International Journal of Social Psychiatry最新文献

{"title":"Childhood Maltreatment and Adolescent Depressive Symptom: A Sequential Mediation Model of Alexithymia and Social Anxiety.","authors":"Xingbo Suo, Yang Zhang, Fuqin Mu, Yu Sun, Yangziye Guo, Xue Chong, Shuang Li, Xingmeng Niu, Zichuan Liu, Lily Wang, Min Liu, Maorong Hu, Yan Liu","doi":"10.1177/00207640261484967","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640261484967","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Childhood maltreatment is a significant risk factor for adolescent depressive symptoms, yet the underlying psychological mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. Identifying mediating pathways through emotional processing deficits and social functioning impairments may inform targeted interventions.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study examined whether alexithymia and social anxiety sequentially mediate the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and April 2024 among 7,582 middle school students from 5 Chinese provinces. Participants completed validated questionnaires measuring childhood maltreatment (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form), alexithymia (Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire), social anxiety (Social Anxiety subscale of the Self-Consciousness Scale), and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). Structural equation modeling with 5,000 bootstrap resamples was employed to test direct and indirect effects.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Childhood maltreatment showed a significant direct effect on depressive symptoms (β = .318, 95% CI [0.290, 0.346]). Both alexithymia (β = .049, 95% CI [0.041, 0.058]) and social anxiety (β = .039, 95% CI [0.031, 0.047]) independently mediated this relationship. Sequential mediation through alexithymia to social anxiety was also significant (β = .036, 95% CI [0.032, 0.041]).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Impaired emotional processing and heightened social anxiety represent important psychological mechanisms linking childhood maltreatment to adolescent depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that interventions targeting emotion regulation skills and social anxiety may help disrupt this developmental pathway. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish causal relationships.</p>","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"207640261484967"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148968742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Economic Sanctions, Geopolitical Conflict, and the Escalating Crisis of Men's Mental Health in Iran.","authors":"Azad Shokri, Kimia Rointan","doi":"10.1177/00207640261487611","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640261487611","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"207640261487611"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148955842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carapace of Prevailing Beliefs: Association of Perceived Public Stigma With Mental Health Attitudes and Self-Rated Health Outcomes Among Pakistani Adolescents and Young Adults.","authors":"Rizwan Abbas, Piet Bracke, Katrijn Delaruelle","doi":"10.1177/00207640261485557","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640261485557","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The consequences of prevailing public stigma toward mental illness for mental health and social behavior are well-established. Nevertheless, studies in the Pakistani context highlight the interplay between cultural beliefs and mental health perceptions, which in turn influence stigmatizing attitudes and social distancing behaviors. Building on this body of research, this study examines how culturally embedded stereotypes encountered by adolescents and young adults in their daily activities are associated with their personal stigma, and social distancing behaviors, as well as their reluctance to report mental health outcomes. Additionally, the study explores the influence of socio-economic and demographic factors on these associations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study employed a multistage cluster sampling technique to select 1,328 adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 from twelve public colleges in Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan. The relationship between perceived public and personal stigma attitudes, social distancing and mental health outcomes was assessed using vignette(s), using multilevel (hierarchical linear) models while accounting for socio-demographic variables as covariatesResults:The analysis revealed that higher levels of perceived public stigma relate to higher levels of social distancing, personal stigma, and social dysfunction. However, perceived public stigma beliefs did not significantly relate to anxiety or depression. Gender and residential area, as key socio-demographic characteristics, emerged as moderators of the relationship between perceived public stigma and the dependent variables.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the significant role of perceived public stigma beliefs in the formation of mental health attitudes outcomes among Pakistani adolescents and young adults. It underscores the necessity of addressing stereotypical attitudes within social environments to mitigate their adverse effects. We propose that future research in Pakistan further explore the mechanisms underlying these relationships and develop interventions tailored to diverse socio-demographic contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"207640261485557"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148919536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Collective Trauma, Unequal Burden: Ethnic Differences in Mental Health Following Mass Violence.","authors":"Maayan Nagar, Ora Nakash, Ohad Gilbar","doi":"10.1177/00207640261487608","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640261487608","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"207640261487608"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceived Autism-Related Service Adaptation in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Views of Service Users and Professionals.","authors":"Javier Piris, Judith Balaguer-Sancho, Carla Maria Arriola-Clúa, Ana-Bela Luis-Ruiz","doi":"10.1177/00207640261486354","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640261486354","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"207640261486354"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Worldwide Changes in Loneliness Among Older Adults From 1997 to 2025: A Cross-Temporal Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.","authors":"Chenchen Kang, Mengni Zhang, Chenxi Wu, Yuhang Li, Wen Luo, Chaoming Hou, Jing Gao","doi":"10.1177/00207640261478544","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640261478544","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Loneliness is a critical psychosocial factor associated with mental health and wellbeing in later life. Although prior research has documented its prevalence, less is known about how loneliness has changed over time at a global level or how broader societal conditions shape these trends. This study examined long-term changes in loneliness among older adults and their associations with macro-level indicators.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search of 10 databases identified 125 studies (<i>N</i> = 107,304) published between 1997 and 2025. Cross-temporal meta-analysis was conducted to assess trends in loneliness and its associations with societal indicators.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall loneliness among older adults showed a modest decline over time (<i>d</i> = -0.331), with significant regional variation. Loneliness decreased in Asia and North America but increased in Europe, where levels were highest. No significant overall gender differences were observed, although women showed a slightly greater decline. Higher GDP per capita, life expectancy, and old-age dependency ratio were associated with lower loneliness, whereas unemployment was associated with higher loneliness. The influence of female labor force participation changed over time.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Over the past three decades, loneliness among older adults has generally improved, though regional and gender disparities persist in this trend, which remains closely linked to multiple macro-level social indicators. Future policy formulation must account for regional variations and the long-term effects of social change, promoting more targeted psychological support systems for older adults to effectively enhance their mental wellbeing and quality of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"207640261478544"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148891596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Real-World Testing of an Artificial Intelligence Conversational Agent as an Early Intervention and Support Tool in the Mental Health Referral Care Pathway: A Mixed-Methods Study.","authors":"Edward Meinert, Madison Milne-Ives, Emma Taylor, Becky Inkster, Alina Paik, Ananya Ananthakrishnan, Martin Orr, Ceire Costelloe, Rohit Shankar","doi":"10.1177/00207640251415507","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00207640251415507","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The incidence of mental health concerns is growing, and demand for support is exceeding service capacity. Digital tools can provide additional support but risk causing harm if not delivered safely.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>We aimed to establish real-world evidence of the impact of an artificial intelligence-based mental health conversational agent (Wysa) on depression and anxiety in patients waiting for Talking Therapies treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mixed-methods randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients referred to Talking Therapies in the Central and Northwest London NHS Foundation Trust. The primary outcome was change in depression severity over 12 weeks between groups; secondary outcomes included anxiety severity, quality of life, safety, engagement, and app usage. Comparative analyses used linear regression; thematic analysis was conducted on qualitative data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>2,161 patients were screened, 625 were invited, 99 consented, and 76 were randomized (2:1). Thirty patients were lost to follow-up. Descriptive analysis found that mean differences in depression were similar between arms, but with large standard deviations (<i>M</i> = 2.62, <i>SD</i> = 5.07 and 6.56 for Wysa; <i>M</i> = 2.59, <i>SD</i> = 4.38 and 3.82 for control). Results were similar for secondary outcomes. Wysa was potentially helpful, easy to use, and appreciated as an accessible source of support, but limitations with the conversational agent negatively affected engagement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although sample size limited the analysis, participant feedback highlighted its potential to supplement clinical services. Our study findings suggest that the change of depression score is similar in both arms thus indicating that there is no evidence that Wysa treats depression in this study. However, limited sample size could have influenced this. Key lessons to improve the quality of effectiveness studies of digital health technologies were identified.</p>","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"1819-1832"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13569919/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147355052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pre-COVID-19 Sexuality-Based Stigma Predicts Mid-Pandemic Anxiety Increases in a Cohort of Sexual Minority Men in the United States.","authors":"John Mark Wiginton, Hanmeng Xu, Jason Lo Hog Tian, Qian-Li Xue, Stefan D Baral, Travis H Sanchez, Sarah M Murray","doi":"10.1177/00207640261456760","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00207640261456760","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted mental health, including that of gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (SMM). Few studies in the US have assessed stigma's role in shaping the mental health of historically marginalized populations during crises.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online sample of 10,130 SMM completed the 2019 American Men's Internet Survey; of these, 1,051 completed a follow-up survey in April, and 572 completed a second follow-up survey in July 2020, meaning 572 completed all three surveys. Using this analytic sample (<i>N</i> = 572), we examined the association between sexuality-based stigma (stigma from family and friends, anticipated healthcare stigma, general social stigma) in the preceding 6 months and increases in anxiety symptoms from April to July 2020 in linear regression models. Economic insecurity and pre-existing psychological distress were considered potential moderators, and we used stratification to examine differences in associations by age.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean age was 42 years; 74% of participants (<i>n</i> = 425) were non-Hispanic white, and 84% (<i>n</i> = 482) identified as gay. Greater pre-pandemic general social stigma predicted an increase in anxiety symptoms among SMM overall (adjusted-beta[95% CI] = 0.65[0.26, 1.04]). This increase was amplified among those with greater pre-pandemic psychological distress (adjusted-beta = 0.08[0.01, 0.16]) and specifically among those aged 25 to 44 (adjusted-beta = 0.11[0.01, 0.22]) and 45 to 64 (adjusted-beta = 0.32[0.13, 0.51]). Among SMM aged 16 to 24, greater pre-pandemic stigma from family and friends augmented increases in anxiety among those with greater pre-pandemic psychological distress (adjusted-beta = 0.13[0.03, 0.23]).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>During the initial COVID-19 lockdown, sexuality-based stigma predicted anxiety increases among SMM, increases that were amplified by pre-existing psychological distress and that varied by age. Linking SMM with these vulnerabilities (recent stigma, current distress, young age) to services now and making preparations to link SMM to services later may help mitigate the adverse mental health effects of future national crises.</p>","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"1773-1785"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13569893/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148271387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deterioration of Psychiatric Care in French Prisons.","authors":"Thomas Fovet, Ali Amad","doi":"10.1177/00207640261456762","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00207640261456762","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"1836"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148100846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Words, Definitions, Identities.","authors":"Dinesh Bhugra, Antonio Ventriglio","doi":"10.1177/00207640261467227","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00207640261467227","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"1457-1458"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148470454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}