 DOI: 10.1086/693163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by recurrent mood episodes and profound impairments in psychosocial functioning. Occupational disability is one of the most problematic impairments for individuals with BD due to high rates of unemployment and work impairments. Current evidence indicates that social stressors at work-such as social isolation, conflict with others, and stigmas-are common experiences for employed individuals with BD. Yet, few studies have examined the relationship between social stressors at work and overall occupational functioning, instead focusing on individual clinical features of the disorder. METHOD This cross-sectional study employed logistic and linear regressions to determine which demographic variables, mood symptoms, and social aspects of the work environment (exclusion, conflict, social support, stigma) were associated with work status (working vs. not working) and work functioning for individuals with bipolar disorder I and II. RESULTS Greater stigma and exclusion at work (p < .05) are associated with unemployment among adult individuals with BD, and higher degrees of depression and conflict at work (p < .05) are associated with work impairments for employed individuals. CONCLUSIONS By examining two distinct measures of work outcomes (work status and work functioning) within the same group of participants, this study provides a unique insight, revealing that predictors of occupational functioning vary based on the specific measure of work outcomes used. This study also emphasizes the need for treatments that address the clinical features of BD and intervene in the work environment to improve functioning and prevent unemployment among individuals with BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa O'Donnell
- Postdoctoral fellow at the University of California Los Angeles
| | - Joseph A Himle
- Associate Dean for Research and a professor of social work and psychiatry at the University of Michigan
| | - Kelly Ryan
- Clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan
| | | | - Melvin G McInnis
- Thomas B. and Nancy Upjohn Woodworth Professor of Bipolar Disorder and Depression and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan
| | - Jenna Weintraub
- Research associate in social work at the University of Michigan
| | - Marisa Kelly
- Research associate in psychiatry at the University of Michigan
| | - Patricia Deldin
- Professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Michigan
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