Cultural Adaptation of the Mental Health Literacy Scale

Background:Mental health literacy(MHL)refers to one’s knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders and their treatments.This literacy may be influenced by cultural norms and values that shape individuals’experiences,beliefs,attitudes,and behaviors regarding mental health.This study focuses on adapting the Mental health literacy scale(MHLS)for use in the multicultural context of Israel.Objectives include validating its construct,assessing its accuracy in measuring MHL in this diverse setting and examining and comparing levels of MHL across different cultural groups.Methods:The data collection included 1057 participants,representing all the ethnic groups of the Israeli population aged 18 and over.The tools included the MHLS and a demographic questionnaire.Confirmatory factor analysis(CFA)was employed to assess the original structure of the MHLS.Results:The results revealed that after evaluating the original MHLS,five items were excluded,leading to the validation of a modified version—Israeli mental health scale(IMHLS)with four factors and 25 items.CFA and reliability analyses supported an established and robust four-factor model.Significant ethnic differences in MHLS scores were identified,with Muslim participants showing the highest familiarity with mental disorders,followed by Druze and Christian participants,while Jewish participants had the lowest familiarity.Conclusion:The study concluded that the IMHLS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing MHL in Israel’s diverse and multicultural population.The revised scale better reflects the cultural nuances of the Israeli context.The significant ethnic differences that the study revealed in IMHLS emphasize the importance of culturally sensitive mental health interventions tailored to different ethnic groups in Israel.

Social learning contributions to the etiology and treatment of functional abdominal pain and inflammatory bowel disease in children and adults

This paper reviews empirical work on cognitive and social learning contributions to the etiology and treatment of illness behavior associated with functional abdominal pain and inflammatory bowel disease. A particular emphasis is placed on randomized controlled trials, the majority of which are multi-modal in orientation, incorporating elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, social learning, and relaxation. Based on this review, we offer methodological and clinical suggestions: (1) Research investigations should include adequate sample sizes, long-term follow-up assessments, and a credible, active control group. (2) Standard gastrointestinal practice should include, when appropriate, learning opportunities for patients and family members, for example, instruction regarding the encouragement of wellness behavior.

Psychosocial mechanisms for the transmission of somatic symptoms from parents to children

AIM: To examine familial aggregation of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) via parental reinforcement/modeling of symptoms, coping, psychological distress, and exposure to stress.METHODS:Mothers of children between the ages of8 and 15 years with and without IBS were identified through the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound.Mothers completed questionnaires,including the Child Behavior Checklist(child psychological distress),the Family Inventory of Life Events(family exposure to stress),SCL-90R(mother psychological distress),and the Pain Response Inventory(beliefs about pain).Children were interviewed separately from their parents and completed the Pain Beliefs Questionnaire(beliefs about pain),Pain Response Inventory(coping)and Child Symptom Checklist[gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms].In addition,health care utilization data was obtained from the automated database of Group Health Cooperative.Mothers with IBS(n=207)and their 296 children were compared to 240 control mothers and their 335 children,while controlling for age and education.RESULTS:Hypothesis 1:reinforcement of expression of GI problems is only related to GI symptoms,but not others(cold symptoms)in children.There was no significant correlation between parental reinforcement of symptoms and child expression of GI or other symptoms.Hypothesis 2:modeling of GI symptomsis related to GI but not non-GI symptom reporting in children.Children of parents with IBS reported more non-GI(8.97 vs 6.70,P<0.01)as well as more GI(3.24 vs 2.27,P<0.01)symptoms.Total health care visits made by the mother correlated with visits made by the child(rho=0.35,P<0.001 for cases,rho=0.26,P<0.001 for controls).Hypothesis 3:children learn to share the methods of coping with illness that their mothers exhibit.Methods used by children to cope with stomachaches differed from methods used by their mothers.Only 2/16 scales showed weak but significant correlations(stoicism rho=0.13,P<0.05;acceptance rho=0.13,P<0.05).Hypothesis 4:mothers and children share psychological traits such as anxiety,depression,and somatization.Child psychological distress correlated with mother’s psychological distress(rho=0.41,P<0.001 for cases,rho=0.38,P<0.001 for controls).Hypothesis 5:stress that affects the whole family might explain the similarities between mothers and their children.Family exposure to stress was not a significant predictor of children’s symptom reports.Hypothesis 6:the intergenerational transmission of GI illness behavior may be due to multiple mechanisms.Regression analysis identified multiple independent predictors of the child’s GI complaints,which were similar to the predictors of the child’s non-GI symptoms(mother’s IBS status,child psychological symptoms,child catastrophizing,and child age).CONCLUSION:Multiple factors influence the reporting of children’s gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal symptoms.The clustering of illness within families is best understood using a model that incorporates all these factors.

Role of theories in school-based diabetes care interventions:A critical review

BACKGROUND Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood.School plays an essential role in the management of student diabetes,which reduces the risk of short-and long-term diabetes complications and ensures that students are wellpositioned for optimal academic performance and growth.AIM The aim of this review was to systematically identify and synthesize the literature concerning theory-based diabetes care interventions in K-12 schools in the United States.It critically assessed the specific role of theories and associated essential constructs in intervention design,implementation,outcome measurement,and evaluation.METHODS Relevant literature was identified by keyword searches of the Cochrane Library,PubMed,and Web of Science.RESULTS Four interventions met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review.Of those,two evaluated online diabetes education programs for school personnel and the other two assessed in-person interventions.Three studies adopted a onegroup pre-post study design,and the remaining one adopted a one-shot casestudy design.Three of the interventions adopted social cognitive theory,and the remaining one was guided by the diffusion of innovations theory.Three studies identified core constructs of a theory as predictors of behavioral change.Two used theory to select or develop intervention techniques.Two studies used theory to customize participant intervention techniques.Two studies discussed their findings in the context of theory.No study used theory to select potential intervention participants.CONCLUSION In conclusion,despite the value of theory in intervention design and evaluation,theory-based diabetes interventions at school remain scarce.Future research may seek ways to better integrate theory and empirical research.

Asian-American elders’ health and physician use: An examination of social determinants and lifespan influences

While the Asian American population is growing rapidly, relatively little research has focused on intergroup health comparisons. The application of the life course perspective sheds new light on the inter-section of the ageing process and social determinants of health. This study compares physician use and health equity among Asian ethnic groups and non-Hispanic Whites. Data on Asian American and non-Hispanic White immigrants over 65 were extracted from the California Health Interview Survey. Weighted logistic regression models were tested applying the Commission on Social Determinants of Health model. Intergroup differences in physician use and health equity were observed. Furthermore, physician use and health varied among the groups by age. The diverse background of older Asian Americans and the differential effects of the ageing process point to the need for novel interventions to promote health among this population.

From “Employer-Employee” to “Family of Choice”: The Development of the Relationship between Philippine Worker Immigrants and Elderly Care Recipients

The current study adds to the pool of findings regarding experiences of female Philippine work immigrants employed in elderly caregiving in Israel, as they cope with their role as caregivers. Based on an analysis of the qualitative interviews with 27 Philippine women, three themes emerged. The first is the manner in which these caregivers perceive the treatment and care they give their elderly employers, taking into account the initial stage of the professional relationship, the various types of support, and the employer-employee interactions. The second theme deals with the manner in which these caregivers perceive their role once the relationship with the elderly care recipient is established and the employer’s needs and preferences become familiar;that is, once there is a clear caregiver-client relationship. The third theme deals with the manner in which the caregivers perceive their relationship with their elderly employers and with the employers’ family members, and the way they believe their employer and family perceive their role as caregivers. This stage of the relationship they define as “family of choice”. The combination of the three themes presents a comprehensive picture of positive change in terms of the caregivers perception of their role, and a shift in the manner in which they perceive their employers: from a “source of income” to “parent”.

The Nexus between Social Networks and Sexual Practices among Female University Students

The study was conducted among college students in Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to understand whether social networks influence students to make decisions on sexual practices. A total of 130 female students between 18-24 years participated in the study. Among them, 122 participated in the survey and eight in the case studies. The study revealed female students joined various types of social networks, which influence the decision making processes and outcomes of their sexual practices. The study has implications for women empowerment activities.

Insights into the Social Determinants of Health in Older Adults

In this paper, we review the social determinants of health in older adults and their complex interrelationship with medical diseases. Also, we provide recommendations to address these determinants in the integrated healthcare plan. The social determinants in older adults and its influence in health outcomes have been studied for decades. There is solid evidence for the interrelationship between social factors and the health of individuals and populations;however, these studies are unable to define their complex interrelatedness. Health is quite variable and depends on multiple biological and social factors such as genetics, country of origin, migrant status, etc. On the other hand, health status can affect social factors such as job or education. Addressing social determinants of health in the integrated healthcare plan is important for improving health outcomes and decreasing existing disparities in older adult health. We recommend a person-centered approach in which individualized interventions should be adopted by organizations to improve the health status of older adults at the national and global level. Some of our practical recommendations to better address the social determinants of health in clinical practice are EHR documentation strategies, screening tools, and the development of linkages to the world outside of the clinic and health system, including social services, community activities, collaborative work, and roles for insurance companies.

Disparities in the impact of economic well-being on self-esteem in adulthood:Race and ethnicity

BACKGROUND Most studies have defined economic well-being as socioeconomic status,with little attention given to whether other indicators influence self-esteem.Little is known about racial/ethnic disparities in the relationship between economic wellbeing and self-esteem during adulthood.AIM To explore the impact of economic well-being on self-esteem in adulthood and differences in the association across race/ethnicity.METHODS The current study used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979.The final sample consisted of 2267 African Americans,1425 Hispanics,and 3678 non-Hispanic Whites.Ordinary linear regression analyses and logistic regression analyses were conducted.RESULTS African Americans and Hispanics were more likely to be in poverty in comparison with non-Hispanic Whites.More African Americans were unemployed than Whites.Those who received fringe benefits,were more satisfied with jobs,and were employed were more likely to have higher levels of self-esteem.Poverty was negatively associated with self-esteem.Interaction effects were found between African Americans and job satisfaction predicting self-esteem.CONCLUSION The role of employers is important in cultivating employees’self-esteem.Satisfactory outcomes or feelings of happiness from the workplace may be more important to non-Hispanic Whites compared to African Americans and Hispanics.

Development of the Making the Connection Intervention to Address Loneliness and Isolation in Older Adults

Fifty percent of individuals aged over 60 are reported at risk of social isolation and one-third will experience some degree of loneliness later in life. Isolation and loneliness have been reported as having negative consequences for mental and physical health and mortality. Existing supportive interventions, even when successful are not widely adopted or utilized. A developmental, mixed methods approach was taken to building and testing the components and delivery of an intervention, Making the Connection (MTC) in preparation for mounting a larger, systematic test. Method: The approach relied upon the six steps of 6sQuID for the development of public health interventions: 1) Define and understand the problem and its causes. 2) Clarify which causal or contextual factors are malleable. 3) Identify how to bring about change. 4) Identify how to deliver the change mechanism. 5) Test and refine on small scale. 6) Collect sufficient evidence of effectiveness to justify rigorous evaluation/implementation. Depressive symptoms, how often people felt lonely, and size of social networks were quantitatively measured and analyzed. Qualitative measures were also used. Findings: All six steps in the 6sQuiD model were followed in building the intervention for potential testing. In an initial test within CCRC facilities, five loneliness-related areas were examined qualitatively and identified as potentially modifiable. Testing of a subsequent 10-session gamified intervention established trends for reduced reports of symptoms of depression, and increases in social connections. Pre and post-test found there was a statistically significant reduction in reports of loneliness in the past week. Discussion: Making the Connection manualized intervention appears both feasible and viable, a necessary first step to prepare for more systematic evaluation in a randomized control trial.

Epidemiology,surveillance and control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus:an Overview

Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus) is one of the most common human pathogens,causing a wide range of afflictions from minor infections of the skin to serious wound infections,bacteraemia,pneumonia and endocarditis. Methicillin,the first semisynthetic derivative of penicillin,was a new hope to treat penicillin resistant 5.aureus in the early 1960s.Nevertheless,only one year after its introduction,the first methicillin-resistant 5.aureus (MRSA) strains were detected.There is no golden rule in the control of MRSA.Nevertheless,using surveillance cultures of patients and healthcare personnel,strictly enforced contact precautions,and judicious use of broad-spectrum antibiotics have helped several countries,including Finland,Denmark,and the Netherlands to keep MRSA at a very low level.Conversely,countries including China,Japan,US,Italy,Greece,UK, where stringent counter-measure were not able to be installed,MRSA have become hyper-endemic.Control of MRSA in those countries were obliged to concentrate available resources to prevent MRSA infections only at patients at high risk of serious morbidity and mortality.

Effects of therapeutic horseback riding on post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans

Background:Large numbers of post-deployment U.S.veterans are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)and/or traumatic brain injury(TBI),leading to an urgent need for effective interventions to reduce symptoms and increase veterans’coping.PTSD includes anxiety,flashbacks,and emotional numbing.The symptoms increase health care costs for stress-related illnesses and can make veterans’civilian life difficult.Methods:We used a randomized wait-list controlled design with repeated measures of U.S.military veterans to address our specific aim to test the efficacy of a 6-week therapeutic horseback riding(THR)program for decreasing PTSD symptoms and increasing coping self-efficacy,emotion regulation,social and emotional loneliness.Fiftyseven participants were recruited and 29 enrolled in the randomized trial.They were randomly assigned to either the horse riding group(n=15)or a wait-list control group(n=14).The wait-list control group experienced a 6-week waiting period,while the horse riding group began THR.The wait-list control group began riding after 6 weeks of participating in the control group.Demographic and health history information was obtained from all the participants.PTSD symptoms were measured using the standardized PTSD Checklist-Military Version(PCL-M).The PCL-M as well as other instruments including,The Coping Self Efficacy Scale(CSES),The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale(DERS)and The Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults-short version(SELSA)were used to access different aspects of individual well-being and the PTSD symptoms.Results:Participants had a statistically significant decrease in PTSD scores after 3 weeks of THR(P≤0.01)as well as a statistically and clinically significant decrease after 6 weeks of THR(P≤0.01).Logistic regression showed that participants had a 66.7%likelihood of having lower PTSD scores at 3 weeks and 87.5%likelihood at 6 weeks.Under the generalized linear model(GLM),our ANOVA findings for the coping self-efficacy,emotion regulation,and social and emotional loneliness did not reach statistical significance.The results for coping self-efficacy and emotion regulation trended in the predicted direction.Results for emotional loneliness were opposite the predicted direction.Logistic regression provided validation that outcome effects were caused by riding longer.Conclusion:The findings suggest that THR may be a clinically effective intervention for alleviating PTSD symptoms in military veterans.

Subgroup comparison of COVID-19 case and mortality with associated factors in Mississippi: findings from analysis of the first four months of public data

We compared subgroup differences in COVID-19 case and mortality and investigated factors associated with case and mortality rate(MR)measured at the county level in Mississippi.Findings were based on data published by the Mississippi State Department of Health between March 11 and July 16,2020.The COVID-19 case rate and case fatality rate(CFR)differed by gender and race,while MR only differed by race.Residents aged 80 years or older and those who live in a non-metro area had a higher case rate,CFR,and MR.After controlling for selected factors,researchers found that the percent of residents who are obese,low income,or with certain chronic conditions were associated with the county COVID-19 case rate,CFR,and/or MR,though some were negatively related.The findings may help the state to identify counties with higher COVID-19 case rate,CFR,and MR based on county demographics and the degree of its chronic conditions.

The Relationships between Family Support, Attachment Types in Adulthood and Attitudes towards Filial Responsibility among Three Generations of Arab and Jewish Men

The aim of the current study was to compare between three generations groups of Arab and Jewish male’s attitudes towards filial responsibility. 121 university students, their fathers (116) and their grandfathers (114), answered a self-report questionnaire, which measured filial responsibility attitudes, type of attachment;self-esteem;sense of mastery and, family support. Results revealed ethnicity and religiosity differences as well as between-generations differences regarding filial responsibility. An additional finding brought to light the cross-generational differences in the relationship between the attachment style in adulthood and the attitudes regarding filial responsibility. The most important finding shows that the Arab male, especially in the youngest generation, finds himself in a socio-psychological-internal conflict between tradition and modernization regarding the family norms. Arab society, in attitudes towards filial responsibility, is still traditional in terms of its approach to the institutions of clan and, the men status within the family. Thus, mostly among the elderly Arab Muslims.

Analysis of correlated data with feedback for time-dependent covariates in psychiatry research

In studies on psychiatry and neurodegenerative diseases,it is common to have data that are correlated due to the hierarchical structure in data collection or to repeated measures on the subject longitudinally.However,the feedback effect created due to time-dependent covariates in these studies is often overlooked and seldom modelled.This article reviews the methodological development of feedback effects with marginal models for longitudinal data and discusses their implementation.

The Relationship between Self-Esteem, Sense of Mastery and Humor as Personal Resources and Crisis-Coping Strategies in Three Generations

Aim: The study’s aim is to examine the coping strategies from a perspective of intergenerational transmission. Methods: A self-report questionnaire was completed by 504 students, their parents, and their grandparents. Tools on the questionnaire assessed crisis perception as well as levels of sense of humor, sense of mastery, and self-esteem, as independent variables, and crisis-coping strategies, as the dependent variable. Results: Findings indicated that there was intergenerational transmission of the problem-focused coping strategy in general, and of the intra-personal resources of self-esteem, and sense of mastery, in particular. The major theoretical contribution of the study is in extending the concept of intergenerational transmission to include an additional realm;findings also substantiated and reinforced previous knowledge regarding the strategies for coping with stress and crises among various age groups. Conclusions: In terms of applicability, recognizing the phenomenon of intergenerational transmission provides a clinical tool that increases the possibility of coping with complex problems. In addition, it suggests the need to increase clients’ awareness of the significant effects of intergenerational transmission.

Utilizing the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to Understand the Aging of People Living in the Community with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

There remain challenges in understanding the aging lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Method: A cross-sectional comparison of people with and without I/DD was created using China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A definition of I/DD was established, three samples were created: those with an assigned/described intellectual and developmental disability prior to age 22 years;those with similar impairments at and after age 22 years;and those in the population without an assigned/described impairment. Findings: Those with I/DD appeared to have greater health needs on initial analysis. People with an impairment similar to I/DD but occurring after age 22 years had the same or greater needs in subsequent analyses. Both groups had greater needs than those with no identified disability. Discussion: There must be greater efforts to discover those with I/DD who are already in existing datasets, greater attention to the full range of lives led by people with I/DD and inclusion of data from a broader range of countries.

The Detrimental Effect of Adversity on HIV Outcomes in the Era of Combined Anti-Retroviral Therapy

Socially disadvantaged individuals with HIV experience unacceptably high rates of AIDS and death. The authors developed an adversity index to quantify the impact of demographic and psychosocial factors on HIV care. This retrospective cohort study included 431 participants with HIV on combined antiretroviral therapy between 2000 and 2005. Poor outcome was defined as progression to AIDS, death, virologic failure, or CD4 < 200 cells/μl at six months. The index utilized eight demographic and psychosocial variables independently associated with poor outcome. Exposure to higher numbers of variables in the adversity index significantly increased the rates of poor outcome from 14% (exposure to no variables) to 100% (exposure to seven variables). The odds of poor outcome decreased but remained significant after adjusting for adherence-defining variables, indicating a possible mediating effect of poor adherence. Durably effective therapeutic strategies must include addressing adverse demographic and psychosocial factors affecting people living with HIV.

Reliability and Validity of a French Version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory

In the context of traumatic stress, the dominant discourse has mainly focused on distress, thus undermining the role that eustress has in traumatic experiences. One of the few exceptions to this has been the research on posttraumatic growth, which has generated much interest since its beginning. There is an increasing interest in posttraumatic growth in various cultures and hence an expansion of the measure, the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), into various languages. This article is the first to perform a rigorous investigation of the psychometric properties of the PTGI, including the scale and subscale reliability, inter-item and subscale correlations, and using a CFA approach. The properties are established with a French translation using two populations of caregivers: those bereaved by HIV/AIDS and parents who are caring for a child with a life-limiting illness. These properties were determined for both the original 21 item scale as well as the shortened version.

Effects of Age Differences on Job Satisfaction Evaluations of Employees in China

This study investigated factors that influence employees’job satisfaction in China and whether they differ across age groups.Analysis was conducted using the 2014 China Labor-force Dynamics Survey,which included 6,249 employees in three age groups:634 aged 55 and older;2,569 aged 40-54;and 3,046 aged 18-39.The results indicate that when gender,age,marital status,living community type and education levels are controlled,total job satisfaction was associated with positive evaluations of income,job security,working environment,working time,promotion opportunity,job enjoyability,colleague relationships,ability and skills utilization,respect from others,and opportunities to express opinions.Regression analysis results indicate that age has positive effects on total job satisfaction.The older employees had the highest evaluations for job security,working environment,working time,income,job enjoyability,and total job satisfaction.The middle-aged employees had the highest evaluations for respect from others.The younger group had the highest evaluations for colleague relationships,ability and skills utilization,opportunities to express opinions,job enjoyability,promotion opportunity,and respect from others.Additionally,the older group did not value promotion opportunity,opportunities to express opinions,colleague relationships,ability and skills utilization,and respect from others.The findings highlight the importance of examining age related needs regarding how to improve employees’job satisfaction.The results suggest that employers should consider age-related challenges and needs in the workplace.