Psychological and Physiological Health Benefits of a Structured Forest Therapy Program for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders

Mental health conditions in children and adolescents can be improved by slow mindful nature connection known as forest therapyor bathing.Forest therapy has recently received growing attention as an enabler of relaxation and preventive health care withdemonstrated clinical efficacy.However,it is not well-known that forest therapy also decreases mental health issues amongindividuals with mental health disorders.This study explored the psychological and physiological health benefits of structuredforest therapy programs for children and adolescents with mental health disorders.A one-group pre-test-posttest design wasemployed for our study participants.Twelve participants(aged 9–14 years)engaged in two one-hour guided standard sequenceforest therapy experiences.A Mindful Attention Awareness Scale(MAAS),Connectedness to Nature Scale(CNS),Profile ofMood States(POMS),place meanings(e.g.,functional,emotional,and cognitive attachment to the forest)questionnaire,andphysiological health assessment were administered to the participants.Our results showed that negative mood states weresignificantly reduced and that a positive mood state was significantly improved after the structured forest therapy programs.Also,mindfulness,nature connection,place meanings,and physiological health were significantly boosted after theinterventions.The results demonstrate substantial psychological and physiological health and well-being outcomes ofstructured forest therapy for similar individuals.

A Study on the Impact of Cheerleading on the Psychological Health of Female College Students

This study investigates the effects of technical cheerleading and dance cheerleading on the psychological health of female college students by utilizing the Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90),the Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale for Interpersonal Relationships,and the Social Adaptability Diagnostic Scale.The findings indicate the following:(1)Technical cheerleading has a highly significant impact on sensitivity in interpersonal relationships,paranoia,and psychoticism,and a significant effect on anxiety and hostility;dance cheerleading has a highly significant effect on paranoia;(2)Both technical and dance cheerleading have minimal impact on the overall score distribution of interpersonal relationships among female college students,but the dimensions of their effects differ;(3)The impact of technical cheerleading on the social adaptability of female college students is more pronounced than that of dance cheerleading.

The Impact of Sports Games on the Psychological Health of Middle School Students

This study conducted a 16-week comparative experiment with 160 students from Jinan No.5 Middle School in Shandong Province as the experimental subjects.During the implementation of the experiment,the subjects were divided into two groups:an experimental group and a control group.The experimental group was subjected to physical exercise interventions using sports game teaching methods during physical education class,while the control group followed traditional physical education teaching methods.The results showed that the psychological health status of the students in the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group after the experiment.The application of sports games helps to improve the psychological health of middle school students in the course of physical education,promoting a positive and forward direction in student psychology and is an effective means to enhance the psychological health level of middle school students.

Unlocking the power of physical activity in easing psychological distress

The severity of the current global mental health situation and the importance of maintaining psychological well-being call for more powerful,convenient,and efficient solutions for addressing psychological issues and relieving mental stress.Physical activity not only effectively improves physical fitness and reduces negative emotions such as anxiety and depression but also increases the improvement of psychological health and sense of well-being.At the same time,physical activity interventions for mental health have unique advantages,including reducing the side effects of psychological interventions and increasing necessity,convenience,and cost-effectiveness,as well as flexible adaptability across multiple methods,groups,and age ranges,providing stronger support for relieving psychological stress and addressing psychological issues.Although physical activity is an important intervention measure in relieving psychological stress,its value and role in mental health care seem to have not yet received sufficient attention,and its potential remains to be further revealed.Given the significant advantages and effectiveness of physical activity in mental health intervention practices,it is necessary to stimulate its potential in relieving psychological stress through various means in future studies to better safeguard the public’s physical and mental health.Developing guidelines for physical activity for improved mental health,enhancing organic integration with other intervention measures,and providing necessary respect,encouragement,and support are important directions to consider.

Application of psychological intervention in intensive care unit nursing for patients with severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)is a familiar critical disease in the intensive care unit(ICU)patients.Nursing staff are important spiritual pillars during the treatment of patients,and in addition to routine nursing,more attention needs be paid to the patient’s psychological changes.AIM To investigate the effects of psychological intervention in ICU patients with SAP.METHODS One hundred ICU patients with SAP were hospitalized in the authors’hospital between 2020 and 2023 were selected,and divided into observation and control groups per the hospitalization order.The control and observation groups received routine nursing and psychological interventions,respectively.Two groups are being compared,using the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),Self-Determination Scale(SDS),Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)Ⅱ,and 36-item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36)scores;nursing satisfaction of patients;ICU care duration;length of stay;hospitalization expenses;and the incidence of complications.RESULTS After nursing,the SDS,SAS,and APACHEⅡ scores in the experimental group were significantly lower than in the control group(P<0.05).The SF-36 scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The nursing satisfaction of patients in the experimental group was 94.5%,considerably higher than that of 75.6% in the control group(P<0.05).The ICU care duration,length of stay,and hospitalization expenses in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,and the incidence of complications was lower(P<0.05).CONCLUSION For patients with SAP,the implementation of standardized psychological intervention measures can effectively alleviate adverse psychological conditions.

Study on the Relationship between Mental Health Literacy and Psychological Symptoms of University Students: Mediating Effect of Grit

Background:The occurrence of mental health symptoms is higher in individuals aged between 18 and 24 years than in other age groups.Mental health literacy is derived from health literacy,and focuses on the knowledge,attitudes,and competencies that individuals need to acquire to manage their own health effectively.Low mental health literacy is associated with poorer mental health.Grit is also a known protective factor against mental disorders.Despite a heightened focus on mental health literacy and grit as important factors for decreasing mental health symptoms,knowledge of the effect of mental health literacy and grit on mental health symptoms is very limited.This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between mental health literacy and psychological symptoms and the mediating effect of grit on these relationships.Methods:This cross-sectional descriptive study used survey data from 178 university students in Korea.Data were collected between March and May 2022.The SPSS PROCESS macro(Model 4)was used to analyze the data.Results:Mental health literacy was not directly associated with psychological symptoms.However,an indirect pathway was observed between mental health literacy,depression,and anxiety,through grit.Conclusion:Mental health literacy affects psychological symptoms through grit.Therefore,to improve the mental health of university students,it is necessary to develop programs that increase mental health literacy and grit.

Exploring the Impact of Crisis and Trauma on the Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being of University Students in Northern Haiti

In recent decades,Haiti has been subject to man-made and natural disasters that have left its citizens vulnerable to a range of shocks.With a weak state unable to protect its populace,Haitians are exposed to some of the highest levels of poverty and violence in the Western Hemisphere.In recent years,Haitians have experienced two crises that this study analyzes:the instability and political violence of“peyi lòk”as well as the global pandemic of COVID-19.This community-based assessment explores the impact of these two crises on the mental health and psychological well-being of 38 Haitian university students in the understudied northern part of the country.Results indicate that both crises had similarities related to their psychological effects on young people,most notably in terms of traumatic experiences related to threats or violence,forced confinement,and large increases in population-wide uncertainty.Additionally,the extreme violence of“peyi lòk”and the widespread unpredictability of COVID-19 and its effects in the early days of the pandemic resulted in high levels of stress and fear.Both crises also resulted in extreme economic hardship for students,with many reporting difficulties accessing basic needs such as food and water.This study highlights how converging population-level crises in“complex emergencies”can heighten trauma and compromise mental health.

Impacts of fighting against COVID-19 on critical care nurses'psychological and physical health:a literature review

Objective:To provide insight into the effects of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19)pandemic on the physical and psychological health of critical care nurses in adult units.Methods:A systematic search through the CINAHL,MEDLINE,and EMbase databases were performed.Studies that addressed“critical care nurses,”“COVID-19,”“physical effect,”and“psychological effect”from different perspectives were reviewed.Results:A total of 42 ar ticles were reviewed based on 2 aspects:critical care nurses'psychological and physical health.Negative emotions were the most common conditions:fear,anxiety,depression,and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).Burnout,falling ill and having thoughts of self-harm,fatigue,physical burden,sleeping disorders,and chronic work overload also adversely affected the nurses'health.The nurses'health deteriorated because of the changes in the unfamiliar working environment and processes,colossal workload and chronic exhaustion,worries about themselves and their families,social response,and witnessing the death toll.Conclusions:Critical care nurses experienced adverse effects of the institutional reaction,social response,and individuals'reply to the COVID-19 pandemic upon their psychological and physical health.Suppor ting services and preparation for other unprecedented situations should be sustainably available.

Effect and Significance of Comprehensive Training in Infection Prevention and Control on the Psychological Health of Oral Health Staff

Background:Oral health staff have close contact with patients in the process of diagnosis and treatment,and it is inevitable for them to come into contact with patients’secretions.Therefore,oral health staff are at greater risk of infectious diseases in their daily work,and their psychological health is also greatly challenged.Objective:To study the effect and significance of comprehensive training in infection prevention and control on the psychological health of oral health staff.Methods:We selected 400 oral health staff from a tertiary stomatological hospital in Guangzhou,China in this study.The respondents were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group.After the first round of investigation,the intervention group received comprehensive training in prevention and control of infection for three months,while the control group received no intervention.Results:The comprehensive training in infection prevention and control improved the respondents’psychological health and job satisfaction.Further strengthening infection prevention and control training for oral health staff will increase their self-confidence,improve their mental health,and increase their job satisfaction.Conclusion:For oral health staff,it is particularly important to formulate an effective and operable preventive and control training program and then implement it in a standardized manner.

Research on the Intervention of Internet+ Health Education Model on Hemodialysis Patients with Psychological Distress

Objective:To observe the status quo of patients’psychological distress,and to explore the effect of Internet+health education model(IHEM)on patients who experienced psychological distress during their first hemodialysis treatment,with the goal of reducing their psychological distress and improving their quality of life.Methods:IHEM was conducted on 120 first-time hemodialysis patients for 3 months while a distress thermometer and a list of questionnaires were used to screen patients and provide corresponding psychological intervention.The incidence rate of psychological distress was analyzed statistically to explore the difference in psychological distress at various periods.Results:The incidence rate(score≥4)of psychological distress in first-time hemodialysis patients was 46.67%,and their distress was mainly rooted in physical,emotional,practical problems(economy,time,and energy),etc.Through IHEM,the psychological distress scores of the patients decreased to 3.29±1.02 at one month after their discharge,and the incidence rate was 32.14%;the psychological distress scores of the patients were 2.29±1.02 at 3 months after their discharge,and the incidence rate was 21.14%.The difference before and after the intervention was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:A psychological distress thermometer can timely detect the degree and causes of psychological distress among first-time hemodialysis patients,and the use of IHEM may significantly alleviate the psychological distress among hemodialysis patients.

Clinical Observation on Physiological and Psychological Effects of Eight-Section Brocade on Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Objective:To observe the physiological and psychological changing of type 2 diabetic patients after practicing Eight-Section Brocade, to evaluate the clinical curative effect, and to provide a safe and effective self-regulating method for type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This study is a random controlled trial, the 54 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned into the intervention and the control group. The intervention group was given a 2-month period of Eight-Section Brocade practice, then a comparison between groups was made. The intervention group continued to do Eight-Section Brocade practice for 2 months, so it was 4 months’ intervention all together for this group, and then a comparison within the intervention group was made. Results: There was significant difference 4 months later on HbA1c in the intervention group (P<0.05). There was significant difference between the intervention and control groups on obsessive-compulsive, depression, anxiety and hostility scores after 2 months’ practice (P<0.05). There was significant difference between 2 and 4 months’ practice on hostilities scores within the intervention group (P<0.05). Conclusions: As an important part of the traditional Chinese medicine, Eight-section Brocade has physiological and psychological effects on type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Different neural circuits between physiological and psychological stress-induced PTSD like ＂nightmare＂ in rats： Insights from c-Fos mapping

Aim Posttraumatic nightmares are a core component of posttraumatic stress disorder （PTSD） and mechanistically linked to the development and maintenance of this disorder, but little is known about their mecha- nism. Methods We utilized a communication box to establish an animal model of physiological stress （foot-shock I FSI） and psychological stress （PS） to mimic the direct suffering and witnessing of traumatic events. Results Twenty-one days after traumatic stress, some of the experimental animals presented startled awakening （ i. e. , were startled awake by a supposed ＂nightmare＂） with different electroencephalographic spectra features. Our neuroan- atomical results showed that the secondary somatosensory cortex and primary auditory cortex may play an important role in remote traumatic memory retrieval in FS ＂nightmare＂ （FSN） rats, whereas the temporal association cortex may play an important role in PS ＂nightmare＂ （PSN） rats. The FSN and PSN groups possessed common emotion evocation circuits, including activation of the amygdala and inactivation of the infralimbic prefrontal cortex and ven- tral anterior cingulate cortex. The decreased activity of the granular and dysgranular insular cortex was only oh-served in PSN rats. Conclusion The present results imply that different types of stress may cause PTSD-like ＂nightmares＂ in rodents and identified the possible neurocircuitry of memory retrieval and emotion evocation.

Effect of cognitive behavior therapy training and psychological nursing on the midwifery process in the delivery room

BACKGROUND The severe physical and psychological impact of pain on the physical and mental health of women during labor leads to increased risks and complications during childbirth,presenting a major public health concern.Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT)has a positive effect on maternal psychology during delivery,reducing stress and shortening labor time.Thus,CBT training for mothers and delivery room staff may be beneficial in minimizing complications and adverse effects during natural birth.AIM To investigate the clinical effects of CBT training and psychological care during delivery,and their therapeutic effects on women in labor.METHODS This study used a retrospective analysis and included 140 mothers admitted to the maternity ward between January 2021 and January 2023.The study subjects were randomized into two groups:control(n=70)and observation(n=70).Routine care,CBT training,and psychological care were provided to mothers in both groups.Psychological status scores,delivery time,and satisfaction with care pre-and post-delivery were compared,and the incidence of complications after receiving care was analyzed between the two groups.RESULTS Although the psychological state of both groups improved significantly in the late stages of labor,the psychological state scores of the mothers in the observation group were significantly lower than those of the mothers in the control group(P<0.05).The duration of labor and incidence of complications in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The mothers in the observation group were significantly more satisfied with nursing care during the course of labor than those in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION CBT training and psychological care for mothers in the midwifery process can effectively improve anxiety and depression,shorten labor duration,reduce postnatal complications,and improve nursing satisfaction and nurse-patient relationships.Its clinical application is effective and has popularization value,providing a new way to protect maternal mental health.

Evaluation of Effectiveness of Integrated Intervention Program in Improving Drug Addicts' Psychological Health

Objective To investigate the social mental state of drug addicts in a compulsive drug abuse treatment center; evaluate the effectiveness of integrated program for the prevention of abuse relapse and improvement of drug addicts＇ psychological health. Methods The study subjects were addicts from the Wuhan Compulsive Drug Abuse Treatment Center between October 2003 and June 2004, who satisfied the inclusion criteria. A non-randomized control-intervention study design was adopted. Volunteers willing to take part in intervention were put into the intervention group with their full awareness and willingness to prevent drug abuse relapse. The control group was composed of the addicts who were willing to prevent relapse and to be followed up after their discharge. Results The effectiveness of the integrated intervention program in promoting addicts＇ psychological health： before the intervention, the scores of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale （SAS）, the positive and negative dimensionalities of Simple Coping Style Questionnaire （SCSQ） and Chinese Perceived Stress Scales （CPSS） had no significant differences between the intervention group and the control group. After the intervention, except that the SCSQ＇s positive dimensionality in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group, other indices in the intervention group were lower. Before and after the intervention, the psychological health level in both the groups was lower than that in the normal population; there were significant differences between addicts and normal subjects in regards with all of the indices above. Conclusion Drug abuse was associated closely with addicts＇ social mental factors. The integrated intervention program can alleviate anxiety and stress, reduce co-morbid mental disorders and effectively improve their coping style. In conclusion, the program can promote addicts＇ psychological health significantly.

The Criticism and Amendment for the Dual-Factor Model of Mental Health: From Chinese Psychological Suzhi Research Perspectives

Aiming at the limitations of psychopathology (PTH), the dual-factor model of mental health (DFM) was proposed as a new mental health concept and methodology under the background of positive psychology trend. In this paper we propose giving an overview of DFM, and doubt, criticize, and modify DFM from the perspective of Chinese psychological suzhi research. The available literature from 1983 to 2012 that is related to DFM and concerning psychological suzhi research in the past 20 years has been reviewed. In addition, we also absorbed the idea of positive psychology and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Constitution theory to develop theoretically the relationship model between psychological suzhi and mental health. The relationship model between psychological suzhi and mental health modifies and transcends PTH and DFM. It will be the new research area of mental health research.

Linguistic Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of Psychological Health State Using Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets

The study of psychological health state is helpful to build appropriate models and take effective intervention strategies, and the results benefit the intervened released from psychological distress within the shortest possible time. In this paper, interval type-2 fuzzy sets and fuzzy comprehension evaluation are applied in the analysis of mental health status and crisis intervention. A closed-loop linguistic dynamic intervention model for psychological health state is built. Linguistic dynamic systems based on interval type-2 fuzzy sets are used to describe and analyze the evolutionary process of psychological health status.

The Relationship between Psychological Suzhi and Mental Health among Chinese College Students

Object: To explore the relationship between psychological suzhi and mental health among Chinese college students, and to gain psychological suzhi factors that are predictors for mental health. Method: By using stratified sampling method, an investigation was conducted among 734 subjects. They were assessed with the College Student Psychological Suzhi Scale (CSPS, including 3 subscales, 28 factors) and General Health Questionnaire-20 item (GHQ-20, including 3 subscales). Results: 1) Psychological suzhi score for Chinese college students had negative correlation with the score of GHQ-20, GHQ-depression and GHQ-anxiety (p < 0.001), and positive correlation with the score of GHQ-self-affirmation (p < 0.001);2) Psychological suzhi score for Chinese college students was predictor of the score for GHQ-20 and its subscales namely GHQ-self-affirmation, GHQ-depression, and GHQ-anxiety (β = ?0.448, 0.439, ?0.262, ?0.259, p < 0.001);the variance explained by the score of GHQ-20 and its subscales were 19.9%, 19.1%, 6.7%, 6.5%;3) There were 12 psychological suzhi factors that were predictors for GHQ-self-affirmation which was known as the positive indicator of mental health (p < 0.05);11 psychological suzhi factors were predictors for GHQ-depression and GHQ-anxiety which was known as the negative indicator of mental health (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There exists a correlation between psychological suzhi and mental health, particularly in positive mental health. Indeed, the psychological suzhi factors are able to enhance the pertinence of mental health education.

COVID-19 pandemic in the intensive care unit:Psychological implications and interventions,a systematic review

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic produced changes in intensive care units(ICUs) in patient care and health organizations. The pandemic event increased patients’ risk of developing psychological symptoms during and after hospitalisation. These consequences also affected those family members who could not access the hospital. In addition, the initial lack of knowledge about the virus and its management, the climate of fear and uncertainty, the increased workload and the risk of becoming infected and being contagious, had a strong impact on healthcare staff and organizations. This highlighted the importance of interventions aimed at providing psychological support to ICUs, involving patients, their relatives, and the staff;this might involve the reorganisation of the daily routine and rearrangement of ICU staff duties.AIM To conduct a systematic review of psychological issues in ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic involving patients, their relatives, and ICU staff.METHODS We investigated the PubMed and the ClinicalTrials.gov databases and found 65 eligible articles,upon which we commented.RESULTS Our results point to increased perceived stress and psychological distress in staff, patients and their relatives and increased worry for being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 in patients and relatives. Furthermore, promising results were obtained for some psychological programmes aiming at improving psychological measures in all ICU categories.CONCLUSION As the pandemic limited direct inter-individual interactions, the role of interventions using digital tools and virtual reality is becoming increasingly important. All considered, our results indicate an essential role for psychologists in ICUs.