Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Sep 2012
Screening for traumatic exposure and psychological distress among war-affected adolescents in post-conflict northern Uganda.
The war in northern Uganda has had a debilitating effect on the mental health of children and adolescents in the population. This study measures the prevalence and considers the aetiology of psychological distress in war-affected adolescents 4 years after the end of the conflict. ⋯ War-affected adolescents may continue to suffer from significant psychological stress in the years following the cessation of conflict. Multiple exposure to a number of different types of traumatic event may directly increase the likelihood of psychological distress especially for those exposed to the most extreme violence. The feasibility of employing a locally developed and validated screening instrument is demonstrated. Implications for future research and intervention in post-conflict areas are considered.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Aug 2012
The psychometric properties of the Peters et al. delusions inventory (PDI) in Taiwan: reliability, validity, and utility.
The Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI) is a commonly used instrument to measure delusion proneness in the general population and includes dimensions that measure distress, preoccupation, and conviction of unusual beliefs. This self-report scale has already been translated into several languages. However, there has not been a validated Taiwanese version previously reported. The aims of the present study were to translate and test the cross-cultural reliability and validity of the PDI in Taiwanese as well as to establish its sensitivity, specificity, and discriminative validity. ⋯ The PDI is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the dimensionality of delusion proneness and appears to complement subclinical psychosis assessment scales for both epidemiological and clinical research in Taiwan.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Aug 2012
Latent variable model for suicide risk in relation to social capital and socio-economic status.
There is little evidence on the association between suicide outcomes (ideation, attempts, self-harm) and social capital. This paper investigates such associations using a structural equation model based on health survey data, and allowing for both individual and contextual risk factors. ⋯ Social capital as reflected in neighbourhood perceptions is a significant factor affecting risks of different types of self-harm and may mediate the effects of other contextual variables such as area deprivation.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Jun 2012
Review Meta AnalysisRescuers at risk: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of the worldwide current prevalence and correlates of PTSD in rescue workers.
We sought to estimate the pooled current prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among rescue workers and to determine the variables implicated in the heterogeneity observed among the prevalences of individual studies. ⋯ Rescue workers in general have a pooled current prevalence of PTSD that is much higher than that of the general population. Ambulance personnel and rescuers from Asia may be more susceptible to PTSD. These results indicate the need for improving pre-employment strategies to select the most resilient individuals for rescue work, to implement continuous preventive measures for personnel, and to promote educational campaigns about PTSD and its therapeutic possibilities.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Jun 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyThe effects of celebrity suicide on copycat suicide attempt: a multi-center observational study.
The effect of celebrity suicides on copycat suicide attempts is not well known. Our objective was to determine the association between celebrity suicide and copycat suicide attempts. ⋯ From a prediction model using a 4-year nationwide ED database, ED visits for suicide attempts or self injury increased following the announcements of celebrity suicides.