Journal of Public Mental Health

vLex
Publisher:
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Publication date:
2021-02-01
ISBN:
1746-5729

Issue Number

Latest documents

  • Editorial
  • The impact of environmental quality on mental health: an ecological study

    Purpose: A growing body of research suggests that exposure to natural environments has several mental health effects. This paper aims to evaluate whether countries with high-quality environments report fewer mental health disorders. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses secondary data from the Legatum Centre for National Prosperity. The data set consists of data from 167 countries collected between 2007 and 2023. The authors use panel data regressions to formally investigate the impact of environmental quality on mental health outcomes. Findings: The results suggest that overall environmental quality is positively related to mental well-being. However, the connection between environmental quality and mental health varies depending on the specific environmental and mental health factors analysed. Specifically, the authors find that air quality and the quality of blue spaces are positively associated with emotional well-being. Furthermore, death by suicide is negatively correlated with air quality and the quality of a country’s green spaces. The authors find no evidence to suggest that environmental quality impacts the prevalence of depressive disorders in a country. Originality/value: In contrast to previous studies that primarily focused on individual-level analyses, the research adopts an ecological approach. In addition, this study evaluates the relationship between mental health and a wide range of environmental factors, namely, emissions, air quality, ocean health, land use, forest and soil quality, freshwater quality and preservation efforts. This research further distinguishes itself by using a large panel database to investigate the impacts of the natural environment on mental health.

  • Unraveling the causal impact of adverse childhood experiences on social well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Purpose: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have far-reaching consequences on an individual’s physical, mental and social well-being. As the world grappled with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the impact of ACEs on social well-being became more crucial than ever. This study aims to investigate the causal effect of ACEs on perceived social well-being during the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: An instrumental variable design was carried out on data extracted from the Panel Study of Income dynamic (PSID). Findings: This study found a significant causal link between higher levels of ACEs and diminished social well-being, after controlling COVID-19 exposure and symptom severity. Surprisingly, the findings suggest that COVID-19 exposure and symptom severity had no significant impact on social well-being during the pandemic. Originality/value: These results underscore the enduring influence of childhood adversity on an individual’s ability to form and maintain healthy social connections, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support systems that promote resilience and social well-being among individuals with a history of ACEs. As we navigate the postpandemic era, this study emphasizes the importance of addressing the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma to foster a more resilient and supportive society.

  • The impact of the 2012 student fees increase on the mental health of British graduates: a cohort study

    Purpose: Financial difficulties are associated with poor student mental health, although the 2012 tuition fees increase for British students had little impact on student mental health in the first two years at university. This study aims to examine the mental health of British graduates before and after this fees increase to determine the impact on mental health several years after graduation. Design/methodology/approach: This study conducted an online cohort study with 327 British students who started university before and after the 2012 fees increase. Participants completed measures of current economic hardship and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, general mental health and suicidality. Multiple regression was used to examine the impact of cohort (pre- and post-2012 fees increase), tuition fees amount and economic hardship on mental health. Findings: Greater economic hardship was positively correlated with all mental health variables. Starting university after the fees increased and/or paying greater fees was associated with increased depression, anxiety, stress and suicidality, with little impact on general mental health. When economic hardship was covaried, the strength of cohort effects reduced but remained significant. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to show that the 2012 tuition fees increase for British students increased depression, anxiety, stress and suicidality in graduates many years after graduation, owing to additional financial strain.

  • Editorial
  • Listeners’ perspectives of a co-designed podcast on mental illness stigma: a qualitative study

    Purpose: Stigma towards people living with complex mental health issues is widespread and harmful, preventing help-seeking behaviour, fostering social exclusion and decreasing self-efficacy. This study aims to investigate the usefulness and drawbacks of a mental health-themed podcast in reducing stigma. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 participants who had each listened to three episodes of the co-designed podcast “On the Same Wavelength”. Interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Four themes were generated: learning from a trustworthy source; connecting with lived experience; reducing stigma, one listener at a time; and a high-quality podcast with limited reach. Listeners appraised the podcast as improving their attitudes and behavioural intentions towards people living with mental illness and their understanding of mental illness and stigma. They perceived the lived experience narratives as its most impactful element, but felt the podcast might not have mass appeal. Originality/value: Despite the popularity of mental health-themed podcasts, there is limited research examining their potential to reduce stigma. This study provided insight into the usefulness, listener acceptability and impactful elements of such podcasts, by exploring listeners’ perspectives of a new podcast co-designed to reduce stigma.

  • Peers, Parents and Families as agents of influence on adolescents’ perspectives towards people with Mental Health Problems: Mental Health Professionals’ Views

    Purpose: This study aims to explore mental health professionals’ views on adolescent attitudes towards their peers with mental health problems and the influence of parental, familial and societal environments on these attitudes. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen mental health professionals in Bangalore, India, with at least two years of experience working with adolescents. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Findings: Mental health professionals reported diverse adolescent attitudes towards peers with mental health issues, ranging from support to bullying and exclusion. Family dynamics, peer influence and societal stigma were identified as significant factors shaping these attitudes. Research limitations/implications: The remote interviews during the pandemic limited access to non-verbal cues and work settings. The study focused on professionals' views from Bangalore, not capturing the diverse needs of adolescents across India. Additionally, practitioners from urban settings might not represent the challenges of their rural counterparts. The high concentration of female participants hinders generalisability. Variable interview lengths and participant openness might introduce bias, likely influenced by experience and views on mental health awareness. Practical implications: The findings underscore that adolescents' views on peer mental health are crucial for mental health professionals to design targeted interventions and support systems. Implementing programs that raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma can benefit schools and communities. Social implications: This study highlights the necessity of a holistic strategy to tackle adolescent mental health. Creating supportive peer environments, encouraging open family communication, and combating societal stigma can foster a more inclusive and mentally healthy society for adolescents. Originality/value: This study contributes to the growing body of research on adolescent mental health by providing insights into professionals’ views of peer attitudes. It highlights the need for interventions addressing family stigma, promoting open communication and using social media for awareness.

  • Adverse childhood experiences, economic challenges and suicide risk under COVID-19 pandemic: results from U-CORONA study

    Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the synergistic effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and economic challenges on suicide risk, under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, using a prospective population-based cohort study. Design/methodology/approach: Participants included 435 adults (aged from 18 to 92 years, mean = 53.8) from the Utsunomiya COVID-19 seROprevalence Neighborhood Association (U-CORONA) study, a population-based longitudinal study in Utsunomiya city, Japan. The baseline survey was conducted in June 2020, between the first and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. ACEs were assessed using 13 items, and economic challenges due to the COVID-19 were assessed using one item. In the follow-up study, conducted in October 2020 between the second and the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, suicide risk was assessed using six items from the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview via a self-reported questionnaire. Findings: This study found positive independent association between ACEs and economic challenges due to COVID-19 and suicide risk. Synergistic effects were also found: the participants with one ACE and economic challenges and those with 2+ ACEs and economic challenges were more likely to be at higher risk of suicide compared to those without ACEs and economic challenges. Originality/value: The findings suggest that adults with a higher number of ACEs, in addition to severe economic challenges, were more likely to be at risk for suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Depressive symptoms, loneliness and social support in healthcare employees: does the source of support matter?

    Purpose: Depressive symptoms are a risk factor for loneliness, while sources of perceived social support from family and friends are protective factors; however, the complex mechanisms behind these factors have not been examined among health-care employees in Portugal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the indirect effect of perceived social support from family and friends on the association between depressive symptoms and loneliness. Design/methodology/approach: Health-care employees (n = 279; 242 female and 37 male) from 12 health-care institutions in Portugal participated in this cross-sectional study. The SPSS program with PROCESS macro (Model 6) was used to test the hypothesis regarding the indirect effect analysis. Findings: Bootstrap analysis found that family as a source of social support had an indirect effect in the relationship between depressive symptoms and loneliness. Similarly, depressive symptoms had a significant indirect effect on loneliness through the indirect role of social support from friends. Moreover, it was found that the relationship of family and friends as sources of social support mediated the association of the aforementioned variables. Originality/value: The findings of this study underscore the important role of depressive symptoms on perceived social support from family and friends, leading to loneliness, which is a public health concern among health-care employees in Portugal.

  • Former teachers’ perceptions of psychosocial supports leading to attrition

    Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how former K-12 teachers’ perceptions of psychosocial support led to their decision to leave the profession. Design/methodology/approach: The researcher conducted eight interviews with former teachers who had been in the profession for 1.5–26 years and asked them about their thoughts on mental health interventions, leadership and collegial support and the stressors of teaching. The data were analyzed by qualitative analysis. Findings: Former teachers had varying responses, and some of the biggest takeaways were the importance of strong leadership support, the request for more time and overall changes to the system and how teachers are supported overall. Results indicate the ultimate impetus for exiting the profession was not directly the result of mental health support or the lack thereof, yet support for well-being did play a role in job dissatisfaction with the teaching role. Originality/value: Teacher attrition is a significant issue in many countries. This study focuses on teachers in South Carolina, USA, yet the literature indicates similar problems across the USA and globally. The focus on former teachers was compelling, as most studies focus on current teachers.

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