Women's Mental Health (women + mental_health)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Women's mental health: a global imperative

ASIA-PACIFIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2010
Moira Kessler BS
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


The meaning of guilt and shame: A qualitative study of mothers who suffer from eating difficulties

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 4 2010
Kristine Rørtveit
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to illuminate and interpret guilt and shame expressed by mothers with eating difficulties (ED). The research question was: What is the meaning of guilt and shame experienced by mothers with ED? Experiences of guilt and shame in mothers with ED may be strong, yet concealed, and should be addressed when promoting women's mental health. The study design was explorative, and in-depth interviews were conducted with eight mothers suffering from ED. The data were analysed by means of qualitative content analysis and interpreted according to a hermeneutic approach. The main theme ,Struggling in silence with guilt and shame as a mother living with ED and trying to keep it secret' was interpreted on two levels: emotional, ,Feeling worried about failure and wanting to be successful', and cognitive, ,Having condemning thoughts about one's own sense of responsibility'. In addition, each theme contained two subthemes. Feelings and awareness of guilt and shame are strong; they vary between individuals and are intensified in mothers who suffer from ED. It is important for mental health nurses to help mothers with ED articulate such feelings in order to promote health. [source]


Negative consequences of community group participation for women's mental health and well-being: Implications for gender aware social capital building

JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Katy Osborne
Abstract Participation in community groups is argued to be an important way to create health-promoting social capital. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the ways in which gender affects the health promotion potential of participation. This paper reports on a qualitative study of women's experiences of participation in a diverse range of community groups, and considers how such involvement can potentially have a negative impact upon mental well-being. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 women in Adelaide, South Australia. Women's accounts of their group involvement reflected that their identities as mothers were particularly important in shaping their participation. Some women reported difficulties in combining group involvement with their family responsibilities. Stress attached to negotiating social interaction within groups was also raised as an issue. It was found that participation can reinforce gender inequality and potentially have severe negative consequences for mental health, issues that need to be considered alongside the potential health benefits. The findings are considered in light of Bourdieu's critical conceptualization of social capital. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Mental health outcomes in older women with breast cancer: Impact of perceived family support and adjustment

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 7 2005
Rose C. Maly
Objectives: (1) To examine the mental health of older women with breast cancer in relation to support provided by, and the adjustment of, significant others including partners, children, and other family members or friends and (2) to document how often physicians address the women's significant others and the helpfulness of doing so. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients aged 55 years or older (n=222) was conducted. Results: Partners, and in many instances children and other family members or friends, provided support. Support from partners and adjustment of both partners and children independently predicted less depression and anxiety among the study participants. For racial/ethnic minorities, support from, and adjustment of, adult children assumed particular importance. Nonetheless, women reported that their physicians rarely asked their significant others how they were coping (15%) or referred them to a support group (3%), even though both behaviors were rated as extremely helpful. Conclusion: For older women with breast cancer, both partners and adult children were important sources of support and their adjustment affected the women's mental health. Support sources and their impact on women's mental health varied among racial/ethnic groups, suggesting the importance of culturally sensitive provision of care by clinicians. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]