Search Results (3)

Sleep deprivation (SD) is known to impair cognitive functions, and its effect on vigilance and concentration has been explored extensively. However, its effect on the decision-making ability has been researched to a lesser extent. With varying methodologies and conflicting findings in the literature, the effect of SD on decision-making remains complex and inconsistent. Given the critical implications for fields where decision-making is essential, such as medicine, understanding the impact of SD on this cognitive process is crucial. This scoping review aimed to map the existing literature on the effects of SD on decision-making, identify research trends, and highlight inconsistencies to provide implications for practice and research. The review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Databases searched include APA Psych, Web of Science, Scopus, Academic Search Complete, and PubMed. Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed studies from 2014 onward, exploring the impact of SD on decision-making across various tasks and designs. The final selection included 25 articles, representing 2276 participants. The review may suggest that SD, whether partial or total, impairs decision-making ability, with many studies reporting increased risky decisions. The severity of impairment varied based on the type of decision-making task and the duration of SD. However, a few studies reported insignificant effects, particularly in economic decision-making tasks. Moderating factors, such as gender and the origin of sleep loss (voluntary vs. involuntary), were also identified as influential. Sleep deprivation commonly impairs the decision-making ability, with significant implications for high-stakes professions. However, the variability in findings suggests a need for further research into the moderating factors. The review underscores the importance of adequate sleep for cognitive function and the need for policies that mitigate the risks of SD in critical decision-making environments. Full article

Background: The impact of social media on adolescent mental health has become a critical area of research as social media usage has surged among youth. Despite extensive research, findings on this relationship remain inconsistent, with various studies reporting both negative and positive effects. This scoping review aims to clarify the multifaceted nature of this relationship by analyzing the recent literature. Objective: This review aims to analyze the current evidence regarding the effects of social media use on adolescent mental health, identify consistent patterns and discrepancies in the findings, identify gaps in our knowledge, and highlight opportunities for further research. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage approach. Searches were performed in PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus for articles published between July 2020 and July 2024. Inclusion criteria were systematic reviews, umbrella reviews, narrative reviews, and meta-analyses written in English focusing on youth/adolescents’ mental health and social media. The search strategy identified 1005 articles, of which 43 relevant articles survived the reviewer selection process, from which data were extracted and analyzed to inform this review. Results: The majority of studies linked social media use to adverse mental health outcomes, particularly depression and anxiety. However, the relationship was complex, with evidence suggesting that problematic use and passive consumption of social media were most strongly associated with adverse effects. In contrast, some studies highlighted positive aspects, including enhanced social support and reduced isolation. The mental health impact of social media use, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, was mixed, with the full range of neutral, negative, and positive effects reported. Conclusions: The nature of social media’s impact on adolescent mental health is highly individualistic and influenced by moderating factors. This review supports the notion that social media’s effects on adolescent mental health can be context specific and may be shaped by patterns of usage. A focus on longitudinal studies in future research will be useful for us to understand long-term effects and develop targeted interventions in this context. Enhancing digital literacy and creating supportive online environments are essential to maximizing the benefits of social media while mitigating its risks. Full article

Patients feel more vulnerable when accessing community mental health programs for the first time or after being discharged from psychiatric inpatient units. Long wait times for follow-up appointments, shortage of mental health professionals, lack of service integration, and scarcity of tailored support can weaken their connection to the health care system. As a result, patients can present low adherence, dissatisfaction with treatment, and recurrent hospitalizations. Finding solutions to avoid unnecessary high-cost services and providing tailored and cost-effective mental health interventions may reduce the health system burden and augment patient support. We propose implementing an add-on, supportive text messaging service (Text4Support), developed using cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) principles to augment mental health support for patients attending to or being discharged from psychiatric care in Nova Scotia, Canada. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effectiveness of Text4Support in improving mental health outcomes and overall mental well-being compared with usual care. We also will examine the intervention’s impact on health services utilization and patient satisfaction. The results from this study will provide evidence on stepped and technology-based mental health care, which will contribute to generating new knowledge about mental health innovations in various clinical contexts, which is not only helpful for the local context but to other jurisdictions in Canada and abroad that are seeking to improve their health care. Full article