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Bediako SM, Wang Y. Daily Loneliness Affects Quality of Life in Sickle Cell Disease. Int J Behav Med 2024; 31:393-398. [PMID: 38097875 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-023-10247-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness is related to psychosomatic challenges in chronic illnesses; however, very little research focuses on loneliness in sickle cell disease (SCD), the most common genetic blood disorder. This study used a daily diary method to illustrate how loneliness and quality of life co-occur in the day-to-day lives of people living with SCD. METHOD Seventy-nine adults living with SCD (63 women; mean age = 31.76 years) completed daily electronic surveys comprised of a brief loneliness scale and a single-item measure of quality of life. Participants completed each survey once per day for up to 42 consecutive days. We evaluated the effects of daily changes in loneliness on next-day quality of life through multilevel regression models. RESULTS Central findings indicated that there were significant between-person (b = - .993, p < .001, 95% CI = - 1.26, - .725) and within-person (b = - .202, p < .005, 95% CI = .327, - .089) effects. Specifically, participants who reported higher mean levels of loneliness also reported lower quality of life. Further, days on which participants reported higher loneliness were followed by days on which they reported lower quality of life. CONCLUSIONS These results may be the first to suggest a connection between loneliness and psychological outcomes in adults living with SCD. Daily fluctuations in loneliness appear to be associated with decrements in next-day quality of life. Future studies should elucidate the clinical relevance and broader health-related implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn M Bediako
- Center for the Advancement of Science Leadership and Culture, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 4000 Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA.
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
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Nasri NM, Gan WY, Mohd Shukri NH. Mother-infant postnatal experience and its association with maternal emotion and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38407161 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2024.2314187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a partial lockdown in Malaysia known as Movement-Controlled-Order (MCO), which has affected primary care management and social life norms. Thus, psychological health is a concern for mothers, particularly during the postpartum period. This study aimed to determine factors associated with maternal emotional experiences and coping during the pandemic. METHODOLOGY Mothers of infants aged < 18 months (n = 1449) in Malaysia completed an online survey during MCO (July 2020 to February 2021). The survey comprised questions on sociodemographics, pandemic livelihood impact, maternal experiences, and emotions. RESULTS More than one-third of mothers expressed feeling worried (54.7%), annoyed (48.1%), and tired (42.2%) to some or a high extent. Mothers who were younger (p = .001), more educated (p = .001), faced difficulty paying rent (p = .002), and whose husbands were unemployed (p < .001) expressed higher negative emotions. In contrast, mothers who received enough support for health (p = .001) and breastfeeding (p = .008), had infants sleep less (p = .042) and had more time to focus on health (p < .001) expressed better emotions. Higher coping was expressed among mothers with a higher household income (p = .004), had more time to focus on their health (p = .010), received additional breastfeeding support (p = 0.039), and practised traditional postpartum care (p < .001). In contrast, difficulty paying for essentials (p = .023) was associated with negative coping. CONCLUSION Maternal emotional experiences were significantly associated with sociodemographic characteristics, livelihood impact, postnatal experiences, and infant behaviours. Postpartum mental health screening is recommended to prevent severe distress, especially in first-time mothers. Coping interventions for mothers at risk may include comprehensive support and maternity care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuruljannah Mohamad Nasri
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Wan Ying Gan
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Husna Mohd Shukri
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
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Subramaniam M, Koh YS, Vaingankar JA, Abdin E, Shafie S, Chang S, Kwok KW, Chow WL, Chong SA. Food insufficiency, adverse childhood experiences and mental health: results of the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:1044-1051. [PMID: 36451283 PMCID: PMC10346029 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980022002567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of food insufficiency and its association with mental disorders and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in Singapore. DESIGN This analysis utilised data from the Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS 2016). SETTING SMHS 2016 was a population-based, psychiatric epidemiological study conducted among Singapore residents. PARTICIPANTS Interviews were conducted with 6126 respondents. Respondents were included if they were aged 18 years and above, Singapore citizens or permanent residents and able to speak in English, Chinese or Malay. RESULTS The prevalence of food insufficiency was 2·0 % (95 % CI (1·6, 2·5)) among adult Singapore residents. Relative to respondents who did not endorse any ACE, those with ACE (OR: 2·9, 95 % CI (1·2, 6·6)) had higher odds of food insufficiency. In addition, there were significant associations between lifetime mental disorders and food insufficiency. Bipolar disorder (OR: 2·7, 95 % CI (1·2, 6·0)), generalised anxiety disorder (OR: 4·5, 95 % CI (1·5, 13·5)) and suicidal behaviour (OR: 2·37, 95 % CI (1·04, 5·41)) were shown to be significantly associated with higher odds of food insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of food insufficiency is low in Singapore. However, this study identifies a vulnerable group of food-insufficient adults that is significantly associated with mental disorders, including suicidality. Government-funded food assistance programmes and multi-agency efforts to deal with the social determinants of food insufficiency, such as income sufficiency and early detection and intervention of mental distress, are key to ensuring a sustainable and equitable food system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mythily Subramaniam
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, 539747, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yen Sin Koh
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, 539747, Singapore
| | - Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, 539747, Singapore
| | - Edimansyah Abdin
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, 539747, Singapore
| | - Saleha Shafie
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, 539747, Singapore
| | - Sherilyn Chang
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, 539747, Singapore
| | - Kian Woon Kwok
- School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Wai Leng Chow
- Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siow Ann Chong
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, 539747, Singapore
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Shahwan S, Yunjue Z, Satghare P, Vaingankar JA, Maniam Y, Janrius GCM, Lin TW, Roystonn K, Subramaniam M. Employer and Co-worker Perspectives on Hiring and Working with People with Mental Health Conditions. Community Ment Health J 2022; 58:1252-1267. [PMID: 35098388 PMCID: PMC9392707 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-021-00934-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand perspectives towards hiring and working with people with mental health conditions (PMHC). Semi-structured interviews with 25 employers and 20 co-workers were carried out. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The barriers to hiring and working with PMHC identified through the interviews were concerns about safety, incompetence, PMHC not being able to get along with others, requiring more training and supervision as well as medical costs and reputational risks to the hiring organisation. Employers and co-workers suggested that improving mental health literacy of staff, pairing the PMHC with trained work buddies, having access to mental professionals when needed, and providing incentives for hiring PMHC such as tax rebates are likely to improve attitudes towards hiring and working with PMHC. Their suggestions for the additional supports required should be considered when developing initiatives to promote inclusivity of PMHC in workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shazana Shahwan
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore.
| | - Zhang Yunjue
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Pratika Satghare
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Yogeswary Maniam
- Department of Psychosis, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Goh Chong Min Janrius
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Teh Wen Lin
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Kumarasan Roystonn
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Mythily Subramaniam
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
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Zhang Y, Lau JH, Devi F, Vaingankar JA, Shahwan S, Satghare P, Teh WL, Kumar R, Goh CMJ, Maniam Y, Verma S, Chong SA, Subramaniam M. Employers' attitudes towards employing people with mental health conditions. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2022; 51:578-579. [PMID: 36189703 DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2022148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yunjue Zhang
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
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Strategies to Reduce Mental Illness Stigma: Perspectives of People with Lived Experience and Caregivers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031632. [PMID: 35162655 PMCID: PMC8835394 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness is a global public health priority. Traditionally, anti-stigma campaigns were led by mental health professionals/organisations and had an emphasis on increasing mental health literacy. More recently, it has been argued that people with lived experience have much to contribute in terms of extending and strengthening these efforts. The purpose of this paper was to elicit views and suggestions from people with lived experience (PWLE) as well as from informal caregivers of people with mental health conditions, on effective strategies to combat the stigma surrounding mental illness. METHODS Six focus group discussions (FGDs) were carried out with PWLE recruited at outpatient services at the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, and five FGDs were carried out with informal caregivers who responded to advertisements for the study between March and November 2018. In all, the sample comprised 42 PWLE and 31 caregivers. All the FGDs were transcribed verbatim and were analysed using thematic analysis. A pragmatic approach was adopted for the study, and the researchers did not assume any particular philosophical orientation. RESULTS Four overarching themes depicting strategies to combat stigma were identified through thematic analysis. They were (1) raising mental health awareness, (2) social contact, (3) advocacy by influential figures or groups, and (4) the legislation of anti-discriminatory laws. CONCLUSIONS These strategies were in line with approaches that have been used internationally to disrupt the process of stigma. Our study has further identified nuanced details on how these strategies can be carried out as well as possible areas of priority in the Singapore landscape.
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Oh VMS, Seet RCS. The Annals: Welcoming the future of Medicine. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2021; 50:877-879. [PMID: 34985098 DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2021530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vernon M S Oh
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Unemployment Syndrome during COVID-19: A Comparison of Three Population Groups. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147372. [PMID: 34299822 PMCID: PMC8304307 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Of the serious problems that characterise the current crisis in Spain, the most alarming and revealing is unemployment, which, despite being so common, continues to be quite a negative experience for most people, often with serious negative effects on their biopsychosocial health. The perpetuation of this situation has given rise to a new syndrome of the unemployed. If these effects of economic downsizing are accompanied by the magnitude of the current situation brought about by COVID-19, the results can be devastating for the individuals and families experiencing it. Objective: To compare the symptoms of the unemployed syndrome in three population groups. Method: Three groups were studied: short-term unemployed (n = 91), long-term unemployed (n = 150), and those unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 94). Unemployment syndrome was assessed with the Unemployment Syndrome Scale (USS). The three population groups were contacted through web pages, social networks, etc. and answered the instruments online in a single session. Once the responses were obtained, their information was encoded in a database and analysed through the SPSS v. 21 program. Population groups were compared using the ANOVA analysis and the Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: The unemployed individuals who lost their job during the pandemic reported higher scores in the symptoms of the Unemployed Syndrome Scale compared to the long- and short-term unemployed individuals. ANOVA analyses for symptoms of USS were all significant in the different groups considering a significance level of <0.005. Participants who were unemployed for less than one year had lower scores in the USS than the long-term unemployed participants and those unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic that reported a significantly higher number of symptoms in the USS.
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