Relationship of Psychological Flexibility and Mindfulness to Caregiver Burden, and Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Caregivers of People with Dementia.

Caregivers of People with dementia (PwD) commonly experience burdens and other mental health issues, e.g., depression and anxiety. At present, there are limited studies that examine the relationships between caregiver psychological factors and caregiver burden, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Therefore, this study's objectives were to examine the relationships between psychological flexibility and mindfulness in caregivers of PwD, and to determine the predictors of these three outcomes. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the geriatric psychiatry clinic of Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Malaysia, and the sample (n = 82) was recruited via a universal sampling method over three months. The participants completed a questionnaire that consisted of the sociodemographics of the PwD and caregivers, illness characteristics of the PwD, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Zarit Burden Interview Scale (ZBI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The results show that despite significant relationships between psychological flexibility and mindfulness and lower levels of caregiver burden, and depressive and anxiety symptoms (p < 0.01), only psychological inflexibility (p < 0.01) remained as a significant predictor of the three outcomes. Therefore, in conclusion, intervention programs that target the awareness of the caregiver's psychological inflexibility should be implemented to alleviate these adverse outcomes in dementia caregivers.

Psychological Resilience and Coping Strategies with Anxiety among Malaysian Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) swept the world by storm and caused a myriad of devastating consequences, particularly disruptions in medical education. This study aims to examine the association between sociodemographic factors, psychological factors, coping strategies and anxiety among medical students, as well as to identify the predictors of anxiety among them. A cross-sectional study design was used. Self-rated Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Scale (Brief COPE), and General Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale (GAD-7) were used. A total of 371 respondents from a tertiary education center were recruited. The prevalence of anxiety was 37% which corresponded to 21.6% and 15.4% for moderate and severe anxiety, respectively. Sociodemographic factors such as age group and academic year were significantly associated with anxiety, while those with higher self-esteem (rs = -0.487), self-competence (rs = -0.407), self-liking (rs = -0.499), and self-efficacy (rs = -0.245) had lower anxiety. Inversely, those who adopted emotion-focused (rs = 0.130) and dysfunctional coping styles (rs = 0.559) showed higher anxiety. The main predictors of anxiety were self-liking as a protective factor (aOR = 0.81) and dysfunctional coping as a risk factor (aOR = 1.16). Therefore, resilience building and inculcating positive coping strategies are imperative in equipping our budding healthcare providers to weather through future unforeseeable disasters.

Factors Contributing to Burnout among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 in Sabah (East Malaysia).

The third wave of COVID-19 in Malaysia has significantly strained the healthcare system of the country and increased the level of burnout among the healthcare workers (HCWs) in the country. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the various factors associated with burnout among HCWs. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 HWCs in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. An online survey was administered using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Brief COPE, and Fear of COVID-19 scales. Pearson correlations were assessed amongst all variables. Subsequently, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed using burnout dimensions as dependent variables. Multiple linear regression results showed: (a) lower work-related burnout (ß = −0.217, p < 0.01) among married HCWs; (b) higher personal-related burnout (ß = 0.228, p < 0.01), work-related burnout (ß = 0.425, p < 0.01), and client-related burnout (ß = 0.359, p < 0.01) among doctors; (c) fear towards COVID-19 was significantly associated with client-related burnout (ß = 0.243, p < 0.01); (d) an avoidant coping strategy was significantly associated with personal-related burnout (ß = 0.322, p < 0.01); (e) social support from family was significantly associated with personal-related burnout (ß = −0.264, p < 0.01), work-related burnout (ß = −0.186, p < 0.05), and client-related burnout (ß = −0.326, p < 0.01);(f) and social support from friends was significantly associated with work-related burnout (ß = −0.202, p < 0.05). This study demonstrated significant theoretical contributions and clinical implications in the healthcare system in Sabah by addressing the impact of various factors on burnout among HWCs.

The state of psychiatric research in the Asia Pacific region.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to review recent scientific publications and research output in the field of psychiatry, from a series of countries in the Asia-Pacific region (Australia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, and Nepal), with a view to identify themes and similarities across regions, as well as to examine the barriers and challenges in mental health research faced by countries in the region. METHODS: Seven psychiatrists from seven countries reviewed recent published and ongoing research in psychiatry in their respective nations, with respect to themes, as well as any barriers or challenges faced by mental health researchers. RESULTS: While the seven nations included in this review vary in terms of research capabilities and economic development level, they share many similarities both in terms of research direction, and with regards to challenges faced. Limitations in the form of sociocultural differences from the West, and a lack of funding were some of the barriers identified. DISCUSSION: Mental health research in the region has been progressing well. However, more varied research in the form of qualitative or economic studies are lacking, as are multi-center studies. The similar issues that nations face with regards to research could perhaps benefit from collaborative efforts and initiatives for the furtherance of research in the region.