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INTRODUCTION: Individuals with psychiatric disorders tend to report having poorer bonds with their parents during their early years. These individuals often experience lower quality of life as well. This study investigated the associations between aspects of parental bonding and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a clinical sample of youths. It was hypothesised that high parental care and low parental overprotectiveness would be associated with higher levels of HRQOL. METHODS: Data were obtained from a larger cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 400 psychiatric outpatients: 191 patients aged 14-21 (mean ± standard deviation 18.1 ± 2.22) years and 209 patients aged 22-35 (28.0 ± 4.33) years. The Parental Bonding Instrument was used to measure parental care and overprotectiveness. Short Form-12 measured physical health (physical component summary [PCS]) and mental health (mental component summary [MCS]) components of HRQOL, and the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire assessed depressive symptoms. These scales and a sociodemographic form were self-administered. Multivariable linear regression was used for analysis. RESULTS: About half of the sample reported affectionless control for mothers (46.6%) and fathers (45.9%). After controlling for sociodemographic variables, no significant relationship was found between aspects of parental bonding and PCS scores. Maternal care was associated with MCS scores (ß = 0.32, P < 0.01) and PHQ-8 scores (ß = -0.12, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that youths who experienced quality care from their mothers exhibit better mental health functioning despite their clinical diagnoses, which suggests that early maternal care exerts an overall long-term protective effect. Early parental education that promotes positive parenting practices could improve the overall HRQOL of individuals in adulthood despite their clinical diagnoses.
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Introduction: Given that mental illness stigma is a common occurrence amongst people with mental illness and caregivers (CGs) can be a potential victim of stigma themselves, there is a need to examine caregivers' perspective on the phenomenon. This study is part of a larger study which aims to qualitatively examine the concept of mental illness stigma amongst different stakeholders in Singapore. Methods: Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted amongst 21 informal caregivers to explore the experience of stigma encountered by them and their care recipients, and how it may implicate their caregiving experience. Both inductive and deductive thematic analyses were employed to analyze the data. Results: Three overarching themes of stigma encounters that may have implication on caregiving experience were identified: 1) Stigma within the family; 2) Structural stigma; and 3) Stigma by association. Experience of stigma within family (e.g., social exclusion and lack of understanding) limits the caregiving supports available to CGs. CGs also took up a mediating role between their care recipients and other family who may hold stigmatizing views. Witnessing their care recipients being subjected to structural disadvantages (e.g., employment, school, and mandatory conscription) can induce emotional stresses amongst CGs and motivate them to protest and seek redress on their behalf. Furthermore, encounters of stigma themselves (e.g., being judged or blamed for their loved one's condition) also led to feelings of guilt and self-blame amongst the CGs. Discussion: These findings can aid the formulation of interventions in informing CGs on what to expect on their caregiving journey and supporting them in dealing with issues relating to stigma and highlight the importance of anti-stigma efforts in organizational settings such as schools, corporations, and government agencies.
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Background: The degree of public trust in the government's competence is crucial in preventing the spread of misinformation and reducing psychological distress during a pandemic. The study aimed to (i) explore the trust in COVID-19 information from different sources and trust in the ability of the World Health Organization (WHO), government departments and related institutions in handling the epidemic in Singapore and (ii) its association with perceived risk of infection among Singapore residents. Methods: A total of 1,129 participants (aged 21 and above) were recruited from a cross-sectional study examining the well-being and resilience of Singapore's population between May 2020 to June 2021. Trust in COVID-19 information from different sources was measured on a 10-point scale and an ordinal 7-point scale was used for perceived risk of infection. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression model were conducted. Results: 85.5% reported high trust in COVID-19 information from the government and their ability in handling the pandemic. Participants also reported high trust in COVID-19 information from local public health or infectious disease experts (84.4%) and traditional media (77.2%). Low trust in the ability of government departments and related institutions was associated with higher future (1 month) perceived risk of infection (OR: 5.7, 95% CI 1.02-32.45) and low trust in social media was associated with higher current perceived risk of infection (OR: 2.4, 95% CI 1.09-5.24). Discussion: The present study provided insight on the level of trust on COVID-19 information from different sources and its associated perceived risks of infection. Future qualitative studies are recommended to facilitate better understanding of public trust and identify strategies for how it can be effectively addressed to support future public health responses.
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COVID-19 , Confiança , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/psicologia , Confiança/psicologia , Singapura/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , SARS-CoV-2 , Inquéritos e Questionários , Adulto Jovem , PandemiasRESUMO
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic brought on a range of stressors in homes and workplaces. With no sign of ending after one year, burnout was a concern. Resilience has been known to shield against the effects of stress. While often thought of as an individual trait, previous studies have shown social support to improve resilience. The study aimed to examine the extent of burnout in the Singapore population and whether social support and resilience cushioned the impact of COVID-19 related stressors a year into the pandemic. Methods: Participants were 858 Singapore residents who participated in a larger study between October 2021 and September 2022. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory provided Work-and Personal-related burnout scores. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify demographic variables associated with burnout. Path analysis revealed the associations between COVID-19 stressors, social support, resilience and burnout. Results: 22 and 19% of the sample reported work and personal burnout respectively, with younger adults being more burnt out than older adults. Higher stress was associated with higher burnout and higher social support was associated with lower burnout. Path analysis revealed that the relationship between social support and burnout was partially accounted for by increased resilience. Conclusion: Managing altered work arrangements, career expectations, and increased responsibilities at home may contribute to greater levels of burnout in the younger adults. Increased employer support and targeted interventions could mitigate the impact of these stressors. The study also highlighted the importance of maintaining social connections even while physically distancing.
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COVID-19 , Resiliência Psicológica , Apoio Social , Humanos , COVID-19/psicologia , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Singapura/epidemiologia , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Pandemias , Inquéritos e Questionários , SARS-CoV-2 , Esgotamento Psicológico/psicologia , Esgotamento Profissional/psicologia , Adulto Jovem , Estresse Psicológico/psicologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: For young people who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), receiving negative responses to their NSSI can pose a barrier to future help-seeking. This qualitative study aimed to explore helpful and unhelpful ways in which professionals and non-professionals respond to NSSI, from the perspectives of individuals with lived experiences of NSSI. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 outpatients (6 males, 14 females) aged 17 to 29 years from a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Singapore, who had reported engaging in NSSI behavior in an earlier study. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes in the data. RESULTS: Professionals' responses were organized into three main themes: 'prescribing solutions without understanding needs', 'disapproval or judgment', and 'helpful responses'. Non-professionals' responses were organized into four main themes: 'emotionally charged responses', 'avoidance and inaction', 'poor understanding of reasons for NSSI', and 'providing tangible support and acknowledging NSSI'. Participants also described how unhelpful responses negatively impacted their willingness to seek help. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide a better understanding of responses to NSSI that are considered helpful and unhelpful, and can be used to improve existing guidelines on responding to NSSI.
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Pacientes Ambulatoriais , Comportamento Autodestrutivo , Masculino , Feminino , Humanos , Adolescente , Singapura , Comportamento Autodestrutivo/psicologia , Pesquisa QualitativaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Global emotion dysregulation mediates the relationship between child maltreatment and severe depressive symptoms; however, there is a lack of research on maladaptive personality traits and their contribution to individual differences in global emotion dysregulation within this conceptual model. The present study tested a preliminary serial mediation model where maladaptive personality traits and global emotion dysregulation mediate the relationship between child maltreatment and severe depressive symptoms. METHOD: A total of 200 patients with mood disorders (Mage = 36.5 years; 54% females) were assessed for maladaptive personality traits (Personality Inventory for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [5th ed.] Brief Form), global emotion dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short), childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire), and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). RESULTS: Ordinary least squares regression and partial least squares-structural equation modeling revealed a consistent and significant indirect effect of child maltreatment on severe depressive symptoms through negative affectivity, detachment, psychoticism, and global emotion dysregulation. Among child maltreatment types, only emotional abuse had a significant indirect effect on severe depressive symptoms through maladaptive personality traits and global emotion dysregulation, b = 0.50, SE = 0.09, 95% confidence intervals [0.326, 0.694] after controlling for age, gender, and remaining types of child maltreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the view that maladaptive personality traits shed important insights on individual differences in global emotion dysregulation, and this information could aid clinical formulation and treatment of childhood adversity-related psychopathology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Sobreviventes Adultos de Maus-Tratos Infantis , Depressão , Transtornos da Personalidade , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Depressão/psicologia , Emoções , Individualidade , Testes Psicológicos , Autorrelato , Sobreviventes Adultos de Maus-Tratos Infantis/psicologiaRESUMO
Singapore has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates, however identifying vaccine-hesitant sub-groups and their concerns is vital given the need for future boosters in vulnerable populations. Furthermore, vaccine hesitancy remains a concern in the event of an emergence of a newer strain that necessitates the rolling out of a new vaccination programme. The aims of this study were to establish the extent of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the factors influencing it among adults in Singapore using the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS). The study used a longitudinal methodology and participants were recruited in two waves from May 2020 to Sep 2022. In all 858 participants agreed to participate in both waves of the study. The two-factor structure of the VHS scale as established in earlier studies was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The results revealed a two-factor structure of VHS comprising "lack of confidence" and "risks". Those who had higher stress, resilience, and concerns that they might be infected with COVID-19 at wave 1 were significantly associated with lower 'lack of confidence' scores i.e. lower vaccine hesitancy. In comparison, those with higher concerns about inadequate government preventive measures and unemployment at wave 1 were significantly associated with higher 'lack of confidence' scores. Those with higher concerns about inadequate government preventive measures in wave 1 were significantly associated with higher 'risks' scores i.e. higher vaccine hesitancy. The findings point toward the need for a nuanced messaging that considers the fears expressed by the populace and addresses them directly using clear simple language.
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Vacinas contra COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Adulto , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Singapura , Hesitação Vacinal , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , VacinaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Suicidality spans from having suicidal ideation to planning and making an attempt. However, not all individuals with suicidal thoughts will proceed to plan or attempt suicide. Our study investigated (i) the prevalence of suicide planning and attempt among those with suicidal ideation and (ii) their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, mental disorders, adverse childhood events and prior suicidal behaviour. METHOD: This cross-sectional analysis utilised data from Singapore Mental Health Study 2016. Only respondents with suicidal ideation were included. A total of 411 and 365 individuals were examined to establish the prevalence of suicide planning and attempt respectively. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to determine associations. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicide planning and attempt were 17.7 % and 10.6 % respectively, with >80.0 % occurring within a year of suicidal ideation. Suicide planning was more likely among those who had mood disorders. Suicide attempt was more likely for those were currently married, had lower educational qualifications, history of anxiety disorders, history of emotional neglect and parental separation. LIMITATIONS: Recall bias may be present because the age of onset for various mental disorders and suicidal behaviours were self-reported. As suicide was criminalised when the study was conducted, the prevalence of suicidal behaviours may have been underestimated. CONCLUSION: Individuals at risk of suicide planning and attempt should be identified early since most of them progressed within a year. Findings suggest the importance of including prior suicide behaviour and history of dysfunctional family and emotional abuse in suicide risk assessment and intervention.
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Ideação Suicida , Tentativa de Suicídio , Humanos , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Prevalência , Tentativa de Suicídio/psicologia , Saúde Mental , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Introduction: The main aims of the study were to: establish the average levels of psychological distress, suicidality and positive mental health (PMH); and examine their associated risk and protective factors in the population of Singapore during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Participants from a national psychiatric epidemiological study conducted in the general population of Singapore from 2016 to 2018, who had agreed to be re-contacted, were invited to participate in the study that was conducted from May 2020 to June 2021. Questionnaires assessing psychological distress, causes of stress, resilience and PMH were administered. Results: A total of 1,129 respondents completed the study. The mean age was 47.7 (standard deviation = 16.5) years. The prevalence of stress, depression and anxiety was 7.1%, 8.0% and 8.4%, respectively. The final pathways model showed that high concerns related to possible COVID-19 infection of family members or friends were significantly associated with higher stress (ß = 0.242, P<0.001), depression (ß = 0.152, P=0.001) and anxiety (ß = 0.280, P<0.001). High resilience was significantly associated with lower stress (ß = -0.482, P<0.001), depression (ß = -0.394, P<0.001) and anxiety (ß = -0.516, P<0.001), and with high PMH (ß = 0.498, P<0.001). Conclusion: The findings highlight the negative impact of fear of COVID-19 infection, social distancing and isolation on the mental health of the population. Resilience and PMH were associated with lower psychological stress, and interventions to improve these characteristics can enhance mental health and well-being.
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Ansiedade , COVID-19 , Depressão , Saúde Mental , Fatores de Proteção , Resiliência Psicológica , Estresse Psicológico , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/psicologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Singapura/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto , Depressão/epidemiologia , Depressão/psicologia , Ansiedade/epidemiologia , Fatores de Risco , Estresse Psicológico/epidemiologia , Angústia Psicológica , SARS-CoV-2 , Prevalência , Ideação Suicida , Inquéritos e Questionários , Idoso , PandemiasRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Despite being preventable, suicide remains a leading cause of death globally, with depression being one of the more prominent risk factors. This study examines the roles of social support and positive mental health in the depression-suicidality pathway. METHODS: We utilized data from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016. Social support and positive mental health were examined as mediators in the relationship between 12-month depression and 12-month suicidality using survey-weighted generalized structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Overall positive mental health was found to partially mediate the relationship between depression and suicide. Of the discrete positive mental health domains, the depression-suicidality relationship was partially mediated by general coping and fully mediated by personal growth and autonomy. CONCLUSION: While findings regarding social support were inconclusive, positive mental health may play a significant role in alleviating the effects of depression on suicidality. This highlights the multifaceted nature of suicidality and reveals positive mental health as a new area in assessing and treating at-risk people, to improve clinical outcomes.HIGHLIGHTSThe effect of depression on suicidality was partially mediated by overall positive mental health.General coping partially mediated the relationship between depression and suicidality.Personal growth and autonomy fully mediated the relationship between depression and suicidality.
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BACKGROUND: Peer victimization is common among adolescents and leads to negative consequences. However, few studies have examined the extent of peer-victimization and its correlates among adolescent patients in a psychiatric setting. The current study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of peer victimisation among youth with mental illness and to examine its association with depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: A sample of 239 youths aged 15-24 years were recruited from the outpatient clinics of a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Singapore using convenience sampling. All participants were administered the Multidimensional Peer Victimisation Scale (MPVS), Short Form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8). The effect of MPVS total and subscores on depression scores, quality of life subscores and quality of life total scores were examined using multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: The majority of the patients reported that they had experienced at least one form of peer victimisation (95.8%, n = 229) during their school years. Higher levels of 'verbal victimisation', 'attacks on property' and higher total MPVS scores were significantly associated with lower social functioning; additionally, higher levels of 'verbal victimisation' were significantly associated with lower mental component summary scores in the quality of life assessment. Higher scores on all four subscales as well as higher total scores on the MPVS were significantly associated with more severe depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high prevalence of peer victimisation in our sample and its associations with more severe depressive symptoms and lower quality of life, it is vital to implement interventions that prevent peer victimisation in educational and other social settings and to provide youth with strategies to more effectively manage instances of peer victimisation.
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BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies show that adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are associated with positive psychotic symptoms in Western populations; however, there is a lack of population-based data in multi-ethnic, Asian societies. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the associations between ACE (type and dosage) and positive psychotic symptoms in a nationally representative study in Singapore. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A total of 4441 adult Singapore residents were recruited via door-to-door surveys; they were assessed for ACE and positive psychotic symptoms (i.e., hallucinations, delusions, thought insertion, thought control, and telepathic powers) on structured interviews. METHODS: Lifetime experiences of positive psychotic symptoms were regressed on (1) the experience of any ACE; (2) cumulative ACE; and (3) the experience of either no ACE, interpersonal victimization only, dysfunctional home environments only, neglect only or multiple exposures to ACE in weighted and adjusted regression models. RESULTS: 5.2 % of the sample experienced positive psychotic symptoms during their lifetime. Individuals exposed to dysfunctional home environments (OR = 2.84, 95 % CI 1.26 to 6.37) and multiple adverse childhood experiences (OR = 3.31, 95 % CI 2.18 to 5.01) were at an elevated risk of experiencing positive psychotic symptoms. The exposure to three or more ACE was associated with a near five-fold higher risk of experiencing positive psychotic symptoms (OR = 4.51, 95 % CI 2.89 to 7.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals exposed to dysfunctional home environments or multiple adverse childhood experiences are at an elevated risk of experiencing positive psychotic symptoms. Given the intrafamilial nature of these childhood adversities, dual-generation approaches and family-centered interventions are key.
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Experiências Adversas da Infância , Transtornos Psicóticos , Adulto , Delusões , Alucinações , Humanos , Transtornos Psicóticos/epidemiologia , Singapura/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Mental health stigma is one of the most prominent barriers to recovery, and it is widely known that stigma may manifest differentially in different cultures. Healthcare professionals working closely with persons with mental illnesses (PMI) may provide important insights towards stigma that are otherwise unattainable from caregivers and consumers. However, there is a dearth of literature on healthcare professionals' perspectives on this topic. Thus, this study uses a multilevel approach to explore how stigma affects recovery from the perspectives of healthcare professionals that work closely with PMI in Singapore. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 17 healthcare professionals who were working in mental health settings in Singapore. Participants were recruited via direct email invitation or through snowball sampling. Data collected was analysed with the inductive thematic analysis method. All coding and inter-rater analyses were performed with NVivo. RESULTS: The current study themes identified stigma-related factors that influence PMI's recovery from the perspectives of healthcare professionals working closely with PMI. These factors were organised into three overarching themes in a multilevel structure. The three themes were classified as Micro Factors (e.g., internalised stigma), Meso Factors (e.g., discrimination of people associated with the stigmatised group), and Macro Factors (e.g., structural stigma and stigma within healthcare settings). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study gave us a greater understanding of how stigma influences recovery in Singapore, which could be used to guide the development and implementation of future policies and strategies to promote recovery. Importantly, our results suggest that improving mental health literacy, addressing cultural misgivings towards mental illness, implementing recovery-oriented practices, and making insurance more accessible for PMI could mitigate the deleterious impact that stigma has on recovery.
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Saúde Mental , Estigma Social , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Pessoal de Saúde , Humanos , Pesquisa QualitativaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness is a global public health priority. Traditionally, anti-stigma campaigns were led by mental health professionals/organisations and had an emphasis on increasing mental health literacy. More recently, it has been argued that people with lived experience have much to contribute in terms of extending and strengthening these efforts. The purpose of this paper was to elicit views and suggestions from people with lived experience (PWLE) as well as from informal caregivers of people with mental health conditions, on effective strategies to combat the stigma surrounding mental illness. METHODS: Six focus group discussions (FGDs) were carried out with PWLE recruited at outpatient services at the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, and five FGDs were carried out with informal caregivers who responded to advertisements for the study between March and November 2018. In all, the sample comprised 42 PWLE and 31 caregivers. All the FGDs were transcribed verbatim and were analysed using thematic analysis. A pragmatic approach was adopted for the study, and the researchers did not assume any particular philosophical orientation. RESULTS: Four overarching themes depicting strategies to combat stigma were identified through thematic analysis. They were (1) raising mental health awareness, (2) social contact, (3) advocacy by influential figures or groups, and (4) the legislation of anti-discriminatory laws. CONCLUSIONS: These strategies were in line with approaches that have been used internationally to disrupt the process of stigma. Our study has further identified nuanced details on how these strategies can be carried out as well as possible areas of priority in the Singapore landscape.
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Cuidadores , Transtornos Mentais , Cuidadores/psicologia , Grupos Focais , Humanos , Transtornos Mentais/psicologia , Saúde Mental , Estigma SocialRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Depressive disorders are a serious public health concern. Left untreated, further clinical distress and impairment in important life domains may arise. Yet, the treatment gap remains large. Prior research has shown that individuals with depressive disorders prefer seeking help from informal sources such as family and friends ahead of formal sources. However, this preference has its disadvantages such as experiencing actual, perceived and internalized stigmatizing responses from them which may delay or deter help-seeking. This paper aimed to determine the role of perceived stigma among family and friends in an individual's help-seeking behavior. METHODS: Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with patients with depressive disorders from a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Singapore to capture individuals' self-reported experience with depression and stigmatization among family and friends. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data of 33 young adults (mean age = 26 years, SD =4.6; 18 female, 15 male) were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: In all, four broad themes were developed: (1) absence of support, (2) provision of unhelpful support, (3) preference for non-disclosure, and (4) opposition towards formal help-seeking. Lack of awareness of depression and perpetuation of stigma manifests as barriers towards help-seeking in the form of absence of support and provision of unhelpful support which subsequently leads to a preference for non-disclosure, as well as opposition by family and friends towards formal help-seeking. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this study can contribute to the development of public health programs aimed at improving awareness and support from family and friends and facilitating earlier help-seeking among young people with depressive disorders.
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Comportamento de Busca de Ajuda , Transtornos Mentais , Adolescente , Adulto , Depressão/psicologia , Feminino , Amigos , Humanos , Masculino , Transtornos Mentais/psicologia , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/psicologia , Estigma Social , Adulto JovemRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: This paper aims to examine the (1) level of positive mental health (PMH), (2) identify the socio-demographic correlates of the PMH domains in the general population, and (3) establish if employment status moderates the relationship between major depressive disorder (MDD) and PMH among those with a lifetime prevalence of MDD. METHODS: The Singapore Mental Health Study conducted between 2016 and 2018 included Singapore residents aged ≥18 years. The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0 was utilised to establish lifetime prevalence of MDD. Moderation analysis was conducted using SPSS PROCESS macro (Hayes, 2017) to assess if employment status moderated the relationship between MDD and PMH. RESULTS: Significantly lower PMH total and domain scores were reported by respondents (n=2,270) who endorsed lifetime MDD compared to those who did not. Moderation analysis demonstrated that the effect of MDD on PMH total and domain scores varied considerably across employment status. Based on the interaction plots, the effect of MDD on both PMH total and domain scores was minimal among those employed than unemployed. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals should support the employment needs of those who report lifetime MDD to provide care for an individual's mental well-being in a holistic manner. Acquiring or remaining in employment would be a priority depending on the PMH of the individual. Reducing barriers to employment for those with health issues or creating employment opportunities for this group are concerns that need to be addressed at a societal level.
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Transtorno Depressivo Maior , Adolescente , Adulto , Transtorno Depressivo Maior/epidemiologia , Emprego , Humanos , Saúde Mental , Prevalência , DesempregoRESUMO
The purpose of this study was to understand perspectives towards hiring and working with people with mental health conditions (PMHC). Semi-structured interviews with 25 employers and 20 co-workers were carried out. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The barriers to hiring and working with PMHC identified through the interviews were concerns about safety, incompetence, PMHC not being able to get along with others, requiring more training and supervision as well as medical costs and reputational risks to the hiring organisation. Employers and co-workers suggested that improving mental health literacy of staff, pairing the PMHC with trained work buddies, having access to mental professionals when needed, and providing incentives for hiring PMHC such as tax rebates are likely to improve attitudes towards hiring and working with PMHC. Their suggestions for the additional supports required should be considered when developing initiatives to promote inclusivity of PMHC in workplaces.
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Emprego , Transtornos Mentais , Atitude , Emprego/psicologia , Humanos , Transtornos Mentais/psicologia , Saúde Mental , Seleção de PessoalRESUMO
Introduction: The popular notion that the need for attention drives non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) serves to stigmatise rather than understand this warning sign of underlying psychological/psychiatric disorder. Despite the pervasiveness of NSSI in clinical and community settings, effective treatments for this behaviour are lacking. This qualitative research aims to understand the motivations of NSSI in adolescents/young adults in a mental health facility in Singapore. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 outpatients (6 males, 14 females) of the Institute of Mental Health aged 17-29 years who had reported NSSI as part of an earlier survey. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The main themes and sub-themes were identified and described. Results: A preponderance of motivations served intrapersonal emotion-regulating purposes, which were categorised as to: (a) release bottled-up feelings; (b) self-punish; (c) turn aggression inwards; (d) sensitise oneself; and (e) attain a sense of control and mastery. By contrast, a small subset of motivations served the interpersonal motivation of signaling one's distress, especially when the capacity for verbal expression was limited or attempts to verbalise distress were futile. Conclusion: Committing NSSI solely for attention-seeking is a myth that perpetuates the stigma and hinders those in need of psychological care from seeking appropriate treatment. NSSIs may be warning signs that indicate not only intrapersonal conflicts but external environments that are perceived unsafe to deal with these intrapersonal conflicts. An understanding of the underlying motives will facilitate better treatment of individuals presenting with NSSI.