The Bidirectional Relationship between Positive Mental Health and Social Rhythm in College Students:A Three-Year Longitudinal Study

Negative and Positive Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canadians With Developmental Disabilities: A One-Year Ontario-Based Survey

PURPOSE

Understanding the experiences of people with developmental disabilities during the initial period of COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers completed baseline and up to five follow-up online surveys using the CRISIS-AFAR measures, between July 2020 and September 2021. We used qualitative (thematic analysis) and quantitative (MANOVA) analytic methods.

RESULTS

One hundred and eighteen participants (64 caregivers on individuals 6-62 years, 54 self-reporting individuals aged 17-55 years) completed baseline survey; 46 participants (23 caregivers, 23 self-reporting adults) completed ≥1 follow-up. Qualitative themes included uncertainty, and negative and positive influences on behaviours and routines, daily life and mental wellness. Those experiencing positive impacts did not stably perceive so longitudinally.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite both negative and positive influences on individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, the prolonged pandemic had wide-ranging repercussions. Emergency preparedness planning should consider the disruptive effects of public health measures on routine and support for this vulnerable population.

Childhood trauma and college student health: a review of the literature

The experience of childhood trauma is known to predict health-relevant outcomes across the lifespan. Previous reviews summarize existing knowledge of the implications of childhood trauma for health in young adults and adults more generally. The current theoretical review aims to integrate the existing literature on the relationship between childhood trauma and health-relevant outcomes specifically in college students, consolidating findings across specific health domains. Further, the following theoretical review highlights the need for more research in this area and discusses how college campuses may use the knowledge in this area of work to develop targeted interventions aimed at improving the health of college students who experienced trauma in childhood.

Demographic determinants of happiness in Andalusia: insights from the 2022 social survey data

The Social Survey of Andalusia is an instrument for monitoring the Andalusian reality developed by the regional government of Andalusia, whose dataset is open access to the citizens. The 2022 edition included questions related to happiness, social relations as well as socio-demographic factors. Based on this dataset, the present study aimed to analyse the relationship between socio-demographic factors and people's experiences of happiness. It also set out to explore which factors might be indispensable for experiencing moments of happiness as measured in the survey. A sample of 4,968 cases was gotten, conducting a descriptive analysis, a logit regression in complex samples, and a Necessary Conditions Analysis. The results found two very different social profiles in terms of the experience of happiness, determined by age, sex, educational level and economic status. However, neither factor proved to be a necessary condition for happiness. Both conclusions should be taken into consideration in any socio-community intervention.

Assessing the daily association of sleep hygiene behaviours with sleep: A between and within persons approach

Sleep hygiene behaviours are recommendations given to both clinical and non-clinical populations with a focus on modifying behaviours to maximise sleep outcomes. However, methodological issues present in sleep hygiene research make it difficult to conclusively determine the impact of each behaviour. This study aimed to address these issues by adopting a two-week, repeated measures design which incorporated objective sleep measures and used linear mixed effect modelling to assess the daily association of a wide range of sleep hygiene behaviours on sleep in a non-clinical, university sample. Between-persons effects revealed that bedtime and frequency of daytime napping, alcohol use, and social media use were negatively related to sleep duration while waketime and frequency of too much water consumption were positively related to sleep duration. Within-person effects revealed that later than usual bedtime, earlier than usual waketime, no sunlight exposure, poor ventilation, having an unpleasant conversation before bed were negatively associated with sleep duration whereas using alcohol to deliberately help full asleep was positively related to sleep duration. In contrast, disproportionately more behaviours were not significantly related to either sleep outcome, only some of which could be explained by individual differences, which suggests that more research is needed to determine the conditions under which these behaviours affect sleep, if at all.

Routine regularity during a global pandemic: Impact on mental health outcomes and influence of chronotype

Among the public health recommendations for supporting mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, many strategies had an impact on biological rhythms, like sleep hygiene, physical exercise and healthy eating habits. Considering the known relationship between circadian organization and mental health, our aim was to test the association between behavioral regularity and mental health, and its interaction with chronotype, in a large sample surveyed in Brazil. We collected longitudinal data using online questionnaires that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral routines, mental health (PHQ-9, GAD-7, WHO-5 scales), and chronotype estimation based on midpoint of sleep on free days - MSF (μMCTQ), in a sample of 1390 participants (81% females). We computed a Routine Regularity Score (RRS) that reflects regularity across four behaviors: sleep, eating, working, exercising. There was a strong negative association between RRS and the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms (GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores), which was weaker among participants with late MSF, and a strong positive association with well-being (WHO-5 scores). RRS was a mediator of the MSF-mental health association and a predictor of mental health states. This study provides empirical evidence that maintaining behavioral routines during times of hardship may serve as tools to alleviate the negative impact on mental health.

The association between depression and addictive social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of sense of control

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 precipitated a plethora of mental health difficulties, particularly for those with pre-existing mental health concerns such as depression or addictive tendencies. For some, the distress that emanated from the experience of the pandemic prompted excessive engagement in the safety of online interactions on social media. The present study examined whether variation in individuals' sense of control explained the association between depression and addictive social media use.

METHOD

A sample of 1322 participants from two Middle Eastern nations provided data collected during the peak of the pandemic from February to May 2021. A combination of convenience and snowball sampling were used to recruit and collect data from college-aged students enrolled at two universities in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, respectively. This study adopted a cross-sectional design in which participants completed a self-administered survey that consisted of measures that assessed depressive affect, sense of control, and addictive social media use.

RESULTS

Depression was significantly and positively associated with addictive SMU. Sense of control was negatively related to both depression and SMU and significantly mediated the association between these two variables (β = .62, SE = .03, 95%CI .56, .68).

CONCLUSION

This study identified a potential protective variable that could be targeted by psychological treatment to ameliorate the potential onset of addictive SMU in individuals with depressive symptoms under conditions of immense psychological distress such as a worldwide pandemic.

Validation and psychometric properties of the bangla version of positive mental health scale (PMH-scale)

Positive mental health is crucial to individuals' total well-being and especially to their emotional, psychological, and social functioning. To assess the positive aspects of mental health, the Positive Mental Health Scale (PMH-scale) is being used as one of the most significant and practical short unidimensional psychological tools. However, the PMH-scale has not yet been validated for the Bangladeshi population nor has it been translated into Bangla. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Bangla version of PMH-scale and validate it with the Brief Aggression Questionnaire (BAQ) and Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS). The sample of the study consisted of 3145 university students (61.8% men) aged from 17 to 27 (M = 22.07, SD = 1.74) and 298 general population (53.4% men) aged from 30 to 65 (M = 41.05, SD = 7.88) of Bangladesh. The factor structure of the PMH-scale as well as measurement invariance for sex and age (age ≤30 years; age >30 years) were tested, using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The CFA revealed that the originally proposed unidimensional model of PMH-scale had a good fit in the current sample which confirms factorial validity of the Bangla version of PMH-scale. The value of Cronbach's alpha (for both groups combined α = 0.85; for the student sample α = .85; and for the general sample α = .73) ensured the high internal consistency of the items. Concurrent validity of the PMH-scale was confirmed through the expected correlation with aggression (BAQ) and mood (BRUMS). The PMH-scale was also partially invariant over groups (student, general, men and women) indicating that the PMH-scale is equally applicable to student, general, men and women population. Therefore, this study tells us that the Bangla version of PMH-scale is a quick and easy-to-administer tool for assessing positive mental health in different groups of people in Bangladeshi culture. This work will also be useful for mental health studies in Bangladesh.

Social media use, mental health, and suicide-related outcomes in Russian women: A cross-sectional comparison between two age groups

BACKGROUND

Women who belong to the age group "emerging adulthood" (18 to 29 years) are vulnerable to mental health issues and suicide-related outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated potential predictors of suicide-related outcomes in females emerging adulthood and compared them to older women.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Data of 2537 women from Russia (group "18 to 29 years": n = 1123; group "> 29 years": n = 1414) on lifetime suicide-related outcomes, (problematic) social media use, daily stress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and positive mental health were assessed via online cross-sectional surveys.

RESULTS

The younger group spent significantly more time on social media use than the older group. It had significantly higher levels of daily stress, problematic social media use, depression and anxiety symptoms, and suicide-related outcomes. The older group showed significantly higher levels of positive mental health. Only in the younger group, problematic social media use significantly mediated the relationship between daily stress and suicide-related outcomes in a moderated mediation analysis. Positive mental health significantly moderated the association between problematic social media use and suicide-related outcomes. Specifically, the higher the positive mental health level, the less close the link between both variables.

CONCLUSION

The current results reveal that young women in Russia could be at enhanced risk for daily stress, problematic social media use, and low levels of mental health. The interaction between these variables could foster suicide-related outcomes. Public governmental communication in Russia should call attention to potential negative impact of intensive social media use.

Social Rhythm Disruption is Associated with Greater Depressive Symptoms in People with Mood Disorders: Findings from a Multinational Online Survey During COVID-19

OBJECTIVES

Societal restrictions imposed to prevent transmission of COVID-19 may challenge circadian-driven lifestyle behaviours, particularly amongst those vulnerable to mood disorders. The overarching aim of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that, in the routine-disrupted environment of the COVID-19, amongst a sample of people living with mood disorders, greater social rhythm disruption would be associated with more severe mood symptoms.

METHODS

We conducted a two-wave, multinational survey of 997 participants (MAge=39.75±13.39,Female=81.6%) who self-reported a mood disorder diagnosis (i.e., major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder). Respondents completed questionnaires assessing demographics, social rhythmicity (The Brief Social Rhythm Scale), depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), sleep quality and diurnal preference (The Sleep, Circadian Rhythms and Mood questionnaire) and stressful life events during the COVID-19 pandemic (The Social Readjustment Rating Scale).

RESULTS

The majority of participants indicated COVID-19-related social disruption had affected the regularity of their daily routines to at least some extent (n = 788, 79.1%). As hypothesised, lower social rhythmicity was associated with greater depressive symptoms when tested cross-sectionally (standardised β = -.25, t = -7.94, P = 0.000) and when tested using a 2-level hierarchical linear model across two time points (b = -0.14, t = -3.46, df = 264, P ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results are consistent with the social zeitgeber hypothesis proposing that mood disorders are sensitive to life events that disrupt social rhythms.

Psychometric properties of a Saudi Arabian version of the Positive Mental Health (PMH) scale

The Positive Mental Health (PMH) scale has been shown to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing positive mental health and well-being in different languages and cultures. However, the PMH scale has not yet been translated into Arabic and validated for the Saudi Arabian population. Therefore, the current study aimed to translate the English version of the PMH scale into Arabic for the Saudi Arabian context and validate the translated scale. A total of 1148 adult participants from Saudi public universities took part in the study. Based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in different subsamples, the results of the current study revealed that the unifactorial model satisfactorily fits the data. Additionally, the Arabic version of the PMH scale demonstrated sufficient levels of reliability and had a high negative correlation with the Beck Depression Inventory-II, indicating convergent validity. Taken together, the findings of the current study suggest that the Arabic version of the PMH scale has appropriate levels of validity and reliability for the Saudi Arabian population.

Addictive social media use during Covid-19 outbreak: Validation of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and investigation of protective factors in nine countries

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, addictive social media use increased in many countries. To better understand this development, a universal instrument for the assessment of addictive social media use is required. Against this background, we examined the psychometric properties of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) in representative population samples in nine countries (N = 9418, age range: "18 to 24 years" (youngest group), "55 years and older" (oldest group): China, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, U.K., U.S.). Furthermore, we investigated potential factors and mechanisms that could be associated with addictive social media use. Our cross-national findings show that the BSMAS is a unidimensional reliable and valid instrument. Moreover, they reveal that the negative association between positive mental health and addictive social media use is mediated by sense of control in seven of the nine countries (exception: China, Russia). Thus, it can be hypothesized that activities which increase positive mental health could indirectly contribute to the decrease of addictive social media use. We identified conscious engagement in physical activity and a regular sleep rhythm during the pandemic as such potential activities. The fostering of both by governmental programs could enhance positive mental health and reduce addictive social media use.

Factors That Predispose Undergraduates to Mental Issues: A Cumulative Literature Review for Future Research Perspectives

Distress and mental health issues among college students is an emerging topic of study. The aim of this research work is to illustrate academic and social risk factors and how they prove to be predictors of anxiety and depressive disorders. The methodology used is a cumulative literature review structured over 10 systematic phases, and is replicable. Showing considerable potential for cumulative research, the relevance of this study reflects the concern of the academic community and international governments. The articles selected range from categorization of disorders in relation to mental health, to reporting the condition of rhinestones and difficulties of students in university contexts. In conclusion, the research focusses upon predisposing, concurrent or protective factors relating to the mental health of university students, so that institutions can act on concrete dynamics or propose targeted research on this topic.

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate!? Predictors of willingness to receive Covid-19 vaccination in Europe, the U.S., and China

Researcher teams around the globe including the "Project Lightspeed" are intensively working on vaccines to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the availability of effective vaccines does not guarantee the vaccination willingness among the population. In spring 2021, we investigated the vaccination willingness and its potential predictors in representative online samples in nine countries (China, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, U.K., U.S.). Of the 9,264 participants, 79.9% revealed Covid-19 vaccination willingness. The highest willingness was in the U.K., followed by Spain and China, the lowest in Russia. In most countries, the perception of governmental Covid-19 measures as useful and the use of television reports as Covid-19 information source positively predicted the willingness. Further factors such as demographic variables, mental and physical health status, evaluation of governmental communication, social media use, and general adherence to Covid-19 measures showed a country-specific predictive pattern. Recommendations how to increase the vaccination willingness are provided.

The Benefits of Physical Activity and Positive Mental Health for Reducing the Burden of COVID-19: Validation from a Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Investigation in China and Germany

Many people experience high burden by the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its consequences for health and everyday life. The present cross-national study investigated potential factors that can reduce the burden by COVID-19 in China and Germany. Cross-sectional and longitudinal (China: N = 474, baseline, BL: 2015, follow-up, FU: 2020; Germany: N = 359, BL: 2019, FU: 2020) data on physical activity (e.g., jogging) (BL/FU), positive mental health (PMH) (BL/FU), and burden by COVID-19 (FU) were collected via online surveys. In both countries, physical activity was positively associated with PMH, and both variables were negatively related to burden by COVID-19. Furthermore, PMH mediated the link between physical activity and burden. The mediation model was significant when physical activity and PMH were assessed at the BL, while burden was measured at the FU; and it was also significant when all variables were assessed at the FU. The present findings reveal that physical activity in combination with PMH can reduce the experience of burden by COVID-19. Conscious fostering of physical activity and PMH is supported as an effective strategy to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic outbreak on mental and physical health. Additional benefits such as increased adherence to governmental measures around COVID-19 are discussed.

Relationship between self-efficacy, social rhythm, and mental health among college students: a 3-year longitudinal study

Although many empirical studies have aimed to find variances in positive mental health among different groups and the relationship between mental health and other variables, few studies examined the developmental trend of mental health levels and the cross-lagged relationship between self-efficacy, social rhythm, and mental health. Furthermore, few of them explored the interrelationship between self-efficacy and social rhythm among college students over time. This study thus aimed to clarify the longitudinal cross-lagged relationship between self-efficacy, social rhythm, and positive mental health among college students. A total of 764 students (627 females, mean age 21.03 ± 0.84 years at T1) participated in a 3-year-long study (T1, T2, T3) and were asked to complete the General Self-Efficacy, the Brief Social Rhythm, and the Positive Mental Health Scales. The results indicate that the development of positive mental health among college students showed an upward trend during those 3 years. There was a significant relationship between positive mental health, social rhythm, and self-efficacy. Positive mental health and social rhythm significantly predicted self-efficacy in the following year. Positive mental health in T2 could predict both T3 social rhythm marginally and T3 self-efficacy significantly. However, T1 social rhythm was not indirectly associated with T3 mental health via T2 self-efficacy, and T1 self-efficacy was not indirectly associated with T3 mental health via T2 social rhythm. This finding clarified the relationship between positive mental health, self-efficacy, and social rhythm, and provided evidence that positive mental health is the basis for self-efficacy and social rhythm among young adults. Therefore, school psychologists in universities should pay close attention to the positive mental health of young adults to form high levels of self-efficacy and social rhythm.

"Trying My Best": Sexual Minority Adolescents' Self-Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PURPOSE

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in major life disruptions for sexual minority adolescents (SMAs), who already face and cope with pervasive and disproportionate rates of social, behavioral, and mental health challenges. Current research suggests that SMAs are struggling with COVID-19-related shelter in place orders navigating family proximity and dynamics and experiencing isolation from SMA-specific supports. Given identified challenges that may exacerbate known mental health disparities in SMAs, this work explores self-care practices among SMAs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

The present study uses data from open-ended questions to understand SMA experiences of self-care within a nationwide sample of SMAs (N = 770; M = 17.48 years, SD = 1.00) who are part of an ongoing prospective study. Data were collected via online questionnaire between May 13 and 31, 2020. Thematic analysis guided data exploration.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis revealed five self-care practices among SMAs: (1) relationships, (2) routines, (3) body and mind, (4) rest and reset, and (5) tuning out. SMAs engaged in many positive coping strategies (i.e., exercise, establishing routine) and often linked these activities to positive well-being. Other SMAs engaged in activities to distract or disengage from stressors (i.e., excessive TV and alcohol and drug use).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the resiliency of SMAs during the current pandemic, opportunities for providers to emphasize adaptive coping skills with youths, and the need for more research on adolescent self-care practices.

Psychometric Properties of the Positive Mental Health Scale (PMH-Scale) Among Turkish University Students

Abstract. Background: The PMH-scale is a person-centered, brief and psychometrically sound scale measuring positive mental health. Considering the practicality of the scale and the good psychometric properties reported previously, the adaptation of the PMH-scale to Turkish may provide professionals and researchers a beneficial tool to assess well-being. Aims: This study was designed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Positive Mental Health Scale among Turkish university students by utilizing a cross-sectional correlational survey model. Method: For the adaptation of the scale, different validity and reliability tests were performed. Confirmatory factor analysis was run for construct validity. Convergent validity was assessed by examining relations of the scale with Life Orientation Test, Short Depression-Happiness Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and General Self-Efficacy Scale. Reliability was assessed with internal consistency and composite reliability. Measurement invariance across genders was tested through Structural Equation Modelling. Results: Validity and reliability analyses provided satisfactory results. Results of confirmatory factor analysis revealed that current data fit the original unidimensional model. Besides, measurement invariance analysis provided validity evidence in terms of gender invariance. Limitations: Findings of the present study were limited to university students, most of whom were female. Conclusion: In conclusion, the Turkish Positive Mental Health Scale was found to be valid and reliable in the sample of university students.

Happiness and Social Behavior

It is often assumed that there is a robust positive symmetrical relationship between happiness and social behavior: Social relationships are viewed as essential to happiness, and happiness is thought to foster social relationships. However, empirical support for this widely held view is surprisingly mixed, and this view does little to clarify which social partner a person will be motivated to interact with when happy. To address these issues, we monitored the happiness and social interactions of more than 30,000 people for a month. We found that patterns of social interaction followed the hedonic-flexibility principle, whereby people tend to engage in happiness-enhancing social relationships when they feel bad and sustain happiness-decreasing periods of solitude and less pleasant types of social relationships that might promise long-term payoff when they feel good. These findings demonstrate that links between happiness and social behavior are more complex than often assumed in the positive-emotion literature.

Multiple pathways link urban green- and bluespace to mental health in young adults

BACKGROUND

A growing body of scientific literature indicates that urban green- and bluespace support mental health; however, little research has attempted to address the complexities in likely interrelations among the pathways through which benefits plausibly are realized.

OBJECTIVES

The present study examines how different plausible pathways between green/bluespace and mental health can work together. Both objective and perceived measures of green- and bluespace are used in these models.

METHODS

We sampled 720 students from the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Residential greenspace was measured in terms of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), tree cover density, percentage of green areas, and Euclidean distance to the nearest green space. Bluespace was measured in terms of its presence in the neighborhood and the Euclidean distance to the nearest bluespace. Mental health was measured with the 12-item form of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The following mediators were considered: perceived neighborhood green/bluespace, restorative quality of the neighborhood, social cohesion, physical activity, noise and air pollution, and environmental annoyance. Structural equation modelling techniques were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Higher NDVI within a 300 m buffer around the residence was associated with better mental health through higher perceived greenspace; through higher perceived greenspace, leading to increased restorative quality, and subsequently to increased physical activity (i.e., serial mediation); through lower noise exposure, which in turn was associated with lower annoyance; and through higher perceived greenspace, which was associated with lower annoyance. Presence of bluespace within a 300 m buffer did not have a straightforward association with mental health owing to competitive indirect paths: one supporting mental health through higher perceived bluespace, restorative quality, and physical activity; and another engendering mental ill-health through higher noise exposure and annoyance.

CONCLUSIONS

We found evidence that having more greenspace near the residence supported mental health through several indirect pathways with serial components. Conversely, bluespace was not clearly associated with mental health.

Lifestyle choices and mental health: a longitudinal survey with German and Chinese students

BACKGROUND

A healthy lifestyle can be beneficial for one's mental health. Thus, identifying healthy lifestyle choices that promote psychological well-being and reduce mental problems is useful to prevent mental disorders. The aim of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the predictive values of a broad range of lifestyle choices for positive mental health (PMH) and mental health problems (MHP) in German and Chinese students.

METHOD

Data were assessed at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Samples included 2991 German (Mage = 21.69, SD = 4.07) and 12,405 Chinese (Mage = 20.59, SD = 1.58) university students. Lifestyle choices were body mass index, frequency of physical and mental activities, frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking, vegetarian diet, and social rhythm irregularity. PMH and MHP were measured with the Positive Mental Health Scale and a 21-item version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. The predictive values of lifestyle choices for PMH and MHP at baseline and follow-up were assessed with single-group and multi-group path analyses.

RESULTS

Better mental health (higher PMH and fewer MHP) at baseline was predicted by a lower body mass index, a higher frequency of physical and mental activities, non-smoking, a non-vegetarian diet, and a more regular social rhythm. When controlling for baseline mental health, age, and gender, physical activity was a positive predictor of PMH, smoking was a positive predictor of MHP, and a more irregular social rhythm was a positive predictor of PMH and a negative predictor of MHP at follow-up. The good fit of a multi-group model indicated that most lifestyle choices predict mental health comparably across samples. Some country-specific effects emerged: frequency of alcohol consumption, for example, predicted better mental health in German and poorer mental health in Chinese students.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings underline the importance of healthy lifestyle choices for improved psychological well-being and fewer mental health difficulties. Effects of lifestyle on mental health are comparable in German and Chinese students. Some healthy lifestyle choices (i.e., more frequent physical activity, non-smoking, regular social rhythm) are related to improvements in mental health over a 1-year period.