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Fulltext Evidence on Digital Mental Health Interventions for Adolescents and Young People: Systematic Overview

Lehtimaki S, Martic J, Wahl B, Foster KT, Schwalbe N

JMIR Ment Health, 2021 Apr 29;8(4):e25847.
PMID: 33913817 DOI: 10.2196/25847

BACKGROUND: An estimated 1 in 5 adolescents experience a mental health disorder each year; yet because of barriers to accessing and seeking care, most remain undiagnosed and untreated. Furthermore, the early emergence of psychopathology contributes to a lifelong course of challenges across a broad set of functional domains, so addressing this early in the life course is essential. With increasing digital connectivity, including in low- and middle-income countries, digital health technologies are considered promising for addressing mental health among adolescents and young people. In recent years, a growing number of digital health interventions, including more than 2 million web-based mental health apps, have been developed to address a range of mental health issues.
OBJECTIVE: This review aims to synthesize the current evidence on digital health interventions targeting adolescents and young people with mental health conditions, aged between 10-24 years, with a focus on effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and generalizability to low-resource settings (eg, low- and middle-income countries).
METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases between January 2010 and June 2020 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on digital mental health interventions targeting adolescents and young people aged between 10-24 years. Two authors independently screened the studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the reviews.
RESULTS: In this systematic overview, we included 18 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We found evidence on the effectiveness of computerized cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression, whereas the effectiveness of other digital mental health interventions remains inconclusive. Interventions with an in-person element with a professional, peer, or parent were associated with greater effectiveness, adherence, and lower dropout than fully automatized or self-administered interventions. Despite the proposed utility of digital interventions for increasing accessibility of treatment across settings, no study has reported sample-specific metrics of social context (eg, socioeconomic background) or focused on low-resource settings.
CONCLUSIONS: Although digital interventions for mental health can be effective for both supplementing and supplanting traditional mental health treatment, only a small proportion of existing digital platforms are evidence based. Furthermore, their cost-effectiveness and effectiveness, including in low- and middle-income countries, have been understudied. Widespread adoption and scale-up of digital mental health interventions, especially in settings with limited resources for health, will require more rigorous and consistent demonstrations of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness vis-à-vis the type of service provided, target population, and the current standard of care.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Beneficial Properties of Probiotics

Shi LH, Balakrishnan K, Thiagarajah K, Mohd Ismail NI, Yin OS

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016 Aug;27(2):73-90.
PMID: 27688852 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2016.27.2.6

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be found in fermented foods and cultured milk, and are widely used for the preparation of infant food. They are well-known as "health friendly bacteria", which exhibit various health beneficial properties such as prevention of bowel diseases, improving the immune system, for lactose intolerance and intestinal microbial balance, exhibiting antihypercholesterolemic and antihypertensive effects, alleviation of postmenopausal disorders, and reducing traveller's diarrhoea. Recent studies have also been focused on their uses in treating skin and oral diseases. In addition to that, modulation of the gut-brain by probiotics has been suggested as a novel therapeutic solution for anxiety and depression. Thus, this review discusses on the current probiotics-based products in Malaysia, criteria for selection of probiotics, and evidences obtained from past studies on how probiotics have been used in preventing intestinal disorders via improving the immune system, acting as an antihypercholesterolemic factor, improving oral and dermal health, and performing as anti-anxiety and anti-depressive agents.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Exploring burnout among Malaysian junior doctors using the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory

Zuraida Ahmad Sabki, Zainal NZ

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2015;24(1):23-32.
MyJurnal

Objective: The study aimed to explore the prevalence of burnout among the junior doctors and to examine the psychometric properties of abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using aMBI self-reported questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale which was carried out on a sample of 117 junior doctors working in a teaching hospital in Malaysia. Results: Exploratory factor analysis of aMBI revealed a three-factor structure labelled as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment with Crohnbach’s alpha of 0.85, 0.59 and 0.64 respectively. The total variance was 67%. Prevalence of burnout was found at 26.5%. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were positively correlated with depression and anxiety. Shorter duration of residence (less than six months) and being posted to Trauma & Emergency unit were associated with higher mean score of burnout. Conclusion: This study provides the knowledge of level of burnout among the junior doctors and the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory has a satisfied psychometirc properties for screening burnout among junior doctors in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Emotional and behavioural problems among adolescent off-springs of mothers with depression

Wan Salwina, W.I., Nik Ruzyanei, N.K., Nurliza, A.M., Irma, A.M., Hafiz, B., Ayob, I., et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2013;9(2):35-43.
MyJurnal

Maternal depression has been linked to the development of adolescents’ emotional and behavioural problems. The main objective of this study was to determine the association between maternal depressive disorders and externalizing and internalizing problems among their adolescent children. This was a cross-sectional, comparison study of 35 mothers with depression and their adolescents, matched with 35 healthy mothers and their adolescents as controls. The mothers completed Quick Inventory Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) for assessment of current depression. The emotional and behavioural problems in the adolescents were assessed independently by the mothers and their adolescents off-springs using Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self-Report (YSR), respectively. SPSS version 12.0 was used for statistical analysis. The findings showed that adolescents who have mothers with depressive disorders had significantly higher scores of externalizing (mean difference = 4.686 + 10.887, p = 0.016) and total emotional and behavioural problems (mean difference = 10.171 + 23.007, p = 0.013) than controls. The cases also scored higher than the controls in the following CBCL syndrome scales: aggressive behaviour (mean difference = 3.200 + 6.773, p = 0.008), social problem (mean difference = 1.286 + 2.865, p = 0.012), and attention problem (mean difference = 1.543 + 4.435, p = 0.047). Mothers with depressive disorders reported that their adolescents have greater emotional and behavioural problems than the controls. The findings suggested a need for preventive strategies to curb problematic behaviour focusing on this vulnerable group.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext The prevalence of cognitive impairment and depression and their associated factors in an elderly population in two villages in Kedah.

A Rashid, K., Narayan, K.A., Azizah, A.M.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2006;6(1):29-37.
MyJurnal

The population of the world is ageing and Malaysia is no exception. The proportion of those above 60 will be 9.5% by the year 2020. Cognitive impairment and depression are two common problems in this age group. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment and depression and their associated factors in the elderly population in a rural community in Kedah. The study design was descriptive cross sectional study. A standardized questionnaire was used in two villages in Mukim Kota Kuala Muda. Barthels index, geriatric depression scale and elderly cognitive assessment questionnaire were also used. The prevalence rate of cognitive impairment was 18.5%. Cognitive impairment was higher among females (22.6%) than males (12.8%). 34.8% of the widowed were cognitively impaired and it increases with age 15.1% within age groups 60 to 69 years, 42.9% in age groups 80 to 89 years and the one and only participant above 90 years was cognitively impaired. Among those with disability, the only one with very severe disability had cognitive impairment, 40% among the severely disabled and 33. 3% among the moderately disabled (p<0.05). Those with cognitive impairment were living with some functional disabilities involving feeding (p<0.05), bathing (p<0.05), grooming (p<0.05), dressing (p<0.05), bladder control (p<0.05), toilet use (p<0.05), transfer from bed to chair (p<0.05), mobility on level surfaces (p<0.05) and climbing stairs (p<0.05). The prevalence of depression was found to be 46.4%. Higher among males (48.4%) as compared to females (44.7%). Depression was 50.0% among the age groups 80 to 89 and 52.4% among the age groups 70 to 79. 63.6% of those living alone were depressed as were 54.8% of the unemployed. 43.8% of those depressed had functional disability. The only one with severe disability was depressed and 66. 7% of those with severe disability were depressed. 47.5% of those with hypertension were depressed. It is a matter of concern that even in a small population the rate of cognitive impairment and mental depression is very high. Health screening is an important aspect of health promotion and disease prevention in people over 60 years. Although screening for many conditions cannot conclusively prove benefit, special attention to these factors can decrease morbidity and improve quality of life in aging population.
Key words: elderly, cognitive impairment, depression, rural community, Malaysia
Study site: Two villages in Mukim Kota Kuala Muda, Kuala Muda District, Kedah, Malaysia
Device, Questionnaire & Scale: Barthels index; Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30); Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Prevalence of burnout among Universiti Sains Malaysia medical students

Chin ARW, Chua YY, Chu MN, Mahadi NF, Yusof MSB, Wong MS, et al.

Education in Medicine Journal, 2016;8(3):61-74.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The academic life of medical students can be considered as psychological toxic. About half of United States medical students experience burnout and more than 25% experience depression. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout among medical students in a Malaysian medical school and its associated factors.
Methods: This is a cross sectional study of 452 medical students from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was distributed via Google Forms through Facebook Messenger. Ethical approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee USM. Data were collected via Google Sheets. Each respondent only submitted one Google Form as no resubmission link was provided once completed Google Form was submitted.
Result: The prevalence of burnout among USM medical students was 67.9%. Personal burnout was the highest (81.6%), followed by work-related burnout (73.7%) and client-related burnout (68.6%). The analysis showed that regardless of year of study, gender and ethnicity (all P > 0.05), USM medical students were vulnerable to burnout.
Conclusion: The prevalence of burnout among USM medical students was high and the most prevalent type of burnout was personal burnout. Therefore, burnout among medical students should be a concern and must be addressed to prevent subsequent unwanted consequences.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Psychological determinants of pre-hypertension among first year undergraduate students in a public university in Malaysia

Balami AD, Salmiah MS, Nor Afiah MZ

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2014;14(2):67-76.
MyJurnal

Pre-hypertension increased the risk of morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases. Whereas, psychological factors such as depression, anxiety and stress have been associated with increased in blood pressure. However, previous studies more focuses on psychological determinants of hypertension than prehypertension. Thus, this study aims to determine the association between these psychological factors with pre-hypertension. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 among first year students of a public Malaysian university. A random cluster sampling was used to select 5 out of 15 faculties and a total of 495 students participated in this study. The Malay version of DASS-21 was used to elicit their levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Blood pressures were measured twice using sphygmomanometer and the averages were taken. Data analyses used chi-square test and binary multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of pre-hypertension was 30.1%. The percentage of severe and extremely severe depression was 3.8% and 1.2%; both severe and extremely severe anxiety was 16.4%; and severe and extremely severe stress was 4.2% and 0.2% respectively. Severe/extremely severe depression had more than 3 times higher in getting pre-hypertension than no depression. In conclusions, almost one third of respondents had pre-hypertension and only severe/extremely depression was associated with pre-hypertension.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Bipolar disorder and other associated factors in postnatal depression

Ng, C.G.

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;18(2):1-11.
MyJurnal

Postnatal depression is common and affects 10-15% of postpartum women. While there are many studies on the depressive episode in the postnatal period, its association with the bipolar spectrum disorder is often go unrecognized and undiagnosed.
Objective: To study the rate of bipolar spectrum disorder in mothers presented with postpartum depression and its associated factors.
Method: This is a cross sectional study on the women who visited the postnatal clinic in University Malaya Medical Centre. Subjects who consented were asked to complete a short questionnaire looking at the socio-demographic details and asked to answer the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Mood Disorder questionnaire (MDQ) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) whish assess the perceived social support and mood disorder.
Result: A total of 93 women were recruited into the study. Independent t-test and stepwise regression analysis identified that unemployment and baby with health problem were the only associated factors for postnatal depression. 28.6% of the mother with possible postnatal depression (EPDS = 12) might have bipoar spectrum disorder (MDQ = 7).
Conclusion: Postnatal depression as part of bipolar spectrum disorder needed additional attention. Postnatal check with screening tools may help to identify mood disturbance in postpartum women
Study site: Postnatal clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Depression, Postpartum
Fulltext Prevalence and risk factors of stress, anxiety and depression among medical students of a private medical university in Malaysia

Maher D Fuad, Balsam Mahdi Nasir Al-Zurfi, Mohammed Abdul Qader, Mohammed Faez Abu Bakar, Elnajeh, Maged, Mohd Rusli Abdullah

Education in Medicine Journal, 2015;7(2):52-59.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Medical school expected to be a time of personal development, achievement, and well-being. However, research shows that there are many negative effects on students’ mental health due to the current educational process. Objective: This research aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students of a private medical university in Malaysia. Method: Cross sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires including socio-demographic factors, DASS-21 and MSSQ-40 questionnaires. Result: Prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression were 46.9%, 76.2% and 60.2% respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that academic related stressors were only associated with stress [adjusted OR 1.78, 95% CI (1.23, 2.58), p=0.002]. Group activities related stressors were significantly associated with stress [adjusted OR=1.45, 95%CI (1.20, 1.75), p

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Anxiety and depression in children with epilepsy

Lai, Choo Ong

Neurology Asia, 2013;18(11):39-41.
MyJurnal

Children with epilepsy are at increased risk of behavioral problems and psychiatric disorders compared with the general population and those with other chronic illnesses. Depression and anxiety disorders are the most common and require further attention because they carry the risk of reduced quality of life and have far reaching consequences in later life. The wide range of prevalence quoted in the literature reflects methodologic differences. Risk factors are often multifactorial and include illness severity, coexisting morbidity, and psychosocial factors. Diagnosis remains a challenge, as the presentation is heterogenous and age related. This is complicated by epilepsy issues and associated comorbidity that hamper the use of standardized assessment tools. Multimodal treatment involving psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy currently represents the best approach. The mental health needs of these children are largely unmet; increased awareness and better research are required to determine best practices.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Factors influencing appetite and depression among institutionalised Chinese elderly in Penang

Suzana Shahar, Yow, Bee Charn

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2009;7(2):73-88.
MyJurnal

Poor appetite and inadequate food intake together with depression are associated with malnutrition, that will increase risk of morbidity and mortality among elderly people. Identifying factors associated with these conditions are essential for formulation of preventive strategies. Therefore, a study was conducted to identify factors associated with poor appetite and depression among institutionalised Chinese elderly people in Butterworth, Penang. A total of 100 Chinese elderly (49 men and 51 women) aged 60 years and above, (mean age ± SD of 74.7 ± 9.2 years), with no known terminal and mental illnesses from two nursing homes participated in this study. Subjects were interviewed to gather information on appetite using Council of Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire (CNAQ), depression using Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and also socio demographic and health status. Food intake was assessed using a combination of one-day food weighing and 24 hour diet recall. Body weight and height were measured. Results showed that the mean energy and nutrients intake did not achieve the Recommended Nutrient Intake of Malaysia (RNI), with the exception for vitamin C. Only 4% of the subjects were underweight and obese, 65% normal and 31% overweight. A total of 70% and 73% of subjects had poor appetite and depression, respectively. Subjects who had depression (adjusted OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 0.95-8.03), energy intake below RNI (adjusted OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 0.68-6.95) and difficulty to fall asleep at night (insomnia) (adjusted OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 0.72-6.82) were more likely to have poor appetite. Subjects who had poor appetite (adjusted OR = 3.36, 95% CI = 1.19-9.47) and insomnia (adjusted OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 0.83-7.98) were more likely to have depression. In conclusion, although the majority of subjects had normal body weight but the nutrient intake was inadequate. Poor appetite and depression were prevalent and interrelated and also strongly associated with insomnia.
Device, Scales & Questionnaire: Council of Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire (CNAQ-8); Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Factors associated with metabolic syndrome among psychiatric outpatients with major depressive disorder

Hat, H.T., Shahrul Azhar, M.H., Chong, L.L., Ee, W.S., Amirah, R., Hazli, Z., et al.

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2011;20(2):1-13.
MyJurnal

Background: Metabolic Syndrome is a major concern for the general population but more so for depressed patients. While it is well established that it is highly prevalent among patients who are depressed, none of the local studies identified the factors contributing to the syndrome.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the rate of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors (socio-demographic, clinical features and lifestyle risk factors) in depressed patients.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on patients with major depressive disorders (MDD) attending psychiatric outpatient clinic in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 72 outpatients who fulfilled the selection criteria were informed to fast prior to blood taking. The diagnosis of MDD was made based on Diagnostic Statistical Manual Version IV (DSM-IV) while the metabolic syndrome diagnosis was made using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria based on the patients’ waist circumference, blood pressure, serum glucose level and lipid profile.
Results: The rates of metabolic syndrome was 37.5% (n = 27). The results showed significant associations between metabolic syndrome and race (p = 0.043), illness duration (p = 0.043) and pre-existing hyperlipidaemia (p = 0.032). Interestingly, lifestyle factors like physical activity (p = 0.762), dietary intake (p = 0.671), severity of depression (p = 0.161) and the different types of medications (p = 0.242 to 1.000) were not found to significantly associated with metabolic syndrome among the study sample.
Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome was found to be disproportionately high among depressed patients. Two significant factors associated with this syndrome were race and long duration of depression (ten years or more). This study suggests that early screening and identification can be beneficial to be incorporated in the management of depression in anticipation of future complications.

Study site: Psychiatric clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Bio-psychological perspectives of eating disorders and obesity: a revisited

Ainsah Omar, Osman Che Bakar

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2008;9(1):33-41.
MyJurnal

Food is closely related with emotion. It often provides comfort and satisfaction. Some individuals choose to turn to food to curb their negative emotion, resulting in disturbances in
eating patterns, such as overeating which lead to obesity and severely controlling food intake, which culminate in eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. These disorders are not related to the eating problems per se but often due to underlying or complicated by psychological factors, namely depression, anxiety, impulse control problems and personality. The roles of psychological factors in eating disorders and obesity should therefore not be downplayed. These disorders should be managed comprehensively involving multiple approaches, including not only biological but also psychological interventions provided by a professional team comprising endocrinologists, psychiatrists, dietitians, exercise physicians and surgeons.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Anorexia nervosa with comorbid borderline personality disorder, major depression and homosexuality in a young Malay man: a case report

Osman Che Bakar, Ainsah Omar

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2008;9(2):126-128.
MyJurnal

We aimed to report the first case of anorexia nervosa in a young Malaysian Malay homosexual man with underlying borderline personality disorder and major depression. Patient and parents were interviewed. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV was used to generate Axis-I diagnosis. The Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale was used to assess the severity of depression. His parents had marital discord. His father was overinvolved. Regarding anorexia nervosa, he had 163 cm height, 46kg weight and a body mass index (BMI) of 17 kg/m2. His four limbs had multiple scratch marks. Laboratory test results showed anemia, leukocytosis and hypoalbuminemia. Family pathology, borderline personality disorder and homosexuality could be the risk factors of anorexia nervosa in this patient.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext The effect of depressive disorders on compliance among hypertensive patients undergoing pharmacotherapy

Zakaria N, Baharudin A, Razali R

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(2):89-99.
MyJurnal

Objective: To study the effect of depressive disorders, severity of depression and, sociodemographic factors on drug compliance among hypertensive patients at primary care clinics. Methods: A total of 201 hypertensive patients on treatment for at least 3 months who attended the HUKM Primary Care Clinic and Salak Polyclinic were selected for this study. Patients were screened for depressive disorders using the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and those who scored 8 and more were further interviewed to establish a diagnosis using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Patients who were diagnosed to have depressive disorders were further rated for the severity of the illness by using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). Drug compliance was assessed during a 2 month follow up using the pill counting method (ratio 0.8 – 1.2 considered as compliant). Results: The prevalence of non-compliance among hypertensive patients was 38.3%. There was no association between the diagnosis of depressive disorders and drug compliance. Among the 12 patients who had depressive disorders, severity of depression as rated by HAMD, showed significant association with drug compliance (Mann-Whitney test z = -2.083, p

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Varenicline - a new pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation: implication for smokers with mental health problems

Rusdi Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Muhsin Ahmad Zahari, Mohammad Hussain Habil, Noor Zurani Md Haris Robson

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(2):202-209.
MyJurnal

Objective: The smoking rate among patients with mental health problem is higher than in the general population. Effective pharmacotherapy to treat nicotine addiction is thus needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cigarette smoking among these patients. This article reviews the literature on the suitability of varenicline for smokers with mental health problems.
Methods: A search of the literature was conducted using PubMed from year 2001 to July 2009 using key words varenicline alone and varenicline and mental health. Articles chosen were narrowed to those published in English. The type of articles chosen included clinical trials, metaanalyses, case reports, and review articles.
Results: The search produced a total of 322 articles on varenicline and 14 articles on varenicline and mental health. Varenicline, a new drug for smoking cessation is an α4β2 partial agonist and partial antagonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. As a partial agonist, varenicline relieves craving and withdrawal symptoms that occur during smoking abstinence and also reduce the rewarding effects of smoking in patients who relapse. However, at present, there is concern regarding the neuropsychiatric side effects such as aggressive behaviour, suicidal ideation, mania and depression associated with varenicline use in patients with mental health problems, but these reports did not show a causal-link or lack of link between these symptoms and varenicline.
Conclusion: Current available data support the effectiveness of varenicline to treat nicotine dependence. However its safety among smokers with mental health problems remains to be elucidated. At present, further safety assessment is needed in this patient population. Until new data is available regarding the safety of varenicline in these populations, psychiatrists and physicians prescribing this medication should be extra cautious and monitor for possible psychiatric side effects when prescribing this medication to patients with pre-existing psychiatric disorders or have vulnerability to psychoses.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Psychological disorders and help seeking behaviour among Malaysian medical students in their clinical years

Aida, J., Hizlinda, T., Siti Fatimah, S., Mohd Muhaimin, A., Chai, S.Y., Sahrina, W., et al.

Medicine & Health, 2014;9(2):114-123.
MyJurnal

The present study is to determine the level of depression, anxiety and stress among Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) clinical year medical students and their help seeking behaviour in relation to their psychological aspect. A cross-sectional study was conducted in UKM Medical Centre for three months duration. The study population was the third, fourth and fifth year medical students via proportional sampling. They were given questionnaires consisting of socio-demographic items, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 – Bahasa Malaysia version BM-DASS21 and questions regarding help-seeking behaviors. Psychometric assessment (BMDASS21) estimated the level of depression, anxiety and stress among medical students. Help-seeking behavior questions assessed the use of medical facilities and other help-seeking sources. Regarding questions on the barriers towards seeking help from the primary health-care, three parts were evaluated: structural barriers, barriers towards perceptions on mental-health disorder and barriers towards use of primary health-care services. There were 380 medical students who were involved in this research. It was found that some students experienced depression (1.3%), anxiety (2.4%) and stress (2.4%). Majority of them preferred to seek help from friends (283; 74.5%) followed by parents (275; 72.4%). There was a significant association between students who were anxious and help seeking behaviour from formal sources: counselor (p=0.001) and religious personnel (p=0.03). Hence, it is essential to increase their awareness on psychological disorders and more efficient screening programme should be used to recognize medical students with possible emotional disorders.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Reliability and factor structure of the General Health Questionnaire-12 among university students

Normala Ibrahim, Zubaidah Jamil Osman, Khin Ohmar Naing Noor Jan, Siti Irma Fadhilah Ismail, Phang Cheng Kar, Firdaus Mukhtar, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2014;10(2):53-60.
MyJurnal

The 12- item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) has been translated into many languages and widely used in different settings and countries. Its reliability and psychometric properties were extensively studied in many population groups which suggested that it measures psychological distress in multidimensional construct. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the reliability and factor structure of the Bahasa Malaysia version of the GHQ-12 among university students attending a health program at a Malaysian public university. Method: The cross sectional survey was conducted on 306 undergraduate students aged between 18 to 27 years old who visited the booth set up for mental health screening at a health program. The screening was conducted using a self-administered, validated Bahasa Malaysia version of GHQ-12 questionnaire. Results: Using exploratory factor analysis, the Bahasa Malaysia version of GHQ-12 was found to have a three factor structures namely depressive symptoms, self-esteem and perceived abilities which accounted for 58% of the item variance. The overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale was found to be high (0.84) with each factor having acceptable inter-item consistency ranging from 0.61 to 0.82. Conclusion: The findings of the study show that the Bahasa Malaysia version GHQ-12 is reliable and has good structural characteristics. It can assess a few domains of the psychological status of university students. It also helps in providing more information
on the domain which may become a focus target of intervention in the prevention of mental illness.

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Depressive symptoms among siblings of paediatric outpatients at University Malaya medical centre

Jayanath, S., Boey, C.M.

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2013;22(2):50-58.
MyJurnal

Depressive symptoms exist within the paediatric population. Nonetheless, clear clinical manifestations are often absent in this group. Objective: This study aimed to describe the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among siblings of paediatric outpatients. The outpatients presented for acute complaints only. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, with data collected over a 16-month period (April 2010 to July 2011). Participants were siblings of paediatric outpatients at University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur. They were recruited via convenience sampling. They were classified into high, average and low scores based on their responses to questions in the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI; T-score >55: high, T-score 45-55: average; Tscore

Study site: paediatric outpatients at University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)

Matched MeSH terms: Depression
Fulltext Factorial validation of the Malay version of multidimensional scale of perceived social support among a group of psychiatric patients

Ng, C.G., Nurasikin, M.S., Loh, H.S., Yee, Anne H.A., Zainal, N.Z.

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2012;21(2):0-0.
MyJurnal

Introduction: There is increasing awareness of the contribution of perceived social support (PSS) to emotional and physical well-being. Numerous scales measuring PSS have been developed, including the widely used Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The psychometric properties of the MSPSS have been demonstrated in diverse samples, however mostly are conducted in English. Malay is the official languange in Malaysia, and this study was conducted to provide evidence of the validity and reliability of a Malay version MSPSS (MSPSS-M) suited for our population.
Methods: This is a cross sectional study. The socio-demographic and clinical information of the selected patients from psychiatric outpatient clinic over a 3-month period, were obtained via pre-designed questionnaire, interviews and medical records. Assessment of psychiatric symptoms and social support were measured by various instruments including the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-E), Depressive, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and MSPSS-M.
Results: Data were reported for 228 psychiatric outpatients with the mean age of 40.3 years old. The 3-factor structure of the MSPSS-M (significant others, family, and friends) fitted the data well. The MSPSS-M showed good internal consistency (Cronbach α of 0.89) and validity. The scores of the total subscales for MSPSS-M were negatively correlated with the depression subscale in DASS (P < 0.05). BPRS was negatively correlated with significant others (P < 0.01) compared to the other two subscales in MSPSS-M.
Conclusions: The Malay version MSPSS (MSPSS-M) is a psychometrically valid instrument with high internal consistency, which is useful in assessing perceived social support in Malaysian population.

Study site: psychiatric clinic, University Malaya
Medical Center (UMMC)

Matched MeSH terms: Depression

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