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Mental Health and Health Psychology

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 31181

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Magdalena Piegza

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 42-612 Katowice, Poland
Interests: psychiatry; mental health; liaison psychiatry; sexology; especially gender dysphoria; PGAD; mental problems in cardiolvascular disease; psychotherapy; personality disorders; dark triak; COVID-19 and psychiatric disturbances; quality of life; alcohol addiction; womens health

Dr. Paweł Dębski

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, 42-612 Katowice, Poland
Interests: clinical psychology; health psychology; personality; dark triad (psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism); psychological resilience

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Emotional disorders are the most common category of psychiatric problems in somatically ill patients, affecting quality of life, cognitive functioning and pro-health behavior. Some personality traits and mechanisms of coping with stress, including the sense of coherence, may be factors supporting recovery. Among somatic diseases, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are of particular interest to psychiatrists, and obesity in particular is considered the disease of our time. It often coexists with depressive disorders and requires a special therapeutic approach. Similarly, knowledge about alcohol dependence, which is part of the global problem of public health, needs to be updated.

The focus of this Special Issue is research into the psychological and psychiatric factors relevant to the prevention or development of mental disorders associated with somatic diseases and addictions.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to：

Emotional disturbances in somatic diseases, especially in cardiovascular diseases.
Health-promoting factors in somatic diseases and addictions.
Pharmacotherapy of civilization diseases coexisting with mental disorders.
Quality of life and related factors.
Relationship between mental health and somatic symptoms.
Cognitive functioning in somatic diseases.

Dr. Magdalena Piegza
Dr. Paweł Dębski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

anxiety
depression
mental health
sense of coherence
narcissism
alcohol dependence
resiliency
quality of life
cardiovascular disease
heart transplantation
obesity
affective disorders
orofacial pain
cognitive functions
pharmacotherapy

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 377 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality of Life and Psychosocial Well-Being among Intersex-Identifying Individuals in Puerto Rico: An Exploratory Study

by Caleb Esteban, Derek Israel Ortiz-Rodz, Yesibelle I. Muñiz-Pérez, Luis Ramírez-Vega, Coral Jiménez-Ricaurte, Edna Mattei-Torres and Victoria Finkel-Aguilar

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2899; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042899 - 07 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1403

Abstract

Purpose: Intersex is an umbrella term used to describe the diversity or differences in the characteristics of physical sexual development. Approximately 1.7% of the population are born intersex, and 1 in every 2000 babies at birth presents genital variation. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on the health of intersex-identifying persons in Latin America. This study aimed to document experiences of discrimination and violence among self-identifying intersex individuals in Puerto Rico and to determine if there is a significant difference in the quality of life, psychological well-being, and social well-being between intersex-identifying and endosex individuals. Methods: This was a quantitative method pilot study with a cross-sectional approach and exploratory comparative group design. An online survey was used, where a total of 12 self-identifying intersex adult participants were recruited, and 126 endosex adult participants served as a comparative group. Results: The findings show that 83% of the participants reported experiences of discrimination and different types of violence due to their intersexuality. There was a significant difference between the intersex-identifying and endosex groups in psychological well-being, including in three of its dimensions (positives relations, autonomy, and environmental mastery). However, there were no significant differences between the groups in quality of life or social well-being. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide a preliminary understanding of the health disparities of intersex-identifying individuals in Puerto Rico and suggest the need for more profound research, especially the inclusion of other Caribbean and Hispanic countries. The findings also preliminarily imply the need for local and global interventions to reduce physical and mental health disparities and to improve health, quality of life, and well-being among intersex-identifying individuals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

13 pages, 666 KiB

Open AccessArticle

‘It’s like Taking a Sleeping Pill’: Student Experience of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) to Promote Health and Mental Wellbeing

by Nicole Woods and Julie M. Turner-Cobb

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2337; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032337 - 28 Jan 2023

Viewed by 3512

Abstract

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is purposely elicited by some individuals to promote health and mental wellbeing. The aim of the current study was to explore how ASMR is used and its perceived benefits in a student population. We employed semi-structured qualitative interviews, with eight female students who self-reported as ASMR-sensitive users. Inductive thematic analysis, underpinned by a phenomenological framework, was applied to the data. Two themes, each with three subthemes, were identified; these highlighted the journey from first discovering ASMR to present experience and the use of ASMR to promote health and mental wellbeing both directly and indirectly. For some, ASMR was used daily, whilst for others it was used in a relapsing-remitting fashion: usage increased when struggling with mental wellbeing and was most often used as a tool to induce sleep or distraction when feeling anxious. Participants also reported ASMR-eliciting content as intriguing, and that the phenomenon was regarded as taboo. ASMR appears to play an important role in promoting health and mental wellbeing; frequency of use, preferred triggers, and purpose of use varied, highlighting its flexible and subjective nature. It provides a potential cost-effective tool in populations such as students where mental health needs are burgeoning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

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11 pages, 338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Treatment Experience of Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescents from Healthcare Professionals’ Perspective: A Qualitative Study

by Yu-Shan Chang, Fang-Tzu Liao, Li-Chi Huang and Shu-Ling Chen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010794 - 01 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3633

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric illness with a high mortality rate and a poor outcome. AN in adolescents can be difficult to treat. The prognosis of patients with AN depends highly on how early specialized AN treatment starts. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of healthcare professionals in treating adolescents with AN. A qualitative study approach was conducted. Through semi-structured interviews, 16 healthcare professionals, including 10 nurses, 3 dieticians and 3 physicians from the paediatric ward at a university-affiliated medical centre in central Taiwan, shared their experiences. Recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed by content analysis. Five themes and ten subthemes were identified: 1. Building a trusting relationship first: (a) spending time to build trust with the client and (b) establishing a relationship with the client’s parents; 2. The key to treatment success: (a) Clients’ awareness of the illness and (b) parents’ support for clients; 3. Consistency of team treatment goals: (a) maintaining stable vital signs and (b) achieving caloric intake; 4. Empowerment with knowledge about anorexia: (a) continuing education for healthcare professionals and (b) interdisciplinary collaborative care; and 5. Using different interaction strategies: (a) the hard approach and (b) the soft approach. In conclusion, the findings will provide important information for healthcare professionals to apply in monitoring the psychological and emotional states of adolescents with AN. The findings indicate that healthcare professionals should invite parents to participate in the treatment, support and guide them in their adolescent care, develop scales of family stress and support for AN in adolescents, develop interventions, and establish an early therapeutic alliance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

11 pages, 427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Selected Personality Traits and Employment as the Predictors of the Intensity of Psychosocial Problems Experienced by Chronically Ill Patients

by Wojciech Otrębski, Katarzyna Mariańczyk and Karolina Krzysztofik

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 747; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010747 - 31 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1190

Abstract

Background. This study sought to determine the effect of being employed or unemployed on the relationships between selected personal variables (acceptance of one’s illness, self-efficacy, and self-actualization) and the intensity of psychosocial problems experienced by chronically ill persons (ChIP). Participants and procedures. The PCH-R Scale, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, the Acceptance-of-Illness Scale, and the Self-Actualization Scale were used to collect information from 236 employed and unemployed ChIP. Results. Acceptance of illness and self-efficacy predicted the intensity of general psychosocial problems and problems in the personal, family, social, and occupational spheres in both employed and unemployed ChIP. Conclusions. The results can significantly contribute to increasing the effectiveness of treatment and support offered to ChIP. Continued employment or reemployment after a period of intense therapy can protect them from a rapid degradation of their personal—and frequently, socio-economic—resources, which are necessary for them to be able to adapt to new challenges and maintain a good quality of life, despite experiencing a chronic illness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

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10 pages, 342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression and Sense of Coherence in Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting

by Magdalena Piegza, Izabela Jaworska, Kamil Bujak, Paweł Dębski, Łukasz Kunert, Karina Badura-Brzoza, Maciej Żerdziński, Michał Błachut and Jacek Piegza

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12222; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912222 - 27 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1415

Abstract

Background: The sense of coherence is lower in patients with somatic diseases and psychiatric disorders. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intensity of depression and anxiety symptoms and their relationship with the sense of coherence and to try to determine the relationship between the strength of sense of coherence and symptoms of depression and anxiety with the presence of symptoms of carotid atherosclerosis in a group of patients undergoing carotid artery stenting. Methods: 35 patients, including 13 with symptomatic atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, completed self-report tests: Hospital Scale of Depression and Anxiety (HADS) and the SOC-29 Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29), 22 of whom also rated their subjective feelings of anxiety and depression on a scale included in the author’s questionnaire. Results: Both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients did not differ significantly in the severity of depression, but they differed in anxiety levels as assessed by the HADS scale. There were no differences in the overall strength of sense of coherence and its individual components. Nearly 12% of those undergoing carotid artery stenting have pronounced anxiety symptoms, and just over 14% have pronounced depression symptoms. A higher overall sense of coherence and its components are associated with lower severity of depression symptoms. Lower severity of anxiety correlates negatively with a higher sense of understanding, meaningfulness, and holistic Sense of Coherence (SOC). Manageability appeared higher in men. Conclusions: SOC is an important health-promoting factor that is preferably related to mental health parameters of patients with carotid atherosclerosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

10 pages, 317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Postnatal Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Risk Following Miscarriage

by Milda Kukulskienė and Nida Žemaitienė

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6515; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116515 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3830

Abstract

The experience of miscarriage is an important population-level problem that affects approximately 10–25% of pregnancies. The physical consequences of miscarriage have been researched extensively, but psychological sequelae less so. First-person accounts show that women who have experienced miscarriage feel pressured to stay silent, to grieve, and to fight intense physical and psychological challenges alone. There is ample scientific evidence on the links between miscarriage and physical and mental health disorders, such as complicated grief, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, suicidal risk, psychosomatic disorders, sexual health disorders, etc. However, there is a lack of deeper understanding of the specifics of psychological morbidity after miscarriage, as well as of the information on vulnerability and resilience factors. This study aims to assess the risk of postnatal depression and post-traumatic stress following miscarriage. A total of 839 Lithuanian women who had one or more miscarriages were asked to complete an online questionnaire, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R). Of the women, 59.1% were found to be at increased risk of postnatal depression and 48.9% at high risk of postnatal depression; 44.7% of the women were considered to be at increased risk of post-traumatic stress. An impaired relationship with one’s body and childlessness has been the strongest predictors of psychological morbidity risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

10 pages, 708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health Behaviors and Health-Related Quality of Life in Female Medical Staff

by Maria Niestrój-Jaworska, Małgorzata Dębska-Janus, Jacek Polechoński and Rajmund Tomik

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 3896; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073896 - 25 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1836

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the intensity of health behaviors and health-related quality of life in female mid-level medical staff. The study group consisted of 153 female mid-level medical staff members. The intensity of health behaviors was examined with the Polish version of Health Behavior Inventory. Health-related quality of life was verified with the Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF 36v2). Among the participants, 33% had low, 39% average, and 28% high intensity of health behaviors. The mental component of health-related quality of life was rated higher (83.3 ± 15.3 points) compared to the physical one. The lowest health-related quality of life was observed in the domain of “bodily pain”, while the highest was found for the domain of “social functioning”. Both the physical and mental components of health-related quality of life were significantly positively correlated with health behavior prevalence in all its categories. The post-hoc tests revealed the variation in physical and mental components of HRQoL according to the level of health behavior intensity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

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18 pages, 391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sleepless in Solitude—Insomnia Symptoms Severity and Psychopathological Symptoms among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

by Karolina Fila-Witecka, Monika Malecka, Adrianna Senczyszyn, Tomasz Wieczorek, Mieszko Wieckiewicz, Dorota Szczesniak, Patryk Piotrowski and Joanna Rymaszewska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 2551; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052551 - 23 Feb 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2304

Abstract

Since 25 March 2020, all schools, colleges, and universities in Poland have indefinitely closed and, where possible, have activated distance learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering that the undergraduate years are usually characterized by a high prevalence of emotional disorders and sleep problems, it can be expected that the current situation may have a remarkable impact on the student population. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of sleep problems among Polish university students as well as the relationship of insomnia symptoms severity with psychopathological symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and behavioral factors, such as substance use, changes in the amount of sleep, and the level of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from 1111 Polish university students via an online survey conducted between IV and VI 2020. The survey included demographic variables, the level of psychopathological symptoms (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-28), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index, ISI), and symptoms of posttraumatic stress (Impact of Events Scale-Revised, IES-R). The results showed that over half of the studied group of students had some form of sleep disturbances during the period of data collection, with moderate-to-severe insomnia symptoms noted in 21.6%. At the same time, the majority of the sample declared they slept more during the pandemic. A significant positive correlation was observed between the severity of insomnia symptoms and PTSD symptoms, as well as GHQ scores, increased substance use, and decreased physical activity. An additional association between the presence of dreams related to the event and insomnia symptoms as well as GHQ scores has been found. The results suggest that sleep problems may be prevalent among university students during the pandemic. Moreover, although the symptoms of insomnia, as well as the severity of sleep disturbance, significantly correlated with all the investigated variables, the direction of those associations remains to be established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

Review

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13 pages, 397 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Impact of Various Methods of Obesity Treatment on the Quality of Life and Mental Health—A Narrative Review

by Marcin Hachuła, Michał Kosowski, Kaja Zielańska, Marcin Basiak and Bogusław Okopień

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2122; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032122 - 24 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2951

Abstract

Obesity, defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m², is one of the most important public health problems. Over one billion people are obese, including 650 million adults, which is 13% of the worldwide population, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Similar to obesity, mental disorders such as depression and anxiety are huge social problems with serious health implications. There are numerous studies proving a strong link between the prevalence of obesity and depressive disorders, and being overweight is also associated with decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Due to the broad negative impact of obesity on a patient’s health, proper treatment is crucial. Currently, the literature describes many methods of treatment such as dietary treatment, pharmacotherapy using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs, orlistat, naltrexone/bupropion (NB), or finally bariatric surgery. The most commonly used methods of obesity treatment significantly improve the patient’s quality of life and reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. The aim of our study was to summarize the knowledge about the impact of known and commonly used methods of obesity treatment (e.g., dietary treatment, bariatric surgery, and pharmacological treatment) on mental health and quality of life. For this purpose, we will try to review the current scientific data, originating from international reports. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

9 pages, 340 KiB

Open AccessReview

Medications for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence—Current State of Knowledge and Future Perspectives from a Public Health Perspective

by Iga Stokłosa, Gniewko Więckiewicz, Maciej Stokłosa, Magdalena Piegza, Robert Pudlo and Piotr Gorczyca

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1870; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031870 - 19 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2747

Abstract

No single effective therapy for alcohol abuse has been found, despite it being a serious sociological and economic problem for hundreds of years. It seems difficult to find a single drug as a panacea for the alcohol problem due to the complexity of the pathophysiology of alcohol dependence. The purpose of this narrative review is to review existing and potentially future pharmaceuticals for the treatment of alcohol dependence in the most affordable way possible. Psychotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for alcoholism, while few drugs approved by legislators are available in the augmentation of this treatment, such as acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone, approved by the FDA, and nalmefene by the EMA. There are recent reports in the literature on the possibility of using baclofen, topiramate, varenicline, and gabapentin in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Moreover, the results of recent clinical trials using psychoactive substances such as psilocybin and MDMA appear to be a breakthrough in the modern treatment of alcohol abuse. Despite this initial optimism, a lot of scientific effort is still needed before new pharmacological methods supporting the treatment of alcohol dependence syndrome will be widely available. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

17 pages, 1288 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Public Health Perspective of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

by Ghazi I. Al Jowf, Ziyad T. Ahmed, Ning An, Rick A. Reijnders, Elena Ambrosino, Bart P. F. Rutten, Laurence de Nijs and Lars M. T. Eijssen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6474; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116474 - 26 May 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4810

Abstract

Trauma exposure is one of the most important and prevalent risk factors for mental and physical ill-health. Prolonged or excessive stress exposure increases the risk of a wide variety of mental and physical symptoms, resulting in a condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The diagnosis might be challenging due to the complex pathophysiology and co-existence with other mental disorders. The prime factor for PTSD development is exposure to a stressor, which variably, along with peritraumatic conditions, affects disease progression and severity. Additionally, many factors are thought to influence the response to the stressor, and hence reshape the natural history and course of the disease. With sufficient knowledge about the disease, preventive and intervenient methods can be implemented to improve the quality of life of the patients and to limit both the medical and economic burden of the disease. This literature review provides a highlight of up-to-date literature on traumatic stress, with a focus on causes or triggers of stress, factors that influence response to stress, disease burden, and the application of the social-ecological public health model of disease prevention. In addition, it addresses therapeutic aspects, ethnic differences in traumatic stress, and future perspectives, including potential biomarkers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Health Psychology)

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