Factors associated with severe depressive symptoms among Chinese secondary school students in Hong Kong: a large cross-sectional survey.

Background: Many adolescents were reported to have severe depressive symptoms, and a careful assessment of its correlates is essential for prevention and intervention programs. This study aimed to gain insight into the prevalence of severe depressive symptoms and its association with factors at four levels (individual, relationship, school and society) in a large sample of Hong Kong Chinese secondary school students. Methods: Secondary school students from Secondary 1 through 7 were selected as participants using a cluster random sampling method. A questionnaire including inventories measuring 24 factors at the four levels (six individual factors, 11 relationship factors, three school factors, and four society factors) was completed by 8,963 participants (56.3% female) with a mean age of 15.1 (SD = 1.8) years. Students with a score of ≥15 on the Patient Health Questionnaire were defined as having severe depressive symptoms. The association between severe depressive symptoms and correlates were examined by t-test and χ2 test. Logistic regression models using a hierarchical approach then examined the individual contribution of these 24 factors to severe depressive symptoms with the control of other factors in the model. Results: 7.4% of the students have severe depressive symptoms. Twenty-two of the 24 factors were significantly associated with severe depressive symptoms in bivariate analyses. In the logistic regression, 11 factors (three individual factors: age, self-esteem and self-mastery; six relationship factors: tobacco use, alcohol drinking, drug use, paternal psychological control, dinner with parents, and perceived social support from friends; one school factor: felt pressure from homework; and one society factor: number of sibling) were statistically significant. Felt pressure from homework, alcohol drinking, and perceived social support from friends were the strongest correlates of severe depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported severe depressive symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese secondary school students was high, and the identification of multiple associated factors at the four levels simultaneously provides a knowledge basis for the development of a comprehensive, multivariate model of factors influencing severe depressive symptoms in Chinese secondary school students. The factors identified in the present study may be helpful when designing and implementing preventive intervention programs.

The Role of Latina Peer Mentors in the Implementation of the Alma Program for Women With Perinatal Depression.

This study examines the role that compañeras (peer mentors) play in the implementation of a program, Alma, which was designed to support Latina mothers who are experiencing depression during pregnancy or early parenting and implemented in the rural mountain West of the United States. Drawing from the fields of dissemination and implementation and Latina mujerista (feminist) scholarship, this ethnographic analysis demonstrates how the Alma compañeras facilitate the delivery of Alma by creating and inhabiting intimate mujerista spaces with other mothers and create relationships of mutual and collective healing in the context of relationships de confianza (of trust and confidence). We argue that these Latina women, in their capacity as compañeras, draw upon their cultural funds of knowledge to bring Alma to life in ways that prioritizes flexibility and responsiveness to the community. Shedding light on contextualized processes by which Latina women facilitate the implementation of Alma illustrates how the task-sharing model is well suited to the delivery of mental health services for Latina immigrant mothers and how lay mental health providers can be agents of healing.

Mental health in adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway between 2015 and 2017: a nationwide, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional prevalence study.

Background: The number of forcibly displaced people globally has never been higher, with refugees from Syria constituting the largest displaced population worldwide. Many studies have documented elevated levels of mental health problems in refugee populations, though prevalence estimates of common mental disorders vary considerably between studies, explained both by methodological and contextual factors. Objective: Using questionnaire-based screening checklists to approximate the prevalence of and investigate risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression among adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway and to compare estimates with a sister-study in Sweden. Method: Cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected sample from the National Population Register in Norway of adult refugees from Syria who were granted residency rights in Norway between 2015 and 2017 (Nsample = 9,990; nrespondents = 902). Above-threshold scores on the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) and Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25) defined caseness for PTSD (HTQ>2.06); anxiety (HSCLanxitey>1.75); and depression (HSCLdepression>1.80). Results: Weighted, checklist-positive prevalence estimates for PTSD, anxiety and depression were 29.7% (25.4%-34.4%), 30.1% (25.7%-34.9%), and 45.2% (40.6%-49.8%), respectively. Cumulative exposure to potentially traumatic experiences before or during flight was a clear risk factor for all outcomes, and female gender was a risk factor for anxiety and depression, though only in adjusted analyses. The choice of HTQ cut-off to define PTSD caseness (2.5 vs. 2.06) had a notable effect on prevalence estimates. Conclusion: In line with prior evidence, the present study suggests adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway have higher rates of anxiety and depression and markedly higher rates of PTSD compared to general, non-refugee populations, and that this is clearly linked to past traumatic experiences. Prevalence estimates were highly consistent with estimates from the sister-study in Sweden, which used almost identical methodology. Findings underline the importance of screening for and intervening on mental health problems in newly arrived refugees.

Antecedentes: El número de personas desplazadas forzosamente a nivel global nunca ha sido más alto, con los refugiados de Siria constituyendo la mayor población desplazada del mundo. Muchos estudios han documentado elevados niveles de problemas de salud mental en poblaciones refugiadas, aunque las estimaciones de prevalencia de trastornos de salud mental comunes varían considerablemente entre estudios, explicadas tanto por factores metodológicos y contextuales.Objetivo: Utilizar listas de tamizaje en formato de cuestionarios para estimar la prevalencia e investigar factores de riesgo para el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT), la ansiedad y la depresión entre adultos refugiados de Siria reinstalados en Noruega, y para comparar estimaciones con un estudio hermano en Suecia.Método: Encuesta transaccional en una muestra seleccionada aleatoriamente del Registro de Población Nacional en Noruega de adultos refugiados de Siria que obtuvieron derechos de residencia entre 2015 y 2017 (N muestral = 9990, n de encuestados = 902). Puntajes por sobre el puntaje de corte del Cuestionario de Trauma de Harvard (HTQ en su sigla en inglés) y la Lista de chequeo de síntomas de Hopkins (HSCL-25 en su sigla en inglés) definió como caso clínico para el TEPT (HTQ>2.06); ansiedad (HSCL ansiedad > 1.75); y depresión (HSCL depresión> 1.80).Resultados: Las estimaciones ponderadas de prevalencia de positivos en lista de chequeo para TEPT, ansiedad y depresión fueron 29.7% (25.4%­34.4%), 30.1% (25.7%­34.9%), and 45.2% (40.6%- 49.8%), respectivamente. La exposición acumulativa a experiencias potencialmente traumáticas antes o durante el vuelo fue un claro factor de riesgo para todos los resultados, y el género femenino fue un factor de riesgo para ansiedad y depresión, aunque solo en análisis ajustados. La elección del puntaje de corte del HTQ para definir caso clínico de TEPT (2.5 versus 2.06) tuvo un efecto notable en las estimaciones de prevalencia.Conclusión: En línea con evidencia previa, el presente estudio sugirió que los adultos de Siria refugiados y reinstalados en Noruega tienen tasas más altas de ansiedad y depresión, y tasas marcadamente más altas de TEPT comparadas con poblaciones generales no refugiadas, y esto está ligado directamente a experiencias traumáticas anteriores. Las estimaciones de prevalencia fueron altamente consistentes con las estimaciones del estudio hermano en Suecia, el cual utilizó metodología casi idéntica. Los hallazgos subrayan la importancia de tamizar e intervenir en problemas de salud mental en refugiados recién llegados.

The Genetic Architecture of Depression in Individuals of East Asian Ancestry: A Genome-Wide Association Study.

Importance: Most previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of depression have used data from individuals of European descent. This limits the understanding of the underlying biology of depression and raises questions about the transferability of findings between populations. Objective: To investigate the genetics of depression among individuals of East Asian and European descent living in different geographic locations, and with different outcome definitions for depression. Design, Setting, and Participants: Genome-wide association analyses followed by meta-analysis, which included data from 9 cohort and case-control data sets comprising individuals with depression and control individuals of East Asian descent. This study was conducted between January 2019 and May 2021. Exposures: Associations of genetic variants with depression risk were assessed using generalized linear mixed models and logistic regression. The results were combined across studies using fixed-effects meta-analyses. These were subsequently also meta-analyzed with the largest published GWAS for depression among individuals of European descent. Additional meta-analyses were carried out separately by outcome definition (clinical depression vs symptom-based depression) and region (East Asian countries vs Western countries) for East Asian ancestry cohorts. Main Outcomes and Measures: Depression status was defined based on health records and self-report questionnaires. Results: There were a total of 194 548 study participants (approximate mean age, 51.3 years; 62.8% women). Participants included 15 771 individuals with depression and 178 777 control individuals of East Asian descent. Five novel associations were identified, including 1 in the meta-analysis for broad depression among those of East Asian descent: rs4656484 (ß = -0.018, SE = 0.003, P = 4.43x10-8) at 1q24.1. Another locus at 7p21.2 was associated in a meta-analysis restricted to geographically East Asian studies (ß = 0.028, SE = 0.005, P = 6.48x10-9 for rs10240457). The lead variants of these 2 novel loci were not associated with depression risk in European ancestry cohorts (ß = -0.003, SE = 0.005, P = .53 for rs4656484 and ß = -0.005, SE = 0.004, P = .28 for rs10240457). Only 11% of depression loci previously identified in individuals of European descent reached nominal significance levels in the individuals of East Asian descent. The transancestry genetic correlation between cohorts of East Asian and European descent for clinical depression was r = 0.413 (SE = 0.159). Clinical depression risk was negatively genetically correlated with body mass index in individuals of East Asian descent (r = -0.212, SE = 0.084), contrary to findings for individuals of European descent. Conclusions and Relevance: These results support caution against generalizing findings about depression risk factors across populations and highlight the need to increase the ancestral and geographic diversity of samples with consistent phenotyping.

Depression, Anxiety, and Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Indian Expats in the Middle East: A Survey Study.

OBJECTIVE: There are multiple studies indicating that the Indian expat population working in the Middle East is at a significantly high risk for developing anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can precipitate or exacerbate psychological distress among the expat population. The objective of this study was to evaluate psychological distress and coping mechanisms among Indian expats working in the Middle East during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An online survey was conducted with a semistructured questionnaire using a nonprobability snowball sampling technique. In addition to demographic data, a list of COVID-19 pandemic-related questions, the Brief COPE, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) were also utilized. RESULTS: A total of 94 responses were received. Of the respondents, 52% reported clinically significant anxiety levels, and 41% reported clinically significant depression levels. Both the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were significantly associated with the level of concern with air traffic restriction (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that governments of both Indian and Middle Eastern countries should pay more attention to the mental health of the expat population while combating COVID-19.

Inequalities in referral pathways for young people accessing secondary mental health services in south east London.

Differences in health service use between ethnic groups have been well documented, but little research has been conducted on inequalities in access to mental health services among young people. This study examines inequalities in pathways into care by ethnicity and migration status in 12-29 years old accessing health services in south east London. This study analyses anonymized electronic patient record data for patients aged 12-29 referred to a south east London mental health trust between 2008 and 2016 for an anxiety or non-psychotic depressive disorder (n = 18,931). Multinomial regression was used to examine associations between ethnicity, migration status, and both referral source and destination, stratified by age group. Young people in the Black African ethnic group were more likely to be referred from secondary health or social/criminal justice services compared to those in the White British ethnic group; the effect was most pronounced for those aged 16-17 years. Young people in the Black African ethnic group were also significantly more likely to be referred to inpatient and emergency services compared to those in the White British ethnic group. Black individuals living in south east London, particularly those who identify as Black African, are referred to mental health services via more adverse pathways than White individuals. Our findings suggest that inequalities in referral destination may be perpetuated by inequalities generated at the point of access.

Effect of Covid-19 pandemic on mental health among Albanian people residing in the country and abroad - Implications for mental care.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease caused by the novel coronavirus Covid-19 is a current worldwide outbreak. The use of quarantine and isolation proved effective in containing the spread of infection. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the mental health of Albanian people residing in the country and abroad during the quarantine period for the Covid-19 pandemic. DESIGN: This study was carried out from 25th March - 20th April 2020 through a web survey shared on social networks. The goal was to reach at least the minimum sample size for cross-sectional studies. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess mental health. Chi-square (χ2) and Fisher -Exact test were used to assess the statistical significance among variables. P values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 715 participants were included in the final analyses (78.41% females and 21.53% males). Most were residents in Albania (80.41%) and the others resided mainly in Italy (6.89%), Greece (3.51%), Germany (2.43%), Kosovo (1.62%) and the UK (1.69%). Statistical association was found between gender, country of residency and measures taken. Summary score of PHQ-9 items was 6.4662. The total score of depression classification shows that 31.82% and 12.90% of participants have respectively mild and moderate depression. Female participants showed the highest score for some items of PHQ-9, p≤0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that health care professionals should recognize and address mental health problems associated with Covid-19 especially in vulnerable groups. Acting in a timely and proper manner is essential in preventing these problems from becoming chronic.

Association of Geographic Differences in Prevalence of Uncontrolled Chronic Conditions With Changes in Individuals' Likelihood of Uncontrolled Chronic Conditions.

Importance: The prevalence of leading risk factors for morbidity and mortality in the US significantly varies across regions, states, and neighborhoods, but the extent these differences are associated with a person's place of residence vs the characteristics of the people who live in different places remains unclear. Objective: To estimate the degree to which geographic differences in leading risk factors are associated with a person's place of residence by comparing trends in health outcomes among individuals who moved to different areas or did not move. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study estimated the association between the differences in the prevalence of uncontrolled chronic conditions across movers' destination and origin zip codes and changes in individuals' likelihood of uncontrolled chronic conditions after moving, adjusting for person-specific fixed effects, the duration of time since the move, and secular trends among movers and those who did not move. Electronic health records from the Veterans Health Administration were analyzed. The primary analysis included 5 342 207 individuals with at least 1 Veterans Health Administration outpatient encounter between 2008 and 2018 who moved zip codes exactly once or never moved. Exposures: The difference in the prevalence of uncontrolled chronic conditions between a person's origin zip code and destination zip code (excluding the individual mover's outcomes). Main Outcomes and Measures: Prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic blood pressure level >140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure level >90 mm Hg), uncontrolled diabetes (hemoglobin A1c level >8%), obesity (body mass index >30), and depressive symptoms (2-item Patient Health Questionnaire score ≥2) per quarter-year during the 3 years before and the 3 years after individuals moved. Results: The study population included 5 342 207 individuals (mean age, 57.6 [SD, 17.4] years, 93.9% men, 72.5% White individuals, and 12.7% Black individuals), of whom 1 095 608 moved exactly once and 4 246 599 never moved during the study period. Among the movers, the change after moving in the prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure was 27.5% (95% CI, 23.8%-31.3%) of the between-area difference in the prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure. Similarly, the change after moving in the prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes was 5.0% (95% CI, 2.7%-7.2%) of the between-area difference in the prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes; the change after moving in the prevalence of obesity was 3.1% (95% CI, 2.0%-4.2%) of the between-area difference in the prevalence of obesity; and the change after moving in the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15.2% (95% CI, 13.1%-17.2%) of the between-area difference in the prevalence of depressive symptoms. Conclusions and Relevance: In this retrospective cohort study of individuals receiving care at Veterans Health Administration facilities, geographic differences in prevalence were associated with a substantial percentage of the change in individuals' likelihood of poor blood pressure control or depressive symptoms, and a smaller percentage of the change in individuals' likelihood of poor diabetes control and obesity. Further research is needed to understand the source of these associations with a person's place of residence.

Gendered Patterns in Depression and Anxiety among African Immigrants in the United States.

PURPOSE: This study sought to examine gendered variations in determinants of depression and anxiety symptoms among African immigrants in the United States. METHODS: Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of first and second-generation immigrants from African countries living in the United States (N = 409). RESULTS: Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression results revealed gendered differences in factors that influence depression and anxiety symptoms. Second-generation immigrants showed decreased depression and anxiety symptoms among men, while income and marital status showed significant effects on depression and anxiety symptoms for women. Loneliness and discrimination were found to negatively impact the mental health of both female and male immigrants. Additionally, we found that gender did not moderate the effects of loneliness on depression and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the need for practitioners to better understand the unique risk and protective factors affecting female and male African immigrants in their efforts to provide effective mental health services to members of this population.

Contribution of Alcohol and Nicotine Dependence to the Prevalence of Depressed Mood in Different Ethnic Groups in The Netherlands: The HELIUS Study.

Objective: Ethnic minorities report different levels of drinking and smoking and higher rates of depression compared to native populations. In this study we aimed to investigate in six ethnic groups whether tobacco and alcohol use were associated with depressive symptoms, which are more prevalent in ethnic minorities.Methods: Cross-sectional data from the multi-ethnic Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study sample (N = 22,471) was used, comprising 4,580 native Dutch participants which were compared with participants from five ethnic minority groups (3,259 South Asian Surinamese, 4,292 African Surinamese, 2,262 Ghanaian, 3,891 Turkish, and 4,187 Moroccan).Results: Alcohol misuse was positively associated with depressed mood in all ethnic groups except for the Dutch and the Ghanaians. Nicotine dependence was positively associated with depressed mood in all ethnic groups except for the Ghanaian group.Conclusions: Alcohol misuse and nicotine dependence were significantly associated with depressed mood in most but not all ethnic groups and especially in men. However, across all groups the contribution of alcohol misuse and nicotine dependence to depressed mood was small. Prospective multi-ethnic studies should confirm whether the relations are causal and elucidate their direction.

Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Group Program for Mental Health Promotion of University Students.

This study aimed to explore the effects of a group cognitive behavioral program on depression, self-esteem, and interpersonal relations among undergraduate students. A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. A convenient sample of 37 undergraduates (18 in the experimental group and 19 in the control group) at K university located in Changwon, South Korea was used. Data were collected from February 4, 2019 to June 18, 2019. The experimental group received eight sessions of the program, which were scheduled twice a week, with each session lasting 90 min. Collected data were analyzed using a chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA by SPSS/WIN 23.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The interaction of group and time was significant, indicating that the experimental group showed an improvement in depression, self-esteem, and personal relationship compared to the control group. A significant group by time interaction for depression, self-esteem, and personal relationship was also found between the two groups. The study results revealed that the group cognitive behavioral program was effective in reducing depression and improving self-esteem and interpersonal relation. Therefore, the group cognitive behavioral program can be used for promoting the mental health of students as well as for preventing depression in a university setting.

Plasma levels of nesfatin-1 as a new biomarker in depression in Asians: evidence from meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aims to review the alteration of plasma nesfatin-1 levels in patients with depression.Methods: Under the guidance of the latest PRISMA checklist, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by searching English database (PubMed, Web of Science, EMDASE) and Chinese database for relevant studies up to August, 2019. Pooled standardised mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated with the random effects model.Results: Nine studies that reported the association between plasma levels of nesfatin-1 and the risk of depression with 567 patients and 447 control participants were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with the healthy controls, depressive patients had a higher plasma level of nesfatin-1 [SMD (95% CI):1.58(0.75, 2.41), Z = 3.74, p for Z < 0.001; I2 = 96.8%, p for I2 < 0.001]. The subgroup analyses and meta-regression failed to find the source of the heterogeneity. No evidence of publication bias was found either in Begg's test (p = 0.348) or the Egger's test (p = 0.523).Conclusion: The present meta-analysis indicated that a higher plasma level of nesfatin-1 was associated with an increased risk of depression.

Patterns of family negativity in the perinatal period: Implications for mental health among Mexican-origin women.

Negativity in the family environment during the perinatal period is likely to have detrimental effects on maternal well-being, especially among low-income ethnic minority mothers who are at increased risk for experiencing postpartum depressive symptoms. With a sample of 322 Mexican and Mexican American families, this study used latent class growth analysis to identify meaningful subgroups of women based on their perceived family negativity reported prenatally and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks postpartum. A 4-trajectory model of family negativity fit the data well: low-stable (58%), moderate-increasing (26%), high-decreasing (8%), and high-increasing (8%). Higher prenatal depressive symptomatology predicted membership in the moderate-increasing, high-decreasing, and high-increasing trajectories, relative to the low-stable trajectory. Findings suggest substantial heterogeneity in family negativity, identifying three significant growth patterns during the perinatal period with differential implications for maternal depressive symptomatology at 24 weeks and 12 months after delivery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Frequency of depressive symptoms among female migrant workers in China: associations with acculturation, discrimination, and reproductive health.

OBJECTIVES: Depression has been associated with numerous adverse health conditions. This study sought to determine the frequency of significant depressive symptoms and whether or not acculturative stress, discrimination, and reproductive health conditions were risk factors for significant depressive symptoms in migrant working women in China. STUDY DESIGN: The design of this study is cross-sectional. METHODS: Data were derived from a survey of female migrant workers at three employment sites in Changsha, China. The associations between acculturative stress, discrimination, reproductive health, and risk for significant depressive symptoms were obtained using F-tests for mean differences, correlations, ordinary least squares regression, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Between March and June 2017, 232 eligible female participants completed the survey among whom the median age was 34.36 years (standard error 0.43) and 25.58% reported significant depressive symptoms. Significant depressive symptoms were associated with higher education (F-test, P = .006), all four acculturative stress factors (r = 0.15 to r = 0.29), both institutional and interpersonal discrimination (r = 0.29, r = 0.35), age (r = - 0.13), and self-rated health (r = - 0.19). In multivariate regression analysis of depression scale scores, interpersonal discrimination was the strongest predictor (beta = 0.238, P = .002) among the nine factors identified in bivariate analysis. None of the other predictors (age, self-rated health, education, acculturative stress, and institutional discrimination) showed significant associations with the depression scale. Similar results were obtained for a multivariate logistic regression analysis of a clinically important threshold for depression (<10 versus ≥ 10 on the depression scale). Only interpersonal discrimination significantly distinguished between clinical depression categories (odds ratio = 2.607 per unit change in the index, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Migrant women workers in China appear to be at risk for significant depressive symptoms, and interpersonal discrimination appears to be an important risk factor in this setting. Acculturative stress and institutional discrimination may also be relevant risk factors, as suggested in our bivariate analysis, but in our sample, the correlations between the stress and discrimination factors are high enough to compromise identification of unique associations between acculturation stress and depression. Government, community and workplace education, and psychosocial services for migrant women are recommended.

The Synergistic Influence of Life Experiences and Cultural Nuances on Development of Depression: A Cognitive Behavioral Perspective.

The synergistic influences of everyday life experiences, societal expectations, and cultural nuances affect a person's ability to successfully manage their life and remain mentally healthy. Persons from culturally and ethnically diverse populations may incur depression when societal expectations and cultural influences are in conflict with each other. Chronic stress, often-referred to as toxic stress, contributes to the development of depression as it is unrelenting, beginning in childhood and continuing into adulthood. This article discusses connections between societal expectations, persons' cultural perspectives as well as the role that these connections may contribute to in the development of toxic stress and depression. Beck's Cognitive Behavioral Theory provides a basis to describe the role that synergistic influences play in development of depression for culturally and ethnically diverse persons.

Trauma, psychiatric disorders, and treatment history among pregnant African American women.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnant African American women living in low-income urban communities have high rates of trauma exposure and elevated risk for the development of trauma-related disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Yet, engagement in behavioral health services is lower for African American women than Caucasian women. Limited attention has been given to identifying trauma exposure and PTSD, especially within at-risk communities. The present study examined rates of trauma exposure, PTSD, depression, and behavioral health treatment engagement in an obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) clinic within an urban hospital. METHOD: The study included 633 pregnant African American women screened within the OB/GYN clinic waiting room; 55 of the women also participated in a subsequent detailed clinical assessment based on eligibility for a separate study of intergenerational risk for trauma and PTSD in African American mother-child dyads. RESULTS: Overall, 98% reported trauma exposure, approximately one third met criteria for probable current PTSD, and one third endorsed moderate-or-severe depression based on self-report measures. Similar levels were found based on clinical assessments in the subsample. While 18% endorsed depression treatment, only 6% received treatment for PTSD. In a subsample of women with whom chart reviews were conducted (n = 358), 15% endorsed a past psychiatric diagnosis but none shared their PTSD diagnosis with their OB/GYN provider. CONCLUSION: Results of the current study highlight elevated levels of trauma exposure, PTSD, and depression in low-income, African American pregnant women served by this urban clinic, and demonstrate the need for better identification of trauma-related disorders and appropriate linkage to culturally responsive care especially for PTSD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Differential Vulnerability to Perceived Discrimination Between African American and Caribbean Black Adolescents: The Role of Parental Nativity Status.

An emerging body of research finds that African American and Caribbean Black adolescents are highly susceptible to discrimination, which negatively affects their mental health. Exposure to discrimination appears to be more consequential for mental health among Caribbean Black adolescents; however, past research investigating the differential impact of perceived discrimination on the mental health of African American and Caribbean Black adolescents has failed to take into account parental nativity status. Using data from the National Survey of American Life-Adolescent Supplement (NSAL-A), 2001-2004, this research examines differences in mental health profiles among African American adolescents (n = 783) and Caribbean Black adolescents with US-born (n = 216) and immigrant parents (n = 144) and differential vulnerability to perceptions of discrimination. Findings suggest that Caribbean Black adolescents with immigrant parents report fewer depressive symptoms than African American adolescents. Caribbean Black adolescents with immigrant parents also perceive lower levels of discrimination than Caribbean Black adolescents with US-born parents. Generally, greater perceptions of discrimination were associated with diminished mental health among all adolescents; however, relative to African American adolescents, associations between perceived discrimination and both mental health indicators were augmented among Caribbean Black adolescents with immigrant parents. No differences were observed between African American adolescents and Caribbean Black adolescents with US-born parents. Theoretical and policy implications of these findings are discussed.

Healthy Immigrants? Exploring Depressive Symptoms Among Caribbean and Mexican Immigrants.

Are there disparities in depressive symptoms among immigrant groups from different countries? With data from the New Immigrant Survey (2003), which includes immigrants from Mexico, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica, this paper examines the odds of depressive symptoms using a series of logistic regression analyses. It draws on segmented assimilation and the cumulative inequality theories to understand and explicate the extent to which immigrants' demographic characteristics, pre-immigration experiences, and acculturation in the USA might have an impact on immigrants' mental health outcomes. Being from Haiti; Dominican Republic; Cuba; and a woman, with unfavorable childhood health, and migrated at an early age were statistically significant predictors of depressive symptoms. Compared to Mexican immigrants, Cuban and Dominican immigrants reported higher odds of depressive symptoms, controlling for gender, age, education, and pre-immigration experiences. By contrast, Haitian and Jamaican immigrants reported lower odds of depressive symptoms. Female immigrants had higher odds of reporting depressive symptoms compared to their male counterparts. Relative to immigrants with good childhood health, those with unfavorable childhood health had higher odds of reporting worse health outcomes. In the logistic regression models, immigrants who migrated at older age reported lower odds of depressive symptoms. By shedding light on the health status of understudied Caribbean immigrant groups in comparison with Mexican immigrants, this study challenges the healthy migrant effect and serves as a starting point to guide policies that aim at decreasing health disparities among different immigrant groups.

Attitudes Toward Depression in Arab-American Muslims: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: Religion is said to play a strong role in the attitude toward health and disease in Arab and Muslim countries. To what extent this is also true of Arabs and Muslims living in the United States is unknown. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the influence of religious beliefs on the attitudes of Arab-American Muslims toward mental illness, especially depression. METHODS: The Depression Awareness Questionnaire (DAQ) was administered to a group of Arab-American Muslims, aged > 18 years, attending a psychoeducational seminar in Dearborn, Michigan, from October 2017 to October 2018. RESULTS: Seventy-five respondents (27 men and 48 women) completed the DAQ. Although 64 (85.3%) respondents believed that depression is a medical illness and 59 (78.7%) believed that depressed patients will get better with treatment, 24 (32.0%) believed that antidepressant medications will lead to addiction. Also, 26 (34.7%) respondents reported that black magic or the evil eye could cause depression and 28 (37.3%) believed that being close to God prevented depression. CONCLUSIONS: Although this group of Arab-American Muslims understood the gravity of depression and the importance of treatment, their religious beliefs played a strong role in their approach to mental health.