Children Fleeing War-Exploring the Mental Health of Refugee Children Arriving in Israel after the Ukraine 2022 Conflict

BACKGROUND

In February 2022, Ukraine suffered a devastating assault by Russia, leading to destruction, casualties, and mass displacement. Among those displaced were over 1.5 million children. Forced displacement exposes children to a heightened risk of mental health issues.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the prevalence of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues among child refugees shortly after their displacement from Ukraine to Israel. It aimed to identify factors influencing PTSD development and explore their associations.

METHODS

The study included 59 child refugees who had arrived in Israel after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Parents completed self-report questionnaires to assess their children's mental health.

RESULTS

Only three children met the DSM diagnostic criteria for PTSD, with higher scores in the negative cognition and re-experiencing clusters. Over half of the children exhibited general mental health problems, with approximately 40 % showing internalizing problems, and 30 % showing externalizing problems. The study also found a significant comorbidity between PTSD symptoms and internalizing problems. Additionally, internalizing problems emerged as the sole significant predictor of PTSD levels when considering factors such as age, gender, economic status, parents' work status, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Child refugees frequently experience psychological distress, even if they do not meet the formal diagnostic criteria for PTSD. They often exhibit other distress symptoms, primarily internalizing problems, which can be challenging to detect. A deeper understanding of the challenges faced by refugee children can inform the development of targeted assistance programs and the recruitment and training of personnel in host countries.

Internet Gaming Disorder and Mental Health Literacy: A Latent Profile Analysis of Korean Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

This study identified latent subtypes of mental health literacy (MHL) for Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and explored their characteristics and differences in various factors in adolescents.

METHODS

This study analyzed secondary data from the 2019 Youth Smart Digital Media Survey and included data from 1,936 middle and high school students (14-18 years old). Thirteen items of the MHL questionnaire were used for latent profile analysis. We compared the characteristics and predictors of the identified types using various statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA, chi-square test, and multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

We identified three subtypes of MHL for IGD in adolescents: "low perception-prefer informal resources," "moderate perception-preferred resources unclear," and "high perception-prefer professional resources." Subtypes showed significant differences in sex, age, family affluence, e-learning time during weekdays, mental health risks, level of problematic smartphone use, and IGD. All variables except IGD predicted one or more latent types.

CONCLUSION

Practical interventions are required to improve IGD MHL, including customized prevention based on the differences between the three types.

The association between fear of progression and medical coping strategies among people living with HIV: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Due to the chronic nature of HIV, mental health has become a critical concern in people living with HIV (PLWHIV). However, little knowledge exists about the association between fear of progression (FoP) and medical coping modes (MCMs) in PLWHIV in China.

METHODS

A cohort of 303 PLWHIV were consecutively enrolled and their demographic, clinical and psychological information was collected. The Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Internalized HIV Stigma Scale (IHSS) and MCMs Questionnaire were utilized.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 215 PLWHIV were classified into the low-level FoP group, and 88 were grouped into the high-level FoP group based on their FoP-Q-SF scores, according to the criteria for the classification of dysfunctional FoP in cancer patients. The high-level group had a higher proportion of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) stage (P = 0.005), lower education levels (P = 0.027) and lower income levels (P = 0.031). Additionally, the high-level group had lower scores in social support (P < 0.001) and its three dimensions, with total SSRS scores showing a negative correlation with two dimensions of FoP-Q-SF, namely physical health (r2 = 0.0409, P < 0.001) and social family (r2 = 0.0422, P < 0.001). Further, the high-level group had higher scores in four dimensions of internalized HIV stigma, and a positive relationship was found to exist between IHSS scores and FoP-Q-SF scores for physical health (r2 = 0.0960, P < 0.001) and social family (r2 = 0.0719, P < 0.001). Social support (OR = 0.929, P = 0.001), being at the AIDS stage (OR = 3.795, P = 0.001), and internalized HIV stigma (OR = 1.028, P < 0.001) were independent factors for FoP. Furthermore, intended MCMs were evaluated. FoP were positively correlated with avoidance scores (r2 = 0.0886, P < 0.001) and was validated as the only factor for the mode of confrontation (OR = 0.944, P = 0.001) and avoidance (OR = 1.059, P = 0.001) in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of dysfunctional FoP in our study population was relatively high. High-level FoP was associated with poor social support, high-level internalized HIV stigma and a negative MCM among PLWHIV.

The abrupt transition from face-to-face to online treatment for eating disorders: a pilot examination of patients' perspectives during the COVID-19 lockdown

BACKGROUND

Studies investigating patients' perspectives towards an abrupt transition from face-to-face to online treatment in eating disorders (EDs) are scarce. The current study aimed to (1) conduct a preliminary assessment of patients' perspectives regarding this transition, and (2) explore potential demographic, clinical, and treatment-related factors associated with these perspectives.

METHODS

Sixty-three patients with EDs whose treatment was moved to an online format, were surveyed during the COVID-19 lockdown (April-May 2020). A 6-item measure was developed to examine their perspectives toward this transition. Exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) were conducted to confirm the rational-theoretical structure of the measure (Eigenvalue = 3.745, explaining 62.4% of variance). The Cronbach's alpha value was excellent (α = 0.878). Validated questionnaires were used to measure ED symptoms, general psychopathology, therapeutic alliance, and pandemic anxiety, and their associations with our transition-focused scale and telemedicine satisfaction were examined.

RESULTS

Mixed views were found regarding the transition, with the majority (68%) stating that they would not choose to continue online therapy given the option. Longer duration of treatment (r = 0.291, p = 0.022), stronger therapeutic alliance (r = 0.293, p = 0.028), and higher COVID-19 anxiety (r = 0.276, p = 0.029) were linked with more positive views towards the transition.

CONCLUSIONS

Analyses suggest that patients' perspectives towards the transition can be measured using a Likert-type 6-item scale. Findings highlight the various responses to online treatment and indicate a need to identify patients who may face difficulties in the transition to this newly ubiquitous treatment mode. Clinicians should be cognizant of these potential difficulties and consider appropriate modes of treatment in the ongoing pandemic situation.

Journeying with HIV patients across the health care spectrum - an examination of a seamless model of HIV Psychiatry of a large urban general hospital

OBJECTIVE

To describe a model of HIV psychiatry used in an urban hospital in Toronto and examine it against current literature.

METHOD

Using a narrative method, we elaborate on how this model delivers care across many different settings and the integral roles that the HIV psychiatrist plays in each of these settings. This is articulated against a backdrop of existing literature regarding models of HIV care.

RESULTS

This model is an example of an integrated model as opposed to a traditional consultation-liaison model and is able to deliver seamless care while remaining focused on patient-centric care.

CONCLUSION

An HIV psychiatrist delivers seamless and patient-centric care by journeying with patients across the healthcare spectrum and playing different roles in different care settings.

Knowledge of Emergency Department Triage nurses in management of patients with mental health needs: comparisons with the Triage Model of Lazio (TLM)

OBJECTIVES

To refer the current competences of Triage Nurses (TRNs) assessing the person with metal health problems in Emergency Departments (ED), and the impact of the Triage Lazio Model (TLM) upon it.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An anonymous questionnaire was administered to ED TRNs of the Lazio Region. Standardized Cronbach's alpha was used for reliability estimation.

RESULTS

The Cronbach's alpha was 0.4. Two hundred ninety-nine TRNs were interviewed: 66% women, 47% aged 31-40 years, 60% followed TLM. The consideration of the patient as 'one who comes out of the normal', 'a person with altered functions of mind or mental function' and as 'hostile, aggressive and unpredictable' was reported more by females in comparison to the males (OR=1.76; OR=3.50; OR=1.79); TRNs who have not followed the course on TLM had higher probability to consider 'hostile, aggressive and unpredictable' the psychiatric patients (OR=1.87) in comparison with other Triage courses; those who have taken a course on Triage but at least 3 years ago, had a lower probability to consider as 'one who comes out of the normal' (OR=0.55).

CONCLUSIONS

having followed the course TLM, having participated in a recent triage course, male gender, and the seniority in this job appear to be contributing factors for a proper management of psychiatric patients. Continuous improvement of specific knowledge and skills for the management of patients with mental health needs are mandatory.