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General Health Questionnaire (general + health_questionnaire)
Selected AbstractsPsychotic-like experiences are associated with suicidal feelings and deliberate self-harm behaviors in adolescents aged 12,15 yearsACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2010A. Nishida Nishida A, Sasaki T, Nishimura Y, Tanii H, Hara N, Inoue K, Yamada T, Takami T, Shimodera S, Itokawa M, Asukai N, Okazaki Y. Psychotic-like experiences are associated with suicidal feelings and deliberate self-harm behaviors in adolescents aged 12,15 years. Objective:, Psychotic disorders are a significant risk factor for suicide, especially among young people. Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in the general population may share an etiological background with psychotic disorders. Therefore, the present study examined the association between PLEs and risk of suicide in a community sample of adolescents. Method:, Psychotic-like experiences, suicidal feelings, and self-harm behaviors were studied using a self-report questionnaire administered to 5073 Japanese adolescents. Depression and anxiety were evaluated using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Results:, The presence of PLEs was significantly associated with suicidal feelings (OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 2.2,4.5) and deliberate self-harm behaviors (OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 2.0,4.8) after controlling for the effects of age, gender, GHQ-12 score, victimization, and substance use. Suicidal feelings and behaviors were more prevalent in subjects with a greater number of PLEs. Conclusion:, Psychotic-like experiences may increase the risk of suicidal problems among adolescents. [source] A new US,UK diagnostic project: mood elevation and depression in first-year undergraduates at Oxford and Stanford universitiesACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2008R. A. Chandler Objective:, To investigate differences in prevalence of mood elevation, distress and depression among first-year undergraduates at Oxford and Stanford universities. Method:, An online survey was sent to Oxford and Stanford first-year undergraduate students for two consecutive years in the winter of 2005 and 2006. Students completed a survey that assessed mood symptoms and medication use. Results:, Both universities had similar rates of distress by General Health Questionnaire (Oxford , 42.4%; Stanford , 38.3%), depression by Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (Oxford , 6.2%; Stanford , 6.6%), and psychotropic and non-psychotropic medication usage (psychotropic: Oxford , 1.5%; Stanford 3.5%; non-psychotropic: Oxford , 13.3%; Stanford , 18%). Oxford had higher rates of mood elevation by Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) (Oxford , 4%; Stanford , 1.7%). Conclusion:, Oxford and Stanford students have similar rates of mood distress, depression and general medication usage. Students at Oxford have a higher prevalence of MDQ scores that possibly indicate a bipolar disorder, while Stanford students are prescribed more psychotropics. [source] Parental psychopathology and self-rated quality of life in adolescents with epilepsy in NigeriaDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 7 2006Abiodun O Adewuya MBChB This study sought to investigate the relationship between parental psychopathology and health-related quality of life in a group of Nigerian adolescents with epilepsy. The participants were 86 adolescents with epilepsy (50 males, 36 females; mean age 14y 5mo [SD 2y 1mo]; age range 12,18y). There were 54 (62.8%) adolescents with complex partial seizures, six (7.0%) with simple partial seizures, 14 (16.3%) with generalized tonic-clonic seizures, four (4.7%) with absence seizures, and eight (9.2%) with other types of seizure. They completed the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory for Adolescents (QOLIE-AD-48). Parents also completed the General Health Questionnaire, Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and Zung's Self-Rating Depressive Scale as measures of their psychopathology. Factors correlating with poor overall quality of life in the adolescents include longer duration of illness, large number of antiepileptic drugs, more severe medication toxicity, and psychopathology in the parents. General psychopathology in parents is significantly associated with QOLIE-AD-48 subscales of Epilepsy Impact (r= 0.527, p < 0.001), Attitude (r= 0.214, p= 0.047), Physical Function (r= 0.417, p < 0.001), Stigma (r= 0.305, p= 0.004), Social Support (r= 0.365, p= 0.001), and School Behaviour (r= 0.220, p= 0.042). There is a possibility of a cross-cultural difference on the effect of epilepsy on the quality of life of adolescents. Psychopathology in parents is significantly associated with poorer quality of life of these adolescents. Physicians should consider this, therefore, when planning intervention strategies in improving the quality of life in adolescents with epilepsy. [source] Gastroesophageal reflux: prevalence of psychopathological disorders and quality of life implicationsDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 5 2006Á. Díaz de Liaño SUMMARY., There is evidence in the literature that psychosocial aspects affect the symptoms and results of surgery for gastroesophageal reflux. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychopathological disorders measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in a sample of patients with gastroesophageal reflux, and to assess the influence of such disorders on their quality of life. A prospective study was conducted in 74 consecutive patients before gastroesophageal reflux surgery; patients answered the GHQ-28, the health questionnaire SF-36, and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). The convergent validity of the GHQ-28 questionnaire as compared to the other two questionnaires and preoperative quality of life was tested. A pathological result of the GHQ-28 questionnaire was found in 38.3% of patients. A correlation was seen between the results of the GHQ-28 questionnaire and all categories of the SF-36 and GIQLI questionnaires. Patients with pathological results in the GHQ-28 questionnaire had poorer results in all dimensions of the SF-36 and GIQLI quality of life questionnaires as compared to patients with a normal result in the GHQ-28 questionnaire. In conclusion, 38.3% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux showed psychopathological disorders when administered the GHQ-28 questionnaire. These patients also had poorer results in quality of life studies. [source] The needs of carers of patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosaEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 1 2008Holmer Graap Abstract Objective This study aims to assess the degree of distress and the need for support of carers of patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa (BN). Methods Thirty-two carers filled out the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Burden Inventory (BI). In addition, they were interviewed with a semi-structured research interview, the Carers' Needs Assessment (CNA), to assess relevant problem areas as well as the needs for helpful interventions. Patients were interviewed with the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) to assess the severity of the eating disorder. All patients met criteria for anorexia (n,=,16) or BN (n,=,16) according to DSM-IV criteria. Results The mean duration of illness was 5.6 years. The mean age of the carers was 41 years. Most of the carers were mothers or partners. In the CNA we found high numbers of problems as well as high numbers of needed interventions. The most frequently mentioned problem area was ,disappointment caused by the chronic course of the illness, concerns about the patient's future' and the most frequently reported need for support was ,counselling and support by a professional'. In three problem areas carers of persons suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN) reported significantly higher scores than carers of persons suffering from BN. Conclusions Our results suggest that carers themselves have high levels of needs which are usually not addressed in clinical practice. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] Factors Associated With Burden of Primary Headache in a Specialty ClinicHEADACHE, Issue 6 2003Eugene M. Cassidy MRCPsych Objective.,To examine factors associated with social, occupational, and psychological burden of common primary headache (migraine and tension-type headache). Background.,The personal and social burden of primary headache is high. Health, occupational, social, and psychological factors contributing to burden in people with disabling headache have not been fully unravelled. Methods.,One hundred eighty consecutive patients with either migraine or tension-type headache attending a specialty headache outpatient clinic for the first time were evaluated over a 9-month period. Headache subtype was operationally defined according to International Headache Society criteria. Headache frequency, duration, and severity were recorded. Occupational and social disability were quantified using the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire. Psychological burden was quantified using the 28-item General Health Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Premorbid vulnerability to life stress was quantified using the neuroticism subscale of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Results.,Patients with frequent (chronic) headache scored higher on the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire and had higher Beck Depression Inventory and General Health Questionnaire depression scores than those with less frequent (episodic) headache. Frequency of headache, but not pain severity, duration, or diagnosis, predicted both Migraine Disability Assessment total disability and General Health Questionnaire/Beck Depression Inventory depression. Neuroticism was predictive of depression but not disability. Patients with chronic migraine had the highest depression and disability scores. Conclusion.,The number of days per month with headache is a key determinant of headache-related burden in those attending specialty clinics. Frequent (chronic) headache is associated with significantly higher psychopathology scores and general social impairment, but the direction of this relationship is not clear. Those with migraine and chronicity are the most impaired. [source] A prospective baseline study of frail older people before the introduction of an intermediate care serviceHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 4 2005John Young MB MSC FRCP Abstract This paper describes the first part of a two-stage research project designed to investigate the clinical and service outcomes of a comprehensive intermediate care service. It is a baseline study of patients presenting to two elderly care departments as emergencies with the clinical syndromes of falls, incontinence, confusion or poor mobility before the introduction of a city-wide intermediate care service. The outcome measures were: mortality; disability (Barthel Index, BI); social activities (Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living); service use; and carer distress (General Health Questionnaire ,28). These were measured at 3, 6 and 12 months after recruitment. Eight hundred and twenty-three patients were recruited (median age = 84 years; proportion of women = 70%; proportion with cognitive impairment = 45%; median BI score = 15). There was a high mortality rate (36%), evidence for incomplete recovery, a gradual decline in independence over 12 months and a high degree of carer stress. There was little use of rehabilitation services (< 5%), about 25% required readmission to hospital by each assessment point and there was a gradual increase in institutional care admissions. These findings support a needs-based argument for a more comprehensive community service for frail older people. [source] Mental health in infants with esophageal atresia,INFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009Anne Faugli Chronic somatic illness in infancy may challenge the development of mental health and impinge the infant's capability to form close interpersonal relationships. Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital anomaly requiring neonatal surgery, medical aftertreatment, and extended hospitalization. The aim of the study was to assess mental health and to find prognostic factors for mental health among infants with EA. Thirty-nine infants treated consecutively during 2000 to 2003 and their mothers were included. Infant mental health was assessed by Diagnostic Classification: 0,3 (Zero to Three, 1994). Medical and environmental data were collected from medical records and semistructured interview with the mothers. Child development was assessed with the Bayley scales, second edition (N. Bayley, 1993). Maternal psychological distress, anxiety, and child temperament were assessed by self-report questionnaires: the General Health Questionnaire, 30-item version (D. Goldberg & P. Williams, 1988); the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (C.D. Spielberger, R. Gorsuch, & R. Lushene, 1970); and the Infant Behaviour Questionnaire (M.K. Rothbart, 1981). Thirty-one percent of the infants with EA showed mental health disorders by 1 year of age. Prognostic factors predicting mental health were posttraumatic symptoms reported by mother, more than one operation, mechanical ventilation beyond 1 day, and moderate/severe chronic family strain. Relational trauma, vulnerable attachment, and impaired self-development are highlighted as possible pathways for psychopathology. Children with EA are vulnerable to mental health disorders, and this study may help clinicians to identify children at risk. [source] Sleep patterns, sleep disturbances and sleepiness in retired Iranian eldersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 11 2009Seyed Kazem Malakouti Abstract Objectives Complaints of sleep disturbance increase with age and many studies have reported on the relationship of sleep problems to the greater use of health services, physical and mental morbidity, functional decline, and all causes of mortality. This study aimed to examine sleep patterns and sleep disturbances in Iranian elders and correlate their sleep quality to their health status. Methods Four hundred men and women, aged 60 years or older, were interviewed by trained interviewers regarding their physical and mental health status. The Pittsburghh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and a General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were then administered to each participant. The data gathered were analyzed using ,2 -test, t -test, and one-way analysis of variance and logistic regression. Results The results indicated that the majority of participants (82.6%) suffered from poor sleep quality and approximately one-third (29.2%) experienced sleepiness during the daytime. Difficulty falling asleep (p,,,0.001) and maintaining sleep (p,,,0.01) and the feeling of being too hot at night (p,,,0.005) were significantly more prevalent in women, but men suffered more from leg twitching (p,,,0.01). Being female (OR,=,2.52), and having GHQ scores of more than 11 (OR,=,4.14) increased the risk of poor sleep quality considerably. Conclusion Promoting sleep hygiene education of elders in primary health care services are recommended. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] High score on the Relative Stress Scale, a marker of possible psychiatric disorder in family carers of patients with dementiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 3 2007Ingun Ulstein Abstract Objective To compare the scores on the Relative Stress Scale (RSS) with those on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and to establish a cut-off score for RSS in order to distinguish carers with symptoms of psychiatric disorders from those without. Methods One hundred and ninety-four carers of 194 patients suffering from dementia according to ICD-10 were included in the study. Burden of care was assessed by the 15-items RSS, and psychiatric symptoms by means of the GHQ-30 and the 30-items GDS. A case score above 5 on GHQ and above 13 on GDS were used to define carers with probable psychiatric morbidity. Sensitivity (SS), specificity (SP), accuracy and likelihood ratio for a positive test (LR+) were calculated for different cut-points of the RSS. Results Fifty-six percent of the carers had a GHQ score above 5, and 22% had a GDS score above 13. A two-step cluster analysis using 192 of the 194 carers, identified three groups of carers; a low risk group for psychiatric morbidity (LRG), 82 carers with GHQ,,,5 and GDS,,,13; a medium risk group (MRG), 69 carers with GHQ,>,5 and GDS,,,13; and a high-risk group (HRG), 40 carers with GHQ,>,5 and GDS,>,13. The optimal RSS cut-off to distinguish between the LRG and the others was,>,23 (SS 0.72, SP 0.82, accuracy 0.76, LR,+,4.0), whereas the optimal cut-off to separate the HRG from the others was,>30 (SS 0.74, SP 0.87, accuracy 0.84, LR,+,5.7). Conclusion The RSS is a useful instrument to stratify carers according to their risk of psychiatric morbidity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Screening for mental disorders in cancer patients , discriminant validity of HADS and GHQ-12 assessed by standardized clinical interviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2001Katrin Reuter Abstract The detection and classification of comorbid mental disorders has major implications in cancer care. Valid screening instruments for different diagnostic specifications are therefore needed. This study investigated the discriminant validity of the German versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A total of 188 cancer patients participated in the examination, consisting first of the assessment of psychological distress and, second, of the diagnosis of mental disorders according to DSM-IV by clinical standardized interview (CIDI). Discriminant validity of the two instruments regarding the diagnosis of any mental disorder, anxiety, depression and multiple mental disorders was compared using ROC analysis. Overall, the total HADS scale shows a better screening performance than the GHQ-12, especially for the detection of depressive and anxiety disorders. Best results are achieved for depressive disorders with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80, a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 76% (cut-off point = 17). For the ability of the instruments to detect patients with mental disorders in general, the GHQ-12 (AUC: 0.68) shows a similar overall accuracy to the HADS (AUC: 0.70). The screening performance of both scales for comorbid mental disorders is comparable. The HADS is a valid screening instrument for depressive and anxiety disorders in cancer care. The GHQ-12 can be considered as an alternative to the HADS when diagnostic specifications are less detailed and the goal of screening procedures is to detect patients with single or multiple mental disorders in general. Limitations of conventional screening instruments are given through the differing methodological approaches of screening tests (dimensional approach) and diagnosis according to DSM-IV (categorical approach). Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] The Galicia study of mental health of the Elderly I: general description of methodologyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2000Professor R. Mateos Abstract Reports of epidemiological surveys do not always adequately provide a careful description of the methodology used and the sociocultural context involved. The objective of this paper is to describe the methodology used in a survey whose aim was to study the prevalence of the wide range of psychiatric disorders that were present in a population aged 60 and above who were living at home. The Galicia Community Study of Mental Health of the Elderly was designed in two phases. In the first, a random sample of 3,580 people over 60 years of age, representative of each of the nine public health authority areas, was interviewed at home. The 60-item version of Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was the screening instrument. In the second phase, all the traced subjects with high GHQ scores (N = 532) and a representative sample (N = 149) of people below the cut-off point, were interviewed at home using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS-III). This paper analyses the sociodemographic context of Galicia (a natural region in south-western Europe with a population of 2.7 million inhabitants), the sampling method, the sociodemographic makeup of the sample, the fieldwork, and the method for obtaining the estimate of prevalence. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Urinary Incontinence and Psychological Distress in Community-Dwelling Older African Americans and WhitesJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 11 2004Hillary R. Bogner MD Objectives: To compare the association between urinary incontinence (UI) and psychological distress in older African Americans and whites. Design: A population-based longitudinal survey. Setting: Continuing participants in a study of community-dwelling adults who were initially living in East Baltimore in 1981. Participants: African Americans and whites aged 50 and older at follow-up interviews performed between 1993 and 1996 for whom complete data were available (n=747). Measurements: Participants were classified as incontinent if any uncontrolled urine loss within the 12 months before the interview was reported. Psychological distress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Results: African Americans with UI were more likely to experience psychological distress as measured using the GHQ than were African Americans without UI (unadjusted odds ratio=4.22, 95% confidence interval=1.72,10.39). In multivariate models that controlled for age, sex, education, functional status, cognitive status, and chronic medical conditions, this association remained statistically significant. The association between UI and psychological distress did not achieve statistical significance in whites. Conclusion: The effect of UI on emotional well-being may be greater for African Americans than for whites. [source] Early impact of the BEST intervention for parents stressed by adolescent substance abuseJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2001John W. Toumbourou Abstract Youth involvement in substance abuse can be a source of considerable distress for their parents. Unilateral family interventions have been advocated as one means by which concerned family members can be supported to assist substance-abusing family members. To date there has been little research examining the impact of unilateral family interventions on the directly participating family members. In this study the early impact of an 8-week parent-group programme known as Behavioural Exchange Systems Training (BEST) was evaluated using a quasi-experimental, waiting list control design. The professionally led programme had been developed to support and assist parents in their efforts to cope with adolescent substance abuse. Subjects were 66 parents (48 families) accepted for entry into the programme between 1997 and 1998. Comparison was made between 46 parents offered immediate entry into the programme and 20 parents whose entry to the programme was delayed by an 8-week waiting list. At the first assessment 87% of parents showed elevated mental health symptoms on the General Health Questionnaire. Evidence suggested exposure to the intervention had a positive impact on parents. Compared to parents on the waiting list, parents entered immediately into the intervention demonstrated greater reductions in mental health symptoms, increased parental satisfaction, and increased use of assertive parenting behaviours. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Seasonality of psychopathology and circannual melatonin rhythmJOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2006A.L. Morera Abstract:, The association of seasonal changes in health and disease has been known for centuries. The prevalence of psychopathological symptoms with seasonal fluctuations and the use of melatonin as a biological marker of circadian and circannual rhythms is well documented. The aim of this work was to study the variability of melatonin secretion between summer and winter in our geographical area (28°N, 16°W) and relate the changes to the level of psychopathology. Ten drug-free, nonsmoker, healthy subjects were studied in summer (August) and winter (December). Blood samples for melatonin assays were collected every hour at night for 5 hr, from 22:00 to 02:00 hr, and next day at noon. Melatonin was assayed by an ELISA technique. Psychopathology was evaluated by means of the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). All subjects had a circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion in summer and winter. There was a seasonal rhythm with melatonin levels being significantly higher at night in winter than in summer. Melatonin levels at 22:00, 23:00, 24:00 and 01:00 hr and mean melatonin area under the curve (AUC) were significantly higher in winter than in summer. Melatonin AUC increased 80% in winter compared with summer. The GHQ-28 somatic and anxiety subscales and the total GHQ-28 score were significantly higher in winter than summer. Psychopathology scores were significantly and negatively correlated with melatonin production in summer and winter. Our data strongly suggest that melatonin production and psychopathology levels present seasonal fluctuations and these variations should be taken into account when conducting research in this field. [source] Self-esteem in community mental health nurses: findings from the all-Wales stress studyJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 4 2000A. Fothergill ph dbsc(hons)pgce rmn rgn The authors conducted an all-Wales survey of community mental health nurses (CMHNs) to determine their levels of stress, coping and burnout. A total of 301 CMHNs were surveyed in 10 NHS Trusts in Wales. A range of measures were used. These included the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Community Psychiatric Nursing (CPN) Stress Questionnaire, and PsychNurse Methods of Coping Questionnaire. The findings from the Rosenberg SES are reported here. Community mental health nurses in Wales scored as having average self-esteem. When the data were divided into high and low self-esteem, a large group of CMHNs (40%) were found to have low self-esteem. Factors that are associated with low and high self-esteem were identified. Alcohol consumption and being on lower nursing grades (D, E, F) were associated with low self-esteem, whilst amount of experience working as a CMHN was associated with high self-esteem. [source] Application of a Quality of Life Measure, the Life Situation Survey (LSS), to Alcohol-Dependent Subjects in Relapse and RemissionALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2000J. H. Foster Background: Recent studies have shown that quality of life (QOL) is improved significantly when subjects do not relapse to heavy drinking, and QOL deteriorates significantly on prolonged relapse. This article further investigates these relationships using a QOL index, the Life Situation Survey (LSS). Methods: Eighty-two DSM-IV alcohol-dependent subjects admitted for alcohol detoxification were studied at baseline and 12 week follow-up. Sociodemographic data were collected, and severity of alcohol dependence (SADQ) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were baseline indices only. The main outcome measure, the LSS, was administered at both time points. Results: Two subjects were lost to follow-up and one died during the study period. Thus, the relapse/nonrelapse analysis related to 79 subjects. Fifty subjects (63%) had relapsed to heavy drinking at 3 months follow-up. There was a significant correlation between LSS and GHQ-12 scores. Significant changes occurred in total LSS scores as a result of relapse and nonrelapse. The improvement in LSS scores associated with nonrelapse was larger than the deterioration that accompanied relapse. In those subjects who did not relapse to heavy drinking, the mean follow-up score remained in the poor/borderline LSS range. Remission from heavy drinking was accompanied by significant improvements in appetite, sleep, and self-esteem. Relapse to heavy drinking coincided with a significant deterioration in mood/affect, public support, and work/life role scores. Conclusion: QOL as assessed by the LSS in recently detoxified alcoholics is impaired significantly. In the nonrelapse group, there was a significant improvement in LSS scores after 3 months. Relapse was accompanied by a smaller deterioration in LSS scores. The LSS can play an important role in monitoring the clinical care and progress of alcohol-dependent subjects. [source] Does prior psychological health influence recall of military experiences? a prospective studyJOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 4 2008Jennifer Wilson In a prospective study, we evaluated pre- and postdeployment psychological health on recall of risk factors to assess recall bias. Measures of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), PTSD Checklist (PCL), and symptom clusters from the PCL were obtained from 681 UK military personnel along with information on traumatic and protective risk factors. Postdeployment psychological health was more important in explaining recall of traumatic experiences than predeployment psychological health. Predeployment intrusive cluster scores were highly associated with traumatic exposures. Postdeployment, but not predeployment GHQ showed small effects for most risk factors. With the exception of intrusive thoughts, there is insufficient evidence to suggest predeployment psychological status would be useful in correcting for recall bias in subsequent cross-sectional studies. [source] Mental distress in patients with functional or organic dyspepsia: a comparative study with a sample of the general populationALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2005M. Pajala Summary Background :,It has been argued that patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders have mental disorders more often than healthy controls and patients with organic disease. Most studies surveying psychological factors at the population level have relied on symptom questionnaires to diagnose functional dyspepsia. However, the symptom patterns alone are unable to adequately discriminate organic from functional dyspepsia. Aim :,To evaluate the frequency of mental distress in primary care patients with organic or functional dyspepsia and compare the findings with a sample of the Finnish general population. Methods :,Four-hundred consecutive, unselected dyspeptic patients were referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and other diagnostic examinations. All patients compiled a self-administered questionnaire including the 12-item General Health Questionnaire to detect cases of recent mental disorders. Results :,The prevalence of mental distress among patients with functional and organic dyspepsia was 38 and 36.4% respectively. The sex- and age-adjusted risk of having mental distress was nearly fourfold higher among patients with dyspepsia than in the general population. Conclusion :,Mental distress is common among patients with functional or organic dyspepsia. Nevertheless, there is no difference between patients with functional or organic dyspepsia in the prevalence or risk of mental distress. [source] Stress, debt and undergraduate medical student performanceMEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 6 2006Sarah Ross Introduction, Against the background of current debate over university funding and widening access, we aimed to examine the relationships between student debt, mental health and academic performance. Methods, We carried out an electronic survey of all medical undergraduate students at the University of Aberdeen during May,June 2004. The questionnaire contained items about demographics, debt, income and stress. Students were also asked for consent to access their examination results, which were correlated with their answers. Statistical analyses of the relationships between debt, performance and stress were performed. Results, The median total outstanding debt was £7300 (interquartile range 2000,14 762.50). Students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and postgraduate students had higher debts. There was no direct correlation between debt, class ranking or General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) score; however, a subgroup of 125 students (37.7%), who said that worrying about money affected their studies, did have higher debt and were ranked lower in their classes. Some of these students were also cases on the GHQ-12. Overall, however, cases on the GHQ had lower levels of debt and lower class ranking, suggesting that financial worries are only 1 cause of mental health difficulties. Discussion, Students' perceptions of their own levels of debt rather than level of debt per se relates to performance. Students who worry about money have higher debts and perform less well than their peers in degree examinations. Some students in this subgroup were also identified by the GHQ and may have mental health problems. The relationships between debt, mental health and performance in undergraduate medical students are complex but need to be appreciated by medical education policy makers. [source] Measuring Mental Health Following Traumatization: Psychometric Analysis of the Kuwait Raha Scale Using a Random National Household Data SetAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2009Paula Chapman PhD The authors report on the psychometric properties of the Kuwait Raha Scale (KRS), a measure developed to assess well-being among Kuwaitis. Specific aims of the study were to (a) evaluate competing models of the latent structure of the KRS using exploratory factor analysis and identify the best model, (b) compare the model developed from a nationally representative sample with the initial model reported with Kuwaiti undergraduate students, and (c) assess the discriminant validity of the KRS with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Factor analysis suggested that a 5-factor model best suited the data, whereas the development of the KRS indicated a 4-factor model. Differences in the latent structure found between the current study and the original examination of the KRS factor structure may be attributed to the demographics of the samples used in the 2 studies. Whereas the earlier study used a sample of undergraduate college students, the current study acquired a nationally representative sample of the Kuwaiti population. Discriminant validity of the KRS with the GHQ indicated that the KRS and the GHQ measure different dimensions of health. Implications for theory and research are discussed, with particular attention to overcoming the challenges confronting the meaning and measurement of well-being in developing countries and stimulating interdisciplinary research. [source] Burden and coping strategies in mothers of patients with schizophrenia in JapanPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 3 2008Setsuko Hanzawa phd Aim:, The present study was conducted to identify factors contributing to burden of care in 57 mothers caring for patients with schizophrenia. Methods:, Members of the Federation of Families of People with Mental Illness in Nagasaki Prefecture were evaluated using well-validated scales to evaluate burden of care (eight-item short version of the Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview), general health status (General Health Questionnaire 12-item version), difficulty in life, coping strategies, emotional support, and understanding of mental illness and disorders. Results:, Burden of care was significantly associated with general health status and difficulty in life. Conclusion:, On multiple regression it was found that ,social interests' and ,resignation', both of which are the subscales of coping strategies, exerted significant and independent effects with respect to burden of care. [source] Reliability and validity of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) among urological patients: A Malaysian studyPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 5 2001Kia Fatt Quek MPHIL Abstract This present study was undertaken to validate the English version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in urological patients. Validity and reliability were studied in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and patients without LUTS. Reliability was evaluated using the test,retest method and internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Sensitivity to change was expressed as the effect size in the pre-intervention versus post-intervention score in additional patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Internal consistency was excellent. A high degree of internal consistency was observed for each of the 12 items with Cronbach's alpha value of 0.37,0.79, while total scores was 0.79 in the population study. Test,retest correlation coefficient for the 12 items score were highly significant. Intraclass correlation coefficient was high (0.35,0.79). It showed a high degree of sensitivity and specificity to the effects of treatment. A high degree of significant level between baseline and post-treatment scores were observed across all 12 items in the treatment cohort but not in the control group. The GHQ-12 is suitable, reliable, valid and sensitive to clinical change in urological disorders. [source] Burnout and psychiatric morbidity among physicians engaged in end-of-life care for cancer patients: a cross-sectional nationwide survey in JapanPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 5 2007Mariko Asai Abstract Purpose: To determine the prevalence of burnout and psychiatric morbidity among physicians engaged in end-of-life care for cancer patients in Japan and to explore associated factors related to end-of-life care. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to 1436 Japanese clinical oncologists and palliative care physicians with a request to complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and to report on individual factors, including confidence in patient care. High levels of burnout and psychiatric morbidity were identified using cut-off scores of the MBI and GHQ-12. Results: A total of 697 physicians returned the questionnaires (response rate, 49.6%). Twenty-two percent of the respondents had a high level of emotional exhaustion, 11% had a high level of depersonalization, 62% had a low level of personal accomplishment, and 20% had psychiatric morbidity. Clinical oncologists showed a significantly higher psychiatric morbidity than palliative care physicians. Confidence in having sufficient time to communicate with patients was significantly associated with all the burnout subscales. Conclusions: A low level of personal accomplishment was relatively high among Japanese physicians compared with previous studies. Insufficient confidence in the psychological care of patients was associated with physician burnout rather than involvement in end-of-life care. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Posttraumatic growth in chinese cancer survivorsPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 6 2004Samuel M.Y. Ho To investigate the dimensions and determinants of posttraumatic growth among Chinese cancer survivors, 188 participants were asked to complete a Chinese posttraumatic growth inventory, translated from the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI; J Trauma Stress 1996; 9: 455,471), together with the Chinese versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale, and the General Health Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a different factor structure than the original English-language version of the PTGI. The dimensions of growth could also be broadly dichotomized into an Interpersonal and an Intrapersonal dimension in our Chinese sample. Multiple regression analysis showed that positive coping was the most important determinant of posttraumatic growth when compared with negative coping and psychological symptoms. A Chinese Posttraumatic Growth Inventory was developed to facilitate future research. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A randomised controlled trial of cytological surveillance versus patient choice between surveillance and colposcopy in managing mildly abnormal cervical smearsBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2004H.C. Kitchener Objective To determine whether choice of colposcopy or six month cytological surveillance would be beneficial to women with mildly abnormal smears when compared with the national policy of six months surveillance in terms of psychological morbidity. Design A randomised trial based on the Zelen design. Setting A hospital-based research clinic. Population Four hundred and seventy-six women who had had a recurrent borderline or mildly dyskaryotic smear on routine cervical screening in primary care. Methods Women were randomised either to six months cytological surveillance or to make a choice between that or colposcopy and were followed up for 1 year. Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was caseness (score ,4) on the General Health Questionnaire at 12 months follow up. Other measures were the Spielberger State and Trait scores, default rates and cytology/colposcopy outcomes. Results There was no significant difference between the arms for General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) scores and Spielberger State and Trait at 12 months. There was a significant reduction in psychometric morbidity between baseline and 12 months in both arms. Overall rates of default from the protocol were the same in both arms, but default that led to uncertain ascertainment of cervical pathology was greater in the no-choice arm. Conclusions This trial indicates that having choice did not impact favourably or harmfully on anxiety or feelings of wellbeing. If a patient is anxious, allowing the patient to choose immediate colposcopy may be preferable because it will improve ascertainment of underlying disease in a group who are more likely to default. [source] Maternal mental health and faltering growth in infantsCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 5 2007Laura Dunne Abstract This study reports on the first phase of a large-scale, longitudinal, multidisciplinary community study examining the growth, learning and development of young children with a particular focus on failure to thrive without organic cause. However, the group identified in this study may be better described as weight faltering. This paper examines the psychological data collected using the Parenting Stress Index, Rosenberg Self-Esteem and the General Health Questionnaire in relation to child growth. There were no significant differences between the mothers of the weight faltering and control children in terms of parenting stress, maternal depression, maternal perceptions of their parenting competence or maternal self-esteem. Maternal sensitivity to comments about child size, regardless of direction, had a negative impact on mood. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The impact of childhood chronic neurological diseases on Greek familiesCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2005M. Tzoufi Abstract Background, Although the impact of childhood chronic neurological diseases (CND) on patients' psychological well-being has been increasingly addressed, little attention has been given to the influence of these conditions on family members and family functioning. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the family characteristics of Greek children suffering from CND. Methods, A total of 52 parents of children with CND were studied by using the Family Environmental Scale (FES), the Family Burden Scale, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and a questionnaire on the knowledge of their children's illness, their coping strategies and their satisfaction with our services. During the same period, 30 parents of hospitalized children for common paediatric illnesses completed the FES. In both groups social and demographic features were registered. Appropriate statistical processes were applied to compare the above-mentioned family groups and to study the differences between the families of children with epilepsy (n = 37) and the families of children with other CND (n = 15). Results, Parents of children with CND discuss their problems less freely, talk less openly around home, score highly on FES subscale of Conflict and, pay more attention to ethical and religious issues and values. Furthermore, the families of children with other CND were more burdened regarding the financial state and the health status of other family members in comparison with families of children with epilepsy. In addition, families of children with epilepsy were more involved in social and recreational activities, appeared to be more knowledgeable on the availability of help in critical conditions and were more satisfied with rendered medical services, in comparison with families of children with other CND. Conclusion, These preliminary findings provide important information concerning the special characteristics of Greek families of children suffering from CND, which may prove especially helpful in organizing specific support services. [source] Quality of life issues for South Africans with acne vulgarisCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2005A. Mosam Summary The adverse effects of acne on the psyche have been established in patients from ,first world' countries. There has been no in depth study in predominantly black patients from Africa addressing this issue. This was a prospective cross-sectional study of acne patients attending a dermatology unit in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A questionnaire was completed and acne graded by the Global Acne Grading scale. Psychological morbidity and quality of life (QOL) were assessed by the General Health Questionnaire and Dermatology Specific Quality of Life Questionnaires, respectively. We found that clinical severity was not associated with patient perception or psychological distress. The QOL measures such as feelings, social activities, performance at work or school, activities of daily living and overall mental health were found to be associated with distress with associated P -values of 0.0002, 0.0168, 0.0032, 0.033 and <,0.0001, respectively. The severity of acne was not associated with psychological distress. Painful and bleeding lesions were associated with distress levels; P = 0.042 and P = 0.019, respectively. In conclusion, South African patients with acne vulgaris suffer significant psychological distress, which affects the quality of their lives. [source] Frequency and Correlates of Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Diabetes MellitusTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 12 2009Anthonia Okeoghene Ogbera MPH, FACP ABSTRACT Introduction., Sexual dysfunction (SD) in women with diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important but understudied aspect of DM complications in women with DM. Aim., This report is an attempt to document the prevalence, clinical correlates, and determinants of SD in a cross sectional study of women with diabetes mellitus (DM). Main Outcome Measures., The main outcome measures were demographic, clinical parameters, psychological morbidity, and frequency of SD. Methods., A total of 58 married women with type 2 DM and 30 age-matched women who did not have DM had their sexual function and psychological status assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and General Health questionnaires (GHQ 12) respectively. Glycemic control was assessed using glycosylated hemoglobin. Results., The prevalence of SD in women with DM and in the control population was 88% and 80%, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) FSFI score in the women with DM was significantly lower than that of the control group (16.2 [9.5] vs. 21 [8.5], P = 0.02). Women with DM attempted sex less frequently than those in the control group. Poor mental health status which was found to be associated with SD was noted more in women with DM than those in the control group. Conclusions., SD is high in women with and without DM. A possible determinant of SD in women with DM is psychological morbidity. Ogbera AO, Chinenye S, Akinlade A, Eregie A, and Awobusuyi J. Frequency and correlates of sexual dysfunction in women with diabetes mellitus. J Sex Med 2009;6:3401,3406. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||