Community mental health journal
-
Community Ment Health J · Apr 2013
Comparative StudyComparison of immigrant and native-born population adherence to antipsychotic treatment in a Spanish health region.
Previous studies report that immigrants underuse psychiatric hospitalization services and are less exposed to antipsychotic medication. The objective of this study is to determine whether immigrant and Spanish native groups with psychotic disorder adhere differently to antipsychotic drugs. Retrospective study including two matched samples of 47 immigrants and 47 native-born patients with psychotic disorder admitted to a psychiatric Unit (2006-2007). ⋯ The lowest rate of adherence was found in sub-Saharans. Fifty per cent of non-adherents were readmitted after 12 months, compared with 21.4 % of adherents, the effect was observed in both native and immigrants. This alarmingly poor adherence in immigrant patients with psychosis underlines the need for preventive strategies to minimize the negative clinical, social and economic outcomes.
-
Community Ment Health J · Feb 2013
Recovery-oriented services for individuals with mental illness and case managers' experience of professional burnout.
Present cross-sectional study examined perceptions of recovery-oriented services and reports of professional burnout and job satisfaction in a sample of 114 case managers working in community mental health centers across Ohio. The research examined the relative contribution of demographic characteristics, the structure of case management services, and case managers' beliefs about recovery-oriented services in describing their reports of professional burnout and job satisfaction. Regardless of individual characteristics of case managers and reports of the structure of their jobs, case managers who perceived their agency to offer higher levels of recovery-oriented services also reported lower levels of depersonalization and emotional exhaustion at work, and higher levels of professional accomplishment and job satisfaction. Directions for future research in the area are discussed.
-
Community Ment Health J · Dec 2012
Suicide assessment and prevention during and after emergency commitment.
The purpose of this study was to address two primary issues within the context of emergency commitment: (a) the suicide-prevention measures implemented at receiving facilities where emergency commitments occur and (b) the perceptions of key stakeholders about access to community services post-discharge. One hundred seventy-eight respondents who worked in receiving facilities, where emergency commitments occur, responded to an online survey or were interviewed. Respondents indicated the use of suicide-prevention measures such as suicide assessment tools used at intake and discharge and strategies utilized to maintain client safety when the issue of suicidality had been determined at intake. Almost half of respondents (46.6%) described the availability of community mental health treatment at discharge from emergency commitment as being "less than adequate." Emerging themes about community service availability are discussed and include long waiting periods and funding issues.
-
Community Ment Health J · Dec 2012
Homeless but connected: the role of heterogeneous social network ties and social networking technology in the mental health outcomes of street-living adolescents.
Although social integration tends to have positive effects on the mental health of housed adolescents, the role of homeless adolescents' social networks is more ambiguous. Social network data were collected from 136 homeless adolescents in Hollywood, California to examine how network ties are associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Face-to-face relationships with street-based peers were a risk factor for both anxiety and depression, while contacting home-based friends through social networking technology was found to be protective for depression. Community-based and public agencies serving homeless adolescents should consider facilitating the maintenance of these protective relationships by providing internet access.
-
Community Ment Health J · Aug 2012
Self-rated assessment of needs for mental health care: a qualitative analysis.
This study explored perceived mental health-related needs and barriers to meeting them in primary and mental health care settings. Fifty-one participants completed the Perceived Need for Care Questionnaire and an interview to qualitatively explore the meanings behind self-identified needs for medication, information, counselling, practical help, and skills development. Qualitative content analysis indicated perceived needs for care are multifaceted. ⋯ Counselling-related needs included being listened to, supported or assisted with problem-solving, with service attitudes, staff expertise or cost seen as limiting access. Needs for practical help and skills development were described as unmet or addressed by family, and help-seeking for these needs constrained by efforts to self-manage, insufficient information, and affordability. Collaborative care and information-sharing appear important to better meet mental health-related perceived needs.