The state of psychiatric research in the Asia Pacific region

Abstract

Introduction This study aims to review recent scientific publications and research output in the field of psychiatry, from a series of countries in the Asia‐Pacific region (Australia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, and Nepal), with a view to identify themes and similarities across regions, as well as to examine the barriers and challenges in mental health research faced by countries in the region. Methods Seven psychiatrists from seven countries reviewed recent published and ongoing research in psychiatry in their respective nations, with respect to themes, as well as any barriers or challenges faced by mental health researchers. Results While the seven nations included in this review vary in terms of research capabilities and economic development level, they share many similarities both in terms of research direction, and with regards to challenges faced. Limitations in the form of sociocultural differences from the West, and a lack of funding were some of the barriers identified. Discussion Mental health research in the region has been progressing well. However, more varied research in the form of qualitative or economic studies are lacking, as are multi‐center studies. The similar issues that nations face with regards to research could perhaps benefit from collaborative efforts and initiatives for the furtherance of research in the region.

Peer Review #2 of "Prevalence of depression and its impact on quality of life in frontline otorhinolaryngology nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in China (v0.1)"

“…This study also found that depressed ENT healthcare workers were more likely to smoke (Nilan et al, 2019;Schneider et al, 2019) According to the distress/protection model of QOL (Voruganti et al, 1998), QOL is the result of the interaction between protective (e.g., high selfesteem and good social support) and distressing factors (e.g., physical and psychological stress). Consistent with previous findings (Benedek et al, 2007;Mammen and Faulkner, 2013;Roche et al, 2020) depressed ENT nurses had a poorer QOL compared to the those without depression in this survey . This could be explained by the negative health outcomes of depression, such as impaired psychosocial functioning and somatic symptoms of fatigue, loss of appetite or weight, and insomnia (Anosike et al, 2020;Malhi and Mann, 2018;Parisi et al, 2014;Rakofsky et al, 2013).…”

The Consortium of Australian Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy Research and Analysis (CAPIPRA): Aims, model, outputs, and implications for clinical academic advocacy

“…17 The debate continues in Canada, and our work has been internationally cited in the context of the concerns about the headspace-NGO model. 18,19 Returning to Australia, the expansion of the same type of services to other NGO groups in the form of Federally-funded Adult Mental Health Centres are also of concern given uncertainty regarding their levels of psychiatric expertise. 20…”

Mapping post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and quality of life among residents of Wuhan, China after the COVID-19 outbreak: A network perspective

“…The common reported psychological problems in the general population included anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, and distress ( Alzahrani et al, 2022 ; Bello et al, 2022 ; Hernández-Díaz et al, 2022 ; Pappa et al, 2022 ; Zhang et al, 2022 ). Nevertheless, evidence indicated that mental health such as depression is greatly influenced by sociocultural contexts ( Kleinman, 2004 ; Roche et al, 2021 ; Zhao et al, 2021a ), therefore, it is important to investigate psychological problems among populations encountering the COVID-19 outbreak, since this can benefit the development of psychological/psychiatric interventions for people suffering from psychiatric comorbidities following severe natural disaster.…”