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Godø TB, Bjørndal Å, Fluge IM, Johannessen R, Lavdas M. Personality Traits, Ideology, and Attitudes Toward LGBT People: A Scoping Review. J Homosex 2024:1-20. [PMID: 38656199 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2344015] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
This scoping review investigates the existing literature regarding personality traits, ideology, gender roles, and attitudes toward LGBT people. The review was conducted through PubMed and Web of Science databases. After establishing inclusion- and exclusion criteria, 12 studies published between 2013 and 2023 were reviewed, three themes (personality traits, gender roles and differences, and political ideology) were identified through thematic analysis. Several of the studies reported a relation between the personality traits Openness to Experience, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, and homo- and transnegative attitudes. In particular, lower levels of Agreeableness, high levels of Conscientiousness, and lower levels of Extraversion were related to prejudice. The Dark Triad, especially the antagonistic traits Psychopathy and Machiavellianism, had a strong association with homo- and transnegativity. Multiple studies showed a connection between negative attitudes and ideological views. Especially right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO) were strong predictors of negative attitudes toward LGBT people. The majority of the studies also reported a significant gender difference in attitudes, with men being more prone to exhibit prejudice toward LGBT people than women. There are practical implications of this review relating to interventions which may target the prevention of homo and trans-negative attitudes, promoting inclusion and integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Brandtzæg Godø
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Åsa Bjørndal
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ida Marie Fluge
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Randi Johannessen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Michalis Lavdas
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Zabłocka-Żytka L, Lavdas M. The stress of war. Recommendations for the protection of mental health and wellbeing for both Ukrainian refugees as well as Poles supporting them. Psychiatr Pol 2023; 57:729-746. [PMID: 38170647 DOI: 10.12740/pp/156157] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The presence of large numbers of Ukrainians looking for refuge in Poland is a new experience for Poles. The ongoing war and the uncertainty of the situation of those displaced may cause anxiety and lead to stressful reactions, exacerbated by endlessly circulating information on hostilities. Therefore, the sense of security may be threatened not only among Ukrainians who have fled to Poland, but also among people who support Ukrainians, who offer them help and shelter. Prolonged support, if not accompanied by proper selfcare can increase the risk of burnout as well as lead to distressful emotional states, such as a feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, reluctance to provide further help, or even demonstrate hostility. The article presents the situation and current psychosocial needs of Ukrainian refugees in Poland and provides a set of recommendations regarding the organization of mental health care in the face of the ongoing war in Ukraine. There are available tools to use by Polish specialists and lay helpers to support Ukrainian refugees. The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Intervention Pyramid, developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, is used to classify suggested interventions. Appropriate care should be available to both refugees as well as the host population involved in their care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michalis Lavdas
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Alemi Q, Panter-Brick C, Oriya S, Ahmady M, Alimi AQ, Faiz H, Hakim N, Sami Hashemi SA, Manaly MA, Naseri R, Parwiz K, Sadat SJ, Sharifi MZ, Shinwari Z, Ahmadi SJ, Amin R, Azimi S, Hewad A, Musavi Z, Siddiqi AM, Bragin M, Kashino W, Lavdas M, Miller KE, Missmahl I, Omidian PA, Trani JF, van der Walt SK, Silove D, Ventevogel P. Afghan mental health and psychosocial well-being: thematic review of four decades of research and interventions. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e125. [PMID: 37424447 PMCID: PMC10375890 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.502] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Four decades of war, political upheaval, economic deprivation and forced displacement have profoundly affected both in-country and refugee Afghan populations. AIMS We reviewed literature on mental health and psychosocial well-being, to assess the current evidence and describe mental healthcare systems, including government programmes and community-based interventions. METHOD In 2022, we conducted a systematic search in Google Scholar, PTSDpubs, PubMed and PsycINFO, and a hand search of grey literature (N = 214 papers). We identified the main factors driving the epidemiology of mental health problems, culturally salient understandings of psychological distress, coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours, and interventions for mental health and psychosocial support. RESULTS Mental health problems and psychological distress show higher risks for women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and youth. Issues of suicidality and drug use are emerging problems that are understudied. Afghans use specific vocabulary to convey psychological distress, drawing on culturally relevant concepts of body-mind relationships. Coping strategies are largely embedded in one's faith and family. Over the past two decades, concerted efforts were made to integrate mental health into the nation's healthcare system, train cadres of psychosocial counsellors, and develop community-based psychosocial initiatives with the help of non-governmental organisations. A small but growing body of research is emerging around psychological interventions adapted to Afghan contexts and culture. CONCLUSIONS We make four recommendations to promote health equity and sustainable systems of care. Interventions must build cultural relevance, invest in community-based psychosocial support and evidence-based psychological interventions, maintain core mental health services at logical points of access and foster integrated systems of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qais Alemi
- School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, California, USA
| | - Catherine Panter-Brick
- Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and Department of Anthropology, Yale University, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Mariam Ahmady
- Department of Counselling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Kabul University, Afghanistan
| | | | - Hafizullah Faiz
- Jalalabad Regional Management Office, Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, Jalalabad, Afghanistan
| | - Nadia Hakim
- Migration Health Unit, International Organization for Migration, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | | | - Roman Naseri
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit, International Medical Corps, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Sayed Javid Sadat
- Mental Health and Peacebuilding Program, International Assistance Mission, Herat, Afghanistan
| | | | - Zalmai Shinwari
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit, HealthNet TPO, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Rohullah Amin
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Helmut-Schmidt University, Germany
| | - Sayed Azimi
- Independent Mental Health Specialist, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Atal Hewad
- Department of Ipso Academy and Quality Management, International Psychosocial Organisation, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Zeinab Musavi
- Behrawan Research and Psychology Services Organization, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Martha Bragin
- Silberman School of Social Work, The City University of New York, New York, USA
| | - Wataru Kashino
- Prevention Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michalis Lavdas
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Inge Missmahl
- International Psychosocial Organisation, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | | | - Sarah Kate van der Walt
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit, Première Urgence – Aide Médicale Internationale, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Derrick Silove
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter Ventevogel
- Public Health Section, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland
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Lavdas M, Guribye E, Sandal GM. "Of course, you get depression in this situation": Explanatory Models (EMs) among Afghan refugees in camps in Northern Greece. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:125. [PMID: 36843000 PMCID: PMC9968643 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04613-2] [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: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Afghan refugees and asylum seekers constitute one of the largest groups that live in camp settings in Greece. While they experience psychological distress, they are facing significant barriers in accessing appropriate mental health care. Explanatory Models (EMs) provide a context-sensitive framework for understanding the differences between health professionals, refugees and NGOs that operate on the field. This study aims at further understanding how Afghan refugees perceive and explain depression and largely psychological distress, and how this influences their choices for coping strategies and help-seeking. METHODS This qualitative study included six vignette-based semi-structured focus-group discussions with Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers (total N = 19, 12 female and 7 male) residing largely in camp settings in Northern Greece. The vignette describes a fictional person with symptoms of depression in line with DSM-5 and ICD-10 criteria. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed through template analysis. RESULTS EMs for depression are explained through Pre-migration Traumatic Experiences (PMTE) and Post-migration Living Difficulties (PMLD) relating to camp settings. Female participants identified gender-based and domestic violence as contributing to psychological distress while males highlighted conflict and persecution. Life in the camp with associated inactivity, and uncertainty for the future, was perceived as a significant risk factor for psychological distress among females and males. In terms of coping strategies, females tended to focus on mobilizing collective resources within the camp (e.g. safe space for women facilitating emotional support), while males advocated for self-empowerment and solution-oriented coping. The value of engagement in peer helper-roles was highlighted. CONCLUSIONS The results highlight the potential value of community-based psychosocial approaches to support and promote mental health within camp settings. Additionally, they may inform policies and practices regarding access to appropriate mental health care for Afghan refugees. Further research is needed to establish the efficiency of such interventions in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Lavdas
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Eugene Guribye
- grid.509009.5NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Gro Mjeldheim Sandal
- grid.7914.b0000 0004 1936 7443Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Stefanatou P, Tsompanaki E, Lavdas M, Giannouli E, Ralli I, Kalogerakou S, Anyfandi E, Stylianidis S, Stefanis N, Mavreas V, Konstantakopoulos G. Patient-reported needs predict perceived psychosocial disability and quality of life beyond symptom severity in schizophrenia. Disabil Rehabil 2023; 45:655-663. [PMID: 35191793 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2040610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We examined whether patient-rated or clinician-rated needs are more strongly associated with perceived psychosocial disability (PPD) and subjective quality of life (SQOL) of schizophrenia patients, beyond symptom severity. METHODS Hierarchical regression analyses were computed to test patient and clinician-rated unmet and met needs (estimated by eighty-two patient-clinician pairs) as predictors of PPD and SQOL above and beyond demographics and psychopathology. Needs, symptomatology, PPD and SQOL were estimated using Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN), PANSS, WHODAS 2.0 and WHOQOL-BREF respectively. RESULTS Needs were significantly associated with all WHODAS 2.0 and WHOQOL-BREF domains above and beyond demographics and PANSS variables. Clinician-rated needs were better predictors of only one WHODAS 2.0 domain, while patient-rated needs were better predictors of all other WHODAS 2.0 and WHOQOL-BREF domains. Patient-rated unmet needs were more strongly than met needs associated with the most WHODAS 2.0 and WHOQOL-BREF subscores. CONCLUSION This study offers the first evidence that patient-rated needs, especially unmet needs, are strongly associated, above and beyond symptomatology, with global and domain-specific PPD of schizophrenia patients. Accordingly, strong relations of patient-rated needs with SQOL emerged. Identifying and addressing patient-reported needs could facilitate PPD and SQOL improvement more effectively than interventions confined solely to symptom remission.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONSchizophrenia is associated with poor rehabilitation and recovery outcomes, i.e., perceived psychosocial disability (PPD) and subjective quality of life (SQOL).Assessment of patients' needs constitutes the basis of determining treatment goals and planning tailor-made interventions to achieve crucial rehabilitative outcomes.Higher levels of patient-reported unmet needs are associated with poorer SQOL and higher global and domain-specific PPD of schizophrenia patients, above and beyond symptom severity.Addressing patient-reported needs through personalized interventions can facilitate more effectively PPD and SQOL improvement, than treatment confined to symptomatic alleviation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pentagiotissa Stefanatou
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evgenia Tsompanaki
- Department of Statistics, School of Information Sciences and Technology, Athens University of Economics and Business, Athens, Greece
| | - Michalis Lavdas
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Society and Workplace Diversity Research Group, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eleni Giannouli
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Irene Ralli
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatina Kalogerakou
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Anyfandi
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Stylianidis
- Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece.,Association for Regional Development and Mental Health - EPAPSY, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Stefanis
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,University Mental Health, Neurosciences and Precision Medicine Research Institute "Costas Stefanis", Athens, Greece
| | | | - George Konstantakopoulos
- First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Efthymiou A, Karpathiou N, Dimakopoulou E, Zoi P, Karagianni C, Lavdas M, Mastroyiannakis A, Sioti E, Zampetakis I, Sakka P. Cultural Adaptation and Piloting of iSupport Dementia in Greece. Stud Health Technol Inform 2022; 289:184-187. [PMID: 35062123 DOI: 10.3233/shti210890] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic brought into the spotlight the technological needs of carers together with accessibility and availability of disease-related web-based services. Athens Alzheimer Association undertook the cultural adaptation of the platform iSupport in Greece. The process included multiple methodological steps based on Ecological Validity Model, and the platform was pilot tested to 15 carers of people with dementia. The duration of this project lasted for one year (April 2020-March 2021). Today more than 160 carers in Greece have registered on the platform. All 23 lessons are easily accessible by the isupportdementia-greece website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areti Efthymiou
- Quality-of-Life Lab, Department of Social Work, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Crete.,Athens Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Athens, Greece
| | - Nomiki Karpathiou
- Athens Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Dimakopoulou
- Athens Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Zoi
- Athens Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Athens, Greece
| | - Chryssa Karagianni
- Athens Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Athens, Greece
| | - Michalis Lavdas
- Athens Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Paraskevi Sakka
- Athens Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Athens, Greece
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