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Prado ADS, Baldofski S, Kohls E, Rummel-Kluge C. International and domestic university students' mental health over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: Comparison between 2020, 2021, and 2022. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299812. [PMID: 38422096 PMCID: PMC10903817 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic affected university students' mental health worldwide. International students were presenting high levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms before the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate (i) differences between various timepoints of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020, 2021, and 2022) in mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects in domestic and international students, separately, (ii) differences between international and domestic students between the three timepoints on mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects, and (iii) possible moderation effects of timepoints on mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects of domestic and international students. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data from three cross-sectional anonymous online surveys conducted in German universities were analyzed and compared. Data were collected in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, with a total N = 14,498. Depressive symptoms, hazardous alcohol use, social support, self-efficacy, resilience, perceived stress, and loneliness were assessed through standardized self-report instruments. Differences between domestic and international students in mental health outcomes, and social and emotional aspects across three timepoints were assessed with one-way and two-way ANCOVAs. RESULTS Regardless of the timepoint, international students presented more depressive symptoms and perceived stress, lower perceived social support and resilience, but higher levels of self-efficacy and less alcohol consumption compared to domestic students. A significant interaction effect between timepoint and student status emerged only for loneliness. CONCLUSIONS International students generally presented poorer mental health outcomes than domestic students. Mental health care and prevention such as low-threshold, online counseling should address university students, especially international students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneliana da Silva Prado
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
- Campus Curitiba, Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
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Efe Z, Baldofski S, Kohls E, Eckert M, Saee S, Thomas J, Wundrack R, Rummel-Kluge C. Linguistic Variables and Gender Differences Within a Messenger-Based Psychosocial Chat Counseling Service for Children and Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e51795. [PMID: 38214955 PMCID: PMC10818237 DOI: 10.2196/51795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Text messaging is widely used by young people for communicating and seeking mental health support through chat-based helplines. However, written communication lacks nonverbal cues, and language usage is an important source of information about a person's mental health state and is known to be a marker for psychopathology. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate language usage, and its gender differences and associations with the presence of psychiatric symptoms within a chat counseling service for adolescents and young adults. METHODS For this study, the anonymized chat content of a German messenger-based psychosocial chat counseling service for children and adolescents ("krisenchat") between May 2020 and July 2021 was analyzed. In total, 661,131 messages from 6962 users were evaluated using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, considering the following linguistic variables: first-person singular and plural pronouns, negations, positive and negative emotion words, insight words, and causation words. Descriptive analyses were performed, and gender differences of those variables were evaluated. Finally, a binary logistic regression analysis examined the predictive value of linguistic variables on the presence of psychiatric symptoms. RESULTS Across all analyzed chats, first-person singular pronouns were used most frequently (965,542/8,328,309, 11.6%), followed by positive emotion words (408,087/8,328,309, 4.9%), insight words (341,460/8,328,309, 4.1%), negations (316,475/8,328,309, 3.8%), negative emotion words (266,505/8,328,309, 3.2%), causation words (241,520/8,328,309, 2.9%), and first-person plural pronouns (499,698/8,328,309, 0.6%). Female users and users identifying as diverse used significantly more first-person singular pronouns and insight words than male users (both P<.001). Negations were significantly more used by female users than male users or users identifying as diverse (P=.007). Similar findings were noted for negative emotion words (P=.01). The regression model of predicting psychiatric symptoms by linguistic variables was significant and indicated that increased use of first-person singular pronouns (odds ratio [OR] 1.05), negations (OR 1.11), and negative emotion words (OR 1.15) was positively associated with the presence of psychiatric symptoms, whereas increased use of first-person plural pronouns (OR 0.39) and causation words (OR 0.90) was negatively associated with the presence of psychiatric symptoms. Suicidality, self-harm, and depression showed the most significant correlations with linguistic variables. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of examining linguistic features in chat counseling contexts. By integrating psycholinguistic findings into counseling practice, counselors may better understand users' psychological processes and provide more targeted support. For instance, certain linguistic features, such as high use of first-person singular pronouns, negations, or negative emotion words, may indicate the presence of psychiatric symptoms, particularly among female users and users identifying as diverse. Further research is needed to provide an in-depth look into language processes within chat counseling services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeki Efe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Richard Wundrack
- Krisenchat gGmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Personality Psychology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Baldofski S, Klemm SL, Kohls E, Mueller SME, Bauer S, Becker K, Diestelkamp S, Eschenbeck H, Hiery A, Kaess M, Koenig J, Lehner L, Moessner M, Thomasius R, Rummel-Kluge C. Reasons for non-participation of children and adolescents in a large-scale school-based mental health project. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1294862. [PMID: 38259782 PMCID: PMC10800647 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1294862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Non-participation in mental health studies is an under-explored but very important topic. Investigating reasons for non-participation holds promise for the planning of future study designs and recruitment strategies. This study aimed at investigating reasons for children and adolescents (C&A) not participating in a school-based mental health research project. Methods Data collection took place within the school-based recruitment of a large-scale multi-site project ("ProHEAD-Promoting Help-seeking using E-technology for Adolescents") in Germany. Participants were N = 534 C&A aged ≥ 12 years attending secondary schools. The present cross-sectional study analyzed anonymous survey data of C&A who themselves or whose parents, respectively, did not provide written consent to participate in the mental health research project. The questionnaire consisted of 14 items covering potential reasons for non-participation, and four free text fields. Besides descriptive statistics, free text field answers were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results Students indicated an average of M = 2.94 (SD = 1.75) reasons for their non-participation in the project. In the descriptive analysis of indicated items, the three most frequently reported reasons for non-participation included students reporting to not be concerned by the topic "mental health" (n = 290, 54.3%), not having returned the consent form to the teacher (n = 175, 32.8%), and not having time for participation (n = 149, 27.9%). In the qualitative content analysis, the most frequently assigned categories were organizational reasons (n = 216, 57.1%), general disinterest in study participation (n = 139, 36.8%), and personal attitudes toward the topic "mental health" (n = 84, 22.2%), such as not being concerned with the topic "mental health" (n = 23, 6.1%) or being too concerned with the topic "mental health" (n = 16, 4.2%). Conclusion The study provides unique insights into reasons for C&A and their caregivers not participating in a large federally funded mental health research project. The results suggest that in order to increase participation rates, stigma should be reduced, parents as well as teachers should be involved where possible, and the use of incentives might be helpful. The study highlights the importance of assessing reasons for non-participation, especially in online intervention studies on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah-Lena Klemm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sophia M. E. Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephanie Bauer
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University and University Hospital Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Silke Diestelkamp
- German Center for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heike Eschenbeck
- Department of Educational Psychology and Health Psychology, University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
| | - Alisa Hiery
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University and University Hospital Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julian Koenig
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Laya Lehner
- Department of Educational Psychology and Health Psychology, University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
| | - Markus Moessner
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rainer Thomasius
- German Center for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Humbert A, Kohls E, Baldofski S, Epple C, Rummel-Kluge C. Acceptability, feasibility, and user satisfaction of a virtual reality relaxation intervention in a psychiatric outpatient setting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1271702. [PMID: 37953932 PMCID: PMC10634536 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1271702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly difficult for individuals with mental disorders. Due to governmental restrictions, face-to-face offers for psychiatric outpatients like therapies, psychoeducational groups or relaxation courses were limited. Virtual reality (VR) might be a new possibility to support these patients by providing them with a home-based relaxation tool. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and user satisfaction of a supportive therapy-accompanying, relaxation VR intervention in psychiatric outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Methods The four-weeks VR intervention consisted of regular watching of relaxing videos in the participants' home environment. Sociodemographics, feasibility (frequency of use, user-friendliness), satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), quality of life (abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment), and credibility and expectancy (Credibility Expectancy Questionnaire-8) were measured in an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis and a per-protocol (PP) analysis of completers. Results In total, N = 40 patients participated in the study. Most of the participants in the ITT analysis (n = 30, 75.0%) used the VR device three or 4 weeks. A majority of the N = 29 completers (PP: n = 18, 62.1%) used it all 4 weeks. Most participants used the device two or more times a week (ITT: n = 30, 83.3%; PP: n = 26, 89.7%) and described the user-friendliness as rather or very easy (ITT: n = 33, 91.7%; PP: n = 26, 89.7%). User satisfaction was high (ITT: 19.42, SD = 4.08; PP: M = 20.00, SD = 4.19) and did not correlate with participants' sex or age (all p < 0.05). Depressive symptoms and psychological quality of life improved significantly from pre-to post-intervention (ITT and PP, all p < 0.05). Higher pre-intervention credibility significantly correlated with a better outcome of satisfaction (ITT and PP), depressive symptoms, physical, psychological, and social quality of life (PP; all p < 0.05). Conclusion A supportive therapy-accompanying VR relaxation intervention is feasible and acceptable in a psychiatric outpatient setting. Due to the high satisfaction and user-friendliness, VR can be an easy to implement relaxation tool to support psychiatric outpatients. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/, DRKS00027911.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Humbert
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Guenthner L, Baldofski S, Kohls E, Schuhr J, Brock T, Rummel-Kluge C. Differences in Help-Seeking Behavior among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic Depending on Mental Health Status: Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:885. [PMID: 37998632 PMCID: PMC10669357 DOI: 10.3390/bs13110885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current evidence suggests that a significant proportion of university students are affected by mental disorders and suicidal ideation. Despite this, a treatment gap exists. Therefore, the present study assessed students' knowledge and past use of on- and off-campus mental health services and help-seeking intentions. Furthermore, resilience was investigated as a potential barrier to help-seeking behavior. METHODS Data were collected between April and May 2022 from N = 5510 students from Saxony, Germany. To compare dependent variables, subgroups were computed according to students' mental health status. Variables were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Chi-square tests were used for comparisons between groups. Multiple regression models were used to investigate the influence of resilience on help-seeking behavior. RESULTS Between 34 and 38% (depending on the subgroup) of participants indicated that they were not aware of their universities' psychosocial counseling services. Furthermore, between 17 and 19% of participants indicated that they were not willing to seek help from professional mental health services. Finally, the previously found negative effect of resilience on help-seeking behavior was confirmed. CONCLUSION The results showed a lack of awareness regarding universities' mental health services and a treatment gap among university students. Universities and healthcare providers need to educate students about mental health services and how to access them. Further research is needed to elucidate the differential impact of resilience on mental health and help-seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Guenthner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (L.G.); (S.B.); (E.K.)
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (L.G.); (S.B.); (E.K.)
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (L.G.); (S.B.); (E.K.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan Schuhr
- Centre for Research, Further Education and Consulting, University of Applied Sciences for Social Work, Education and Nursing, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (J.S.); (T.B.)
| | - Tanja Brock
- Centre for Research, Further Education and Consulting, University of Applied Sciences for Social Work, Education and Nursing, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (J.S.); (T.B.)
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (L.G.); (S.B.); (E.K.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Prado ADS, Kohls E, Baldofski S, Rummel-Kluge C, Freitas JDL. Acceptability and Feasibility of Online Support Groups for Mental Health Promotion in Brazilian Graduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Observational Study. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e44887. [PMID: 37831483 PMCID: PMC10612004 DOI: 10.2196/44887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 aggravated already existing difficulties and added new challenges for students. Owing to the gap between needed and available psychological services, group interventions may offer a helpful strategy for student mental health promotion. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of a 4-week online support group program designed for mental health promotion tailored to graduate students at a Brazilian public university in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2022 to June 2022). METHODS Participants in the program took part in online support groups based on a pilot group facilitated by a trained clinical psychologist. Self-administered, standardized web-based questionnaires were assessed at the baseline (T0; before the intervention), postintervention (T2), and follow-up (T3; after 4-6 weeks) time points. We measured sociodemographic variables, treatment credibility and expectancy (Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire), satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire), negative effects of the intervention (Negative Effects Questionnaire), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), and participants' quality of life (abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment). A 9-answer option questionnaire and open-ended questions also assessed the group's perceived positive and negative outcomes. RESULTS The total sample comprised 32 participants. Most (23/32, 72%) were doctoral students. Credibility and expectancy scores were high. Participants' satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire) with the program was high at the postintervention (T2) and follow-up (T3) evaluations (T2: mean 28.66, SD 3.02; T3: mean 27.91, SD 3.02). Most participants reported that they could learn from other participants' experiences (T2: 29/32, 91%; T3: 27/32, 84%) and felt encouraged to take better care of themselves (T2: 22/32, 69%; T3: 24/32, 75%). None of the participants reported that they had no benefits from the program. The PHQ-9 scores showed mild to moderate depressive symptoms (mean 9.59, SD 6.34), whereas the answers of 9% (3/32) of the participants to the PHQ-9 item 9 indicated suicidality at baseline (T0). Finally, the 4 domains of quality of life (physical: P=.01; psychological: P=.004; social: P=.02; and environmental: P<.001) showed a slight and statistically significant improvement at the postintervention evaluation (T0: mean 57.03, SD 15.39 to 59.64, SD 17.21; T2: mean 64.32, SD 11.97 to 68.75, SD 8.87). CONCLUSIONS Online support groups for the mental health promotion of graduate students are feasible and can be especially useful for universities with students allocated to different cities. They are also satisfactory and may positively influence participants' quality of life. Therefore, they can be considered a helpful mental health promotion strategy in the educational context. Further studies could evaluate these (or similar) programs under nonpandemic circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneliana da Silva Prado
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
- Campus Curitiba, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Castro A, Gili M, Visser M, Penninx BWJH, Brouwer IA, Montaño JJ, Pérez-Ara MÁ, García-Toro M, Watkins E, Owens M, Hegerl U, Kohls E, Bot M, Roca M. Soft Drinks and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Overweight Subjects: A Longitudinal Analysis of an European Cohort. Nutrients 2023; 15:3865. [PMID: 37764652 PMCID: PMC10536294 DOI: 10.3390/nu15183865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies about the association of carbonated/soft drinks, coffee, and tea with depression and anxiety are scarce and inconclusive and little is known about this association in European adults. Our aim was to examine the association between the consumption of these beverages and depressive and anxiety symptom severity. METHODS A total of 941 European overweight adults (mean age, 46.8 years) with subsyndromal depression that participated in the MooDFOOD depression prevention randomized controlled trial (Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT2529423; date of the study: from 2014 to 2018) were analyzed. Depressive and anxiety symptom severity and beverage consumption were assessed using multilevel mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression models for each beverage consumption (carbonated/soft drink with sugar, carbonated/soft drink with non-nutritive sweeteners, coffee, and tea) with the three repeated measures of follow-up (baseline and 6 and 12 months). A case report form for participants' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the Food Frequency Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale, the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0, the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-Enhancing Psychical Activity, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test were the research tools used. RESULTS Daily consumption of carbonated/soft drinks with sugar was associated with a higher level of anxiety. Trends towards significance were found for associations between both daily consumption of carbonated/soft drinks with sugar and non-nutritive sweeteners and a higher level of depression. No relationship was found between coffee and tea consumption and the level of depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS The high and regular consumption of carbonated/soft drink with sugar (amount of consumption: ≥1 unit (200 mL)/day) tended to be associated with higher level of anxiety in a multicountry sample of overweight subjects with subsyndromal depressive symptoms. It is important to point out that further research in this area is essential to provide valuable information about the intake patterns of non-alcoholic beverages and their relationship with affective disorders in the European adult population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adoración Castro
- Research Institute of Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (M.G.); (M.Á.P.-A.); (M.G.-T.); (M.R.)
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Edificio S, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
- Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Margalida Gili
- Research Institute of Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (M.G.); (M.Á.P.-A.); (M.G.-T.); (M.R.)
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Edificio S, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
- Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Marjolein Visser
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (M.V.); (I.A.B.)
| | - Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (B.W.J.H.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Ingeborg A. Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (M.V.); (I.A.B.)
| | - Juan José Montaño
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Edificio S, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
- Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Pérez-Ara
- Research Institute of Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (M.G.); (M.Á.P.-A.); (M.G.-T.); (M.R.)
| | - Mauro García-Toro
- Research Institute of Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (M.G.); (M.Á.P.-A.); (M.G.-T.); (M.R.)
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Edificio S, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
- Department of Medicine, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Ed Watkins
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4PY, UK; (E.W.); (M.O.)
| | - Matt Owens
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4PY, UK; (E.W.); (M.O.)
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Mariska Bot
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (B.W.J.H.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Miquel Roca
- Research Institute of Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (M.G.); (M.Á.P.-A.); (M.G.-T.); (M.R.)
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Edificio S, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
- Department of Medicine, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Efe Z, Baldofski S, Eckert M, Guenthner L, Saee S, Thomas J, Wundrack R, Kohls E, Rummel-Kluge C. Who are frequent chatters? Characterization of frequent users in a 24/7 messenger-based psychological chat counseling service for children and adolescents. Internet Interv 2023; 33:100638. [PMID: 37361028 PMCID: PMC10285518 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2023.100638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Online helplines have shown a high acceptance, feasibility, and usability, especially with young people. Helplines usually aim to provide one-time crisis intervention; however, there are users who frequently use such services, tying a disproportionately large proportion of service capacities. To date, there is no research on the characterization of frequent users of online helplines. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to characterize frequent chatters in a chat-based counseling context. Methods This cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed anonymous data of users who approached the German messenger-based psychological chat counseling service krisenchat between May 2020 and July 2021 (N = 6657), with a focus on frequent users - the "frequent chatters". Frequent chatters were defined as those who received an above average (M + 2 ∗ SD) amount of messages from counselors over a period of one week and had at least 7 days of contact with the service over the entire data collection period. Chi-square-tests and Mann-Whitney-U tests were conducted to identify differences between frequent users and the population of all users. Results In total, n = 99 (1.5 %) users met the definition for frequent chatters and accounted for roughly a tenth (9.85 %) of all chats of the service. The mean frequent chatter was 17 years old (M = 17.29, SD = 3.56), female (n = 78, 82.1 %), and approached the service in the late afternoon (M = 5:00 pm, SD = 5:25 h). Compared to the general user population, frequent chatters reported significantly more severe concerns to counselors, of which 81.8 % included psychiatric symptoms, such as suicidality (43.4 %) and non-suicidal self-injury (41.4 %). In addition, frequent chatters were significantly more likely to contact krisenchat alongside the use of other professional help services. Further, frequent chatters wrote significantly longer and more messages during the counseling process and within a session than the general user population of krisenchat. Compared to the general user population, frequent chatters did not differ in their satisfaction with the service. Conclusion Frequent users are known from telephone helplines and are also represented in a chat-based context. Compared to the general user population, they are more likely to report serious mental health conditions and half of them currently receive professional help, suggesting a high need for social support. In light of the increasing development of chat-based helplines, there is a need for further research on frequent chatters to develop tailored counseling strategies for their needs and to analyze options for an optimized service provision. Study registration DRKS00026671.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeki Efe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Lukas Guenthner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | - Richard Wundrack
- krisenchat gGmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Personality Psychology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Baldofski S, Kohls E, Efe Z, Eckert M, Saee S, Thomas J, Wundrack R, Rummel-Kluge C. The Impact of a Messenger-Based Psychosocial Chat Counseling Service on Further Help-Seeking Among Children and Young Adults: Longitudinal Study. JMIR Ment Health 2023; 10:e43780. [PMID: 37195747 DOI: 10.2196/43780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental crises have high prevalences in adolescence. Early interventions appear to be highly important to diminish the risk of the deterioration, recurrence, or chronification of symptoms. In recent years, various providers have started offering live chat support in psychological crises. The messenger-based psychological counseling service krisenchat aims to support young people in crises and, if necessary, provide a recommendation for a referral to the health care system or to seek further help from a trusted adult person. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the impact of using the counseling service of krisenchat on the further help-seeking behavior of young people, and to identify associated factors of further help-seeking. METHODS This longitudinal study analyzed anonymous data from 247 individuals who used krisenchat between October 2021 and March 2022, and received a recommendation for further help-seeking. An online survey directly after the chat assessed the perceived helpfulness of the chat and well-being after the chat. After 4 weeks, further help-seeking, facilitators and barriers to help-seeking, and self-efficacy were assessed in an online follow-up survey. RESULTS The most frequently recommended services or persons to seek further help from included a psychotherapist or social psychiatric service (75/225, 33.3%), a school psychologist or school social worker (52/225, 23.1%), and the user's parents (45/225, 20.0%). Of the 247 users, 120 (48.6%) indicated that they contacted the recommended service or person, and of these, 87 (72.5%) stated that they already had an appointment (or talk) with the respective service or person or that an appointment (or talk) was scheduled. The most frequently reported facilitators for further help-seeking were mental health literacy (54/120, 45.0%), improvement of self-efficacy (55/120, 45.8%), and symptom recognition (40/120, 33.3%). In users not displaying further help-seeking behavior, the most frequent barriers included stigmatization (60/127, 47.2%), lack of mental health literacy (59/127, 46.5%), need for self-reliance and autonomy (53/127, 41.7%), and negative family beliefs regarding help services (53/127, 41.7%). Subgroup comparisons indicated significantly higher levels of self-efficacy in users displaying further help-seeking behavior than in those not displaying further help-seeking behavior. Both subgroups did not differ in gender, age, recommended service or person, chat topics, perceived helpfulness, and well-being. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study indicate that children and young adults receiving counseling on krisenchat benefit in terms of seeking further help. Further help-seeking seems to be associated with higher levels of self-efficacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS00026671; https://tinyurl.com/4fm5xe68.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Zeki Efe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Prado ADS, Kohls E, Baldofski S, Bianchi AS, Trindade LIP, Freitas JDL, Rummel-Kluge C. How are Brazilian university students coping with the COVID-19 pandemic? Results of an online survey on psychosocial well-being, perceived burdens, and attitudes toward social distancing and vaccination. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284190. [PMID: 37099492 PMCID: PMC10132549 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to education systems worldwide, increasing pre-existing concerns regarding university students' mental health. Brazil was among the countries most affected by COVID-19 cases and deaths and was considered a pandemic epicenter. This study aimed to investigate Brazilian university students' mental health status and perceived burdens during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS From November 2021 to March 2022, a cross-sectional and anonymous online survey was conducted among students of a Brazilian federal university. Mental health status (depressive symptoms, alcohol and drug consumption) and social and emotional aspects in the pandemic context (social support, perceived stress, loneliness, resilience, and self-efficacy) were assessed with standardized measures. Students' attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination and perceived burdens of the pandemic were also investigated. RESULTS A total of N = 2,437 students completed the online survey. The PHQ-9 mean sum score was 12.85 (SD = 7.40), while n = 1,488 (61.10%) participants reported a sum score of 10 or more, indicating clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Further, n = 808 (33.1%) of the total sample reported suicidal thoughts. Levels of depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and loneliness were higher among undergraduate/bachelor students than doctoral students. Almost all participants (97.3%) reported being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Multiple regression analyses showed that being single, having an income decreased during the pandemic, having a previous mental illness, having a chronic somatic condition, not finding positive aspects in the pandemic, lower self-efficacy, lower social support, lower resilience, and higher experienced loneliness were significantly associated with higher levels of depression. CONCLUSIONS The study showed high levels of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among Federal University of Parana students. Therefore, health care providers and universities need to recognize and address mental health issues; psychosocial policies must be enhanced to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on students' mental health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneliana da Silva Prado
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Wilhelm Wundt Institute for Psychology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
- Campus Curitiba, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
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Lustig S, Koenig J, Bauer S, Moessner M, Bonnet S, Becker K, Diestelkamp S, Eschenbeck H, Hiery A, Kohls E, Lehner L, Rummel-Kluge C, Thomasius R, Kaess M. Help-seeking attitudes and behaviours for mental health problems in adolescents before and during the first COVID-19 school closures in Germany. Early Interv Psychiatry 2023; 17:331-334. [PMID: 36181354 DOI: 10.1111/eip.13358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM Comparing measures of psychological wellbeing and help-seeking in youths before and within the first school closures due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic enables a better understanding of the effects the pandemic has for those seeking professional help for mental health problems. METHODS Data were obtained from the Germany-based ProHEAD school study. Pre-lockdown and lockdown samples (n = 648) were compared regarding pupils' psychological wellbeing, help-seeking attitudes and help-seeking behaviour. RESULTS Participants from the lockdown sample showed greater positive attitudes towards seeking professional help, whereas psychological wellbeing and help-seeking behaviour remained stable. CONCLUSIONS Possible explanations may include an increased public discourse on mental health or self-selection bias for participation during lockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Lustig
- Institute of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julian Koenig
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Bauer
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Moessner
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Bonnet
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Marburg Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Silke Diestelkamp
- German Center for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heike Eschenbeck
- Department of Psychology, University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
| | - Alisa Hiery
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Laya Lehner
- Department of Psychology, University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
| | | | - Rainer Thomasius
- German Center for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Kohls E, Guenthner L, Baldofski S, Brock T, Schuhr J, Rummel-Kluge C. Two years COVID-19 pandemic: Development of university students' mental health 2020-2022. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1122256. [PMID: 37091715 PMCID: PMC10117945 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1122256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The literature indicates a negative impact on the mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains unclear if this negative impact persists even after lockdown measures are lifted. The current study therefore investigates the mental health status of students by drawing on two previous studies the present study seeks to investigate differences in the mental health status across three time points. Methods A cross-sectional, anonymous online survey among students of six universities was conducted between April and May 2022 (N = 5,510). Symptoms of depression, anxiety, hazardous alcohol use and eating disorders as well as social and emotional variables were assessed utilizing standardized instruments. Risk- and protective factors for severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms were investigated using multiple regression models. Differences in e.g., symptoms of depression across three time points were assessed with one-way analysis of variance. Results More than one third of students exhibited clinically relevant symptoms of depression (35.5%), hazardous alcohol use (33.0-35.5% depending on gender) or anxiety disorder (31.1%). Taken together, almost two out of three (61.4%) students reported clinically relevant symptoms in at least one of the aforementioned symptom patterns, while almost one fifth of students reported suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm (19.6%). Higher perceived stress and loneliness significantly predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms, while resilience and social support were identified as protective factors. Compared to 2020 and 2021, levels of depressive symptoms were significantly reduced in 2022, levels of hazardous alcohol consumption showed a small but significant increase from 2021 to 2022. Worryingly, prevalence of suicidal ideation was the highest yet, being significantly higher than in 2020 (14.5%) and 2021 (16.5%). Conclusion These results confirm previous results that the pandemic had and still has a negative impact on the mental health of university students. The present study broadens this view by the fact that some areas seem to recover quicker, while others seem to increase worryingly. Especially the persistent rise in suicidal ideation from 2020 to 2021 and to 2022, a constant reduction in reported social support and associated perceived loneliness is concerning. The claim for low-threshold and accessible mental health support for university students remains the same as in the beginning of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lukas Guenthner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tanja Brock
- Centre for Research, Further Education and Consulting, University of Applied Sciences for Social Work, Education and Nursing Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Schuhr
- Centre for Research, Further Education and Consulting, University of Applied Sciences for Social Work, Education and Nursing Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Christine Rummel-Kluge
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Baldofski S, Dogan-Sander E, Mueller SE, De Bock F, Huebl L, Kohls E, Rummel-Kluge C. Attitudes toward the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccination intention among German university students and the general population: Results from two cross-sectional surveys. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1098911. [PMID: 36589983 PMCID: PMC9797998 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1098911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on nearly all people. Vaccines provide an effective tool to combat the pandemic, however, vaccination hesitancy remains an issue. This study aims to investigate (a) students' attitudes toward the pandemic, (b) potential differences in attitudes between university students and the general population, and (c) to examine predictors of vaccination intention in both samples. Methods In this cross-sectional study data from two research projects were analyzed and compared. First, attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic in German university students were assessed within a cross-sectional anonymous online survey (March-April 2021, N = 5,639) and analyzed quantitatively and also qualitatively (free text field answers examined positive and negative aspects of the pandemic). Second, data from a cross-sectional survey within the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring project (COSMO; 29th wave of data collection, December 2020, N = 1,387) in the German general population was analyzed. Both samples, were compared in sharedly used variables, regarding attitudes toward the pandemic and vaccination intention, and factors associated with vaccination (logistic regression analyses). Results In comparison to the general population, university students were significantly more likely to report being worried about/thinking about the coronavirus and to perceive the coronavirus as overrepresented in the media (all p < 0.001). University students reported a more supportive attitude toward vaccinations in general (students: M = 4.57, SD = 0.85; general population: M = 3.92, SD = 1.27) and a significantly higher vaccination intention (students: n = 4,438, 78.7%; general population: n = 635, 47.7%) than the general population (p < 0.001). Regression analyses revealed that in university students, vaccination intention was significantly predicted by not having children, a supporting attitude toward vaccinations in general, the belief that the coronavirus is overrepresented in the media, and less thinking about/worrying about the coronavirus (all p < 0.05). In the general population, vaccination intention was significantly associated with male gender, higher age, not having children, a supporting attitude toward vaccinations in general, and the belief that the coronavirus is overrepresented in the media (p < 0.05). The qualitative analysis among university students revealed that the most frequently stated positive aspect of the pandemic was to be more flexible due to digitalization (n = 1,301 statements, 22.2%) and the most frequently stated negative aspect was restriction in social life (n = 3,572 statements, 24.2%). Conclusion The results indicate differences in the attitudes toward the pandemic between university students and the general population. In addition, differences regarding factors associated with vaccination intention were found in both samples. These results could be important to be considered when designing and targeting vaccination campaigns aiming at informing different population or age groups. Study registration DRKS00022424.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ezgi Dogan-Sander
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sophia E. Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Freia De Bock
- Unit for Health Services Research, Clinic of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lena Huebl
- Department for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine and I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany,*Correspondence: Christine Rummel-Kluge
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14
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Kertzscher L, Baldofski S, Kohls E, Schomerus G, Rummel-Kluge C. Stable through the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a longitudinal telephone interview study in psychiatric outpatients. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276982. [PMID: 36327339 PMCID: PMC9632763 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with far-reaching changes all over the world. Health care systems were and are also affected. Little is known about the impact of these changes and the duration of the pandemic on people with mental disorders. The aim of this longitudinal follow-up study was to investigate the mental health status, medical care provision, and attitudes towards the pandemic of these people at the end of the second pandemic lockdown in Germany in 2021, and to compare these findings with the results of 2020. METHODS People with mental disorders currently receiving treatment in the psychiatric outpatient department of the University Hospital Leipzig, Germany, were asked about depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), self-reported medical care provision, attitudes and social and emotional aspects of the pandemic (social support [ESSI], perceived stress [PSS-4], loneliness [UCLA-3-LS], and resilience [BRS]) using structured telephone interviews. RESULTS In total, N = 75 participants who had already participated in the first survey in 2020 took part in the follow-up telephone interviews. The most frequent clinician-rated diagnoses were attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (n = 21; 28.0%) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (n = 16; 21.3%). In comparison to 2020, a significantly higher proportion of participants reported no problems in receiving medical care provision. Compared to the previous year, the resilience of the participants had significantly decreased. Depressive symptoms, social support, perceived stress, and loneliness remained stable. Significantly more participants felt restricted by the pandemic-related government measures in 2021 than in 2020. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance for continued efforts to maintain stable medical care provision for people with mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, as except for a decrease in resilience, mental health status remained stable. Nonetheless there is still a need for continued treatment to stabilise and improve this status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Kertzscher
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Georg Schomerus
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Eckert M, Efe Z, Guenthner L, Baldofski S, Kuehne K, Wundrack R, Thomas J, Saee S, Kohls E, Rummel-Kluge C. Acceptability and feasibility of a messenger-based psychological chat counselling service for children and young adults ("krisenchat"): A cross-sectional study. Internet Interv 2022; 27:100508. [PMID: 35242589 PMCID: PMC8857586 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2022.100508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescence represents a vulnerable period to experience personal crises or mental health problems. However, many concerns stay unnoticed due to the hesitance of young people to seek help and the unavailability and inaccessibility of appropriate help services. Contemporary interventions have been developed incorporating with target group specific needs and preferred modes of communication. krisenchat (German for "crisis chat") is a German low-threshold chat-based psychosocial crisis counselling service that is available around-the-clock. Despite the growing number of online support services, there is a dearth of research regarding the acceptability, usability, and feasibility. METHODS The present cross-sectional study analyzed retrospective anonymous data on sociodemographic variables, utilization behavior, and user satisfaction of all krisenchat users between May 2020 and July 2021. Predictors of user satisfaction were identified using exploratory multiple regression analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted using chi-square-tests to identify differences in user satisfaction. RESULTS Data of N = 6962 users was included in the analysis. More than 50% of those reported not having contacted the professional health care system before. The mean user of krisenchat was 17 years old (M = 16.6, SD = 3.5), female (female: 83.4%, male: 14.7%, diverse: 1.8%), and first approached the service at 4 PM (M = 4:03 PM, SD = 5:44 h). More than 60% of the users contacted the service between 4 PM and 12 AM, 10% even between 12 AM and 8 AM. The most frequent chat topics were concerns regarding psychiatric symptoms (60.1%), psychosocial (34.0%) or emotional distress (30.2%). The majority of the users (64.7%) reported high levels of satisfaction and 88.3% a high likelihood (60% or more) of recommending krisenchat to others. Also, the results indicate that the number of messages and their respective length differed between users and counsellors, with users writing several, but shorter messages and counsellors replying with fewer, but longer messages. CONCLUSION The results of the present study imply a high acceptability and feasibility of krisenchat. Overall, there is a high need for a 24/7 messenger-based chat counselling service in crises for children and young adults. Currently, there is no other online service for youth that is available after 7 PM or at weekends, which indicates the great importance of krisenchat and its function to bridge a current gap in the mental health care system. A need for further research emerges e.g., for subgroup differences regarding utilization patterns and also for further insights regarding help-seeking behavior via social media in youth. STUDY REGISTRATION DRKS00026671.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Eckert
- Krisenchat gGmbH, Berlin, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Zeki Efe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lukas Guenthner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katharina Kuehne
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Richard Wundrack
- Krisenchat gGmbH, Berlin, Germany,Department of Psychology, Chair of Personality Psychology, Humboldt University zu Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany,Corresponding author at: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Semmelweisstr 10, Haus 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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16
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Gulec H, Torun T, Prado ADS, Bauer S, Rummel-Kluge C, Kohls E. Eating attitudes and depressive symptoms in a LGBTIQ sample in Turkey. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1014253. [PMID: 36440428 PMCID: PMC9691651 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1014253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual and queer (LGBTIQ) individuals are often stigmatized due to their minority status. Sexual-minority stress is often discussed as a risk factor for the increased mental health problems reported in this population. OBJECTIVE The current study (1) investigated eating attitudes and depressive symptoms in a sexual minority sample from Turkey who identify themselves as LGBTIQ and (2) explored the role of sexual minority stressors beyond the potential predictors of eating attitudes and depressive symptoms in this population. METHODS Recruitment was supported and streamlined by several Turkish NGOs and LGBTIQ community networks. Sociodemographic measures, eating attitudes, depressive symptoms, sexual minority stressors (e.g., heterosexist experiences, internalized homophobia), and the potential predictors of eating attitudes and depressive symptoms were assessed with an anonymous online survey between February 2022 and June 2022. The sample consisted of 440 participants. The mean age was 31.92 (SD = 11.82). The majority of the participants reported their current gender identity as male (64.3%; n = 440) and their sexual orientation as attracted to men (62.8%; n = 439). For 79.7% of the participants, the assigned sex at birth was man (n = 439). RESULTS Two separate three-stage multiple hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and the risk and protective factors of eating attitudes and depressive symptoms. Disturbed eating attitudes were predicted by assigned female sex at birth, higher scores for depression, social isolation, and the total number of heterosexist experiences, and lower distress related to heterosexist experiences. Depressive symptoms were predicted by assigned female sex at birth, lesbian sexual orientation, disturbance in eating attitudes, increases in generalized anxiety, and distress related to daily heterosexist experiences. CONCLUSION The current study demonstrated the significant role of sexual minority stressors in the prediction of disturbed eating attitudes and depressive symptomatology beyond the general psychosocial vulnerability factors. These findings emphasize the need for developing strategies to reduce prejudicial attitudes at the societal level and to enhance the skills of LGBTIQ individuals in coping with sexual minority stressors in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayriye Gulec
- Interdisciplinary Research Team on Internet and Society, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Tayfun Torun
- Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Aneliana da Silva Prado
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil.,Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Stephanie Bauer
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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17
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Kohls E, Guenthner L, Baldofski S, Eckert M, Efe Z, Kuehne K, Saee S, Thomas J, Wundrack R, Rummel-Kluge C. Suicidal Ideation Among Children and Young Adults in a 24/7 Messenger-Based Psychological Chat Counseling Service. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:862298. [PMID: 35418889 PMCID: PMC8995430 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.862298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicidality in children and young adults is a pervasive problem: approximately 40% of respondents in epidemiological surveys in German schools reported suicidal ideation, while up to 9% reported a suicide attempt in the past. While there is compelling evidence for the effectiveness of telephone-based hotline services, an increasing preference of adolescents for messenger-based counseling services can be observed. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the utilization behavior and user satisfaction of users contacting a German messenger-based chat counseling service ("krisenchat") regarding suicidal ideation. METHODS The present cross-sectional study analyzed retrospective anonymous data on sociodemographic variables, utilization behavior, and user satisfaction of krisenchat users who used the service between May 2020 and July 2021. Chi-square-tests were used to identify associations of sociodemographic characteristics and utilization behavior with suicidal ideation. Mann-Whitney-U-tests were used to compare the user satisfaction and the recommendation-to-others-rate between suicidal and non-suicidal krisenchat-users. RESULTS In total, chat data of N = 11,031 users were collected. Of the n = 6,962 users included in the final analysis, n = 1,444 (20.7%) contacted krisenchat because of suicidal ideation. The average user experiencing suicidal ideation was 17 years old, female and currently not receiving other treatment. Further, suicidal ideation was significantly and positively associated with age and non-suicidal self-injury. Regarding utilization patterns, there were significant positive associations between suicidal ideation and counseling session count, mean amount of messages sent, and mean amount of words used per message by the user. User satisfaction was high, with 64.7% (n = 413) of users that answered the feedback survey and experiencing suicidal ideation rating the help they received as at least "good" and a recommendation rate of 89.6% (n = 571). Most importantly, no differences were found between users reporting suicidal ideation and those that do not regarding satisfaction and the probability of recommending the service. CONCLUSION Results imply satisfaction with the counseling service among users with suicidal ideation. Nevertheless, there is a need for further research into messenger-based counseling services regarding the prevention of suicidal behavior in children, youths, and young adults. Longitudinal studies are especially needed to assess the effectiveness of messenger-based interventions. STUDY REGISTRATION DRKS00026671.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lukas Guenthner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Zeki Efe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katharina Kuehne
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | - Richard Wundrack
- krisenchat gGmbH, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Chair of Personality Psychology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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18
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Dogan-Sander E, Kohls E, Baldofski S, Rummel-Kluge C. More Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol and Drug Consumption: Increase in Mental Health Symptoms Among University Students After One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:790974. [PMID: 34975589 PMCID: PMC8716753 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.790974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: As the majority of studies examining mental health during the pandemic are cross-sectional, little is known about the changes in mental health during the pandemic, especially in university students. Most studies indicate a worsening of mental health conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of German university students during the third wave of the pandemic in 2021 and to compare the results to a sample of a congruent cross-sectional study from 2020. Methods: Two cross-sectional and anonymous online surveys among university students were conducted (first survey: July-August 2020, N = 3,382; second survey: March-April 2021, N = 5,642). Mental health status was assessed with standardized measures (depressive symptoms, alcohol and drug consumption, and eating disorder symptoms), and social and emotional aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed. In addition to descriptive statistics and group comparisons of the two survey samples from 2020 and 2021, respectively, risk and protective factors related to mental health were analyzed. Results: There were significant differences in severities of depressive symptoms and alcohol and drug consumption between the two online surveys from 2020 and 2021. Findings suggest an increase in the severity of depressive symptoms as well as alcohol and drug consumption. Significantly more respondents reported suicidal ideation in the survey from 2021. Lower self-efficacy, less social support and lower resilience as well as higher perceived stress and more loneliness were reported by the participants of the survey from 2021 compared to 2020. Regarding factors predicting mental health symptoms, being female was a positive predictor for hazardous alcohol use and anorexia nervosa in comparison to men. Further, younger age, being diverse, higher perceived stress and loneliness were positive predictors for all mental health outcomes. Conclusion: This study reveals an increase in severities of depressive symptoms, including suicidal ideation, drug and alcohol consumption among students. Being diverse, younger age, higher perceived stress and loneliness were mutual risk factors for higher depressive and eating disorder symptoms as well as alcohol consumption. Universities and health care policy should recognize and address mental health issues of young adults during ongoing times of crisis and invest in easy-to-access interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Dogan-Sander
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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19
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Scholl J, Kohls E, Görges F, Steinbrecher M, Baldofski S, Moessner M, Rummel-Kluge C. Acceptability and Feasibility of the Transfer of Face-to-Face Group Therapy to Online Group Chats in a Psychiatric Outpatient Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Observational Study. JMIR Form Res 2021; 5:e27865. [PMID: 34161252 PMCID: PMC8315157 DOI: 10.2196/27865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, several mental health care providers were obliged to shut down outpatient services, including group therapy and psychoeducational sessions. The lockdown in many countries is a serious threat to people's mental well-being, especially for individuals with severe mental illnesses. Discontinued outpatient treatments and disruption of daily routines are considered to be risk factors for destabilization of patients with mental illness. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, usability, and feasibility of a group chat program to replace cancelled face-to-face group sessions in an outpatient psychiatric department. METHODS Participants (N=33) were recruited in the outpatient department of a large university medical center in Leipzig, Germany. Former face-to-face group participants were invited to take part in a therapist-guided group-chat for 4 weeks (8 sessions) and were asked to evaluate the program via self-administered standardized questionnaires at baseline (T0, preintervention), after every chat session (T1), and posttreatment (T2, after 4-6 weeks). The chat groups were specific to the following mental disorder diagnoses and based on the same therapeutic principles and techniques as the former face-to-face groups: anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sociodemographic measures, attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic, depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), quality of life (abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment), treatment credibility/expectancy (Credibility Expectancy Questionnaire), and participants' satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 [ZUF-8]) were measured. RESULTS Participants joined an average of 5 out of 8 offered chat sessions. Participation rates in the respective groups were highest in the ADHD group (8.6/11, 78%) and lowest in the anxiety group (3.7/9, 41%). The overall preintervention level of depressive symptoms was moderate and showed a slight, nonsignificant improvement at posttreatment (T0: mean 10.7, SD 5.5; T2: mean 10.2, SD 5.5). A similar result was observed regarding quality of life (T0: median 41.7-68.8; T2: median 50-70.3). Treatment credibility and expectancy scores were medium-high (T0: meancredibility 18.1, SD 3.8; meanexpectancy 11.2, SD 5.1; T2: meancredibility 17.1, SD 4.8; meanexpectancy 10.3, SD 5.8). Further, significant correlations were detected between posttreatment expectancy score and posttreatment PHQ-9 score (r=-0.41, P=.02), posttreatment physical quality of life (r=0.54, P=.001), and posttreatment psychological quality of life (r=0.53, P=.002). Overall, participants' satisfaction with the program was very high, both after chat sessions and at posttreatment (ZUF-8: mean score 20.6, SD 1.0). Of all participants, a majority (27/31, 87%) rated the program as excellent/good and indicated they would recommend the group chat program to a friend in need of similar help (23/31, 74%). CONCLUSIONS A therapist-guided group chat program to substitute outpatient group setting treatment during the COVID-19 lockdown was shown to be feasible, usable, and highly acceptable for participants. Web-based programs such as this one provide an easy-to-implement tool to successfully stabilize participants during a difficult time, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00021527; https://tinyurl.com/3btyxc2r.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Scholl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Frauke Görges
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marc Steinbrecher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Moessner
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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20
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Vreijling SR, Penninx BWJH, Bot M, Watkins E, Owens M, Kohls E, Hegerl U, Roca M, Gili M, Brouwer IA, Visser M, Beekman ATF, Jansen R, Lamers F. Effects of dietary interventions on depressive symptom profiles: results from the MooDFOOD depression prevention study. Psychol Med 2021; 52:1-10. [PMID: 33823960 PMCID: PMC9772915 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721000337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary interventions did not prevent depression onset nor reduced depressive symptoms in a large multi-center randomized controlled depression prevention study (MooDFOOD) involving overweight adults with subsyndromal depressive symptoms. We conducted follow-up analyses to investigate whether dietary interventions differ in their effects on depressive symptom profiles (mood/cognition; somatic; atypical, energy-related). METHODS Baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up data from MooDFOOD were used (n = 933). Participants received (1) placebo supplements, (2) food-related behavioral activation (F-BA) therapy with placebo supplements, (3) multi-nutrient supplements (omega-3 fatty acids and a multi-vitamin), or (4) F-BA therapy with multi-nutrient supplements. Depressive symptom profiles were based on the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology. RESULTS F-BA therapy was significantly associated with decreased severity of the somatic (B = -0.03, p = 0.014, d = -0.10) and energy-related (B = -0.08, p = 0.001, d = -0.13), but not with the mood/cognition symptom profile, whereas multi-nutrient supplementation was significantly associated with increased severity of the mood/cognition (B = 0.05, p = 0.022, d = 0.09) and the energy-related (B = 0.07, p = 0.002, d = 0.12) but not with the somatic symptom profile. CONCLUSIONS Differentiating depressive symptom profiles indicated that food-related behavioral interventions are most beneficial to alleviate somatic symptoms and symptoms of the atypical, energy-related profile linked to an immuno-metabolic form of depression, although effect sizes were small. Multi-nutrient supplements are not indicated to reduce depressive symptom profiles. These findings show that attention to clinical heterogeneity in depression is of importance when studying dietary interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Vreijling
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariska Bot
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ed Watkins
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Matthew Owens
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Miquel Roca
- Institut Universitari d’ Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISPA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemosssa km 7,5, 07071 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Margalida Gili
- Institut Universitari d’ Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISPA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemosssa km 7,5, 07071 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Ingeborg A. Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Visser
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aartjan T. F. Beekman
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rick Jansen
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Femke Lamers
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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21
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Dogan-Sander E, Baldofski S, Mauche N, Bot M, Brouwer IA, Cabout M, Gili M, van Grootheest G, Hegerl U, Owens M, Penninx BW, Roca M, Visser M, Watkins E, Kohls E. Overweight and obese individuals with depressive symptoms from the MooDFOOD prevention trial: Role of sociodemographic, somatic health, and weight related factors. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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22
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Heinz I, Baldofski S, Beesdo-Baum K, Knappe S, Kohls E, Rummel-Kluge C. "Doctor, my back hurts and I cannot sleep." Depression in primary care patients: Reasons for consultation and perceived depression stigma. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248069. [PMID: 33667268 PMCID: PMC7935275 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background General practitioners (GPs) play a significant role in depression care. Recognition of depression is crucial for adequate treatment but is impeded by a high portion of depressed patients only reporting physical symptoms to their GP. Among the many reasons for this phenomenon is mental health stigma. We investigated how patients with depression differed from patients without depression regarding the types and number of complaints presented to their GP, as well as their depression stigma. For the subgroup of patients with depression, potential associations between perceived depression stigma and number and types of presented complaints were investigated to see if these might reflect the patient’s intention to conceal mental health symptoms due to fear of being stigmatized by others. Further, we investigated if perceived depression stigma is related to depression treatment. Methods Data on depressive symptoms (assessed by the Depression Screening Questionnaire; DSQ), depression stigma (assessed by the Depressions Stigma Scale; DSS), type of complaints reported to the GP and treatment-related factors were collected from 3,563 unselected primary care patients of 253 GPs in a cross-sectional epidemiological study (“VERA study”) in six different German regions. Data of a total of 3,069 patients was used for analysis on complaints reported to the GP (subsample of the VERA study), and for 2,682 out of 3,069 patients data on a stigma questionnaire was available. Results Nearly half of the primary care patients with depression (42.2%) reported only physical complaints to their GP. Compared to patients without a depression diagnosis, patients with depression reported twice as many complaints to their GP with a mean of 2.02 (1.33) vs. 1.2 (0.69), including a more frequent combination of physical and mental symptoms (28.8% vs. 3.5%). Patients with depression showed higher total stigma compared to patients without depression, Mdn = 48 (IQR 40–54) vs. Mdn = 46.3 (IQR 29–53), due to higher perceived stigma, Mdn = 27 (IQR 21–32) vs. Mdn = 25.9 (IQR 20–29). Perceived stigma was associated with male gender (beta -.14, p = .005) and a lack of pharmacological treatment (beta -.14, p = .021) in patients with a depression diagnosis. Conclusion The number of complaints presented to the GP might function as a marker to actively explore depression in primary care patients, in particular when both physical and mental symptoms are reported. Perceived depression stigma should also be addressed especially in male patients. Further research should clarify the role of perceived stigma as a potential inhibitor of pharmacological treatment of depression in primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- German Alliance Against Depression, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katja Beesdo-Baum
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Knappe
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Kohls E, Baldofski S, Moeller R, Klemm SL, Rummel-Kluge C. Mental Health, Social and Emotional Well-Being, and Perceived Burdens of University Students During COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Germany. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:643957. [PMID: 33889102 PMCID: PMC8055863 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.643957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting everyone's daily life in unknown measures since its outbreak. Nearly all Universities around the globe were affected. Further, young people and University students in particular, are known to be vulnerable for developing mental disorders. This study aims to examine the mental health social and emotional well-being and perceived burdens of University students during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Germany. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and anonymous online survey among University students assessed mental health status with standardized measures (depressive symptoms, alcohol and drug consumption, and eating disorder symptoms), attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived burdens, and social and emotional aspects of the pandemic (social support, perceived stress, loneliness, and self-efficacy). Results: In total, N = 3,382 German University students participated. Nearly half of the students (49%) reported that they are worried or very much worried about the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority supports the governmental lockdown measures (85%). A Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) sum score of 10 or above, indicating clinically relevant depressive symptoms, was reported by 37% (n = 1,249). The PHQ-9 sum score was on average 8.66 (SD = 5.46). Suicidal thoughts were indicated by 14.5% of the participants. Levels of depressive symptoms differed significantly for the different self-rated income changes during the pandemic (increase, decrease, no change in income). Further, levels of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation differed significantly for students from different faculties. Multiple regression analyses revealed that not being a parent, having no indirect social contact one or two times a week, higher perceived stress, higher experienced loneliness, lower social support, and lower self-efficacy significantly predicted higher scores of depressive symptoms, also higher hazardous alcohol use, and higher levels of eating disorder symptoms. Other aspects of lifestyle such as social and cultural activities, dating, and hobbies were reported to be negatively affected during the pandemic. Conclusion: The present study implies that University students are vulnerable and due to elevated depressive symptoms at risk, being hit hard by the pandemic, but are in general coping adaptively. Low-threshold online interventions promoting help-seeking and also targeting various mental health conditions might bridge the gap the COVID-19 pandemic opened up recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Raiko Moeller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah-Lena Klemm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Thesing CS, Milaneschi Y, Bot M, Brouwer IA, Owens M, Hegerl U, Gili M, Roca M, Kohls E, Watkins E, Visser M, Penninx BWJH. Supplementation-induced increase in circulating omega-3 serum levels is not associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms: Results from the MooDFOOD depression prevention trial. Depress Anxiety 2020; 37:1079-1088. [PMID: 32845021 PMCID: PMC7693241 DOI: 10.1002/da.23092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is ambiguity on how omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are associated with depression, and what the temporality of the association might be. The present study aimed to examine whether (intervention-induced changes in) n-3 PUFA levels were associated with (changes in) depressive symptoms. METHODS Baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up data on 682 overweight and subclinically depressed persons from four European countries that participated in the MooDFOOD depression prevention randomized controlled trial were used. Participants were allocated to four intervention groups: (a) placebos, (b) placebos and food-related behavioral activation therapy (F-BA), (c) multinutrient supplements (fish oil and multivitamin), and (d) multinutrient supplements and F-BA. Depressive symptoms were measured using the inventory of depressive symptomatology. PUFA levels (µmol/L) were measured using gas chromatography. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographics, lifestyle, and somatic health. RESULTS Increases in n-3 PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid levels over time were significantly larger in the supplement groups than in placebo groups. Change in PUFA levels was not significantly associated with the change in depressive symptoms (β = .002, SE = 0.003, p = .39; β = .003, SE = 0.005, p = .64; β = .005, SE = 0.005, p = .29; β = -.0002, SE = 0.0004, p = .69). Baseline PUFA levels did not modify the intervention effects on depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS In overweight and subclinical depressed persons, multinutrient supplements led to significant increases in n-3 PUFA levels over time, which were not associated with changes in depressive symptoms. Multinutrient supplements do not seem to be an effective preventive strategy in lowering depressive symptoms over time in these at-risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carisha S. Thesing
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute de Boelelaan, Amsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Yuri Milaneschi
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute de Boelelaan, Amsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Mariska Bot
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute de Boelelaan, Amsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg A. Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and the Amsterdam Public Health research instituteVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Matt Owens
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of ExeterExeterUnited Kingdom
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and PsychotherapyGoethe‐Universität FrankfurtFrankfurt a.M.Germany
| | - Margalida Gili
- Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Idisba, RediappUniversity of Balearic IslandsPalma de MallorcaSpain
| | - Miquel Roca
- Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Idisba, RediappUniversity of Balearic IslandsPalma de MallorcaSpain
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical FacultyUniversity of LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Ed Watkins
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of ExeterExeterUnited Kingdom
| | - Marjolein Visser
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and the Amsterdam Public Health research instituteVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute de Boelelaan, Amsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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Owens M, Watkins E, Bot M, Brouwer IA, Roca M, Kohls E, Penninx B, van Grootheest G, Cabout M, Hegerl U, Gili M, Visser M. Acceptability and feasibility of two interventions in the MooDFOOD Trial: a food-related depression prevention randomised controlled trial in overweight adults with subsyndromal symptoms of depression. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e034025. [PMID: 32933954 PMCID: PMC7493122 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We report on the acceptability, feasibility, dose-response relationship and adherence of two nutritional strategies to improve mood (multinutrient supplements; food-related behavioural activation (F-BA)) studied in a randomised controlled depression prevention trial (the Multi-country cOllaborative project on the rOle of Diet, Food-related behaviour, and Obesity in the prevention of Depression (MooDFOOD) Trial). We also assessed baseline determinants of adherence and assessed whether better adherence resulted in lower depressive symptoms. DESIGN Randomised controlled trial with a 2×2 factorial design conducted between 2015 and 2017. SETTING Germany, the Netherlands, UK and Spain. PARTICIPANTS Community sample of 1025 overweight adults with elevated depressive symptoms without a current episode of major depressive disorder. Main eligibility criteria included age (18-75 years), being overweight or obese, and having at least mild depressive symptoms, shown by a Patient Health Questionnaire Score of ≥5. A total of 76% of the sample was retained at the 12-month follow-up. INTERVENTIONS Daily nutritional supplements versus pill placebo or an F-BA therapy, delivered in individual and group sessions versus no behavioural intervention over a 1-year period. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome: self-reported acceptability of the interventions. SECONDARY OUTCOMES adherence and self-reported depressive symptoms. RESULTS Most participants reported that the F-BA was acceptable (83.61%), feasible to do (65.91%) and would recommend it to a friend (84.57%). Individual F-BA sessions (88.10%) were significantly more often rated as positive than group F-BA sessions (70.17%) and supplements (28.59%). There were statistically significant reductions in depressive symptoms for those who both adhered to the F-BA intervention and had a history of depression (B=-0.08, SE=0.03, p=0.012) versus those who had no history of depression. Supplement intake had no effect on depressive symptoms irrespective of adherence. CONCLUSIONS F-BA may have scope for development as a depression prevention intervention and public health strategy but further refinement and testing are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02529423.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Owens
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Edward Watkins
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Mariska Bot
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, GGZ in Geest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg Annemarie Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Miquel Roca
- Institut Universitari d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISBA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Brenda Penninx
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, GGZ in Geest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard van Grootheest
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, GGZ in Geest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mieke Cabout
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Margalida Gili
- Institut Universitari d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISBA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Marjolein Visser
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Paans NPG, Bot M, Brouwer IA, Visser M, Gili M, Roca M, Hegerl U, Kohls E, Owens M, Watkins E, Penninx BWJH. Effects of food-related behavioral activation therapy on eating styles, diet quality and body weight change: Results from the MooDFOOD Randomized Clinical Trial. J Psychosom Res 2020; 137:110206. [PMID: 32798835 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Depression and obesity are bi-directionally related, eating styles and diet quality are two important factors associated with both. It remains uncertain if and how these two factors can be modified. Therefore the current study aims to investigate whether food-related behavioral activation therapy (F-BA), targeting mood, dietary habits and food related behavior, can improve eating styles, and diet quality and reduce body weight in adults with overweight or obesity and subsyndromal depressive symptoms. METHODS Data were derived from the MooDFOOD prevention trial, a 2x2 factorial RCT investigating the effect of nutritional strategies on prevention of depression. Changes in emotional, uncontrolled, and cognitive restrained eating (Three Factor Eating Questionnaire Revised), Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), and body weight were analyzed among 1025 adults who either received F-BA or no intervention for 12 months. Intervention effect was tested by longitudinal analysis of covariance using mixed model analysis. RESULTS The F-BA group showed a small decrease in emotional (β=-5.68, p<.001) and uncontrolled eating (β=-4.05, p=.03), and increase in cognitive restrained eating (β=5.53, p<.01), compared to no F-BA. The effect of the F-BA therapy on emotional and uncontrolled eating was stronger in those with higher baseline depressive symptoms (IDS-SR). The F-BA did also lead to small improvements in MDS (β=1.95, p<.001), but not to change in body weight. CONCLUSION Our trial showed no reduction in bodyweight, but provides support for the possibility to improve both unhealthy eating styles and diet quality using an intervention targeting these specifically, although effects were small [Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT02529423].
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine P G Paans
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Mariska Bot
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg A Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, and Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Visser
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, and Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Margalida Gili
- Institut Universitari d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISBA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemosssa km 7,5, 07071 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Miquel Roca
- Institut Universitari d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISBA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemosssa km 7,5, 07071 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Senckenberg Distinguished Professorship, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt A.M., Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthew Owens
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Ed Watkins
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Owens M, Watkins E, Bot M, Brouwer IA, Roca M, Kohls E, Penninx BWJH, Grootheest G, Hegerl U, Gili M, Visser M. Nutrition and depression: Summary of findings from the EU‐funded MooDFOOD depression prevention randomised controlled trial and a critical review of the literature. NUTR BULL 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/nbu.12447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Owens
- Department of Psychology University of Exeter Exeter UK
| | - E. Watkins
- Department of Psychology University of Exeter Exeter UK
| | - M. Bot
- Amsterdam UMC Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute GGZ in Geest Specialized Mental Health Care Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - I. A. Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences Faculty of Science Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - M. Roca
- Institut Universitari d’ Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISBA) Rediapp University of Balearic Islands Palma de Mallorca Spain
| | - E. Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Medical Faculty University Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| | - B. W. J. H. Penninx
- Amsterdam UMC Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute GGZ in Geest Specialized Mental Health Care Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - G. Grootheest
- Amsterdam UMC Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute GGZ in Geest Specialized Mental Health Care Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - U. Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy Goethe‐University Frankfurt Germany
| | - M. Gili
- Institut Universitari d’ Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISBA) Rediapp University of Balearic Islands Palma de Mallorca Spain
| | - M. Visser
- Department of Health Sciences Faculty of Science Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
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Heinz I, Mergl R, Hegerl U, Rummel-Kluge C, Kohls E. Depression stigma and management of suicidal callers: a cross-sectional survey of crisis hotline counselors. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19:342. [PMID: 31694588 PMCID: PMC6836490 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2325-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crisis hotlines play a key role in suicide prevention worldwide following different approaches regarding risk assessment and management of suicidality. This is to our knowledge the first study investigating depression stigma in crisis hotline counselors. The association between stigma and self-rated knowledge and their exploration of suicide risk and consecutive management of suicidal callers is being investigated. METHODS Data on depression stigma, self-rated knowledge, self-reported exploration and management of suicidality was collected from 893 counselors working for the German crisis hotline. Stigma in counselors had been compared to matched population sample (1002). RESULTS Crisis hotline counselors reported significantly lower depression stigma compared to the general population. Depression stigma and age associations differed in both samples. The reported exploration of suicide risk in callers differed depending on the self-rated knowledge about suicidality and depending on the personal depression stigma, but not the reported consecutive management. CONCLUSION Compared to the general population, crisis hotline counselors seem to have fewer stigmatizing attitudes toward depression. Attitudes and self-rated knowledge seem to influence the confidence in counselors regarding the exploration of suicidal callers, but not the consecutive management. The results indicate that a profound training and hands-on information about depression and suicide risk seem to be essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, Haus 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. .,German Alliance Against Depression, Goerdelerring 9, 04109, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Roland Mergl
- 0000 0000 8801 1556grid.7752.7Bundeswehr University Munich, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39, 85577 Neubiberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- German Alliance Against Depression, Goerdelerring 9, 04109 Leipzig, Germany ,0000 0004 1936 9721grid.7839.5Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt (Distinguished Professorship funded by Dr. Senckenbergische Stiftung), Heinrich-Hoffmann-Strasse 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- 0000 0001 2230 9752grid.9647.cDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, Haus 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- 0000 0001 2230 9752grid.9647.cDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, Haus 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Dogan-Sander E, Willenberg A, Batmaz İ, Enzenbach C, Wirkner K, Kohls E, Mergl R, Thiery J, Kratzsch J, Hegerl U, Sander C. Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations with sleep phenotypes in a German community sample. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219318. [PMID: 31276483 PMCID: PMC6611612 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sleep disorders and vitamin D deficiency are among the most common health problems. Few studies investigated the effect of vitamin D on objectively recorded sleep with sound methodological quality and reasonable temporal proximity. Objective To investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and objective sleep parameters assessed within close temporal proximity in a population-based sample. It is expected that higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with 1) better objective sleep outcomes (longer sleep duration, higher sleep efficiency, earlier mid-sleep time) and 2) more positive subjective sleep evaluations. Methods A subset of participants (n = 1045) from the LIFE-Adult-Study was analysed. Measurement of serum 25(OH)D vitamin was performed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Actigraphic assessments were performed using SenseWear Pro 3 devices. The following objective sleep parameters were calculated: total sleep duration, night sleep duration, night sleep efficiency, midsleep time and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Subjective sleep evaluations were assessed via questionnaire (sleep quality (PSQI), daytime sleepiness (ESS)). Data were analysed applying a multiple linear regression model with a stepwise approach. Results The regression models revealed significant associations of serum 25(OH)D concentration with night sleep duration and midsleep time. No association was found for total sleep duration and night sleep efficiency. Higher serum 25(OH)D concentration was further associated with shorter WASO in males but longer WASO in females. Moreover, serum 25(OH)D concentration did not show any significant association with subjective sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. Conclusion The results indicate that a higher concentration of serum 25(OH)D is associated with longer and earlier night sleep. Although the present study was able to demonstrate an association between serum 25(OH)D concentration and objective sleep parameters, no conclusion about underlying mechanisms or causal inferences can be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Dogan-Sander
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Anja Willenberg
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- LIFE—Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - İnci Batmaz
- Department of Statistics, Arts and Sciences Faculty, Middle East Technical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Cornelia Enzenbach
- LIFE—Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics, and Epidemiology (IMISE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wirkner
- LIFE—Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roland Mergl
- LIFE—Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bundeswehr University Munich, Neubiberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Thiery
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- LIFE—Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jürgen Kratzsch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- LIFE—Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- LIFE—Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Sander
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- LIFE—Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Dreimann JM, Kohls E, Warmeling HFW, Stein M, Guo LF, Garland M, Dinh TN, Vorholt AJ. In Situ Infrared Spectroscopy as a Tool for Monitoring Molecular Catalyst for Hydroformylation in Continuous Processes. ACS Catal 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.8b05066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. M. Dreimann
- Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund, Emil-Figge-Straße 66, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - E. Kohls
- Molecular Simulations and Design Group, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - H. F. W. Warmeling
- Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund, Emil-Figge-Straße 66, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - M. Stein
- Molecular Simulations and Design Group, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - L. F. Guo
- Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES), 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island 627833, Singapore
| | - M. Garland
- Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES), 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island 627833, Singapore
| | - T. N. Dinh
- Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES), 1 Pesek Road, Jurong Island 627833, Singapore
| | - A. J. Vorholt
- Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstraße 34-36, 45740 Mülheim, Germany
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Oehler C, Görges F, Böttger D, Hug J, Koburger N, Kohls E, Rummel-Kluge C. Efficacy of an internet-based self-management intervention for depression or dysthymia - a study protocol of an RCT using an active control condition. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19:90. [PMID: 30871544 PMCID: PMC6419490 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2063-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of major depressive disorder, a highly prevalent disorder associated with pronounced burden, is a large challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Internet based self-management interventions seem to be a cost effective way to complement the treatment of depressed patients, but the accumulating evidence is mainly based on the comparison to waitlist controls and treatment as usual, which might lead to an overestimation of effects. Furthermore, studies assessing long-term effects and possible negative outcomes are still rare. METHODS/DESIGN The proposed study evaluates the efficacy of the German version of the iFightDepression® tool in comparison to an active control condition. A total of 360 patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms are included into a two-armed randomized controlled trial. They receive one of two six week interventions; either the iFightDepression® tool or progressive muscle relaxation serving as the control condition. Both intervention groups receive information material, weekly tasks via the internet and regular phone calls as part of the intervention. The primary outcome is change in depressive symptoms after the intervention period, as measured with the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology. Satisfaction with the program, usability, changes in perceived quality of life, and possible negative effects are assessed as secondary outcomes. DISCUSSION This study represents the first randomized controlled trial on the iFightDepression® self-management tool in its German version, aiming at efficacy, but also at providing new insights into so far understudied aspects of E-mental health programs, namely the specificity of the treatment effect compared to an active control condition, it's continuity over a time course of 12 months, and possible negative effects of these internet based interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION International trial-registration took place through the "international clinical trials registry platform" (WHO) with the secondary ID 080-15-09032015. German Clinical Trial Registration: DRKS00009323 (DRKS.de, registered on 25 February 2016).
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Oehler
- German Depression Foundation, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Frauke Görges
- German Depression Foundation, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Böttger
- German Depression Foundation, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Juliane Hug
- grid.493241.9European Alliance Against Depression, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nicole Koburger
- Research Academy Leipzig, Wächterstraße 30, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- 0000 0001 2230 9752grid.9647.cDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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Bot M, Brouwer IA, Roca M, Kohls E, Penninx BWJH, Watkins E, van Grootheest G, Cabout M, Hegerl U, Gili M, Owens M, Visser M. Effect of Multinutrient Supplementation and Food-Related Behavioral Activation Therapy on Prevention of Major Depressive Disorder Among Overweight or Obese Adults With Subsyndromal Depressive Symptoms: The MooDFOOD Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2019; 321:858-868. [PMID: 30835307 PMCID: PMC6439597 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.0556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Importance Effects of nutritional interventions on the prevention of major depressive disorder (MDD) in overweight adults are unknown. Objective To examine the effect of 2 nutritional strategies (multinutrient supplementation, food-related behavioral activation therapy) and their combination for prevention of a new MDD episode in overweight adults with subsyndromal depressive symptoms. Design, Setting, and Participants This multicenter 2 × 2 factorial randomized clinical trial included overweight adults (body mass index, 25-40) with elevated depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] scores ≥5) and no MDD episode in the past 6 months from 4 European countries. A total of 1025 adults were randomized (July 30, 2015-October 12, 2016) and followed up for 1 year (October 13, 2017). Interventions Daily multinutrient supplements (1412-mg omega-3 fatty acids, 30-μg selenium, 400-μg folic acid, and 20-μg vitamin D3 plus 100-mg calcium) vs placebo and 21 individual or group therapy sessions vs none (blinded to researchers) for 1 year. Participants were allocated to placebo without therapy (n = 257), placebo with therapy (n = 256), supplements without therapy (n = 256), and supplements with therapy (n = 256). Main Outcome and Measures Cumulative 1-year onset of MDD via the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview at 3, 6, and 12 months. Logistic regression using effect-coded variables (-1 indicating control, 1 indicating intervention) evaluated intervention effects both individually and in combination (interaction) on MDD onset. Results Among 1025 participants (mean age, 46.5 years; 772 women [75%]; mean BMI, 31.4), 779 (76%) completed the trial. During the 12-month follow-up, 105 (10%) developed MDD: 25 (9.7%) patients in the placebo without therapy, 26 (10.2%) in the placebo with therapy, 32 (12.5%) in the supplement without therapy, and 22 (8.6%) in the supplement with therapy group. None of the treatment strategies affected MDD onset. The odds ratio (OR) for supplements was 1.06 (95% CI, 0.87-1.29); for therapy, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.76-1.13); and for their combination, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.76-1.14; P for interaction, .48). One person in the supplementation with therapy group, died. Twenty-four patients in each of the placebo groups and 24 patients in the supplementation with therapy group were hospitalized, and 26 patients in the supplementation-only group were hospitalized. Conclusions and Relevance Among overweight or obese adults with subsyndromal depressive symptoms, multinutrient supplementation compared with placebo and food-related behavioral activation therapy compared with no therapy did not reduce episodes of major depressive disorder during 1 year. These findings do not support the use of these interventions for prevention of major depressive disorder. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02529423.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariska Bot
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, GGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg A. Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Miquel Roca
- Institut Universitari d’ Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Idisba, Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, GGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ed Watkins
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Gerard van Grootheest
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, GGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mieke Cabout
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Margalida Gili
- Institut Universitari d’ Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Idisba, Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Matthew Owens
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Marjolein Visser
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Baldofski S, Kohls E, Bauer S, Becker K, Bilic S, Eschenbeck H, Kaess M, Moessner M, Salize HJ, Diestelkamp S, Voß E, Rummel-Kluge C. Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of two online interventions for children and adolescents at risk for depression (E.motion trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial within the ProHEAD consortium. Trials 2019; 20:53. [PMID: 30646944 PMCID: PMC6334409 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-3156-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a serious mental health problem and is common in children and adolescents. Online interventions are promising in overcoming the widespread undertreatment of depression and in improving the help-seeking behavior in children and adolescents. METHODS The multicentre, randomized controlled E.motion trial is part of the German ProHEAD consortium (Promoting Help-seeking using E-technology for ADolescents). The objective of the trial is to investigate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of two online interventions to reduce depressive symptomatology in high-risk children and adolescents with subsyndromal symptoms of depression in comparison to an active control group. Participants will be randomized to one of three conditions: (1) Intervention 1, a clinician-guided self-management program (iFightDepression®); (2) Intervention 2, a clinician-guided group chat intervention; and (3) Control intervention, a psycho-educational website on depressive symptoms. Interventions last six weeks. In total, N = 363 children and adolescents aged ≥ 12 years with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 modified for Adolescents (PHQ-A) scores in the range of 5-9 will be recruited at five study sites across Germany. Online questionnaires will be administered before onset of the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and at the six-month follow-up. Further, children and adolescents will participate in the baseline screening and the one- and two-year school-based follow-up assessments integrated in the ProHEAD consortium. The primary endpoint is depression symptomatology at the end of intervention as measured by the PHQ-A score. Secondary outcomes include depression symptomatology at all follow-ups, help-seeking attitudes, and actual face-to-face help-seeking, adherence to and satisfaction with the interventions, depression stigma, and utilization and cost of interventions. DISCUSSION This study represents the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating efficacy and cost-effectiveness of two online interventions in children and adolescents aged ≥ 12 years at risk for depression. It aims to provide a better understanding of the help-seeking behavior of children and adolescents, potential benefits of E-mental health interventions for this age group, and new insights into so far understudied aspects of E-mental health programs, such as potential negative effects of online interventions. This knowledge will be used to tailor and improve future help offers and programs for children and adolescents and ways of treatment allocation. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Register for Clinical Trials (DRKS), DRKS00014668 . Registered on 4 May 2018. International trial registration took place through the "international clinical trials registry platform" with the secondary ID S-086/2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephanie Bauer
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Marburg and Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Marburg Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (MCMBB), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sally Bilic
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heike Eschenbeck
- Department of Psychology, University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Markus Moessner
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans Joachim Salize
- Mental Health Services Research Group, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Silke Diestelkamp
- German Center for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence (DZSKJ), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elke Voß
- Mental Health Services Research Group, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Baldofski S, Mauche N, Dogan-Sander E, Bot M, Brouwer IA, Paans NPG, Cabout M, Gili M, van Grootheest G, Hegerl U, Owens M, Roca M, Visser M, Watkins E, Penninx BWJH, Kohls E. Depressive Symptom Clusters in Relation to Body Weight Status: Results From Two Large European Multicenter Studies. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:858. [PMID: 31824355 PMCID: PMC6882291 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is strong evidence for a bidirectional association between depression and obesity. Several biological, psychological, and behavior-related factors may influence this complex association. Clinical impression and preliminary evidence suggest that patients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder may endorse very different depressive symptom patterns depending on their body weight status. Until now, little is known about potential differences in depressive symptoms in relation to body weight status. Objective: The aim of this analysis is the investigation of potential differences in depressive symptom clusters (mood symptoms, somatic/vegetative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms) in relation to body weight status. Methods: Cross-sectional baseline data were derived from two large European multicenter studies: the MooDFOOD Trial and the NESDA cohort study, including persons with overweight and obesity and normal weight reporting subthreshold depressive symptoms (assessment via Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report, IDS-SR30). Different measures for body weight status [waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI)] were examined. Propensity score matching was performed and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Results: A total of n = 504 individuals (73.0% women) were analyzed. Results show that more somatic/vegetative depressive symptoms, such as pain, change in appetite and weight, gastrointestinal symptoms, and arousal-related symptoms, were significantly associated with both a higher BMI and higher WHR, respectively. In addition, being male and older age were significantly associated with higher WHR. Mood and cognitive depressive symptoms did not yield significant associations for both body weight status measures. Conclusions: Somatic/vegetative symptoms and not mood and cognitive symptoms of depression are associated with body weight status. Thus, the results support previous findings of heterogeneous depressive symptoms in relation to body weight status. In addition to BMI, other body weight status measures for obesity should be taken into account in future studies. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02529423.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Baldofski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nicole Mauche
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ezgi Dogan-Sander
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mariska Bot
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg A Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nadine P G Paans
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mieke Cabout
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Margarita Gili
- Institut Universitari d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISPA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Gerard van Grootheest
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Depression Research Centre, German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany.,Senckenberg-Professorship, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Matthew Owens
- Department of Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Miquel Roca
- Institut Universitari d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISPA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Marjolein Visser
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ed Watkins
- Department of Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Paans NPG, Bot M, Brouwer IA, Visser M, Roca M, Kohls E, Watkins E, Penninx BWJH. The association between depression and eating styles in four European countries: The MooDFOOD prevention study. J Psychosom Res 2018; 108:85-92. [PMID: 29602330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Depression, one of the most prevalent and disabling disorders in Europe, is thought to be associated with unhealthy eating styles. As prevalence of depression and eating styles potentially differ across Europe, the current study aimed to investigate in a large, European sample, the associations of history of major depressive disorder and depression severity with unhealthy eating styles. METHODS Baseline data of the MooDFOOD prevention study was used. The current analysis included 990 participants of four European countries (The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain). Analyses of Covariance and linear regression analyses were performed with depression history or depression severity as determinants, and emotional, uncontrolled, and cognitive restrained eating (Three Factor Eating Questionnaire Revised, 18 item) as outcomes. RESULTS Depression history and severity were associated with more emotional and uncontrolled eating and with less cognitive restrained eating. Mood, somatic, and cognitive symptom clusters were also associated with more emotional and uncontrolled eating, and with less cognitive restrained eating. The somatic depressive symptoms "increased appetite" and "increased weight" were more strongly associated to unhealthy eating styles compared to other symptoms. No differences in associations between depression and unhealthy eating were found between European countries. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that depression is related to more unhealthy eating styles. Diminishing unhealthy eating styles in subthreshold depressed persons could potentially reduce adverse health consequences like weight gain, unhealthy dietary patterns and weight-related diseases. It is also possible that interventions that decrease depressive symptoms can lead to a decrease in unhealthy eating styles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine P G Paans
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Mariska Bot
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg A Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Visser
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, Nutrition and Dietetics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Miquel Roca
- Institut Universitari d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISPA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemosssa km 7,5, Palma de Mallorca 07071, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ed Watkins
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Dogan E, Sander C, Wagner X, Hegerl U, Kohls E. Smartphone-Based Monitoring of Objective and Subjective Data in Affective Disorders: Where Are We and Where Are We Going? Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2017; 19:e262. [PMID: 28739561 PMCID: PMC5547249 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.7006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Electronic mental health interventions for mood disorders have increased rapidly over the past decade, most recently in the form of various systems and apps that are delivered via smartphones. Objective We aim to provide an overview of studies on smartphone-based systems that combine subjective ratings with objectively measured data for longitudinal monitoring of patients with affective disorders. Specifically, we aim to examine current knowledge on: (1) the feasibility of, and adherence to, such systems; (2) the association of monitored data with mood status; and (3) the effects of monitoring on clinical outcomes. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for relevant articles published in the last ten years (2007-2017) by applying Boolean search operators with an iterative combination of search terms, which was conducted in February 2017. Additional articles were identified via pearling, author correspondence, selected reference lists, and trial protocols. Results A total of 3463 unique records were identified. Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The majority of articles represented feasibility studies (n=27); two articles reported results from one randomized controlled trial (RCT). In total, six different self-monitoring systems for affective disorders that used subjective mood ratings and objective measurements were included. These objective parameters included physiological data (heart rate variability), behavioral data (phone usage, physical activity, voice features), and context/environmental information (light exposure and location). The included articles contained results regarding feasibility of such systems in affective disorders, showed reasonable accuracy in predicting mood status and mood fluctuations based on the objectively monitored data, and reported observations about the impact of monitoring on clinical state and adherence of patients to the system usage. Conclusions The included observational studies and RCT substantiate the value of smartphone-based approaches for gathering long-term objective data (aside from self-ratings to monitor clinical symptoms) to predict changes in clinical states, and to investigate causal inferences about state changes in patients with affective disorders. Although promising, a much larger evidence-base is necessary to fully assess the potential and the risks of these approaches. Methodological limitations of the available studies (eg, small sample sizes, variations in the number of observations or monitoring duration, lack of RCT, and heterogeneity of methods) restrict the interpretability of the results. However, a number of study protocols stated ambitions to expand and intensify research in this emerging and promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Dogan
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Sander
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Depression Research Centre, German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Xenija Wagner
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Depression Research Centre, German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Freeman A, Mergl R, Kohls E, Székely A, Gusmao R, Arensman E, Koburger N, Hegerl U, Rummel-Kluge C. A cross-national study on gender differences in suicide intent. BMC Psychiatry 2017; 17:234. [PMID: 28662694 PMCID: PMC5492308 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1398-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide accounts for over 58,000 deaths in Europe per annum, where suicide attempts are estimated to be 20 times higher. Males have been found to have a disproportionately lower rate of suicide attempts and an excessively higher rate of suicides compared to females. The gender difference in suicide intent is postulated to contribute towards this gender imbalance. The aim of this study is to explore gender differences in suicide intent in a cross-national study of suicide attempts. The secondary aims are to investigate the gender differences in suicide attempt across age and country. METHODS Data on suicide attempts (acquired from the EU-funded OSPI-Europe project) was obtained from eight regions in Germany, Hungary, Ireland and Portugal. Suicide intent data was categorized into 'Non-habitual Deliberate Self-Harm' (DSH), 'Parasuicidal Pause' (SP), 'Parasuicidal Gesture' (SG), and 'Serious Suicide Attempt' (SSA), applying the Feuerlein scale. Gender differences in intent were explored for significance by using χ2-tests, odds ratios, and regression analyses. RESULTS Suicide intent data from 5212 participants was included in the analysis. A significant association between suicide intent and gender was found, where 'Serious Suicide Attempts' (SSA) were rated significantly more frequently in males than females (p < .001). There was a statistically significant gender difference in intent and age groups (p < .001) and between countries (p < .001). Furthermore, within the most utilised method, intentional drug overdose, 'Serious Suicide Attempt' (SSA) was rated significantly more often for males than females (p < .005). CONCLUSIONS Considering the differences in suicidal intent between males and females highlighted by the current study, gender targeted prevention and intervention strategies would be recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aislinné Freeman
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universität Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Haus 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Roland Mergl
- 0000 0001 2230 9752grid.9647.cKlinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universität Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Haus 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany ,Forschungszentrum Depression der Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- 0000 0001 2230 9752grid.9647.cKlinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universität Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Haus 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - András Székely
- 0000 0001 0942 9821grid.11804.3cSemmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ricardo Gusmao
- 0000000121511713grid.10772.33New University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ella Arensman
- 0000000123318773grid.7872.aNational Suicide Research Foundation & Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Nicole Koburger
- 0000 0001 2230 9752grid.9647.cKlinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universität Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Haus 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany ,Forschungszentrum Depression der Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- 0000 0001 2230 9752grid.9647.cKlinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universität Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Haus 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany ,Forschungszentrum Depression der Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- 0000 0001 2230 9752grid.9647.cKlinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universität Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Haus 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany ,Forschungszentrum Depression der Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe, Leipzig, Germany
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Kamenov K, Cabello M, Nieto M, Bernard R, Kohls E, Rummel-Kluge C, Ayuso-Mateos JL. Research Recommendations for Improving Measurement of Treatment Effectiveness in Depression. Front Psychol 2017; 8:356. [PMID: 28337167 PMCID: PMC5343004 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite the steadily escalating psychological and economic burden of depression, there is a lack of evidence for the effectiveness of available interventions on functioning areas beyond symptomatology. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to give an insight into the current measurement of treatment effectiveness in depression and to provide recommendations for its improvement. Materials and Methods: The study was based on a multi-informant approach, comparing data from a systematic literature review, an expert survey with representatives from clinical practice (130), and qualitative interviews with patients (11) experiencing depression. Results: Current literature places emphasis on symptomatic outcomes and neglects other domains of functioning, whereas clinicians and depressed patients highlight the importance of both. Interpersonal relationships, recreation and daily activities, communication, social participation, work difficulties were identified as being crucial for recovery. Personal factors, neglected by the literature, such as self-efficacy were introduced by experts and patients. Furthermore, clinicians and patients identified a number of differences regarding the areas improved by psychotherapeutic or pharmacological interventions that were not addressed by the pertinent literature. Conclusion: Creation of a new cross-nationally applicable measure of psychosocial functioning, broader remission criteria, report of domain-specific information, and a personalized approach in treatment decision-making are the first crucial steps needed for the improvement of the measurement of treatment effectiveness in depression. A better measurement will facilitate the clinical decision making and answer the escalating burden of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaloyan Kamenov
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERMadrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadrid, Spain
| | - María Cabello
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERMadrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Nieto
- Instituto de Investigación de La Princesa (IIS-IP), Hospital Universitario de La Princesa Madrid, Spain
| | - Renaldo Bernard
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology - IBE, Research Unit for Biopsychosocial Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Munich, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Leipzig University Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - José L Ayuso-Mateos
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERMadrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación de La Princesa (IIS-IP), Hospital Universitario de La PrincesaMadrid, Spain
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Gerlach M, Kohls E, Lemberg M, Hamel C, Sadowski G, Seidel-Morgenstern A, Stein M. Vorhersage des Lösungsmitteleinflusses auf das Reaktionsgleichgewicht der Hydroformylierung von 1-Dodecen. CHEM-ING-TECH 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/cite.201650063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Roca M, Kohls E, Gili M, Watkins E, Owens M, Hegerl U, van Grootheest G, Bot M, Cabout M, Brouwer IA, Visser M, Penninx BW. Prevention of depression through nutritional strategies in high-risk persons: rationale and design of the MooDFOOD prevention trial. BMC Psychiatry 2016; 16:192. [PMID: 27277946 PMCID: PMC4898322 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-016-0900-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity and depression are two prevalent conditions that are costly to individuals and society. The bidirectional association of obesity with depression, in which unhealthy dietary patterns may play an important role, has been well established. Few experimental studies have been conducted to investigate whether supplementing specific nutrients or improving diet and food-related behaviors can prevent depression in overweight persons. METHOD/DESIGN The MooDFOOD prevention trial examines the feasibility and effectiveness of two different nutritional strategies [multi-nutrient supplementation and food-related behavioral change therapy (FBC)] to prevent depression in individuals who are overweight and have elevated depressive symptoms but who are not currently or in the last 6 months meeting criteria for an episode of major depressive disorder (MDD). The randomized controlled prevention trial has a two-by-two factorial design: participants are randomized to daily multi-nutrient supplement (omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, selenium, B-11 vitamin and D-3 vitamin) versus placebo, and/or FBC therapy sessions versus usual care. Interventions last 12 months. In total 1000 participants aged 18-75 years with body mass index between 25-40 kg/m(2) and with a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥ 5 will be recruited at four study sites in four European countries. Baseline and follow-up assessments take place at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary endpoint is the onset of an episode of MDD, assessed according to DSM-IV based criteria using the MINI 5.0 interview. Depressive symptoms, anxiety, food and eating behavior, physical activity and health related quality of life are secondary outcomes. During the intervention, compliance, adverse events and potentially mediating variables are carefully monitored. DISCUSSION The trial aims to provide a better understanding of the causal role of specific nutrients, overall diet, and food-related behavior change with respect to the incidence of MDD episodes. This knowledge will be used to develop and disseminate innovative evidence-based, feasible, and effective nutritional public health strategies for the prevention of clinical depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov. Number of identification: NCT02529423 . August 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Roca
- Institut Universitari d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISPA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemosssa km 7,5, 07071, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Margalida Gili
- Institut Universitari d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS/IDISPA), Rediapp, University of Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemosssa km 7,5, 07071, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Ed Watkins
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Matthew Owens
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerard van Grootheest
- GGZ inGeest and Department of Psychiatry, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariska Bot
- GGZ inGeest and Department of Psychiatry, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mieke Cabout
- Department of Health Sciences and the EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg A Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences and the EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Visser
- Department of Health Sciences and the EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nutrition and Dietetics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda W Penninx
- GGZ inGeest and Department of Psychiatry, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Hegerl
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany Depression Research Centre, German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kohls
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Kelly J, Kohls E, Poovan P, Schiffer R, Redito A, Winter H, MacArthur C. The role of a maternity waiting area (MWA) in reducing maternal mortality and stillbirths in high-risk women in rural Ethiopia. BJOG 2010; 117:1377-83. [PMID: 20670302 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02669.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe maternal mortality and stillbirth rates among women admitted via a maternity waiting area (MWA) and women admitted directly to the same hospital (non-MWA) over a 22-year period. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Hospital in rural Ethiopia, which provided comprehensive emergency obstetric care and has an established MWA. POPULATION All women admitted for delivery between 1987 and 2008. METHODS Data on maternal deaths, stillbirths, caesarean section and uterine rupture were abstracted from routine hospital records. Sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal care and other data were collected for 2008 only. Rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for maternal mortality and stillbirth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Maternal mortality and stillbirth. RESULTS There were 24, 148 deliveries over the study period, 6805 admitted via MWA and 17, 343 admitted directly. Maternal mortality was 89.9 per 100, 000 live births (95% CI, 41.1-195.2) for MWA women and 1333.1 per 100, 000 live births (95% CI, 1156.2-1536.7) for non-MWA women; stillbirth rates were 17.6 per 1000 births (95% CI, 14.8-21.0) and 191.2 per 1000 births (95% CI, 185.4-197.1), respectively; 38.5% of MWA women were delivered by caesarean section compared with 20.3% of non-MWA women, and none had uterine rupture, compared with 5.8% in the non-MWA group. For the 1714 women admitted in 2008, relatively small differences in sociodemographic characteristics, distance and antenatal care uptake were found between groups. CONCLUSIONS Maternal mortality and stillbirth rates were substantially lower in women admitted via MWA. It is likely that at least part of this difference is accounted for by the timely and appropriate obstetric management of women using this facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kelly
- Attat Hospital, Welkitay, Ethiopia.
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Busch HJ, Bestehorn T, Kohls E, Fink K, Bode C, Schwab T. Standard operating procedures in postresuscitation care: facilitated realisation therapeutic measures in daily practice. Crit Care 2008. [PMCID: PMC4088798 DOI: 10.1186/cc6648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Busch HJ, Schwab T, Richter S, Bestehorn T, Kohls E, Fink K, Zehender M, Bode C. Etiology of prehospital cardiac arrest largely determines outcome in patients treated with mild hypothermia. Crit Care 2008. [PMCID: PMC4088743 DOI: 10.1186/cc6593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE The aims were (1) to review inpatient burn records of Attat Hospital (Ethiopia) for the years 1983-1989, and (2) to determine the prevalence of burns and knowledge of first aid for burns in 16 communities served by Attat Hospital in rural Ethiopia. DESIGN A retrospective review of all records was used to describe characteristics of the inpatient with burns and cost of the service. Adult members of a systematic random sample (20%) of households from 16 communities (total population = 10,183) were interviewed. Questions focused on what to do to put out the fire, what to do for first aid for a burn, the major cause of adult and childhood burns, and a history of burn in any household member. SETTING The study was conducted at Attat Hospital and in the surrounding Gurage-Chaha Region of West Shoa Province of Ethiopia. STUDY SUBJECTS There were 271 burn inpatients during the 7 year period from 1983-1989; 163 households were selected for interview; there were no refusals. MAIN RESULTS During the 7 year period the cost of tertiary inpatient burn treatment at Attat Hospital has been estimated to be US$86,366.72, of which the hospital absorbed 66%. From community based information the cumulative incidence of burns in this population was found to be 5-11%. The absence of a cumulative increase in burns over time in men suggests that female respondents may not fully recall burn histories in adult male household members. The study population possess inadequate knowledge regarding burn prevention and burn first aid. Deleterious traditional compounds were used on 32% of burn patients in the villages. CONCLUSIONS Since most burns are related to household fires, generally in the domain of women in rural Ethiopia, women's groups may be the most appropriate setting for education on burn prevention and first aid. Burn prevention and first aid education should also be recognised as a priority in schools and in the training of community health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Courtright
- International Centre for Eye Health, London, United Kingdom
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