Article
Psychiatry
William P. Ball, Corri Black, Sharon Gordon, Barbala Ostrovska, Shantini Paranjothy, Adelene Rasalam, David Ritchie, Helen Rowlands, Magdalena Rzewuska, Elaine Thompson, Katie Wilde, Jessica E. Butler
Summary: One in eight children in the United Kingdom are estimated to have a mental health condition, but many do not receive support or treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted mental health and disrupted care. Boys receive double the prescriptions compared to girls, and the most deprived areas have double the prescribing rate. The increase in mental health prescriptions and changes in referrals align with emerging evidence of increasing poor mental health.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tracy M. Stewart, Debi Fry, Lesley McAra, Sarah Hamilton, Albert King, Margaret Laurie, Gillean McCluskey
Summary: Increasing evidence shows that the Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent school closures and exam cancellations have negatively affected the mental health of adolescents. A cross-sectional study examined the rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD-like symptoms in relation to Covid-19 in adolescents, as well as the associations between mental health support, additional school support, keyworker status, household relationships, reduced physical activity, and elevated levels of mental health problems. The study also investigated perceived changes in mental health due to the pandemic and its consequences. Findings indicated that older adolescents, females, those with mental health support or additional school support, and adolescents with poorer relationships at home since Covid-19 were more likely to experience clinical threshold levels of mental health problems. Adolescents reported a worsening of mental health due to Covid-19 and school closures, with mixed reactions to exam cancellations. Adolescents with clinical threshold levels of depression and anxiety specifically reported deteriorating mental health since the pandemic. Understanding the rates, perceptions, and factors associated with mental health problems in adolescents during the Covid-19 pandemic can inform national policies in supporting their mental health and recovery.
Article
Psychiatry
Yeosun Yoon, Jessica Deighton, Alice Wickersham, Julian Edbrooke-Childs, David Osborn, Essi Viding, Johnny Downs
Summary: This study examined the longitudinal association between a young person's self-perceptions of quality of life and mental health difficulties, as well as their referral to specialist CAMHS services. The results showed that students experiencing more behavioral difficulties had a higher incidence of CAMHS referral, while those reporting higher health-related quality of life had a lower incidence of referral.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Vicente Javier Clemente-Suarez, Ana Isabel Beltran-Velasco, Domingo Jesus Ramos-Campo, Juan Mielgo-Ayuso, Pantelis A. Nikolaidis, Noelia Belando, Jose Francisco Tornero-Aguilera
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted physical activity, exercise habits, dietary patterns, and mental health of individuals. These factors play a role in exacerbating COVID-19 symptoms, increasing the risk of death from SARS-CoV-2, and affecting vaccine effectiveness. Physical activity interventions have been shown to be valuable in preventing and treating COVID-19 by improving body composition, cardiovascular health, metabolic health, mental health, and enhancing antibody responses to vaccines.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Haruka Sakamoto, Masahiro Ishikane, Cyrus Ghaznavi, Peter Ueda
Summary: The study found that suicide rates in Japan increased in October and November for men and in July through November for women in 2020 compared to previous years.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Amy Chan Hyung Kim, James Du, Damon P. S. Andrew
Summary: This study investigates changes in physical activity, non-physical-activity health behavior, and depressive symptoms among different age groups before and after the COVID-19 outbreak lockdown in the United States. The results suggest that despite an increase in sitting time, participants tended to maintain their physical activity levels. Decreases in moderate physical activity frequency were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Kara Dadswell, Matthew Bourke, Jaimie-Lee Maple, Melinda Craike
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the physical and mental health of people worldwide. This study aimed to examine the impact of pre-pandemic physical activity habits on mental wellbeing and quality of life during the pandemic. The findings suggest that engaging in leisure-time moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and muscle strengthening exercise may protect against the potential negative impact of a global pandemic lockdown on mental wellbeing and quality of life.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Corrie A. A. Ackland, Brett R. C. Molesworth, Jessica R. R. Grisham
Summary: The mental health of pilots has gained attention especially after the Germanwings Flight 9525 incident, but previous research has primarily focused on general anxiety, depression, and suicide using questionnaires, potentially missing other mental health issues. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of 73 commercial pilots during the COVID-19 pandemic using a diagnostic interview, revealing a high prevalence of mental health disorders and identifying potential risk and protective factors.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yangyang Wu, Ting Zhang, Ziwen Ye, Kai Chen, J. van der Kuijp, Xue Sun, Guoyi Han, Yi Zhao, Yang Liu, Lei Huang
Summary: This study investigates the interactions between anxiety level, risk perception, and coping behavior during different stages of COVID-19 in China. It found that sustained worries of being infected, gender differences, excessive protective behavior, and frequency of access to COVID-related news increase public anxiety. Additionally, public risk perception is significantly associated with their willingness to vaccinate.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Matteo Guidetti, Alberto Averna, Greta Castellini, Michelangelo Dini, Daniela Marino, Tommaso Bocci, Roberta Ferrucci, Alberto Priori
Summary: The study found that during lockdown, the Italian population mainly engaged in physical activity through domestic activities and leisure time, with a generally positive psychological reaction. The majority of participants were young, well-educated females.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caterina Alacevich, Inna Thalmann, Catia Nicodemo, Simon de Lusignan, Stavros Petrou
Summary: Understanding the connection between physical and mental health is crucial for targeted screening and early treatment. This study shows that individuals with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, and even after physical recovery, respondents still face mental health issues. These findings have important implications for screening and detection of mental health disorders in primary care settings and the development of interventions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maria Kyprianidou, Costas A. Christophi, Konstantinos Giannakou
Summary: This study evaluated the prevalence of perceived stress in the general adult population of Cyprus during the first COVID-19 lockdown and found that medium income and smoking were positively associated with stress levels, while being male and physically active were negatively associated. Providing psychological interventions and services during future lockdowns, whether due to COVID-19 or a new pandemic, could be beneficial, especially for vulnerable groups.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Lynne Gilmour, Catherine Best, Edward Duncan, Margaret Maxwell
Summary: Suicide among children and young people is a major cause of death in the UK. This study aimed to investigate the referral and treatment outcomes for children with suicidal tendencies in two child and adolescent mental health service teams. The results showed that a significant number of children were referred for suicidality, with some being very young. Having a dedicated team for suicidal children appeared to improve access to assessment and treatment.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Xianfeng Ai, Jingjing Yang, Zhibin Lin, Xiaohong Wan
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical exercise plays a crucial role in enhancing happiness and improving mental health, reducing anxiety, sadness, and depression. Intensive and frequent physical exercise are beneficial for maintaining mental health.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Stacy T. Lindau, Jyotsna S. Jagai, Emily M. Abramsohn, Charles M. Fuller, Kristen E. Wroblewski, El A. Pinkerton, Jennifer A. Makelarski
Summary: This study aimed to describe patterns and correlates of unwanted sex among US women early in the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings showed that over 10% of sexually active women had unwanted sex in the early pandemic. Socioeconomically vulnerable women were more likely to engage in unwanted sex. Efforts should be made to reduce unwanted sexual activity and mitigate the associated health and social risks among women.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Psychiatry
Carla S. Engel, Fiona McNicholas, Kayla O'Flaherty, Elizabeth Barrett
IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Emer Galvin, Shane Desselle, Blanaid Gavin, Etain Quigley, Mark Flear, Ken Kilbride, Fiona McNicholas, Shane Cullinan, John Hayden
Summary: Remote mental health consultations were swiftly implemented as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and research has begun to inform the future design and delivery of these services. This study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of stakeholders involved in the implementation of remote mental health consultations in Ireland.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Letter
Psychology, Developmental
Fiona McNicholas, Blanaid Gavin, Elisha Minihan
EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Laura Bond, Fiona McNicholas
Summary: Childhood and adolescence are critical periods of growth and development. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic impact on the lives of children and adolescents, with strict lockdown measures and restrictions on social activities. This raises ethical concerns regarding the response to COVID-19 in this population, including considerations of beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice.
IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Larissa S. van Bodegom, Suzanne E. Gerritsen, Gwendolyn C. Dieleman, Mathilde M. Overbeek, Giovanni de Girolamo, Paolo Scocco, Manon H. J. Hillegers, Dieter Wolke, Dimitris Rizopoulos, Rebecca Appleton, Patrizia Conti, Tomislav Franic, Francesco Margari, Jason Madan, Fiona McNicholas, Renata Nacinovich, Adriana Pastore, Moli Paul, Diane Purper-Ouakil, Melanie C. Saam, Paramala J. Santosh, Anne Sartor, Ulrike M. E. Schulze, Giulia Signorini, Swaran P. Singh, Cathy Street, Priya Tah, Elena Tanase, Sabine Tremmery, Helena Tuomainen, Athanasios Maras
Summary: This study investigated the awareness of clinicians and parents regarding adolescent suicidal behavior in a sample of 763 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) users from eight European countries. The results showed that a significant proportion of clinicians and parents were unaware of the suicidal behavior reported by the adolescents. However, this lack of awareness did not have an impact on mental health problems or the use of mental health services by the adolescents.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Dimitrios Adamis, Dmytro Kasianenko, Memoona Usman, Faisal Saleem, Margo Wrigley, Blanaid Gavin, Fiona McNicholas
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of personality disorders (PDs) among adult ADHD outpatients using Millon's evolution-based model. The results showed that among the ADHD participants, 19.7% did not meet criteria for any PD, 29.3% met criteria for one PD, and 23.1% met criteria for two PDs. The most common PDs were Dependent and Depressive. Different ADHD subtypes were associated with different PDs. Further research is needed to explore the possible links between PDs and childhood difficulties.
JOURNAL OF ATTENTION DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Ben Hoi-Ching Wong, Samantha Cross, Patricia Zavaleta-Ramirez, Ines Bauda, Pamela Hoffman, Patricia Ibeziako, Laura Nussbaum, Gregor E. Berger, Hossein Hassanian-Moghaddam, Krisztina Kapornai, Tauseef Mehdi, Jovanka Tolmac, Elizabeth Barrett, Liana Romaniuk, Chiara Davico, Omer S. Moghraby, Giedra Ostrauskaite, Sulagna Chakrabarti, Sara Carucci, Gyula Sofi, Haseena Hussain, Alexandra S. K. Lloyd, Fiona Mcnicholas, Ben Meadowcroft, Manish Rao, Gyorgyi Csabi, Gabriel Gatica-Bahamonde, Hakan Ogutlu, Eirini Skouta, Rachel Elvins, Isabel Boege, Dulangi M. A. Dahanayake, Marija Anderluh, Miyuru Chandradasa, Braulio M. Girela-Serrano, Sara Uccella, Dejan Stevanovic, Marco Lamberti, Amy Piercey, Peter Nagy, Varun S. Mehta, Yasodha Rohanachandra, Jie Li, Ali Evren Tufan, Hassan Mirza, Farah Rozali, Benjamin J. Baig, Isa M. Noor, Saori Fujita, Narges Gholami, Zehra Hangul, Anna Vasileva, Katie Salucci, Oznur Bilac, Cigdem Yektas, Mehmet Akif Cansiz, Gulen Guler Aksu, Suleiman Babatunde, Fatima Youssef, Salim Al-Huseini, Fethiye Kilicaslan, Meryem Ozlem Kutuk, Izabela Pilecka, Ioannis Bakolis, Dennis Ougrin
Summary: This study analyzed pediatric visits for mental health reasons in emergency departments from 2019 to 2021 and found an increase in self-harm and psychiatric presentations, suggesting a potential deterioration in child mental health. Particularly, there was an increase in self-harm cases among girls, which should be prioritized and addressed.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Laura Bond, Fiona McNicholas
Summary: The WHO officially announced the end of the COVID-19 pandemic on May 5, 2023. However, there was no significant media coverage or news reporting in Ireland regarding the end of the pandemic, unlike its onset. There was also a lack of contemplation in newspapers or other media about the financial and legislative impacts of formally ending the pandemic, which could have affected many people.
IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Letter
Psychiatry
Fiona McNicholas, Shane O'Donnell, John Hayden, Etain Quigley, Dimitrios Adamis, Blanaid Gavin
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
E. Khor, N. McNamara, D. Columb, F. McNicholas
Summary: Gaming disorder, a growing concern among adolescents, has been included in the 11th International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the World Health Organization. However, the validity and reliability of the proposed clinical criteria are still under debate. This systematic review focuses on the neuroimaging literature in adolescents with gaming disorder.
IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Cathy Street, Ellen Ni Chinseallaigh, Ingrid Holme, Rebecca Appleton, Priya Tah, Helena Tuomainen, Sophie Leijesdorff, Larissa van Bodegom, Therese van Amelsvoort, Tomislav Franic, Helena Tomljenovic, Fiona McNicholas
Summary: This study examines the experiences of young people in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands and Croatia, when leaving CAMHS and their difficulties in transitioning to adult mental health services (AMHS). The interviews conducted with 34 young people aged 17-24, revealed that there are several barriers to a successful discharge or transition, including the lack of adequately explained diagnosis and post-CAMHS medication management. The study highlights the need for improvement in the planning processes and the provision of support for young people leaving CAMHS.
MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
R. Rice, A. Ni Bhearra, K. Kilbride, C. Lynch, F. McNicholas
Summary: This study examined the impact of parents participating in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on children with ADHD. The study found that parents who attended the program showed significant improvement in quality of life and reduction in their child's hyperactivity. This suggests that mindfulness-based interventions can positively affect the mental well-being of parents of children with ADHD.
IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
K. Maunder, E. Molloy, E. Jenkins, J. Hayden, D. Adamis, F. Mcnicholas
Summary: This study aimed to systematically review existing studies investigating cytokine production in individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). It found that there may be a link between inflammation and AN, with alterations in cytokines potentially playing a role in the pathogenesis of the disorder. However, the heterogeneity of clinical and methodology factors limits the generalizability of the results.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Fiona McNicholas, Sorcha Parker, Elizabeth Barrett
Summary: An increasing number of young people with mental health crisis are seeking help at paediatric emergency departments in Ireland. This pilot study examines the referral patterns and practice across three Dublin centres over a one-month period. The results suggest that a significant portion of these young people require admission, and there are differences between hospitals in terms of self-harm frequency, admission rates, and length of stay.
IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
L. Burke-Furey, F. McNicholas
Summary: Individuals with mental illness and nutritional compromise have higher susceptibility to physical illness and poorer outcomes. Optimizing nutritional status is an important therapeutic goal that can significantly improve physical and mental health.
IRISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
