Daniel Opoku, Christian Donkor, John Nana Osei Yeboah, Linda Quagraine
{"title":"Navigating the relationship between social media use and mental health in the digital age.","authors":"Daniel Opoku, Christian Donkor, John Nana Osei Yeboah, Linda Quagraine","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00285-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00285-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines the impact of social media use on mental health among young adults through the lens of social comparison theory. Using a sample of 343 participants, data were collected via an online survey and analyzed with SPSS and SmartPLS. The results indicate that the direction of comparison, frequency of social comparison, nature of media content, and relevance of comparison significantly influence mental health outcomes. However, individual differences and comparison targets did not have significant effects. These findings suggest that social comparison behaviours on social media platforms can amplify negative mental health effects, emphasizing the importance of content type and frequency of engagement. The study extends social comparison theory by highlighting how digital interactions shape emotional well-being, particularly in a developing country context. The results provide practical recommendations for policymakers, mental health professionals, and social media platform designers to promote healthier online engagement. Future research should explore longitudinal effects, cross-platform variations, and cultural differences to provide a more comprehensive understanding of this relationship.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"149"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145245900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Geographic variations in end-of-life hospitalisations for patients with mental illness: a population-based observational study in England, UK.","authors":"Emeka Chukwusa, Rebecca Wilson, Fiona Gaughran, Wei Gao","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00252-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00252-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>High rates of hospital admissions have been reported for patients with mental illness, but less is known about factors associated with multiple hospitalisations at the end-of-life in this group.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To describe the geographical variations in end-of-life hospitalisations and examine factors associated with multiple hospitalisations (≥ 2) in the last 90 days of life for people with mental illness.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A national population-based observational study in England UK using a linkage of Hospital Episode Statistics Admitted Patient Care (HES-APC) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) death registry data. Our cohort comprised patients aged 18 and over, who died in England between 2018-04-01 and 2019-03-31 with HES-APC diagnoses of (1) Schizotypal, delusional disorders or schizophrenia, (2) schizoaffective or bipolar affective disorder, (3) substance use disorders; or (4) depressive episodes or recurrent depressive disorders. Geographic variations of end-of-life hospitalisations for each diagnostic group were described across National Health Services (NHS) regions. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate factors associated with multiple end-of-life hospitalisations in each diagnostic group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 49,775 patients with mental illness died in the year 2018-2019, of whom 50.2% (n = 25,004) had multiple end-of-life hospitalisation in the last 90 days of life. Factors positively associated with multiple end-of-life hospitalisations included older age, being resident in an urban area, cancer related deaths, and, for patients with depressive disorders, higher socioeconomic deprivation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Strengthening primary and community care services targeted at older adults with cancer could potentially reduce multiple end-of-life hospitalisations for patients with mental illness.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"147"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Social relations and mental health among engineering students.","authors":"Syed Inshaallah Tahir, Tasleema Jan","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00280-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00280-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Engineering programmes are frequently hard and stressful, which puts students under a lot of pressure to perform well academically, which can be harmful to their mental health.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was conducted to compare male and female engineering students on Social Relations and Mental Health. The study sample consisted of 600 engineering students (364 male and 236 female) selected randomly from different institutions offering B.Tech. engineering courses. An independent t-test was conducted to compare the two groups on these variables, while linear regression analysis was used to examine the impact of social relations on mental health.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results reveal that female engineering students have high social relations and good mental health in comparison to their male counterparts. To discover gender-specific demands and obstacles within the intense academic environment of engineering, a gender-based comparison of these variables is imperative. The linear regression analysis revealed significant impact of social relations on mental health.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The conclusions of this study support the recommendation that educational practices that create more equal and encouraging learning environments be supported, since they will produce well-rounded engineers with high social skills and emotional resilience.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"146"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12491146/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145208474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ali Hemade, Rabih Hallit, Diana Malaeb, Abir Sarray El Dine, Mira Moawad, Sahar Obeid, Souheil Hallit, Feten Fekih-Romdhane
{"title":"Measuring symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in Lebanon: psychometric validation of the Arabic version of the Impact of Event Scale-6 (IES-6).","authors":"Ali Hemade, Rabih Hallit, Diana Malaeb, Abir Sarray El Dine, Mira Moawad, Sahar Obeid, Souheil Hallit, Feten Fekih-Romdhane","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00226-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00226-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Impact of Event Scale-6 (IES-6) is a reduced version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and has been developed to rapidly screen for PTSD. This study aimed to psychometrically evaluate and validate a new Arabic translation of the Impact of Event Scale-6 on a sample of adults from the general population of Lebanon.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants (n = 601) were Arabic-speaking adults from the general population of Lebanon who completed our Arabic translation of the IES-6, along with measures of depression, anxiety and stress. To examine the factor structure of the IES-6, we conducted a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using the data from the total sample via SPSS AMOS v.29 software. To examine gender invariance of the IES-6 scores, we conducted multi-group CFA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Confirmatory Factor Analysis was performed and showed that the fit of a one-factor model of the Arabic translation of the IES-6 was acceptable after we added a correlation between residuals of items 4-6 and 2-4. Total scores were found to have adequate reliability (ω = .94; α = .94). Adequate patterns of concurrent validity were also demonstrated, with IES-6 scores significantly and positively correlating with higher depression (r = .37; p < .001), anxiety (r = .43; p < .001) and stress (r = .33; p < .001). Finally, gender invariance was established at the configural, metric, and scalar levels, with females scoring significantly higher than males.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study suggests that the Arabic translation of the IES-6 is valid and reliable for assessment of PTSD symptoms. The availability of this scale provides a standardized tool for assessing PTSD, which may enhance research efforts and facilitate the evaluation of treatment effectiveness in clinical and research settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"142"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12484501/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Postpartum depression prevalence, risk factors, and interventions among women in Punjab, Pakistan.","authors":"Jannat Yousaf, Fiza Yousaf, Ayesha Sana, Isra Khalid, Najam-Us-Sahar, Hafsah Arshad, Kashif Iqbal","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00225-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00225-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The purpose of this study was to look at the prevalence and risk factors for postpartum depression among Pakistani women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 women who gave birth within the past three weeks to one year. The time frame for data collection was from December 2023 to April 2024, from different hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan. There were 5 sections in the questionnaire, Section 1 aimed at assessing the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, Section 2 contained 3 questions about pregnancy and postpartum experience, Section 3 contained 10 questions about postpartum depression screening, Section 4 contained 12 questions related to risk factors and Section 5 contained 10 questions of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Statistical test, i.e. binary logistic regression, was employed to investigate associations between the dependent and independent variables. A significance level of p ≤ 0.05 was adopted to determine statistically significant findings. The research was carried out after approval from the University`s Research and Ethics Committee.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>According to the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), the incidence of postpartum depression in the current study population was 12.5%. We found that the education of respondents was significantly associated with an increased frequency of postpartum depression. (p = 0.002). Further, in women having a family history of mental disorders, unplanned or unwanted pregnancies, complications during pregnancy, unsatisfying relationships, and previous anxiety symptoms, the chances of postpartum depression were higher (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The postnatal period is when women are most vulnerable to developing postpartum mental diseases, including postpartum depression and psychosis. Because there is a strong link between the prevalence of postpartum depression and particular psychosocial variables, healthcare practitioners must pay close attention to this issue and design strategies for the effective detection and management of individuals with this condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"139"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12484497/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Venise Abi Kheir, Joanna Kreidi, Anthony Bedran, Chadia Haddad, Marouan Zoghbi, Dory Hachem
{"title":"A case report of schizoaffective bipolar disorder and the impact of medication adherence on creativity.","authors":"Venise Abi Kheir, Joanna Kreidi, Anthony Bedran, Chadia Haddad, Marouan Zoghbi, Dory Hachem","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00284-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00284-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Artistic creativity is often observed in individuals with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, while medication adherence can be compromised by perceived cognitive side effects. Schizoaffective disorder, characterized by both psychotic and mood symptoms, presents unique challenges in balancing symptom control with the preservation of creative potential. This case report explores the interplay between hallucinations, creative drive, and medication adherence in a patient with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 39-year-old male poet, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, was admitted to a psychiatric hospital following medication nonadherence and a manic episode. He reported that his hallucinatory experiences were integral to his creative process and that antipsychotic medications blunted his creativity and emotional depth. Despite recognizing the need for treatment, he frequently discontinued medication to maintain his artistic drive. This resulted in recurrent manic episodes and hospitalizations. A Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) confirmed the diagnosis and differential diagnosis were systematically excluded. The patient expressed a desire for a treatment approach that would allow him to maintain his creative abilities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case highlights the challenge of balancing symptom control with creative expression in schizoaffective disorder. Individualized treatment, potentially combining therapy and tailored medication, is crucial to address both psychiatric symptoms and artistic needs. Further research should focus on optimizing treatment to preserve creative potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"141"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12484519/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202232","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mental health promotion by local governments: a consensus study on community mental health workers.","authors":"Beatriz Lourenço, Teresa Maia, Ana Rita Goes","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00288-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00288-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Mental illness is a leading cause of disability worldwide and requires responses that extend strictly clinical care. Community health workers are increasingly recognized for their potential, yet no clear guidelines exist regarding their roles and training in mental health. This study aimed to establish expert consensus on a framework for implementing a Community Mental Health Worker Program within local governments, focusing on training requirements, strategic priorities, service delivery approaches and potential forms of funding.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A three-round Delphi study was conducted with thirty experts. Participants rated fifty-seven items, ranked two sets of options, and answered three open-ended questions. Consensus was defined as 70% agreement (rated as \"strongly agree\" or \"agree\") or disagreement (rated as \"strongly disagree\" or \"disagree\") on a five-point Likert scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty-one items reached consensus. The ranking questions achieved moderate to strong agreement by round three. The open-ended responses generated 226 segments, grouped into twenty categories. Experts agreed that community mental health workers play a vital role in community-based mental health promotion, working collaboratively and intersectionally with various stakeholders. However, appropriate training is lacking and is considered crucial for ensuring their public recognition. Providing adequate funding is considered the primary incentive for implementing such programs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study made it possible to gather consensus on the critical role of community mental health workers and the urgent need for structured training programs at the local level. It also identified key elements and strategic strategic approaches essential for implementing a successful Community Mental Health Worker Program.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"143"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12484457/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Strategic and tactic use of antipsychotic medications in schizophrenia: a perspective on current prescription practice.","authors":"Marco De Pieri","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00283-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00283-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antipsychotic medications (APs) are pivotal in treating schizophrenia, alleviating symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized behavior. APs can induce extrapyramidal symptoms and sedation, complicating chronic use but aiding in acute management. AP-induced metabolic syndrome, a primary factor in reduced life expectancy, is not a major concern during short-term treatment. Studies on APs efficacy yield mixed results, leading to trial-and-error prescribing practices. Meta-analyses indicate clozapine, amisulpride, olanzapine, and risperidone as effective in acute settings, with olanzapine and haloperidol beneficial for SZ-related agitation. Empirical observations suggest higher potency APs, like olanzapine and haloperidol, are more effective in acute psychosis, with zuclopenthixol also advantageous for its sedative properties. Cariprazine, lurasidone, low-dose amisulpride, brexpiprazole and aripiprazole showed a favorable side effects profile and a potential benefit on negative symptoms. My proposal in this perspective paper is to consider schizophrenia as a relapsing-remitting disorder, requiring a different pharmacological approach in the acute and maintenance phases. In the initial phase a high-dose, high-potency and fast-titrating AP should be used, for rapid symptoms' control (i.e. haloperidol, olanzapine, risperidone, high-dose amisulpride, zuchlopenthixol), defined as a tactic AP. Once the acute phase resolved, patients should be gradually switched towards a medication with fewer side effects (i.e. metabolic syndrome, extrapyramidal symptoms, hyperprolactinemia) and a potential efficacy on negative symptoms and personal functioning (i.e. cariprazine, low-dose amisulpride, lurasidone, aripiprazole, brexpiprazole), to be continued in the long term, defined as a strategic AP. This approach aligns with empirical observations and aims to refine schizophrenia care through phase-specific APs use, necessitating further studies to validate its efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"145"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12484503/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elihuruma Eliufoo Stephano, Victoria Godfrey, Golden Mwakibo Masika, Azan Nyundo, Zeng Hui
{"title":"Factors associated with cognitive performance among urban older adults of Dodoma City, central Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Elihuruma Eliufoo Stephano, Victoria Godfrey, Golden Mwakibo Masika, Azan Nyundo, Zeng Hui","doi":"10.1007/s44192-025-00236-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-025-00236-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cognitive performance among older adults globally shows varied trends, with high-income countries reporting improved outcomes due to enhanced education and healthcare. In contrast, sub-Saharan Africa faces rising rates of cognitive impairment, particularly among older people. Existing research in Tanzania has predominantly focused on rural populations, leaving a significant gap regarding urban older residents. This study addresses this gap by examining the factors that influence cognitive performance among older urban residents in Dodoma City.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study that included 435 older adults. Random sampling was applied to recruit study participants. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate linear regression in SPSS version 29, with a statistical significance level set at p < 0.05 to determine cognitive performance and associated factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean score on the cognitive performance test was 11.9, with a standard deviation of 7.564. Factors associated with cognitive performance were; Age, for every 9-year age difference (β: - 0.09; 95% CI - 0.15 to - 0.03), primary and secondary education (β: 2.73; 95% CI 1.51-3.94) and (β: 6.99; 95% CI 4.79-9.20) respectively. Self-employment (β: - 3.49; 95% CI - 5.05 to - 1.92), homemaker (β: - 4.91; 95% CI - 6.23 to - 3.56), unable to work (β: - 4.59; 95% CI - 6.26 to - 2.92), widowed participants (β: - 1.60; 95% CI - 2.70 to - 0.51), reported middle income (β: 7.29; 95% CI 1.59-12.79), Family size with fewer dependents (β: 2.82; 95% CI 1.73-3.90). Additionally, alcohol consumption (β: - 2.08; 95% CI - 3.27 to - 0.88), an increase in 6 units on geriatric depressive symptoms scores (β: - 0.15; 95% CI - 0.24 to - 0.05), and an increase in 2.5 units in IADL scores (β: 0.84; 95% CI 0.57-1.12).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings indicate a complex interplay of demographic, educational, economic, and behavioural factors that significantly influence the low score in cognitive performance. The associated factors mentioned above should be addressed to increase cognitive performance. Overall, promoting educational and socioeconomic opportunities, along with addressing mental health issues, could play a crucial role in enhancing cognitive function in the aging population.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"5 1","pages":"144"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12484471/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}