Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Sep 2011
Comparative StudyThe contribution of charcoal burning to the rise and decline of suicides in Hong Kong from 1997-2007.
There has been scant research exploring the relationship between choice of method (means) of self-inflicted death, and broader social or contextual factors. The recent emergence and growth of suicide using carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from burning charcoal in an enclosed space (hereafter, "charcoal burning") was related to an increase in the overall suicide rate in Hong Kong. The growth of this method coincided with changing economic conditions. This paper expands upon previous work to explore possible relationships further. ⋯ Compared to others, working-age adults preferentially selected carbon monoxide poisoning from charcoal burning.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Sep 2011
Triple jeopardy: impact of partner violence perpetration, mental health and substance use on perceived unmet need for mental health care among men.
To examine the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, serious mental illness, and substance use and perceived unmet need for mental health treatment in the past year among men in the general population using the behavioral model for health-care use (Aday and Anderson in Health Serv Res 9:208-220, 1974; Andersen in A behavioral model of families' use of health services, 1968; Andersen in Med Care 46:647-653, 2008). ⋯ These findings suggest that men who perpetrate IPV are at increased risk of perceived unmet need for mental health care. This study also emphasizes the need to identify substance use disorders and mental health problems among IPV perpetrators identified in health, social service, or criminal justice settings. Further research should address barriers to care specific to men who perpetrate IPV beyond economic factors.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Jul 2011
Mental disorders, psychological symptoms and quality of life 8 years after an earthquake: findings from a community sample in Italy.
Various studies assessed mental disorders and psychological symptoms following natural disasters, including earthquakes. Yet, samples were often non-representative, and the periods of time between earthquake and assessments were usually short. This study aims to assess the prevalence of mental disorders, level of psychological symptoms and subjective quality of life in a random sample in a rural region in Italy 8 years after an earthquake. ⋯ There is no evidence that the earthquake had a negative impact on the mental health of the affected population years later. Possible reasons include the relatively weak nature of the earthquake, strong community support that helped overcome mental distress, the long period of time (8 years) between the occurrence of the earthquake and the study, and a capacity of people to maintain or restore mental health after a natural disaster in the long term.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · Jun 2011
Comparative StudyAll-cause mortality after non-fatal self-poisoning: a cohort study.
Suicide has been repeatedly shown to have greatly increased incidence after non-fatal self-harm but far less is known about early death from other causes. The present study's aim was to describe mortality and risk factors concerning all causes of death after non-fatal self-poisoning. ⋯ The findings of this study suggest that patients who survive self-poisoning have an increased risk of death from natural and unnatural causes. The findings point towards the need for more effective clinical management and preventive initiatives.
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Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · May 2011
Psychological factors and weight problems in adolescents. The role of eating problems, emotional problems, and personality traits: the Young-HUNT study.
The associations between psychological factors and weight problems in adolescents are not conclusive. We studied associations between psychological factors, including personality and weight problems, in an adolescent population. In addition, we examined the same psychological factors as predictors for change in weight categories during adolescence. ⋯ Girls scored higher on all psychological factors compared with boys, but no sex differences were found with regard to the association between psychological factors and weight problems. Eating problems showed the strongest association with weight problems at baseline and were also the strongest predictor of weight change during adolescence.