<scp>Help‐seeking</scp> attitudes and behaviours for mental health problems in adolescents before and during the first <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 school closures in Germany

Lustig, Sophia; Koenig, Julian; Bauer, Stéphanie; Moessner, Markus; Bonnet, Sabrina; Becker, Katja; Diestelkamp, Silke; Eschenbeck, Heike; Hiery, Alisa; Kohls, Elisabeth; Lehner, Laya; Rummel‐Kluge, Christine; Thomasius, Rainer; Kaess, Michael; Consortium, The ProHEAD

doi:10.1111/eip.13358

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Kalok et al, measured the psychological impact of MCO towards undergraduate university students using a different measuring scale called the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS)(9) and this could explain the difference in prevalence between our studies. In addition, the rigid safety regulations implemented during MCO from 18th March 2020 until 1st November 2021, eventually became more relaxed towards 2022(3), that may explain the lower prevalence in our study as compared to Kalok et al Several studies found psychological distress in young adults was associated with better MHSA(17,45). Although our study demonstrated psychological distress students had better MHSA than those who were non-psychologically distress, but it was not signi cant in the nal regression analysis.…”

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confidence: 53%

Predictors Associated With Mental Help Seeking Attitude Among Malaysian College Foundation Students in the Midst of Covid-19 Pandemic: a Cross Sectional Study

Mesran

Abdul-Razak

Nikmat

2023

Preprint

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Background Globally, the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic results in major psychological sequalae across age groups including adolescents. Mental illness rates are high, yet mental help seeking attitude (MHSA) among adolescents is evidently low in developed countries during the pandemic. However, data is scarce in developing countries, hence the aim of this study was to determine the MHSA and its predictors including psychological wellbeing of Malaysian college foundation students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among college foundation students, aged 18 to 19 years old, from a private college in Klang Valley from 1st December 2021 until 30th March 2022. All college foundation students were invited, and eligible students completed self-administered online questionnaires. Data on MHSA, sociodemographic, clinical factors, availability, accessibility and affordability of mental health service, mental health literacy, self-stigma of seeking help and psychological wellbeing were collected. An independent T-test analysis was performed to compare mean of MHSA between psychological distressed and non-psychological distressed. Multiple linear regression analysis was done to identify predictors of MHSA. Results 345 participants completed the questionnaires and the response rate was 62.9%. The mean age was 18.7 (± 0.75) years old. More than half were female (64.3%, n=222) and a majority had no past history of mental health illness (95.1%, n=328). Almost half had personal history of COVID-19 infection (49.3%, n=170). The mean of MHSA was 50.98 ±10.39. The predictors associated with MHSA were; self-stigma of help seeking (β=-0.59 (95% CI: -0.76, -0.42) p<0.01); mental health literacy (β=0.22 (95% CI: 0.13, 0.30) p<0.01); and affordability of mental health service facility (β=3.29 (95% CI: 1.42, 5.16) p<0.01). The prevalence of psychologically distressed was 23.2%, (95%CI: 20.4, 26.1), in which psychological distressed had a higher mean of MHSA than that of non-psychological distressed (53.29 ±10.48 vs. 50.29 ±10.29, p=0.02) Conclusion Mental help seeking attitude among Malaysian college foundation students was low during the COVID-19 pandemic. This may result in lost opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment. Strategies to reduce self-stigma of seeking help for mental illness is vital, while efforts to educate young adults about mental health and make mental health services affordable are warranted.

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contrasting

confidence: 53%

Predictors Associated With Mental Help Seeking Attitude Among Malaysian College Foundation Students in the Midst of Covid-19 Pandemic: a Cross Sectional Study

Mesran

Abdul-Razak

Nikmat

2023

Preprint

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“…No study has shown the positive or lack of impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the general and mental health of the pediatric population [43]. The research conducted so far clearly shows an increase in the frequency of children seeking psychological support [44]. However, Boston researchers have shown that in the long run, in younger patients, the help initiative from adults is more important, and their cognitive flexibility and educational involvement lead to a reduced risk of symptoms of depression and anxiety in children [45].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Evaluation of COVID-19 Effect on Mental Health, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents Population

Grzejszczak,

Strzelecki,

Gabryelska

et al. 2024

JCM

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Objectives: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological state of the under-18 population includes an increased risk of psychopathological symptoms development and exacerbation of already present psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mental health problems in Polish children and adolescents with a focus on suicidal and self-harm behavior with the impact of the pandemic. Methods: The questionnaire collected demographic data, information regarding mental states and psychopathological symptoms, history of self-harm and suicidal behaviors, as well as the experience of psychological, and physical violence, and suicidal self-harm behaviors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In the final analysis, 782 responses were included. Self-evaluation of general and mental health scores was significantly lower during the pandemic among children (both p < 0.001) and adolescents (both p < 0.001). Moreover, general and mental health scores were lower among adolescents compared to children before (both p < 0.001) and during (both p < 0.001) the pandemic. The frequency of seeking help because of mental health problems increased during the pandemic among children and adolescents, while no changes were observed in the prevalence of psychiatric hospitalizations in either of the populations (p = 0.317 and p = 1.00, respectively). Out of autoregressive behaviors among children during the pandemic period, only the frequency of thinking about death increased (p = 0.038). No suicidal attempts were undertaken by children in either of the evaluated time periods. The presence of all autoaggressive behaviors was greater among adolescents compared to children both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (all p<0.05). Conclusions: A subjective decrease in psychophysical well-being, an increase in the frequency of seeking mental health help during the pandemic, as well as an increased prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms were observed in the under-18 population as a potential consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and related socioeconomic changes. The marked increase in self-harm behavior in the adolescent population (age > 12) and the marked increase in the frequency of death thinking in children (age ≤ 12) suggests the need for greater awareness and easier access to professional help from mental health specialists, particularly in a time of unprecedented stress and social isolation.

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“…During the pandemic, however any concerns they had may have continued unchecked, exacerbating these concerns and potentially experiencing loneliness more often. A previous study explored the help-seeking behaviours of CYP in relation to mental health both before and during the pandemic and suggested that those who engaged with help seeking promotion tools were perhaps more open to mental health services [31].…”

Section: Comparison With Other Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The CLoCk study: A retrospective exploration of loneliness in children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic, in England

McOwat,

Pinto Pereira,

Nugawela

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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Background During the COVID-19 pandemic children and young people (CYP) were socially restricted during a stage of life crucial to development, potentially putting an already vulnerable population at higher risk of loneliness, social isolation, and poorer wellbeing. The objectives of this study are to conduct an exploratory analysis into loneliness before and during the pandemic, and determine which self-reported factors are associated with loneliness. Methods and findings Participants from The Children with Long COVID (CLoCk) national study were invited to take part via an online survey, with a total of 31,017 participants taking part, 31,016 of which reported on their experience of loneliness. Participants retrospectively answered questions on demographics, lifestyle, physical health and mental health and loneliness before the pandemic and at the time of answering the survey. Before the pandemic 6.5% (2,006/31,016) of participants reported experiencing loneliness “Often/Always” and at the time of survey completion 17.4% (5,395/31,016) reported feeling lonelier. There was an association between meeting the research definition of long COVID and loneliness [3.49 OR, 95%CI 3.28–3.72]. CYP who reported feeling lonelier at the time of the survey than before the pandemic were assigned female at birth, older CYP, those from Black/African/Caribbean/Black British or other ethnicity groups, those that had 3–4 siblings and lived in more deprived areas. Conclusions We demonstrate associations between multiple factors and experiences of loneliness during the pandemic. There is a need for a multi-faceted integrated approach when developing interventions targeted at loneliness. It is important to follow up the CYP involved at regular intervals to investigate the progression of their experience of loneliness over time.

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Help‐seeking attitudes and behaviours for mental health problems in adolescents before and during the first COVID‐19 school closures in Germany

Cited by 5 publications

References 9 publications

Predictors Associated With Mental Help Seeking Attitude Among Malaysian College Foundation Students in the Midst of Covid-19 Pandemic: a Cross Sectional Study

Predictors Associated With Mental Help Seeking Attitude Among Malaysian College Foundation Students in the Midst of Covid-19 Pandemic: a Cross Sectional Study

Evaluation of COVID-19 Effect on Mental Health, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents Population

The CLoCk study: A retrospective exploration of loneliness in children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic, in England

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