While evidence has emerged highlighting the potential benefits of the eye as a window to the cent... more While evidence has emerged highlighting the potential benefits of the eye as a window to the central nervous system, research on severe mental illness (SMI) and eye health is rare. We examine the association of SMI with a range of ophthalmic health outcomes, and whether any relationship is modified by age. We used linked administrative data from general practitioner (GP), hospital and ophthalmic records to examine receipt of any Health and Social Care (HSC) eye-test; and (based on eligibility recorded for a sight test) any glaucoma, any diabetes, and any blindness among the Northern Ireland (NI) hospital population between January 2015 and November 2019 (N = 798,564). When compared with non-SMI patients, those with SMI recorded a higher prevalence of having had a sight test, diabetes, and blindness. In fully adjusted logistic regression models, higher likelihood of an eye-test and diabetes (OR = 1.71: 95%CI = 1.63, 1.79 and OR = 1.29: 1.19, 1.40 respectively); and lower likelihood of glaucoma remained (OR = 0.69: 0.53, 0.90). Amongst persons with SMI there was evidence that the likelihood of having had an eye-test was lower in the older age-groups. Our study provides new evidence on ophthalmic health inequalities associated with SMI. While the study has immediate relevance to its NI context, we believe it is generalizable to wider UK health concerns. We emphasize the need for more research of this type, using
Background Worldwide, the Irish diaspora experience elevated psychiatric morbidity across generat... more Background Worldwide, the Irish diaspora experience elevated psychiatric morbidity across generations, not accounted for through socioeconomic position. The present study assessed the contribution of intergenerational migration and settlementrelated adversity in accounting for adult mental health, in second generation Irish people. Methods Analysis of prospective data from a nationally representative birth cohort from Britain, comprising 17,000 babies born in a single week in 1958 and followed up to mid-life. Common mental disorders were assessed at age 44/ 45. Results Relative to the rest of the cohort, second generation Irish children grew up in marked material and social disadvantage, which tracked into early adulthood. By mid-life, parity was reached between second generation Irish cohort members and the rest of the sample on most disadvantage indicators. At age 23 Irish cohort members were more likely to screen positive for common mental disorders (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.94). This had reduced slightly by mid-life (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.69). Adjustment for childhood and early adulthood adversity fully attenuated differences in adult mental health disadvantages. Conclusions Social and material disadvantage experienced in childhood continues to have long-range adverse effects on mental health at mid-life, in second generation Irish cohort members. This suggests important mechanisms over the lifecourse, which may have important policy implications in the settlement of migrant families.
This qualitative study explores the process of help-seeking and therapy among clients with religi... more This qualitative study explores the process of help-seeking and therapy among clients with religious or spiritual beliefs. Ten clients who were currently in, or had recently finished, therapy were interviewed. Participants reported using their religious or spiritual beliefs to cope with their psychological problems before and during therapy. Prior to therapy, they worried that secular-based help might weaken their faith. However, the experience of having psychological distress and the process of receiving therapy were both perceived as strengthening to faith and ultimately part of a spiritual journey. Contrary to expectations, a match between the spirituality or religious affiliation of the therapist and client was not considered important. This implies that the 'spirituality gap' between secular therapists and clients with religious/spiritual beliefs is bridgeable. Clients with religious or spiritual beliefs, p. 3 How clients with religious or spiritual beliefs experience psychological help-seeking and therapy: a qualitative study Despite over 75% of the UK population specifying that they hold religious and spiritual beliefs , clinical training, practice and research have generally neglected the impact that such beliefs have on seeking and receiving help for psychological problems Friedli, 2000a; Friedli, 2000b;. In a UK nationwide survey, 17% of respondents said that they would seek a religious leader for help with personal difficulties or emotional problems compared with 16% who said they would go to a 'mental health worker' ). In the USA the proportion of people who seek help from clergy for psychological problems is considerably greater Veroff, Kulka, & Douvan, 1981; Weaver, 1995). However, some commentators describe a 'religiosity gap' between clients and therapists, exemplified by the view among some mental health professionals that religious beliefs and behaviour are symptomatic of psychological disorder Shafranske & Gorsuch, 1984). Clients with spiritual or religious beliefs may experience a dilemma between self-censoring these beliefs or risking further pathologisation by mental health staff . Likewise, some mental health professionals may recognise religion and spirituality as integral to the patient's healing process but nevertheless, for a variety of reasons, feel uncomfortable with raising such issues . However, the religiosity gap between mental health professionals and their clients is rarely examined. Two related questions seem pertinent. First, do people with spiritual beliefs necessarily maintain religious or spiritual conceptualisations of their problems which preclude or limit secular help? Second, although
While employment has an overall protective effect against mental ill health, evidence suggests va... more While employment has an overall protective effect against mental ill health, evidence suggests variation in mental health with respect to occupation types. Individuals who manage multiple roles in relation to childcare and family caregiving may be at increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes due to competing responsibilities of family and work demands. This programme of work examines mental disorder across occupation types and the association of family demands. We linked Census data to Enhanced Prescribing Data and examined self-reported mental disorder lasting at least 12 months and any psychotropic medication use within a 12-month period. We examined the rates of mental disorder across Standard Occupational Classifications (SOCs) and how family demands might influence these. Findings are based on workers aged 18-59 enumerated in the 2011 Northern Ireland (NI) Census.
medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Jan 19, 2023
Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increasingly recognized as a major... more Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increasingly recognized as a major problem for children and their families in China. However, its influence on parental stress has been seldom explored. Objective: To examine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a community sample of children aged 6-13 years, and the extent to which it impacts parental depression. Method: Cross-sectional study of primary school pupils (number=2497) in Deyang, Sichuan Province, South-West China. We used standardized instruments to identify children with ADHD symptoms and parent depression. Results: The prevalence of ADHD was 9.8%. Factors associated with the likelihood of ADHD, included family environment(P=0.003), time spent with children(P=0.01), parenting style(P=0.01), and parental relationship, pupils self-harm and lower academic ability (P=0.001). After controlling for other factors, having a child with ADHD increased the likelihood of parents' depression (OR=4.35, CI=2.68~7.07), additional factors included parent relationship. Conclusions: ADHD may be a common disorder among Chinese children, the symptoms of which may increase the likelihood of parent depression. There is a need for greater detection of ADHD in schools and an acknowledgement of the challenges the disorder creates for academic success and family wellbeing.
Online social media provides a channel for monitoring people’s social behaviors from which to inf... more Online social media provides a channel for monitoring people’s social behaviors from which to infer and detect their mental distresses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online social networks were increasingly used to express opinions, views, and moods due to the restrictions on physical activities and in-person meetings, leading to a significant amount of diverse user-generated social media content. This offers a unique opportunity to examine how COVID-19 changed global behaviors regarding its ramifications on mental well-being. In this article, we surveyed the literature on social media analysis for the detection of mental distress, with a special emphasis on the studies published since the COVID-19 outbreak. We analyze relevant research and its characteristics and propose new approaches to organizing the large amount of studies arising from this emerging research area, thus drawing new views, insights, and knowledge for interested communities. Specifically, we first classify the stu...
ObjectiveTo identify service-provided information needs among dermatological caregivers of patien... more ObjectiveTo identify service-provided information needs among dermatological caregivers of patients living with ichthyosis.DesignThis is the first online international qualitative study to explore caregiver-reported service-provided information needs, using transnational focus groups (n=6), individual interviews (n=7) and in-depth emails (n=5). NVivo facilitated the coding process and Framework Analysis was applied.SettingCaregivers were recruited through two online ichthyosis support groups and resided across 10 countries and 5 continents (USA, Greece, Netherlands, Ireland, UK, Canada, India, Philippines, Switzerland and Australia).ParticipantsA purposive sample of 8 male and 31 female caregivers participated (mean age range 35–44 years). Participants were aged 18 years old or older and fluent in English. Participants cared for a total of 46 children (1:1 ratio for child gender and clinical classification of disease severity). Participants represented all stages along the care cont...
IntroductionIchthyoses comprise a heterogenous group of rare genetic skin disorders that involves... more IntroductionIchthyoses comprise a heterogenous group of rare genetic skin disorders that involves the entire skin surface, often with additional syndromic features, and pose many clinical challenges. Without curative intervention, the mainstay of life-long symptom management is supportive in nature and can remain the responsibility of the caregiver. Although impact on the wider family is considered an important outcome of policies and services, there is a lack of caregiver consensus on what outcome domains to measure to fully assess the impact of ichthyosis on the patient and the caregiver. This project aims to identify a set of core outcome domains towards a core outcome set for ichthyosis that can measure all relevant concepts of ichthyosis in clinical practice, service delivery and research.Methods and analysisFollowing the COMET (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials) initiative, this project will employ a mixed-method study design which was developed using public and pa...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Rationale: Common mental health disorders (CMD) (anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders) are am... more Rationale: Common mental health disorders (CMD) (anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders) are among the leading causes of disease burden globally. The economic burden associated with such disorders is estimated at $2.4 trillion as of 2010 and is expected to reach $16 trillion by 2030. The UK has observed a 21-fold increase in the economic burden associated with CMD over the past decade. The recent COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for adopting technologies for mental health support and services, thereby increasing the reception of personal health data and wearables. Wearables hold considerable promise to empower users concerning the management of subclinical common mental health disorders. However, there are significant challenges to adopting wearables as a tool for the self-management of the symptoms of common mental health disorders. Aims: This review aims to evaluate the potential utility of wearables for the self-management of sub-clinical anxiety and depressive mental health di...
ObjectiveTo identify validated dermatology-specific and disease-specific psychosocial needs asses... more ObjectiveTo identify validated dermatology-specific and disease-specific psychosocial needs assessment tools for caregivers of paediatric patients with dermatological conditions. A secondary objective was to assess the adequacy of their measurement properties.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesEMBASE, PsycINFO, MEDLINE (in Ovid SP), Cochrane, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health EBSCO, U Search and Web of Science were searched (2000–5 October 2021). Grey literature, bibliographies, online databases of QoL tools and several trial registers were searched (2000–5 Oct 2021).Eligibility criteriaEligible studies involved adult caregivers caring for a child (no age limit) with any form of any skin condition. Predetermined exclusion criteria, as per protocol, were applied to the search results.Data abstraction and synthesisTitle, abstract, full-text screening and data abstraction (standardised forms) were done independently in duplicate. Both’s predefined methodological criteria a...
Background Older people are vulnerable to sustained high levels of psychosocial distress followin... more Background Older people are vulnerable to sustained high levels of psychosocial distress following a crime. A cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-informed psychological therapy, the Victim Improvement Package (VIP) may aid recovery. The VIP trial aims to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the VIP for alleviating depressive and anxiety symptoms in older victims of crime. Methods/design People aged 65 years or more who report being a victim of crime will be screened by Metropolitan Police Service Safer Neighbourhood Teams within a month of the crime for distress using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-2. Those who screen positive will be signposted to their GP for assistance, and re-screened at 3 months. Participants who screen positive for depression and/or anxiety at re-screening are randomised to a CBT informed VIP added to treatment as usual (TAU) compared to TAU alone. The intervention consists of 10 individual 1-h sessions, delivere...
Background Poor parental bonding in childhood has been associated with loneliness in younger popu... more Background Poor parental bonding in childhood has been associated with loneliness in younger populations. Whether these associations persists into middle and older adulthood is unclear. Additionally, given the overlapping relationship between loneliness and social isolation we sought to explore the role of social isolation in any associations present i.e. are those reporting worse parental bonding lonely due to less connections or are they more likely to be lonely regardless of isolation. Methods Analysis of a nationally representative longitudinal sample of adults aged 50 and over from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing was undertaken. The current analysis was based on data for core participants across waves 3[2006/7] to 8[2016/17] with missing data across waves leading to analytical samples ranging from 4384 to 5173. Multivariate adjusted multinomial regression models were used to assess associations between parental bonding [PBI], isolation [score derived from data on livin...
Figures include the accounting adjustment of £3.2bn (such as funding Government borrowing) and NI... more Figures include the accounting adjustment of £3.2bn (such as funding Government borrowing) and NI's contribution to UK non-identifiable expenditure of £2.9bn (these include defence etc which are shared out across the UK regions on a per capita basis).
Where low- and middle-income countries have limited economic resources to provide individualized ... more Where low- and middle-income countries have limited economic resources to provide individualized mental health services to people exposed to conflict, community-based interventions may be more appropriate. We aimed to evaluate community level interventions for improving mental health outcomes in Low- and Middle-income countries (LMIC). A realist review of community-based interventions (CBIs) to improve mental health for people in LMIC following conflict. Five databases (Cochrane, PubMed, PsychINFO, Medline, and CINAHL) and a manual search of individual papers. We found 1318 articles, of which 29 were selected. Out of the 29 primary articles, 19 showed successful results, 4 showed mixed results, 1 showed inconclusive results, and 1 showed unsuccessful results. After analyzing the results, we found 3 mechanisms that may influence the effectiveness of these CBIs: the use of lay community members as intervention deliverers, the application of transdiagnostic approaches, and customized o...
In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with ... more In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with dementia. With diminishing public health and social care resources, there is substantial need for assistive technology-based devices that support independent living. However, existing devices may not fully meet these needs due to fears and uncertainties about their use, educational support, and finances. Further challenges have been created by COVID-19 and the need for improved safety and security. We have performed a systematic review by exploring several databases describing assistive technologies for dementia and identifying relevant publications for this review. We found there is significant need for appropriate user testing of such devices and have highlighted certifying bodies for this purpose. Given the safety measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this review identifies the benefits and challenges of existing assistive technologies for people living with dementia and their ca...
While evidence has emerged highlighting the potential benefits of the eye as a window to the cent... more While evidence has emerged highlighting the potential benefits of the eye as a window to the central nervous system, research on severe mental illness (SMI) and eye health is rare. We examine the association of SMI with a range of ophthalmic health outcomes, and whether any relationship is modified by age. We used linked administrative data from general practitioner (GP), hospital and ophthalmic records to examine receipt of any Health and Social Care (HSC) eye-test; and (based on eligibility recorded for a sight test) any glaucoma, any diabetes, and any blindness among the Northern Ireland (NI) hospital population between January 2015 and November 2019 (N = 798,564). When compared with non-SMI patients, those with SMI recorded a higher prevalence of having had a sight test, diabetes, and blindness. In fully adjusted logistic regression models, higher likelihood of an eye-test and diabetes (OR = 1.71: 95%CI = 1.63, 1.79 and OR = 1.29: 1.19, 1.40 respectively); and lower likelihood of glaucoma remained (OR = 0.69: 0.53, 0.90). Amongst persons with SMI there was evidence that the likelihood of having had an eye-test was lower in the older age-groups. Our study provides new evidence on ophthalmic health inequalities associated with SMI. While the study has immediate relevance to its NI context, we believe it is generalizable to wider UK health concerns. We emphasize the need for more research of this type, using
Background Worldwide, the Irish diaspora experience elevated psychiatric morbidity across generat... more Background Worldwide, the Irish diaspora experience elevated psychiatric morbidity across generations, not accounted for through socioeconomic position. The present study assessed the contribution of intergenerational migration and settlementrelated adversity in accounting for adult mental health, in second generation Irish people. Methods Analysis of prospective data from a nationally representative birth cohort from Britain, comprising 17,000 babies born in a single week in 1958 and followed up to mid-life. Common mental disorders were assessed at age 44/ 45. Results Relative to the rest of the cohort, second generation Irish children grew up in marked material and social disadvantage, which tracked into early adulthood. By mid-life, parity was reached between second generation Irish cohort members and the rest of the sample on most disadvantage indicators. At age 23 Irish cohort members were more likely to screen positive for common mental disorders (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.94). This had reduced slightly by mid-life (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.69). Adjustment for childhood and early adulthood adversity fully attenuated differences in adult mental health disadvantages. Conclusions Social and material disadvantage experienced in childhood continues to have long-range adverse effects on mental health at mid-life, in second generation Irish cohort members. This suggests important mechanisms over the lifecourse, which may have important policy implications in the settlement of migrant families.
This qualitative study explores the process of help-seeking and therapy among clients with religi... more This qualitative study explores the process of help-seeking and therapy among clients with religious or spiritual beliefs. Ten clients who were currently in, or had recently finished, therapy were interviewed. Participants reported using their religious or spiritual beliefs to cope with their psychological problems before and during therapy. Prior to therapy, they worried that secular-based help might weaken their faith. However, the experience of having psychological distress and the process of receiving therapy were both perceived as strengthening to faith and ultimately part of a spiritual journey. Contrary to expectations, a match between the spirituality or religious affiliation of the therapist and client was not considered important. This implies that the 'spirituality gap' between secular therapists and clients with religious/spiritual beliefs is bridgeable. Clients with religious or spiritual beliefs, p. 3 How clients with religious or spiritual beliefs experience psychological help-seeking and therapy: a qualitative study Despite over 75% of the UK population specifying that they hold religious and spiritual beliefs , clinical training, practice and research have generally neglected the impact that such beliefs have on seeking and receiving help for psychological problems Friedli, 2000a; Friedli, 2000b;. In a UK nationwide survey, 17% of respondents said that they would seek a religious leader for help with personal difficulties or emotional problems compared with 16% who said they would go to a 'mental health worker' ). In the USA the proportion of people who seek help from clergy for psychological problems is considerably greater Veroff, Kulka, & Douvan, 1981; Weaver, 1995). However, some commentators describe a 'religiosity gap' between clients and therapists, exemplified by the view among some mental health professionals that religious beliefs and behaviour are symptomatic of psychological disorder Shafranske & Gorsuch, 1984). Clients with spiritual or religious beliefs may experience a dilemma between self-censoring these beliefs or risking further pathologisation by mental health staff . Likewise, some mental health professionals may recognise religion and spirituality as integral to the patient's healing process but nevertheless, for a variety of reasons, feel uncomfortable with raising such issues . However, the religiosity gap between mental health professionals and their clients is rarely examined. Two related questions seem pertinent. First, do people with spiritual beliefs necessarily maintain religious or spiritual conceptualisations of their problems which preclude or limit secular help? Second, although
While employment has an overall protective effect against mental ill health, evidence suggests va... more While employment has an overall protective effect against mental ill health, evidence suggests variation in mental health with respect to occupation types. Individuals who manage multiple roles in relation to childcare and family caregiving may be at increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes due to competing responsibilities of family and work demands. This programme of work examines mental disorder across occupation types and the association of family demands. We linked Census data to Enhanced Prescribing Data and examined self-reported mental disorder lasting at least 12 months and any psychotropic medication use within a 12-month period. We examined the rates of mental disorder across Standard Occupational Classifications (SOCs) and how family demands might influence these. Findings are based on workers aged 18-59 enumerated in the 2011 Northern Ireland (NI) Census.
medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Jan 19, 2023
Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increasingly recognized as a major... more Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increasingly recognized as a major problem for children and their families in China. However, its influence on parental stress has been seldom explored. Objective: To examine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a community sample of children aged 6-13 years, and the extent to which it impacts parental depression. Method: Cross-sectional study of primary school pupils (number=2497) in Deyang, Sichuan Province, South-West China. We used standardized instruments to identify children with ADHD symptoms and parent depression. Results: The prevalence of ADHD was 9.8%. Factors associated with the likelihood of ADHD, included family environment(P=0.003), time spent with children(P=0.01), parenting style(P=0.01), and parental relationship, pupils self-harm and lower academic ability (P=0.001). After controlling for other factors, having a child with ADHD increased the likelihood of parents' depression (OR=4.35, CI=2.68~7.07), additional factors included parent relationship. Conclusions: ADHD may be a common disorder among Chinese children, the symptoms of which may increase the likelihood of parent depression. There is a need for greater detection of ADHD in schools and an acknowledgement of the challenges the disorder creates for academic success and family wellbeing.
Online social media provides a channel for monitoring people’s social behaviors from which to inf... more Online social media provides a channel for monitoring people’s social behaviors from which to infer and detect their mental distresses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online social networks were increasingly used to express opinions, views, and moods due to the restrictions on physical activities and in-person meetings, leading to a significant amount of diverse user-generated social media content. This offers a unique opportunity to examine how COVID-19 changed global behaviors regarding its ramifications on mental well-being. In this article, we surveyed the literature on social media analysis for the detection of mental distress, with a special emphasis on the studies published since the COVID-19 outbreak. We analyze relevant research and its characteristics and propose new approaches to organizing the large amount of studies arising from this emerging research area, thus drawing new views, insights, and knowledge for interested communities. Specifically, we first classify the stu...
ObjectiveTo identify service-provided information needs among dermatological caregivers of patien... more ObjectiveTo identify service-provided information needs among dermatological caregivers of patients living with ichthyosis.DesignThis is the first online international qualitative study to explore caregiver-reported service-provided information needs, using transnational focus groups (n=6), individual interviews (n=7) and in-depth emails (n=5). NVivo facilitated the coding process and Framework Analysis was applied.SettingCaregivers were recruited through two online ichthyosis support groups and resided across 10 countries and 5 continents (USA, Greece, Netherlands, Ireland, UK, Canada, India, Philippines, Switzerland and Australia).ParticipantsA purposive sample of 8 male and 31 female caregivers participated (mean age range 35–44 years). Participants were aged 18 years old or older and fluent in English. Participants cared for a total of 46 children (1:1 ratio for child gender and clinical classification of disease severity). Participants represented all stages along the care cont...
IntroductionIchthyoses comprise a heterogenous group of rare genetic skin disorders that involves... more IntroductionIchthyoses comprise a heterogenous group of rare genetic skin disorders that involves the entire skin surface, often with additional syndromic features, and pose many clinical challenges. Without curative intervention, the mainstay of life-long symptom management is supportive in nature and can remain the responsibility of the caregiver. Although impact on the wider family is considered an important outcome of policies and services, there is a lack of caregiver consensus on what outcome domains to measure to fully assess the impact of ichthyosis on the patient and the caregiver. This project aims to identify a set of core outcome domains towards a core outcome set for ichthyosis that can measure all relevant concepts of ichthyosis in clinical practice, service delivery and research.Methods and analysisFollowing the COMET (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials) initiative, this project will employ a mixed-method study design which was developed using public and pa...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Rationale: Common mental health disorders (CMD) (anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders) are am... more Rationale: Common mental health disorders (CMD) (anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders) are among the leading causes of disease burden globally. The economic burden associated with such disorders is estimated at $2.4 trillion as of 2010 and is expected to reach $16 trillion by 2030. The UK has observed a 21-fold increase in the economic burden associated with CMD over the past decade. The recent COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for adopting technologies for mental health support and services, thereby increasing the reception of personal health data and wearables. Wearables hold considerable promise to empower users concerning the management of subclinical common mental health disorders. However, there are significant challenges to adopting wearables as a tool for the self-management of the symptoms of common mental health disorders. Aims: This review aims to evaluate the potential utility of wearables for the self-management of sub-clinical anxiety and depressive mental health di...
ObjectiveTo identify validated dermatology-specific and disease-specific psychosocial needs asses... more ObjectiveTo identify validated dermatology-specific and disease-specific psychosocial needs assessment tools for caregivers of paediatric patients with dermatological conditions. A secondary objective was to assess the adequacy of their measurement properties.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesEMBASE, PsycINFO, MEDLINE (in Ovid SP), Cochrane, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health EBSCO, U Search and Web of Science were searched (2000–5 October 2021). Grey literature, bibliographies, online databases of QoL tools and several trial registers were searched (2000–5 Oct 2021).Eligibility criteriaEligible studies involved adult caregivers caring for a child (no age limit) with any form of any skin condition. Predetermined exclusion criteria, as per protocol, were applied to the search results.Data abstraction and synthesisTitle, abstract, full-text screening and data abstraction (standardised forms) were done independently in duplicate. Both’s predefined methodological criteria a...
Background Older people are vulnerable to sustained high levels of psychosocial distress followin... more Background Older people are vulnerable to sustained high levels of psychosocial distress following a crime. A cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-informed psychological therapy, the Victim Improvement Package (VIP) may aid recovery. The VIP trial aims to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the VIP for alleviating depressive and anxiety symptoms in older victims of crime. Methods/design People aged 65 years or more who report being a victim of crime will be screened by Metropolitan Police Service Safer Neighbourhood Teams within a month of the crime for distress using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-2. Those who screen positive will be signposted to their GP for assistance, and re-screened at 3 months. Participants who screen positive for depression and/or anxiety at re-screening are randomised to a CBT informed VIP added to treatment as usual (TAU) compared to TAU alone. The intervention consists of 10 individual 1-h sessions, delivere...
Background Poor parental bonding in childhood has been associated with loneliness in younger popu... more Background Poor parental bonding in childhood has been associated with loneliness in younger populations. Whether these associations persists into middle and older adulthood is unclear. Additionally, given the overlapping relationship between loneliness and social isolation we sought to explore the role of social isolation in any associations present i.e. are those reporting worse parental bonding lonely due to less connections or are they more likely to be lonely regardless of isolation. Methods Analysis of a nationally representative longitudinal sample of adults aged 50 and over from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing was undertaken. The current analysis was based on data for core participants across waves 3[2006/7] to 8[2016/17] with missing data across waves leading to analytical samples ranging from 4384 to 5173. Multivariate adjusted multinomial regression models were used to assess associations between parental bonding [PBI], isolation [score derived from data on livin...
Figures include the accounting adjustment of £3.2bn (such as funding Government borrowing) and NI... more Figures include the accounting adjustment of £3.2bn (such as funding Government borrowing) and NI's contribution to UK non-identifiable expenditure of £2.9bn (these include defence etc which are shared out across the UK regions on a per capita basis).
Where low- and middle-income countries have limited economic resources to provide individualized ... more Where low- and middle-income countries have limited economic resources to provide individualized mental health services to people exposed to conflict, community-based interventions may be more appropriate. We aimed to evaluate community level interventions for improving mental health outcomes in Low- and Middle-income countries (LMIC). A realist review of community-based interventions (CBIs) to improve mental health for people in LMIC following conflict. Five databases (Cochrane, PubMed, PsychINFO, Medline, and CINAHL) and a manual search of individual papers. We found 1318 articles, of which 29 were selected. Out of the 29 primary articles, 19 showed successful results, 4 showed mixed results, 1 showed inconclusive results, and 1 showed unsuccessful results. After analyzing the results, we found 3 mechanisms that may influence the effectiveness of these CBIs: the use of lay community members as intervention deliverers, the application of transdiagnostic approaches, and customized o...
In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with ... more In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with dementia. With diminishing public health and social care resources, there is substantial need for assistive technology-based devices that support independent living. However, existing devices may not fully meet these needs due to fears and uncertainties about their use, educational support, and finances. Further challenges have been created by COVID-19 and the need for improved safety and security. We have performed a systematic review by exploring several databases describing assistive technologies for dementia and identifying relevant publications for this review. We found there is significant need for appropriate user testing of such devices and have highlighted certifying bodies for this purpose. Given the safety measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this review identifies the benefits and challenges of existing assistive technologies for people living with dementia and their ca...
Much has been written about the influence of religion on the Northern Ireland conflict and the pa... more Much has been written about the influence of religion on the Northern Ireland conflict and the part played by ex-combatants in the peace process. Yet we know very little about the religious outlook of ex-combatants themselves. Are they personally devout? Is religion important to their political identity? Did faith play a role in their decision to take up arms, or lay them down? And now that their war is over, does religion help them cope with the past?
Based on original interviews with ex-combatants from across the political and religious divide, this book addresses these questions, shedding new light on the interplay of religion, identity and violence in Ireland. It also shows how the case of Northern Ireland illuminates the current international debate around religion and peacemaking. Arguing that advocates of religious interventions in transitional justice often naively exaggerate its influence, a theoretical model for understanding the role of religion in transitional justice is proposed.
Uploads
Papers by gerard Leavey
Based on original interviews with ex-combatants from across the political and religious divide, this book addresses these questions, shedding new light on the interplay of religion, identity and violence in Ireland. It also shows how the case of Northern Ireland illuminates the current international debate around religion and peacemaking. Arguing that advocates of religious interventions in transitional justice often naively exaggerate its influence, a theoretical model for understanding the role of religion in transitional justice is proposed.