Sleep quality and mental disorder symptoms among correctional workers in Ontario, Canada.

Correctional workers (CWs) report high levels of work stressors, frequent exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), and substantial mental health challenges. There is evidence of associations between sleep disturbances and diverse mental health challenges, including preliminary evidence from public safety personnel; however, replications and extensions would better inform interventions to support mental health. The current study was designed to examine associations between quality of sleep, work stress, and mental health disorders in a sample of diverse CWs employed in a provincial correctional service in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed from 943 CWs who participated in the cross-sectional, web-based Ontario Provincial Correctional Worker Mental Health and Well-Being Study conducted from December 2017 to June 2018. Sleep quality indicators included symptoms of insomnia, total hours of sleep per night on work nights and off-shift nights, number of days feeling rested per week, and overall sleep quality. Descriptive statistics, analyses of variance, correlational analyses, and logistic regression were used to examine relationships among sleep quality, stress of shift work, and mental health disorder symptoms. CWs slept an average of 6.0 h per night when working and 7.2 h during off-shift nights. CWs reported waking up feeling rested an average of 2.6 days per week and rated their overall quality of sleep in the fair to poor range. Many CWs (64.9%) screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of insomnia. There were also differences across occupational groups such that CWs working as correctional officers reported the most sleep problems. There were statistically significant relationships between insomnia and mental health disorder symptoms. Higher levels of stress from shift work were associated with worse sleep quality. CWs, especially those working as correctional officers in a provincial prison, reported many indicators consistent with poorer quality of sleep. Poor quality of sleep was also associated with work stress and mental health disorders.

The effects of virtual reality interventions on occupational participation and distress from symptoms in palliative care patients: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) offers the prospect of a safe and effective adjunct therapeutic modality to promote mental health and reduce distress from symptoms in palliative care patients. Common physiological and psychological symptoms experienced at the end of life may impact the person's participation in day-to-day activities that bring them meaning. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of VR interventions on occupational participation and distress from symptoms. OBJECTIVES: To describe the stimulus, results, and learnings from a single-site pilot study of virtual reality therapy in a specialist palliative care setting. METHODS: Participants engaged in a VR session lasting from 9 to 30 minutes related to coping with pain, inner peace and mindfulness, adventure, and bucket list. METHODS MEASURES: The pilot prospective quantitative observational cohort study was conducted from November 2021 through March 2022 using a pre-post VR intervention research design. Quantitative data was collected using patient-rated assessments and a wireless pulse oximeter. Occupational performance, satisfaction, and distress symptoms were measured using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and the Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration Symptom Assessment Scale (PCOC SAS). The intervention and study design adhered to international guidelines. RESULTS: Ten participants engaged in the VR interventions. Data showed significantly improved occupational performance and satisfaction scores (p < .001), decreases in PCOC SAS distress from pain (p = .01), fatigue (p < .001), and heart rate (p = .018). No adverse side effects were observed. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Outcomes included an analysis of virtual reality's effectiveness to alleviate symptom burden and increase occupational participation for palliative care patients. Of specific interest to the research team was the application of virtual reality in a community-based and inpatient palliative care context to supplement allied health services and its feasibility of integration into standard palliative care. CONCLUSION: VR therapy showed positive improvements in the participants' occupational performance, satisfaction, and distress from pain and fatigue.

Feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted psychological first aid training intervention (Preparing Me) to support the mental health and well-being of front-line healthcare workers in China: a feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Background: Psychological first aid (PFA) training helps to prepare healthcare workers (HCWs) to manage trauma and stress during healthcare emergencies, yet evidence regarding its effectiveness and implementation is lacking.Method: A two-arm feasibility randomized controlled trial design was conducted in a Chinese tertiary hospital. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either a culturally adapted PFA training (the intervention arm) or psychoeducation (the control arm). Feasibility indicators and selected outcomes were collected.Results: In total, 215 workers who expressed an interest in participating in the trial were screened for eligibility, resulting in 96 eligible participants being randomly allocated to the intervention arm (n = 48) and control arm (n = 48). There was a higher retention rate for the face-to-face PFA training session than for the four online group PFA sessions. Participants rated the PFA training as very helpful (86%), with a satisfaction rate of 74.25%, and 47% reported being able to apply their PFA skills in responding to public health emergencies or providing front-line clinical care. Positive outcome changes were observed in PFA knowledge, skills, attitudes, resilience, self-efficacy, compassion satisfaction, and post-traumatic growth. Their scores on depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout measures all declined. Most of these changes were sustained over 3 months (p < .05). Repeated measures analysis of variance found statistically significant interaction effects on depression (F2,232 = 2.874, p = .046, ηp2 = .031) and burnout (F2,211 = 3.729, p = .018, ηp2 = .037), indicating a greater reduction in symptoms of depression and burnout with PFA compared to psychoeducation training.Conclusion: This culturally adapted PFA training intervention was highly acceptable among Chinese HCWs and was feasible in a front-line care setting. Preliminary findings indicated positive changes for the PFA training intervention on knowledge, skills, attitudes, resilience, self-efficacy, compassion satisfaction, and post-traumatic growth, especially a reduction of depression and burnout. Further modifications are recommended and a fully powered evaluation of PFA training is warranted.

Psychological first aid (PFA) training was culturally adapted and evaluated to help prepare healthcare workers to manage trauma and stress during healthcare emergencies.This culturally adapted PFA training was highly acceptable among Chinese healthcare workers and was feasible in a front-line care setting.Preliminary findings show positive changes for the PFA training intervention on knowledge, skills, attitudes, resilience, self-efficacy, compassion satisfaction, and post-traumatic growth, especially a reduction of depression and burnout.

A feasibility study of Online Mellow Bumps: A Turkish pilot study of an online group-based antenatal parenting intervention.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mellow Parenting proposed online strategies for some of their interventions. One such intervention was Mellow Bumps - becoming Online Mellow Bumps. The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of antenatal parenting intervention Mellow Bumps in an online format and determine if this can be done safely and without detriment to pregnant women in Turkey. METHOD: The study used an exploratory study design to investigate routine evaluation data collected pre- and post-intervention. Outcomes were online feasibility, mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety and stress), maternal subjective well-being, perceived quality of relationship with baby, maternal confidence and maternal social connectivity. 128 mums-to-be took part in the intervention between January 2021 and May 2021 from a total of 21 different provinces in Turkey. RESULTS: 57 pre- and post-intervention responses were eligible for analysis. This gives a response rate of 44.5% for evaluation, though the intervention completion rate was high at 89.5%, suggesting the intervention is engaging and accessible. Improvements were found for maternal stress levels, maternal subjective well-being and perceived relationship with baby. Improvements were also found for maternal confidence and maternal social connectivity. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate the antenatal parenting intervention Mellow Bumps in an online format, namely Online Mellow Bumps. The online format makes the programme accessible for at-risk mothers and families, with the potential to continue reaching wider audiences beyond the pandemic who otherwise might struggle to access support. The findings show that the online group can be effective in improving mental health symptoms and mental well-being, supporting expectant mothers before the baby is born. Future research using a control group, a larger and more inclusive sample, and assessing the longer-term effects on parent and child would be beneficial.

Married Asian Indians on H-1B and H-4 Visas in the US: an Exploration of Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Well-being, and Marital Satisfaction.

Asian Indians comprise the largest group of skilled workers entering the United States on temporary work visas (H-1B). There are few studies that examine the constraints placed on H-1B visa holders and their families on H-4 dependent visas, and the associated stressors. In this exploratory study, we examined self-reported depression, anxiety, stress, well-being, and marital satisfaction among married Asian Indians on H-1B and H-4 visas in the United States. Participants reported moderate levels of stress and depression and mild levels of anxiety. Using multiple regression, well-being emerged as the only significant factor to explain marital satisfaction among both H-1B and H-4 visa holders. Implications for mental health, employment, and career counselors working with this group are discussed.

"You have to strive very hard to prove yourself": experiences of Black nursing students in a Western Canadian province.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the experiences of Black students in two western Canadian undergraduate nursing programs. METHODS: Using a qualitative focused ethnography design grounded in critical race theory and intersectionality, participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through individual interviews, and a follow-up focus group. Data were analyzed using collaborative-thematic analysis team approaches. RESULTS: n=18 current and former students participated. Five themes emerged: systemic racism in nursing, precarious immigrant context, mental health/well-being concerns, coping mechanisms, and suggestions for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: An improved understanding of Black student experiences can inform their recruitment and retention. Supporting Black students' success can potentially improve equity, diversity, and inclusivity in nursing education programs and/or their representation in the Canadian nursing workforce. IMPLICATIONS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE: The presence of a diverse nursing profession is imperative to meet the needs to provide more quality and culturally competent services to diverse population.

Effectiveness of interventions for the improvement of mental health and well-being post-concussion: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and assess the effectiveness and quality of interventions targeted at improving mental health, well-being, and psychosocial impairments post-concussion. DATA SOURCES: EBSCOHost, SPORTSDiscus, PsychINFO, Medline (Web of Science), PubMed, and Embase databases. REVIEW METHODS: This systematic review is reported in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement in exercise, rehabilitation, sport medicine and sports science (PERSiST). Articles were included if they: (1) were randomized controlled trials or repeated measures pre-posttest study designs, (2) reported mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion injury, and (3) evaluated interventions targeting mental health, well-being, and psychosocial impairments post-injury. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were included which evaluated interventions targeting mental health, well-being, and psychosocial impairments post-concussion. Interventions included cognitive rehabilitation (n = 7), psychotherapy (n = 7), psychoeducational (n = 3), neurocognitive training (n = 4), neurocognitive training combined with cognitive rehabilitation (n = 1), and psychotherapy combined with cognitive rehabilitation (n = 1). The seven (100%) cognitive rehabilitation intervention studies and four of the five (80%) neurocognitive training intervention studies observed significant improvements in mental health and well-being outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive rehabilitation and neurocognitive training may be the most effective interventions for mental health and well-being impairments post-concussion. Researchers and clinicians should continue to explore the effectiveness of these interventions, specifically in populations most impacted by concussion (i.e. athletes).

Evaluating the experiences and impact of the Health Access for Refugees (HARP) project on peer volunteers in Northern England.

Community-based peer volunteer interventions are increasingly used with people who are asylum seekers and refugees accessing health services. There is a dearth of evidence evaluating the benefits of volunteering for asylum seeking or refugee volunteers. Volunteers may have poor mental health and feel socially isolated due to their experiences as refugees and asylum seekers and may struggle or be unable to obtain paid employment. Volunteering in other contexts has been found to be beneficial to the health and well-being of the volunteer. This paper reports on an aspect of a wider study evaluating the community-based Health Access for Refugees Project, with the aim of exploring the impact of volunteering on the health and well-being of the peer (asylum seeker or refugee) volunteer. In 2020, we conducted qualitative semistructured interviews by phone with 15 volunteers who were asylum seekers or refugees. The interviews were audio recorded, data were transcribed verbatim and the data set was thematically analysed. We found that the positive relationships which developed and the training received through volunteering boosted volunteers' mental well-being. They felt motivated and confident in helping others, felt a sense of belonging and this reduced their social isolation. They also believed they benefited personally, helping their access to health services, and preparing them for future education, training or a career. In light of the beneficial nature of volunteering identified in this study, establishing more volunteering opportunities for this population and other marginalised groups with poor mental health is recommended. However, more research is needed to assess both the long-term impact of the role in terms of the peer volunteer's health and well-being, and the societal benefit of people moving on, integrating and contributing to society.

Improving Integrated Mental Health Care Through an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Led Program: Challenges and Successes.

Integrated and collaborative care delivery models have demonstrated efficacy for the management of psychiatric conditions in the primary care environment, yet organizations struggle with implementation of integrated efforts in clinical practice. Delivering care with a population focus versus face-to-face encounters with individual patients requires financial investment and adjustment in care delivery. We discuss the early implementation process of an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)-led integrated behavioral health care program, including the challenges, barriers, and successes in the first 9 months of the program (January-September 2021), for an academic institution in the Midwest. A total of 161 Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and 162 Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) rating scales were completed on 86 patients. The mean PHQ-9 score at the initial visit was 11.3 (moderate depression); after 5 visits, it decreased significantly to 8.6 (mild depression) (P < .001). The mean GAD-7 score at the initial visit was 10.9 (moderate anxiety); after 5 visits, it decreased significantly to 7.6 (mild anxiety) (P < .001). A survey completed by 14 primary care physicians 9 months after program launch revealed improvements in satisfaction with collaboration but, most notably, in perception of access to and overall satisfaction with behavioral health consultation/patient care services. Program challenges included adapting the environment to enhance leadership roles for the program and adjusting to virtual availability of psychiatric support. A case example highlights the value of integrated care along with improved depression and anxiety-related outcomes. Next steps should include efforts that capitalize on nursing leadership strengths while also promoting equity among integrated populations.

The New York State COVID-19 Healthcare Personnel Study: One-Year Follow-up of Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants, 2020-2021.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 Healthcare Personnel Study is a longitudinal survey to assess the changing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the New York State health care workforce. We analyzed results from a follow-up survey of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants on the availability of equipment and personnel, work conditions, physical and mental health of participants, and impact of the pandemic on commitment to their profession. METHODS: We conducted an online survey of all licensed New York State physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in April 2020 (N = 2105) and a follow-up survey in February 2021 (N = 978). We analyzed changes in item responses from baseline to follow-up. We calculated survey-adjusted paired t tests and odds ratios (ORs) using survey-adjusted generalized linear models controlling for age, sex, region of practice, and hospital versus non-hospital-based practice. RESULTS: Twenty percent of respondents expressed continuing concern about personnel shortages at both baseline and follow-up. Respondents reported working approximately 5 more hours on average during a 2-week period at follow-up compared with baseline (78.1 vs 72.6 hours; P = .008). For 20.4% (95% CI, 17.2%-23.5%) of respondents, mental health issues had become persistent. More than one-third (35.6%; 95% CI, 31.9%-39.4%) of respondents reported that they thought about leaving their profession more often than once per month. The association between persistent mental and behavioral health issues and contemplating leaving one's profession was significant (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.8-4.1; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions such as decreasing the number of hours worked, ensuring health care professionals do not work directly with patients while ill, and addressing shortages of personal protective equipment can help address concerns of the health care workforce.

Burnout and Mental Health and Well-Being of School Nurses After the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between job stressors, COVID-19-related concerns, burnout, and mental health and well-being among school nurses, and whether any of these associations are mediated by burnout. Based on stratified proportional sampling, data collection was conducted by an online questionnaire distributed to 600 school nurses in Taiwan. A total of 256 participants aged between 27 and 62 years (mean = 47.08; standard deviation = 7.28) returned questionnaires. Results showed that burnout was the main mediating variable that fully mediated the relationship between COVID-19-related concerns and mental health and well-being. The effects of job stressors on mental health and well-being included direct negative effects (ß = -.29) and indirect negative effects (ß = -.67) through mediating factors. School health managers should be more aware of burnout and mental health and well-being among school nurses under the impact of COVID-19.

Exploring the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Well-Being of Migrant Populations in Europe: An Equity-Focused Scoping Review.

The pandemic is aggravating health inequalities, particularly mental health inequalities, while revealing the social determinants of these inequalities, including migration as a social determinant that mediates the interaction of social, economic, cultural, institutional, and structural factors with health indicators. Therefore, it is of most relevance to identify the multiple interconnected factors that influence the mental health and well-being of migrant populations. A scoping review was developed to map the research performed in this area and to identify any gaps in knowledge, following the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. MEDLINE, Scopus, and WHO Global Health research databases on COVID-19 were searched from January 2020 to October 2021. The review followed the inclusion criteria Population/Concept/Context (PCC): Population-Adult International migrants (including refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants); Concept-determinants of (and factors influencing) mental health and well-being; Context-COVID-19 anywhere in the world. Of the sixty-five selected studies, eleven were from European countries and were the focus of this review with special attention to health inequalities experienced by migrants in Europe. The results cover a diversity of themes related to the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of migrants (country-level environmental factors, social determinants of mental health, mental health indicators and outcomes), responses (such as solidarity and resilience), populations, and study methods. The evidence found can inform recommendations and interventions focused on health promotion and mitigation of the inequalities accentuated by the pandemic.

University Students' Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the UniCoVac Qualitative Study.

The worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020 affected all major sectors, including higher education. The measures to contain the spread of this deadly disease led to the closure of colleges and universities across the globe, disrupting the lives of millions of students and subjecting them to a new world of online learning. These sudden disturbances coupled with the demands of a new learning system and the experiences of living through a pandemic have placed additional strains on the mental health of university students. Research on university students' mental health, conducted during the pandemic, have found high levels of stress, anxiety and depression among students. In this qualitative study, we aimed to understand how pandemic experiences have affected student well-being by conducting in-depth interviews with 34 undergraduate students enrolled in a UK university. All interviews were conducted through Microsoft Teams and recorded with prior permission. Transcripts of recorded interviews were thematically analysed which identified two broad themes: (i) University students' mental health and well-being experiences during the pandemic; (ii) factors that influenced students' mental health and well-being. These factors were further distributed across six sub-themes: (a) isolation; (b) health and well-being; (c) bereavement; (d) academic concerns; (e) financial worries and; (f) support, coping, and resilience. Our study identifies the importance of mental health support to university students during pandemics and calls for measures to improve access to support services through these crisis points by universities. Findings can also inform students' mental health and risk assessments in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Purpose Formulation, Coalition Building, and Evidence Use in Public-Academic Partnerships: Web-Based Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Partnerships between academic institutions and public care agencies (public-academic partnerships [PAPs]) can promote effective policy making and care delivery. Public care agencies are often engaged in PAPs for evidence-informed policy making in health care. Previous research has reported essential partnership contextual factors and mechanisms that promote evidence-based policy making and practice in health care. However, the studies have not yet informed whether public care agency leaders' and academic researchers' perceptions of partnership purpose formulation and coalition building evolve through the PAP life cycle and whether public care agency leaders' use of research evidence differs through life cycle stages. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study aims to focus on PAPs designed to improve youth mental health and well-being outcomes. This study also aims to identify public care agency leaders' and academic researchers' perceptions of PAP purpose formulation (structure, goals, primary function, and agenda-setting process) and coalition building (mutual benefits, trust, convener's role, member role clarity, and conflict management) by PAP life cycle stage and examine whether public care agency leaders' use of research evidence differs according to the perception of PAP purpose formulation and coalition building through the PAP life cycle. METHODS: A web-based survey of PAP experience was conducted by recruiting academic researchers (n=40) and public care agency leaders (n=26) who were engaged in PAPs for the past 10 years. Public care agency leaders additionally participated in the survey of the Structured Interview for Evidence Use scale (n=48). RESULTS: Most public care agency leaders and academic researchers in PAPs formed, matured, and sustained perceived their PAP as having purpose formulation context well aligned with their organizational purpose formulation context, pursuing mutual benefits, having leadership representation and role clarity, having a higher level of trust, and knowing how to handle conflicts. Most PAPs across all life cycle stages crystallized another issue to focus, but not all PAPs with issue crystallization had purpose reformulation. Public care agency leaders who trusted academic researchers in their PAP had greater use of research evidence. Public care agency leaders in PAPs that had gone through new issue crystallization also showed greater use of research evidence compared with those that had not. CONCLUSIONS: To promote public care agency leaders' use of research evidence, focusing on developing trusting partnerships and continuously crystallizing PAP issues are important. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/14382.

Mental Health Promotion and Intervention in Occupational Settings: Protocol for a Pilot Study of the MENTUPP Intervention.

Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent mental health difficulties in the EU, causing immense suffering and costing the global economy EUR 1 trillion each year in lost productivity. Employees in construction, health and information and communications technology have an elevated risk of mental health difficulties. Most mental health interventions for the workplace have been targeted at larger companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often overlooked despite most people being employed in SMEs. The MENTUPP intervention aims to improve mental health and wellbeing and reduce depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviour. The MENTUPP project involves the development, implementation, and evaluation of a multilevel intervention targeting both clinical and non-clinical mental health issues and combating the stigma of mental (ill-)health, with a specific focus on SMEs. The intervention is underpinned by a framework of how to create a mentally healthy workplace by employing an integrated approach and has been informed by several systematic reviews designed to understand organisational mental health interventions and a consultation survey with key experts in the area. The intervention is facilitated through the MENTUPP Hub, an online platform that presents interactive psychoeducational materials, toolkits, and links to additional resources in an accessible and user-friendly manner. This paper presents the pilot study protocol for delivering the MENTUPP intervention in eight European countries and Australia. Each intervention country will aim to recruit at least 23 participants in 1-3 SMEs in one of the three high-risk sectors. The central aim of the pilot study will be to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and uptake of the MENTUPP intervention across the target SMEs. The findings will contribute to devising the protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) of the MENTUPP intervention. Findings from this study will also be used to inform the optimisation phase of the MENTUPP intervention which will aim to improve the materials and the implementation of the intervention as well as enhancing the evaluation strategy which will be employed for the cRCT.

Strategies for improving mental health and wellbeing used by adults ageing with HIV from the Kenyan coast: a qualitative exploration.

Background: Physical and mental health problems are common among older adults living with HIV (OALWH). Adaptive coping strategies play a vital role in improving these adults' mental health and well-being despite the deleterious effects of HIV and ageing. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, limited evidence exists on the commonly utilized coping strategies in this population. We explore the coping strategies used by Kenyan OALWH to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted between October and December 2019 with 56 participants: 34 OALWH (53% female), 11 healthcare providers (63% female) and 11 primary caregivers (73% female) in Kilifi County. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used the framework approach to synthesize the qualitative data.    Results: Five major themes emerged from the analysis of participants' narratives, including self-care practices, religion and spirituality, relational living (social connectedness), generativity, identity, and mastery. Our study further revealed maladaptive coping strategies, including reliance on over-the-counter medications, self-isolation, waiting to see if symptoms would subside despite doing nothing, and HIV treatment interruptions during prolonged periods of prayer and fasting. Conclusions: Our findings provide an initial understanding of the coping strategies used by OALWH to confront HIV and ageing challenges in a low-literacy, low socio-economic Kenyan setting. Our results suggest that interventions designed to enhance personal capacity, social support, positive religiosity and spirituality, and intergenerational connections may be beneficial in improving the mental health and well-being of OALWH.

Experiences of abuse in Australian family carers and predictors of mental health and well-being.

Caregivers for family or friends who are elderly people or have a disability provide critical supports, with a range of positive and negative consequences associated with their role. This research explores the positive and negative aspects of care-giving, including the experience of abuse within the caring relationship, through an anonymous online survey of the mental health, well-being and caring experience of Australian family carers (N = 305). The voluntary participants were recruited through local and national carer associations. Over 40% of respondents reported having experienced abuse by the person they cared for, with the most common form of abuse being verbal abuse (35% of the respondents reporting abuse) and physical abuse (14%). The experience of abuse was related to poorer mental health as measured by the DASS-21 and a lower reported quality of life. Financial stress, lack of support and the negative impacts of care-giving were also significantly associated with mental health and well-being outcomes. The current research is among the first to directly assess the experience of abuse within a broad sample of caregivers, identifying this as a significant issue for caregivers. The findings have clear implications for programs and policies that protect the rights, safety and well-being of caregivers.

Essential but Ill-Prepared: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affects the Mental Health of the Grocery Store Workforce.

OBJECTIVES: Frontline essential workers face elevated risks of exposure to COVID-19 because of the interactive nature of their jobs, which require high levels of interaction with the general public and coworkers. The impact of these elevated risks on the mental health of essential workers, especially outside the health care sector, is not well studied. To address this knowledge gap, we examined correlations between perceptions of workplace risks and mental health distress among grocery store workers in Arizona. METHODS: We collected the first statewide sample of essential workers outside the health care sector focused on mental health and well-being. A total of 3344 grocery store workers in Arizona completed an online survey in July 2020. We used multiple regression models to identify demographic and work-based correlates of mental health distress. RESULTS: Levels of mental health distress among respondents were high: 557 of 3169 (17.6%) reported severe levels and 482 of 3168 (15.2%) reported moderate levels. Perceptions of workplace safety were strongly correlated with significantly reduced levels of mental health distress (ß = -1.44; SE = 0.20) and reduced perceived stress (ß = -0.97; SE = 0.16). Financially disadvantaged workers and employees aged <55 reported high levels of mental health distress. Perceptions of safety and protection in the workplace were significantly correlated with availability of safety trainings, social distancing, and policies governing customer behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Lacking sufficient workplace protections, grocery store employees in Arizona experienced high levels of mental health distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing clear federal and state policies to employers to guide implementation of workplace protections may help reduce sources of mental health distress.

"My brain feels like a browser with 100 tabs open": A longitudinal study of teachers' mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Teaching and caring for pupils during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for many teachers, and its impact on teachers' mental health and well-being (MHWB) should be of great national and international concern. AIM AND PARTICIPANTS: This study examines 24 primary and secondary school teachers' MHWB experiences across three time points (April, July, and November 2020) using longitudinal qualitative trajectory analysis. METHOD: We used a mixture of inductive and deductive coding, based on the Job Demands-Resources Model, to identify the job demands (aspects of the job that can be physically or psychologically costly) and job resources (aspects of the job that can buffer the effects of job demands and promote achievement and growth) teachers reported experiencing across the three time points. RESULTS: Generally, teachers' MHWB seemed to have declined throughout the pandemic, especially for primary school leaders. Six job demands contributed negatively to teachers' MHWB (i.e., uncertainty, workload, negative perception of the profession, concern for others' well-being, health struggles, and multiple roles) and three job resources contributed positively to their MHWB (i.e., social support, work autonomy, and coping strategies). CONCLUSIONS: Policymakers and practitioners can support teachers' MHWB by engaging in more collaborative communication and ensuring greater accessibility to sources of social support. These discussions and provisions will be crucial in supporting teachers, and thereby the educational system, both during and after the pandemic.