Validating existing clinical cut-points for the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in a large sample of Canadian children and youth. / Validation des seuils cliniques dans la version remplie par les parents du Questionnaire sur les points forts et les points faibles au sein d'un vaste échantillon d'enfants et de jeunes canadiens.

INTRODUCTION: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), for assessing behavioural and emotional difficulties, has been used internationally as a screening measure for mental health problems. Our objective was to validate the existing (British) SDQ cut-points in a sample of Canadian children and youth, and develop new Canadian SDQ cut-points if needed. METHODS: This study includes data from children and youth aged 6 to 17 years from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (n = 3435) and outpatient records from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (n = 1075). The parent-reported SDQ data were collected. We adjusted the existing SDQ cut-points using a distributional and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve approach. We subsequently calculated the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio of the existing and new SDQ clinical cut-points to determine whether the new cut-points had better clinical utility, using both analytic approaches. RESULTS: Our data show differences in the screening effectiveness between the existing British and the Canadian-specific clinical cut-points. Specificity is maximized using the Canadian distributional cut-points, improving the likelihood of identifying true negative results. The total SDQ score met the threshold for clinical utility (diagnostic odds ratio > 20) using both the existing and new cut-points; however, the individual scales did not reach clinical utility threshold using either cut-points. CONCLUSIONS: Future Canadian SDQ research should consider the new cut-points derived from our study population and the existing British cut-points to allow for historical and international comparisons.

Associations of sleep duration and sleep quality with indicators of mental health among youth and adults: findings from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey. / Associations entre durée et qualité du sommeil et indicateurs de santé mentale chez les jeunes et les adultes : résultats de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes de 2015.

INTRODUCTION: A growing number of Canadian studies have examined the link between sleep and mental health. This research builds upon that work by investigating associations of sleep duration and quality with positive mental health (PMH) and mental illness and suicidal ideation (MI/SI) outcomes among youth and adults from threeCanadian provinces (i.e. Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan). METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from respondents 12 years and older (n = 18 683) who were asked questions on their sleep in the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey - Annual Component, we conducted unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressionswith self-reported measures of sleep duration and sleep quality as independent variables and a range of PMH (e.g. high self-rated mental health) and MI/SI indicators (e.g. mood disorder diagnosis) as dependent variables. Analyses were conducted of allcomplete cases and also stratified by sex and age group. RESULTS: Good sleep quality was associated with higher odds of PMH indicators (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.52-4.24) and lower odds of MI/SI indicators (aOR: 0.23- 0.47); associations remained significant when analyses were stratified. Meeting sleep duration recommendations was positively associated with PMH indicators (aOR: 1.27- 1.56) and negatively associated with MI/SI indicators (aOR: 0.41-0.80), but some associations did not remain significant when stratified. CONCLUSION: This study provides support for associations between sleep duration and quality and indicators of PMH and MI/SI. Findings can inform future research and surveillance efforts that monitor sleep behaviours and indicators of PMH and MI/SI.

Investigating the association between sleep and aspects of mental health in children: findings from the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth. / Étude de l'association entre sommeil et composantes de la santé mentale des enfants : résultats de l'Enquête canadienne sur la santé des enfants et des jeunes.

INTRODUCTION: Sufficient sleep and good quality sleep are crucial aspects of children's healthy development. While previous research has suggested associations between sleep and positive mental health, few studies have been conducted in Canadian children. METHODS: This study used data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth. Parents of children aged 5 to 11 years (N = 16 170) reported on their children's sleep habits and mental health. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate means and percentages for sleep and mental health indicators. Logistic regression was used to compare mental health outcomes by meeting sleep duration recommendations (9-11 hours of sleep vs. < 9 or > 11 hours of sleep), sleep quality (difficulties getting to sleep) and having enforced rules for bedtime. RESULTS: Overall, 86.2% of children aged 5 to 11 years met sleep duration recommendations (9-11 hours of sleep), 90.0% had high sleep quality and 83.1% had enforced rules for bedtime. While 83.0% of children had high general mental health, mental health diagnoses were reported for 9.5% of children, and 15.8% of children required or received mental health care. High sleep quality was consistently associated with better mental health, enforced rules for bedtime were associated with some negative mental health outcomes and meeting sleep duration recommendations tended not to be associated with mental health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Sleep quality was strongly associated with mental health among children in this study. Future research should explore longitudinal associations between sleep and mental health in Canadian children.

INTRODUCTION: Un sommeil suffisant et un sommeil de bonne qualité sont des composantes cruciales du développement sain des enfants. Si des recherches antérieures laissent entrevoir des associations entre le sommeil et une bonne santé mentale, peu d'études ont été menées chez les enfants canadiens. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Cette étude se fonde sur les données de l'Enquête canadienne sur la santé des enfants et des jeunes de 2019. Des parents d'enfants âgés de 5 à 11 ans (N = 16 170) ont fait état des habitudes de sommeil et de la santé mentale de leurs enfants. Des statistiques descriptives ont servi à calculer les moyennes et les pourcentages des indicateurs du sommeil et de la santé mentale. Une régression logistique a été utilisée pour comparer les résultats en matière de santé mentale en fonction du respect des recommandations sur la durée du sommeil (9 à 11 heures de sommeil contre moins de 9 heures ou plus de 11 heures), la qualité du sommeil (difficulté à s'endormir) et l'application de règles relatives à l'heure du coucher. RÉSULTATS: Dans l'ensemble, 86,2 % des enfants de 5 à 11 ans respectaient les recommandations sur la durée du sommeil (9 à 11 heures de sommeil), 90,0 % avaient un sommeil de grande qualité et 83,1 % avaient des règles à respecter concernant l'heure du coucher. Si 83,0 % des enfants avaient un niveau élevé de santé mentale générale, des diagnostics en matière de santé mentale ont tout de même été déclarés pour 9,5 % des enfants, et 15,8 % ont eu besoin de soins de santé mentale ou en ont reçus. Un sommeil de grande qualité a été systématiquement associé à une meilleure santé mentale, l'application de règles relatives à l'heure du coucher a été associée à certains effets négatifs sur la santé mentale et le respect des recommandations sur la durée du sommeil ne semble pas avoir d'incidence sur la santé mentale. CONCLUSION: Cette étude révèle une forte association entre la qualité du sommeil et la santé mentale chez les enfants. Les recherches futures devraient se pencher sur les associations longitudinales entre le sommeil et la santé mentale des enfants canadiens.

Positive mental health and perceived change in mental health among adults in Canada during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. / Santé mentale positive et changement perçu de la santé mentale chez les adultes au Canada pendant la deuxième vague de la pandémie de COVID 19.

INTRODUCTION: Canadian surveys from spring/summer 2020 suggest the prevalence of some positive mental health (PMH) outcomes have declined compared to pre-pandemic levels. However, less is known about the state of PMH during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We compared adults' self-rated mental health (SRMH), community belonging and life satisfaction in Fall 2020 versus 2019 in the overall population and across sociodemographic characteristics using cross-sectional data from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (September-December, 2020) and the 2019 Canadian Community Health Survey. We also conducted regression analyses to examine which sociodemographic factors were associated with reporting in Fall 2020 that one's mental health was about the same or better compared to before the pandemic. RESULTS: Fewer adults reported high SRMH in Fall 2020 (59.95%) than in 2019 (66.71%) and fewer reported high community belonging in Fall 2020 (63.64%) than in 2019 (68.42%). Rated from 0 (very dissatisfied) to 10 (very satisfied), average life satisfaction was lower in Fall 2020 (7.19) than in 2019 (8.08). Females, those aged under 65 years, those living in a population centre, and those absent from work due to COVID-19 had lower odds of reporting that their mental health was about the same or better in Fall 2020. CONCLUSION: The PMH of adults was lower during the pandemic's second wave. However, the majority of individuals still reported high SRMH and community belonging. The findings identify certain sociodemographic groups whose mental health appears to have been more negatively impacted by the pandemic. Continued surveillance is important in ensuring mental health builds back better and stronger in Canada after the pandemic.

Suicide ideation in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. / Idées suicidaires au Canada pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Many Canadians report decreased mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and concerns have been raised about possible increases in suicide. This study investigates the pandemic's potential impact on adults' suicide ideation. METHODS: We compared self-reported suicide ideation in 2020 versus 2019 by analyzing data from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (11 September to 4 December 2020) and the 2019 Canadian Community Health Survey. Logistic regression was conducted to determine which populations were at higher risk of suicide ideation during the pandemic. RESULTS: The percentage of adults reporting suicide ideation since the pandemic began (2.44%) was not significantly different from the percentage reporting suicide ideation in the past 12 months in 2019 (2.73%). Significant differences in the prevalence of recent suicide ideation in 2020 versus 2019 also tended to be absent in the numerous sociodemographic groups we examined. Risk factors of reporting suicide ideation during the pandemic included being under 65 years, Canadian-born or a frontline worker; reporting pandemic-related income/job loss or loneliness/isolation; experiencing a lifetime highly stressful/traumatic event; and having lower household income and educational attainment. CONCLUSION: Evidence of changes in suicide ideation due to the pandemic were generally not observed in this research. Continued surveillance of suicide and risk/protective factors is needed to inform suicide prevention efforts.

Determinants of psychological and social well-being among youth in Canada: investigating associations with sociodemographic factors, psychosocial context and substance use. / Facteurs déterminants du bien-être psychologique et social chez les jeunes au Canada : étude des associations avec les facteurs sociodémographiques, le contexte psychosocial et la consommation de substances.

INTRODUCTION: Positive mental health is an essential part of youth's healthy development. For instance, positive mental health is associated with greater self-reported physical health, closer relationships and fewer conduct problems in youth. As positive mental health promotion is a public health priority, examining its potential determinants is important. METHODS: We analyzed data from students in Grades 7-12 (secondary I-V in Quebec), from nine Canadian provinces, who participated in the 2016/2017 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey. Psychological and social well-being (PSWB) was assessed using the Children's Intrinsic Needs Satisfaction Scale (CINSS). We conducted linear regression analyses to determine associations of sociodemographic, psychosocial and substance use variables with overall CINSS scores (n = 37 897). RESULTS: In general, youth in Canada reported fairly high PSWB. After adjusting for all included variables, being in a higher grade, being bullied, bullying others, reporting more behavioural problems and using cigarettes, e-cigarettes or cannabis at least once in the past 30 days were associated with lower overall CINSS scores for both male and female students. Reporting more prosocial behaviours was associated with higher overall scores for both sexes. CONCLUSION: A number of sociodemographic, psychosocial and substance use factors are associated with PSWB among youth in Canada. Prospective longitudinal and intervention studies could examine whether changes in these potential risk/protective factors are accompanied by changes in positive mental health.

Validation of the Children's Intrinsic Needs Satisfaction Scale among Canadian youth: psychometric properties, criterion-related validity and multitrait multimethod confirmatory factor analysis. / Validation du questionnaire de l'Échelle de satisfaction des besoins intrinsèques des enfants chez les jeunes canadiens : propriétés psychométriques, validité critérielle et analyse factorielle confirmatoire reposant sur une approche multitraits-multiméthodes.

INTRODUCTION: Based on self-determination theory, the Children's Intrinsic Needs Satisfaction Scale (CINSS) measures autonomy, competence and relatedness at school, home and with peers. The factor structure and criterion-related validity of the CINSS in the Canadian youth population are tested using data from the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS). METHODS: Data from the 2014/2015 CSTADS were analyzed for evidence of convergent and discriminant validity and for method variance. A multitrait multimethod (MTMM) confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to account for the conceptual structure of the measure. Criterion-related validity was demonstrated through correlations between related constructs, prosocial behaviours and behavioural problems, and the CINSS subscale scores. Mean differences on CINSS subscale scores between those who reported and did not report being bullied or bullying others were also examined. RESULTS: Correlation analyses demonstrated that, in general, correlations were higher between concept/context item pairs and lowest between items measuring different concepts and contexts. Cronbach's alpha for concept and context subscales were high: α = 0.77 for autonomy, α = 0.85 for competence and α = 0.79 for relatedness. A MTMM CFA demonstrated that the model fit the data well, with no modifications. Criterion-related validity was demonstrated through correlations between CINSS subscales and related concepts or mean differences on CINSS subscales between groups. CONCLUSION: The CINSS demonstrates good internal consistency, factorial validity and criterion-related validity in this sample of Canadian students. The measurement of positive mental health among Canadian youth is central to surveillance efforts which will help inform mental health promotion activities across Canada.

INTRODUCTION: L'Échelle de satisfaction des besoins intrinsèques des enfants (Children's Intrinsic Needs Satisfaction Scale ou questionnaire CINSS), fondée sur la théorie de l'autodétermination, sert à mesurer l'autonomie, la compétence et l'appartenance sociale à l'école, à la maison et avec les pairs. Nous avons vérifié sa structure factorielle et sa validité critérielle chez les jeunes canadiens à l'aide de données de l'Enquête canadienne sur le tabac, l'alcool et les drogues chez les élèves (ECTADE). MÉTHODOLOGIE: Nous avons analysé les données de l'ECTADE de 2014-2015 afin de mettre en évidence la validité convergente et discriminante et la variance liée à la méthode. Nous avons mené une analyse factorielle confirmatoire (AFC) reposant sur une approche multitraits-multiméthodes (MTMM) afin de tenir compte de la structure conceptuelle de la mesure. Nous avons établi sa validité critérielle grâce aux corrélations entre les concepts à l'étude, les comportements prosociaux et problèmes de comportement et les scores aux sous-échelles du questionnaire CINSS. Enfin, nous avons examiné les écarts moyens dans les scores aux sous­échelles du questionnaire CINSS entre les répondants ayant déclaré qu'ils avaient commis des actes d'intimidation ou qu'ils en avaient été victimes d'une part et les répondants ayant fait état d'aucune intimidation d'autre part. RÉSULTATS: Les analyses de corrélations ont montré que, de manière générale, les corrélations étaient plus fortes entre variables se rapportant à des besoins ou des contextes appariés et plus faibles entre variables mesurant des besoins et des contextes différents. Le coefficient alpha de Cronbach pour les sous-échelles des besoins et des contextes était élevé : α = 0,77 pour l'autonomie, α = 0,85 pour la compétence et α = 0,79 pour l'appartenance sociale. L'AFC reposant sur une approche MTMM a montré que le modèle était bien ajusté aux données et qu'il ne nécessitait aucune modification. La validité critérielle a été établie par les corrélations entre les sous-échelles du questionnaire CINSS et les concepts étudiés ou par les écarts moyens dans les scores à ces sous-échelles entre groupes de répondants. CONCLUSION: L'Échelle de satisfaction des besoins intrinsèques des enfants (questionnaire CINSS) s'est révélée solide sur le plan de la cohérence interne, de la validité factorielle et de la validité critérielle dans notre échantillon d'élèves canadiens. Mesurer la santé mentale positive chez les jeunes canadiens est essentiel pour obtenir l'information pertinente nécessaire aux activités de promotion de la santé mentale au Canada.

The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: a meta-analysis.

Research suggests that contact with nature can be beneficial, for example leading to improvements in mood, cognition, and health. A distinct but related idea is the personality construct of subjective nature connectedness, a stable individual difference in cognitive, affective, and experiential connection with the natural environment. Subjective nature connectedness is a strong predictor of pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors that may also be positively associated with subjective well-being. This meta-analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between nature connectedness and happiness. Based on 30 samples (n = 8523), a fixed-effect meta-analysis found a small but significant effect size (r = 0.19). Those who are more connected to nature tended to experience more positive affect, vitality, and life satisfaction compared to those less connected to nature. Publication status, year, average age, and percentage of females in the sample were not significant moderators. Vitality had the strongest relationship with nature connectedness (r = 0.24), followed by positive affect (r = 0.22) and life satisfaction (r = 0.17). In terms of specific nature connectedness measures, associations were the strongest between happiness and inclusion of nature in self (r = 0.27), compared to nature relatedness (r = 0.18) and connectedness to nature (r = 0.18). This research highlights the importance of considering personality when examining the psychological benefits of nature. The results suggest that closer human-nature relationships do not have to come at the expense of happiness. Rather, this meta-analysis shows that being connected to nature and feeling happy are, in fact, connected.