Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Ishaq Khattak, Lisa Dikomitis, Muhammad Firaz Khan, Mukhtar Ul Haq, Umaima Saeed, Naila Riaz Awan, Zia Ul Haq, Thomas Shepherd, Christian D. Mallen, Saeed Farooq
Summary: This study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of schizophrenia from patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, spiritual and traditional healers in Pakistan, in order to develop a community-based intervention for improving treatment adherence. The findings highlight that schizophrenia is not solely a biomedical problem, but influenced by poverty and social disparity. Spiritual and traditional healing methods are seen as integral to the well-being and rehabilitation of schizophrenia patients. The lack of mental health services, training, and necessary medication in primary care is identified as a major issue. Barriers to community-based interventions include multiple pressures on staff, lack of incentives, non-availability of medication, and lack of formal referral pathways.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alexia Polillo, George Foussias, Wei Wang, Aristotle N. Voineskos, Jacqueline Veras, Nicole Davis-Faroque, Albert H. C. Wong, Nicole Kozloff
Summary: This retrospective cohort study shows disparities in referral pathways and initial engagement in early psychosis intervention (EPI) services. Improving access to EPI services may facilitate recovery among youths and young adults with psychosis.
Article
Psychiatry
Zanjbeel Mahmood, Ryan Van Patten, Amber V. Keller, Hannah C. Lykins, Dimitri Perivoliotis, Eric Granholm, Elizabeth W. Twamley
Summary: The study found mixed evidence for the feasibility and acceptability of the integrated CBSST-CCT intervention in people with schizophrenia with high negative symptoms. Some challenges were identified, but recommendations for future investigations were provided. Positive symptoms were significantly associated with attendance rates among CBSST-CCT participants.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Annabel S. Mueller-Stierlin, Sebastian Cornet, Anna Peisser, Selina Jaeckle, Jutta Lehle, Sabrina Moerkl, Scott B. Teasdale
Summary: This study aimed to understand the role of nutrition in people with serious mental illness (SMI). The study identified both positive effects (such as improving physical and mental conditions, treating somatic illnesses) and negative effects (such as impairment related to mental illness, perceived stigma) of diet. The participants showed significant concern about the mental burden arising from their body weight.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Srividya N. Iyer, Ashok Malla, Aarati Taksal, Anika Maraj, Greeshma Mohan, Padmavati Ramachandran, Howard C. Margolese, Norbert Schmitz, Ridha Joober, Thara Rangaswamy
Summary: This study investigated the engagement of patients and families in early psychosis services in Canada and India, and found that patients and families in India had higher levels of engagement. Family engagement was found to be a predictor of patient disengagement in Canada, and maintaining family contact could benefit patient engagement regardless of cultural context.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Katharine Barnard-Kelly, Clare A. Whicher, Hermione C. Price, Peter Phiri, Shanaya Rathod, Carolyn Asher, Robert C. Peveler, Richard I. G. Holt
Summary: This study aimed to record the expectations and experiences of individuals with severe mental illness receiving daily Liraglutide injections for obesity treatment. Interviews with patients and healthcare professionals revealed that most participants had no challenges with the injections and overall, Liraglutide was considered an acceptable therapy for obesity in this population.
Article
Psychiatry
Tanner J. Bommersbach, Taeho Greg Rhee, Elina A. Stefanovics, Robert A. Rosenheck
Summary: This study compared Black and White adults with clinical diagnoses of schizophrenia in a nationally representative sample. The findings revealed that Black individuals with schizophrenia face numerous social and economic disadvantages, such as lower employment, educational attainment, income, marriage, and social support, as well as higher rates of discrimination. They also showed higher rates of alcohol and drug use disorders, but lower rates of co-morbid psychiatric disorders.
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sharon Lawn, Christine Kaine, Jeremy Stevenson, Janne McMahon
Summary: This paper reports the results of an online survey conducted in the Australian community, investigating why people with mental health issues choose specific mental health services, disengage from services, and what factors and qualities of services are important for consumers' continued engagement. The study found that many respondents engaged with mental healthcare providers primarily due to accessibility and affordability, as well as the relational qualities displayed during care delivery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Lorenzo Pelizza, Emanuela Leuci, Emanuela Quattrone, Silvia Azzali, Simona Pupo, Giuseppina Paulillo, Pietro Pellegrini, Marco Menchetti
Summary: This study investigated the short-term service disengagement in Italian first-episode psychosis patients receiving early intervention services, and assessed the predictors of disengagement in the first year of treatment. The results showed that approximately 16% of patients disengaged from the program within the first year, and poor baseline treatment non-adherence, living with parents, and the presence of brief psychotic disorder or schizophreniform disorder at entry were strong predictors of service disengagement.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edward J. Goetzl, Vinod H. Srihari, Maja Mustapic, Dimitrios Kapogiannis, George R. Heninger
Summary: Structural alterations or quantitative abnormalities of mitochondrial ion channels and exchangers are associated with mental illness. Levels of mitochondrial calcium ion channel proteins in plasma neuron-derived extracellular vesicles (NDEVs) were assessed in patients with first episodes of psychosis (FP). The study found significant differences in the levels of certain proteins, which have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, mental retardation, schizophrenia, and major depressive diseases. Understanding the altered calcium homeostasis in schizophrenia could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nadine Reid, Rebecca Brown, Cheryl Pedersen, Nicole Kozloff, Alexandra Sosnowski, Vicky Stergiopoulos
Summary: Homelessness and mental illness are associated with poor service engagement, health and health service use outcomes. Existing literature suggests that financial incentives may effectively support service engagement of this population, but studies investigating key stakeholder perspectives are lacking. This study aimed to elicit, using qualitative methods, nuanced service user and provider experiences by using financial incentives to support service engagement among adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness.
HEALTH EXPECTATIONS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Kevin Ka Shing Chan, Jack Ka Chun Tsui
Summary: The study investigated the impact of perceived stigma from mental health service providers on the mental health recovery of individuals with mental illness. It found that perceived stigma was related to increased levels of self-stigma and service disengagement, which in turn resulted in lower levels of clinical, functional, and personal recovery. Perceived stigma had significant indirect effects on recovery through self-stigma and service disengagement. These findings highlight the need to address stigma-related experiences to facilitate mental health recovery.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Catherine Huckle, Frederike Lemmel, Sonia Johnson
Summary: The study found that young people with first-episode psychosis often lost social contacts during the illness, either due to their own withdrawal or friends withdrawing as the illness developed. However, the importance of friendships in the recovery process, and the conscious efforts made by participants to rebuild social networks, were also highlighted. Mental health services were seen as having a limited direct role in supporting friendships post-psychosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antonio Granero-Gallegos, Huy Phan, Bing Ngu
Summary: Studying the relationship between optimal best practice and individuals' motivational mindset can contribute to personal development. Optimal best practice aims at maximizing individuals' functioning states, and it positively and motivationally impacts different actions, such as academic performance. Previous non-experimental research has consistently provided evidence to support the importance of optimal best practice for teaching and research purposes.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hamer Bastidas-Bilbao, Vicky Stergiopoulos, Mary Rose van Kesteren, Donna Eileen Stewart, Vivien Cappe, Mona Gupta, Daniel Z. Buchman, Alexander I. F. Simpson, David Castle, Bartholemew Hugh Campbell, Lisa D. Hawke
Summary: "Medical assistance in dying (MAiD)" was introduced into Canadian legislation in 2016, excluding mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition (MI-SUMC); this may change in 2024. This study aimed to explore the views of individuals with mental illness towards MAiD MI-SUMC. Thirty adults in Ontario, Canada, who identified as living with mental illness, participated in semi-structured interviews and scenario exercises. The study identified themes including the certainty and threshold of suffering, the uncertainty of mental illness, autonomy in decision-making, and the role of therapeutic means and support in accepting MAiD MI-SUMC. The study highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of individual experiences and contextual factors to fully comprehend diverse perspectives on MAiD MI-SUMC.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Vincent Paquin, Lani Cupo, Ashok K. Malla, Srividya N. Iyer, Ridha Joober, Jai L. Shah
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between the first identifiable symptom and the subsequent speed of illness progression in psychosis. The findings showed that having a subthreshold psychotic symptom as the first symptom was not associated with the time to first-episode psychosis onset but was associated with a higher symptom incidence rate. Meanwhile, a first symptom of suspiciousness was associated with a shorter time to onset and a higher symptom incidence rate, while a first symptom of self-harm was associated with a lower symptom incidence rate.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Sarah McIlwaine, M. Ferrari, S. Iyer, A. Malla, J. Shah
Summary: This article describes how young people with mental health problems seek help and access clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) services. Interviews with eleven participants at a CHR service in Montreal, Canada revealed that participants' difficulties with mental health hindered their everyday activities, leading them to seek out services. The study also found that long wait times and other challenges were experienced during the mental health care journey, but strong collaboration between services facilitated rapid access to care.
PSYCHOSIS-PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIAL AND INTEGRATIVE APPROACHES
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Gil Grunfeld, Ann-Catherine Lemonde, Ian Gold, Srividya N. Iyer, Ashok Malla, Martin Lepage, Ridha Joober, Patricia Boksa, Jai L. Shah
Summary: The study found relatively stable prevalence of delusional themes across cohorts of individuals experiencing first episode psychosis over a period of 12 years. Gender and education level remained stable across different cohorts, while patient age varied.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Srividya N. Iyer, Aarati Taksal, Ashok Malla, Helen Martin, Mary Anne Levasseur, Megan A. Pope, Thara Rangaswamy, Padmavati Ramachandran, Greeshma Mohan
Summary: Despite the lack of research in patients' and families' experiences of care in early intervention services for psychosis, this study aimed to compare the experiences in two similar services in different countries. The authors developed a new measure called "Show me you care" which was evaluated in terms of reliability, validity, and usability. The measure showed promise for global application as it was co-designed, developed in multiple languages, and tested in different income contexts.
EARLY INTERVENTION IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Amanda Kwan, Kim Conroy, Keri Barron, Nadia Nandlall, Srividya N. Iyer, J. L. Henderson, Skye Barbic
Summary: In 2021, BC Interior experienced unprecedented disasters, including extreme heat, wildfires, flooding, and COVID-19 outbreaks. Despite these challenges, youth in BC were provided with access to mental health services through adaptions in Foundry Penticton. This Open Forum discusses the program considerations and adaptations made to ensure service delivery during acute and chronic disasters.
PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
(2023)
Review
Health Policy & Services
Manuela Ferrari, Nicole Pawliuk, Megan Pope, Kevin MacDonald, Jill Boruff, Jai Shah, Ashok Malla, Srividya N. Iyer
Summary: This study systematically reviewed measures used in early intervention services (EIS) for psychosis, and found a need for more patient and family-reported outcome measures to improve treatment outcomes and engagement.
PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
(2023)
Review
Health Policy & Services
Sakiko Yamaguchi, Naima Bentayeb, Alexandra Holtom, Paula Molnar, Teodora Constantinescu, E. Kay M. Tisdall, Josie Tuong, Srividya N. Iyer, Monica Ruiz-Casares
Summary: This study conducted a scoping review to examine the participation of children and youth in mental health policymaking. It found a lack of diversity among the youth involved, with most participation focused on situational analysis and policy design rather than implementation and evaluation. The facilitators and barriers to participation were found to be complex and interconnected. Although there were expected outcomes for youth, adults, organizations, and communities, the actual effects of participation were not extensively explored or reported.
ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Sakiko Yamaguchi, Josie Tuong, E. Kay M. Tisdall, Naima Bentayeb, Alexandra Holtom, Srividya N. Iyer, Monica Ruiz-Casares
Summary: This study conducted global consultations with stakeholders involved in mental health policymaking to gather perspectives on the findings of a scoping review on youth participation in this area. The findings showed that youth often face exclusion and tokenism in the policymaking process, while adults highlighted challenges such as the need for political knowledge and time constraints. Various cultural, socio-economic, and political barriers to youth participation were also identified. Recommendations include recognizing lived experience as expertise, including diverse groups, reducing tokenistic relationships, and adopting an intersectional approach. This study highlights the importance of stakeholder consultations in scoping reviews.
ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Roxanne Sicotte, Srividya N. Iyer, Eric Lacourse, Jean R. Seguin, Amal Abdel-Baki
Summary: This study found heterogeneity in the trajectories of suicidal ideation over a 5-year period in first-episode psychosis patients. Factors such as prior suicidal ideation and cocaine use disorder were associated with an early decline, then increasing trajectory of suicidal ideation. Persistent suicidal ideation was associated with prior suicidal ideation and attempts, as well as alcohol use disorder. Ongoing assessment of suicidal risk and targeted suicide prevention interventions are important for patients with increasing or persistent suicidal ideation trajectories.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY-REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Srividya N. N. Iyer, Thara Rangaswamy, Sally Mustafa, Nicole Pawliuk, Greeshma Mohan, Ridha Joober, Norbert Schmitz, Howard Margolese, Ramachandran Padmavati, Ashok Malla
Summary: This study aimed to compare social, recreational, and independent functioning in first-episode psychosis between a high-income site in Montreal, Canada and a lower middle-income site in Chennai, India. The results showed that patients in Montreal had significantly higher scores in these areas compared to patients in Chennai, and these scores did not change over time. This demonstrates that functional outcomes in psychosis are influenced by socio-cultural context.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY-REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Anika Maraj, Manuela Ferrari, Kathleen MacDonald, Matthew Peters, Ridha Joober, Jai L. Shah, Srividya N. Iyer
Summary: Language status has an impact on healthcare accessibility and outcomes, but its influence on treatment engagement and disengagement is unclear. This study investigates the impact of language on service disengagement in a psychosis program, comparing English and French speakers. The findings show that language preference affects service engagement, highlighting the importance of communication and cultural understanding in clinical settings.
TRANSCULTURAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gerald Jordan, Christina Mutschler, Sean A. A. Kidd, Michael Rowe, Srividya N. N. Iyer
Summary: This paper discusses how youth mental health services in Canada can help young people recover a sense of citizenship by addressing social issues, developing a citizenship-based system of care, addressing identity-related disparities, and more.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tovah Cowan, Zachary B. Rodriguez, Gregory P. Strauss, Ian M. Raugh, Alex S. Cohen
Summary: In this study, clinician rated blunted affect and computerized facial metrics were examined using machine learning. The results showed that head orientation, eye movement, and facets of mouth movement were associated with clinical ratings of blunted affect. Features denoting larger muscle movements were associated with social cognition and cognition, providing potential insights on the psychological and pathophysiological contributors to blunted affect.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tanya Halsall, Kianna Mahmoud, Srividya N. Iyer, Heather Orpana, Megan Zeni, Kimberly Matheson
Summary: This research examines the implementation of the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) in Canada and identifies opportunities to re-design the social eco-system to promote wellbeing revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study finds that patterns of time and space use and family and community cohesion influence youth substance use. The pandemic presents opportunities for promoting youth wellbeing. The concepts of time and space are used to discuss implications for policy and practice.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUALITATIVE STUDIES ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Bettina Voelzer, Monira El Genedy-Kalyoncu, Alexandra Fastner, Tsenka Tomova-Simitchieva, Konrad Neumann, Kathrin Hillmann, Ulrike Blume-Peytavi, Elisabeth Hahnel, Janna Sill, Katrin Balzer, Jan Kottner
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of implementing a skincare and prevention package on older nursing home residents. The results indicate that tailored and evidence-based nursing routines can improve skin health and safety in residential long-term care, but there was no significant impact on the skin barrier function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES
(2024)
Review
Nursing
Han Fu, Dongjiang Hou, Ran Xu, Qian You, Hang Li, Qing Yang, Hao Wang, Jing Gao, Dingxi Bai
Summary: This study systematically reviewed published studies on risk prediction models for DVT in patients with acute stroke and found a high risk of bias. Future studies should focus on developing new models with larger samples, rigorous study designs, and multicenter external validation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES
(2024)
Article
Nursing
Laura Peutere, Jaana Pentti, Annina Ropponen, Mika Kivimaki, Mikko Harmae, Oxana Krutova, Jenni Ervasti, Aki Koskinen, Marianna Virtanen
Summary: Nurse understaffing and limited nursing work experience are associated with patient mortality during hospital stays, especially among patients with comorbidities. The use of administrative data to monitor and improve nurses' working conditions is crucial for reducing in-hospital mortality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES
(2024)
Review
Nursing
Yuanyuan Zhang, Lining Wang, Wenbi Wu, Shi Zhang, Min Zhang, Wenjing She, Qianqian Cheng, Nana Chen, Pengxia Fan, Yuxin Du, Haiyan Song, Xianyu Hu, Jiajie Zhang, Caiyan Ding
Summary: This meta-analysis identifies comorbid factors and behavioral factors that are significantly associated with inadequate bowel preparation in older adults undergoing colonoscopy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES
(2024)
Article
Nursing
Long Huang, Bing-yue Zhao, Xiao-ting Li, Shui-xiu Huang, Ting-ting Chen, Xiao Cheng, Si-jia Li, Hao Li, Rong -fang Hu
Summary: This study investigated the impact of a family-focused online parenting support intervention on parents' well-being and preterm infants' outcomes. The intervention showed significant improvements in parents' sense of competence, caregiving ability, depression, and social support. However, there were no significant differences in preterm infants' weight and length, or in family functioning.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES
(2024)