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Psychosocial Stressors (psychosocial + stressor)
Selected AbstractsEffect of oral melatonin on the procoagulant response to acute psychosocial stress in healthy men: a randomized placebo-controlled studyJOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008Petra H. Wirtz Abstract:, Acute mental stress is a potent trigger of acute coronary syndromes. Catecholamine-induced hypercoagulability with acute stress contributes to thrombus growth after coronary plaque rupture. Melatonin may diminish catecholamine activity. We hypothesized that melatonin mitigates the acute procoagulant stress response and that this effect is accompanied by a decrease in the stress-induced catecholamine surge. Forty-five healthy young men received a single oral dose of either 3 mg melatonin (n = 24) or placebo medication (n = 21). One hour thereafter, they underwent a standardized short-term psychosocial stressor. Plasma levels of clotting factor VII activity (FVII:C), FVIII:C, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and catecholamines were measured at rest, immediately after stress, and 20 min and 60 min post-stress. The integrated change in D-dimer levels from rest to 60 min post-stress differed between medication groups controlling for demographic and metabolic factors (P = 0.047, = 0.195). Compared with the melatonin group, the placebo group showed a greater increase in absolute D-dimer levels from rest to immediately post-stress (P = 0.13; = 0.060) and significant recovery of D-dimer levels from immediately post-stress to 60 min thereafter (P = 0.007; = 0.174). Stress-induced changes in FVII:C, FVIII:C, fibrinogen, and catecholamines did not significantly differ between groups. Oral melatonin attenuated the stress-induced elevation in the sensitive coagulation activation marker D-dimer without affecting catecholamine activity. The finding provides preliminary support for a protective effect of melatonin in reducing the atherothrombotic risk with acute mental stress. [source] Agreement between parent and child report of quality of life in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2006A. F. Klassen Abstract Background There is little information in the research literature of agreement between parent and child in reports of child quality of life (QOL) for a sample of children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of our study was to determine whether parent and child concordance is greater for physical domains of QOL than for psychosocial domains; whether parents rate their child's QOL better or poorer than their child's ratings; and whether concordance is related to demographic, socioeconomic or clinical factors. Methods The study was a questionnaire survey of children aged 10,17 referred to the ADHD clinic and diagnosed with ADHD in the province of British Columbia (Canada) between November 2001 and October 2002 and their parent. Results Fifty-eight children diagnosed with ADHD and their parents completed our study questionnaire. The main outcome measure was the Child Health Questionnaire, which permitted comparisons on eight QOL domains and one single item. Intraclass correlation coefficients were moderate for five domains (range from 0.40 to 0.51), and good for three domains (range from 0.60 to 0.75). Children rated their QOL significantly better than their parents in four areas and poorer in one. Standardized Response Means indicated clinically important differences in mean scores for Behaviour and Self-esteem. Compared with population norms, across most domains, children with ADHD reported comparable health. Discrepancies between parent,child ratings were related to the presence of a comorbid oppositional/defiant disorder, a psychosocial stressor and increased ADHD symptoms. Conclusions Although self-report is an important means of eliciting QOL data, in children with ADHD, given the discrepancies in this study between parent and child report, measuring both perspectives seems appropriate. [source] The interface of mental and emotional health and pregnancy in urban indigenous women: Research in progress,INFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010Barbara A. Hayes Research among indigenous women in Australia has shown that a number of lifestyle factors are associated with poor obstetric outcomes; however, little evidence appears in the literature about the role of social stressors and mental health among indigenous women. The not-for-profit organization beyondblue established a "Depression Initiative" in Australia. As part of this they provided funding to the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service in the "Mums and Babies" clinic. The aim of this was to establish a project to (a) describe the mental health and level of social stressors among antenatal indigenous women and (b) assess the impact of social stressors and mental health on perinatal outcome. A purposive sample of 92 indigenous women was carried out. Culturally appropriate research instruments were developed through consultations with indigenous women's reference groups. The participants reported a range of psychosocial stressors during the pregnancy or within the last 12 months. Significant, positive correlations emerged between the participants' Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; J. Cox, J. Holden, & R. Sagovsky, 1987) score and the mothers' history of child abuse and a history of exposure to domestic violence. A more conservative cutoff point for the EPDS (>9 vs. >12) led to 28 versus 17% of women being identified as "at risk" for depression. Maternal depression and stress during pregnancy and early parenthood are now recognized as having multiple negative sequelae for the fetus and infant, especially in early brain development and self-regulation of stress and emotions. Because of the cumulative cultural losses experienced by Australian indigenous women, there is a reduced buffer to psychosocial stressors during pregnancy; thus, it is important for health professionals to monitor the women's emotional and mental well-being. [source] Gastric adenocarcinoma mistakenly diagnosed as an eating disorder: Case reportINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 3 2010FRANZCP, Leit-Chin Siew MBBS Abstract Objective: A number of organic conditions may mimic the symptoms of an eating disorder, however, gastric outlet obstruction mimicking anorexia nervosa has rarely been reported. Method: We report the case of a 51-year-old female admitted to an eating disorders unit with an initial diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Results: The patient's upper gastrointestinal symptoms and weight loss were found to be secondary to gastric outlet obstruction from a gastric adenocarcinoma. Coincidental psychosocial stressors and past psychiatric history, among other factors, had confounded the diagnosis. Discussion: Organic causes of weight loss and upper gastrointestinal symptoms need to be fully excluded prior to making the diagnosis of an eating disorder, particularly when there are atypical features in the presentation. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010 [source] Providing emergency mental health care to asylum seekers at a time when claims for permanent protection have been rejectedINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2005Nicholas G. Procter ABSTRACT:,In total, 90% of ,boat people' who make it to Australia's migration zone are assessed as legitimate refugees and given Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) allowing them to stay in Australia for 3 years in the first instance. With an increasing number of individuals and families on TPV having their claims for a Permanent Protection Visa (PPV) rejected, this paper argues using the National Mental Health Plan 2003,2008 as a guide, for interventions that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, thus, aiming to minimize risk from exposure to extreme mental stressors in the event of an application for a PPV being rejected. Continuity and integration of mental health care involving key stakeholders is best achieved by bridging discrete elements through preparing for visa appeals and reviews, news from home and ongoing psychosocial stressors , in the context of different episodes, interventions by different providers, and changes in mental distress. To help strengthen continuity and integration of mental health supports for TPV holders, well resourced care must be experienced as connected and coherent. [source] Integrating DSM-IV Factors to Predict Violence in High-Risk Psychiatric PatientsJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 1 2010Donna M. Lynch M.S.N. Abstract:, This study incorporated Axis-II and Axis-IV factors in DSM-IV to test the relationship between predicted risk for violence assessed in the psychiatric emergency room and actual violence during hospitalization. Psychiatric nurses lack an objective instrument to use during the acute psychiatric assessment. The retrospective study comprised consecutive psychiatric admissions (n = 161) in one tertiary veterans' hospital. Statistical testing for the predictive power of risk factors, relationships between variables, and violent events included nonparametric tests, factor analysis, and logistic regression. Of the 32 patients who committed violence during hospitalization, 12 had committed violence in the psychiatric emergency room. Statistical significance was shown for violent incidents and dementia, court-ordered admission, mood disorder, and for three or more risk factors. The 13-item Risk of Violence Assessment (ROVA) scale suggests validity and sensitivity for rating DSM-IV factors and psychosocial stressors to predict risk for violence during hospitalization. Replication studies are recommended to strengthen validity of the ROVA scale. [source] The invisible reality of arthritis: A qualitative analysis of an online message boardMUSCULOSKELETAL CARE, Issue 3 2008Aimee Hadert MSc Abstract Background and aim:,Living with a chronic illness, such as arthritis, creates many psychosocial stressors, which can be difficult to cope with. Exploring the interactions which take place on an online message board for people with arthritis may provide insight into both the social support offered, as well as highlighting the groups' needs that perhaps are not being met in a more formal ,offline' setting. The aim of this study was to investigate how and why an arthritis online message board was used. Methods:,A retrospective three-month period of discussions posted on an online message board for people who have arthritis was downloaded into a word document. Collecting data in this manner ensured that completed discussions were captured. Eighty-seven initial messages and 981 replies were analysed. The discussions were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results:,Four master themes were identified. Firstly, the invisible reality of the condition; secondly, information exchange, whereby users of the message board were shown to be both seeking and providing information; thirdly, while users praised the support they received from family and friends, the support offered and received online was considered to provide additional benefits. Finally, the message board allowed users to share (primarily negative) emotions which they felt unable to express in their offline worlds. Conclusion and implications:,Patients do not always understand the information being offered by health care professionals, and they do not have the confidence to ask for clarification. Health care professionals need to ensure that they find a way of checking levels of patient understanding. Failure to do so means that patients may turn to alternative sources, which may not provide accurate information. The study also showed that people with arthritic conditions find it difficult to express how they are feeling in their offline world; furthermore, they find it difficult to ask for support from their significant others, preferring instead to ,suffer in silence' and seek support from the online community, potentially further isolating them from the support of those in their offline world. There is scope for such patients to be both empowered and educated, so that they are better able to ask for the help they need, which in turn will help to counteract the danger of isolation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Stressors, resources, and well-being among Latino and White warehouse workers in the United StatesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010Annekatrin Hoppe MSc Abstract Background Social forces and cultural factors may contribute to Latino and White workers experiencing similar jobs differently. This study examines the psychosocial stressors and resources experienced by Latino and White workers in manual material handling jobs in the US and the effects of these stressors and resources on worker well-being. Methods Fifty-nine Latino warehouse workers were matched with White workers by job title, job tenure, and warehouse facility. Matched sample t tests and linear regression analyses models were conducted. Results Results reveal similar psychosocial stressors and resources for both groups. However, Latino workers reported better well-being. For Latino workers, social resources at work such as management fairness and supervisor support have a stronger relationship with well-being. For White workers wage fairness is the most significant predictor for well-being. Conclusions These differential results challenge us to consider how cultural factors, expectations and the prior work history of Latino workers may influence their experience of work and the effect of work on health. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:252,263, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Work-attributed symptom clusters (darkroom disease) among radiographers versus physiotherapists: Associations between self-reported exposures and psychosocial stressorsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2004FRCPC, Susan M. Tarlo MB Abstract Background "Darkroom disease" (DRD) has been used to describe unexplained multiple symptoms attributed by radiographers to their work environment. This study determines the prevalence of symptom clusters similar to other unexplained syndromes among (medical radiation technologists (MRTs) as compared with physiotherapists (PTs), and identifies associated work-related (WR) factors. Methods A mail survey was undertaken of members of the professional associations of MRTs and PTs in Ontario, Canada. Questions were included to determine the prevalence and frequency of symptom clusters including abnormal tiredness as well as WR headaches, and symptoms suggestive of eye, nasal, and throat irritation. For the purpose of this study, these are considered to be DRD symptom clusters. Individuals with doctor-diagnosed asthma were excluded from our analyses. Results Overall, 63.9% of MRTs and 63.1% of PTs participated. Criteria for DRD were met by 7.8% of 1,483 MRTs and 1.8% of 1,545 PTs [odds ratio, OR 4.8 (confidence interval, CI 3.1,7.5); (P,<,0.0001)]. Both occupations showed significant associations between responses reflecting psychosocial stressors and DRD. Those with this symptom cluster were more likely to report additional symptoms than those without, and MRTs with DRD symptoms reported significantly more workplace chemical exposures. Conclusions Findings suggest excess symptoms consistent with DRD among MRTs versus PTs, and there were associations among those meeting our definition of DRD with self-reported irritant exposures and psychosocial stressors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:513,521, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The prevalence of mental health problems in Ethiopian child laborersTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 9 2006Daniel Fekadu Background:, Child labor refers to a state when a child is involved in exploitative economical activities that are mentally, physically, and socially hazardous. There are no prevalence studies on the magnitude of psychiatric disorders among child laborers. Methods:, A cross-sectional population survey was conducted in Addis Ababa using the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA). Subjects were a random sample of 528 child laborers aged between 5 and 15 years and comprising child domestics, street-workers and private enterprise workers. These were compared with 472 non-economically active controls. Results:, The aggregate prevalence of any DSM-III-R childhood emotional and behavioral disorders was found to be 16.5%, with 20.1% and 12.5% among child laborers and controls respectively, OR = 1.89 (95% CI, 1.34,2.67, p < .01). Internalizing disorders such as mood disorders were significantly higher among the laborers than the non-laborers, OR = 6.65 (95% CI, 2.20,22.52, p = .0001). Anxiety disorder was seen over twofold among child laborers while psychosocial stressors were one and half times more likely among the study subjects than controls. When all factors were taken into account, child labor status was the only significant factor in determining DSM-III-R diagnosis. Conclusion:, In this study childhood emotional and behavioral disorders are found to be more common among child laborers than among non-laborers. We recommend a larger study to look into childhood disorders and risk factors in child labor. As part of the concerted effort, government, NGOs, and the public should at least view child labor as a menace in a child's development, with risk of psychosocial difficulties. [source] The Environment of Poverty: Multiple Stressor Exposure, Psychophysiological Stress, and Socioemotional AdjustmentCHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2002Gary W. Evans The one in five children growing up in poverty in America have elevated risk for socioemotional difficulties. One contributing factor to their elevated risk may be exposure to multiple physical and psychosocial stressors. This study demonstrated that 8, to 10,year,old, low,income, rural children (N= 287) confront a wider array of multiple physical (substandard housing, noise, crowding) and psychosocial (family turmoil, early childhood separation, community violence) stressors than do their middle,income counterparts. Prior research on self,reported distress among inner,city minority children is replicated and extended among low,income, rural White children with evidence of higher levels of self, and parent,reported psychological distress, greater difficulties in self,regulatory behavior (delayed gratification), and elevated psychophysiological stress (resting blood pressure, overnight neuroendocrine hormones). Preliminary mediational analyses with cross,sectional data suggest that cumulative stressor exposure may partially account for the well,documented, elevated risk of socioemotional difficulties accompanying poverty. [source] | ||||||||||||||||