Background

Mental health problems are prevalent among university students, underscoring the need to improve access to effective interventions. Mental healthcare utilization is influenced by general and country-specific factors. This study aimed to identify and compare preferences and barriers to help-seeking for mental health problems among university students in three European countries.

Methods

A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted with a sample of 4960 university students from Portugal (n = 3399), Germany (n = 680), and Sweden (n = 881). Depressive symptoms (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire) and overall mental health (5-item Mental Health Index) were assessed. Students responded to questions regarding help-seeking preferences for and barriers to mental health problems.

Results

Rates of moderate to severe depressive symptoms ranged from 37.5 to 51.0 % and were highest among German students. A majority (76.3–89.3 %) of students indicated they would talk to a friend in case of mental health problems. Readiness to seek help was particularly high among Portuguese students. Readiness to use internet-based interventions was low among all students. Up to 51 % of students reported uncertainty regarding where they could seek help. Students with depressive symptoms versus those without were less likely to speak with a friend about emotional problems but were more likely to consider taking medications. Students with depressive symptoms were also more likely to endorse several help-seeking barriers.

Conclusion

Reducing structural barriers, improving awareness of treatment options and increasing acceptance of help-seeking for emotional problems may improve uptake of mental health services among students in these European countries.

Background

The mental health of university students is a global concern, with high rates of depression and anxiety that need to be addressed.AimWe aimed to compare the mental health of Portuguese, Swedish and German university students in the health and social sciences following the Covid-19 pandemic and to analyze the factors associated with depressive and anxious symptoms in each country.

Methods

A cross-sectional study with a sample of students from Portugal, Germany and Sweden was conducted. Data from online questionnaires, including a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the MHI-5 (Mental Health Inventory) was collected from October to December 2022.

Results

The sample was composed of 1670 university students. The prevalence of mild to severe depressive symptoms was 72.7 % in Germany, 62.9 % in Sweden, and 60.3 % in Portugal and the prevalence of mild to severe anxiety symptoms was 78.6 % in Portugal, 73.7 % in Germany, and 66.9 % in Sweden. Being a female student, having a previous mental health disorder diagnosis, and poor academic performance were associated with higher severity of depression and anxiety symptoms in all three countries. Country-specific factors associated with more depressive and/or anxiety symptoms were younger age, smoking, low socioeconomic level and living away from home. Swedish students who do not consume alcohol had more anxiety symptoms and German students who do not consume alcohol had more depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

The high prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among students in the three countries highlights the need to address modifiable factors that contribute to this mental health burden. Our results, which are in line with international trends, underline the need for policy reforms that target the main determinants of mental health, in particular by improving socio-economic conditions. Addressing these factors could play a crucial role in improving mental health outcomes in this population.

Background and aim

Common mental disorders are common reasons for long-term sick leave, especially among women. Return to work is often complex and unsuccessful, why more knowledge is needed regarding women’s health and psychological well-being in the return-to-work process. Therefore, the aim was to describe women’s health and psychological well-being in the return-to-work process, from women’s and first-line managers’ perspectives.

Methods

Individual interviews were conducted with 17 women and 16 first-line managers. Qualitative content analysis was performed based on the content areas “Women’s health (i.e. overall well-being, both physical and psychological) throughout the whole RTW process” and “Women’s psychological well-being (happiness, meaning and a sense of being significant) at work after work resumption” Themes and categories were created.

Results

Women and managers had similar descriptions, i.e. that women’s health and psychological well-being depend on the individual characteristics of women themselves, their private life, work and other stakeholders. However, women described relational work tasks (e.g. meeting patients) as beneficial for health, and highlighted small stressors in the work environment, which the managers did not. Having work that was compatible with private life, being in good health, having stimulating work tasks and strengthening relationships at work were important for the women’s psychological well-being.

Conclusions

Based on women’s and first-line managers experiences, promotion of women’s health and psychological well-being during the return-to-work process requires individually adapted assessments and actions involving women’s entire life situation. First-line managers should know that relational work tasks (e.g., meeting patients) can be beneficial for women’s health as well as that minor stressor in the work environment can put their health at risk.

Objectives

To investigate which demographic and clinical factors were associated with psychological wellbeing in working-aged people in multimodal rehabilitation for musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods

116 participants met the criteria for inclusion: persistent or intermittent pain for at least three months; pain that adversely impacts daily life; potential for active change despite pain; no co-morbidity or condition that will hinder participation in the rehabilitation program. Primary outcome was psychological wellbeing and independent measures were general, physical and mental health, pain intensity, limitations in daily life, depression and sleep.

Results

The results show decreased odds of psychological wellbeing for persons rating high on depression. The results remained significant after adjusting for sex and age. Being a woman increased the odds of high psychological wellbeing. Logistic regression showed that psychological wellbeing was not significantly associated with pain intensity; sleep; functional limitations; general, physical, or mental health. None of the other independent variables was significantly associated with high vs. low psychological wellbeing.

Conclusions

Depression turned out to be significantly related to psychological wellbeing, contrary to pain and limitations in daily life. If further studies with larger, random samples can confirm these results, this knowledge may be important both in clinical settings and in future research.

Background: Common mental disorders (CMDs) are currently a major cause of long-term sick leave, with women being the most affected.Objective: Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), we aimed to describe the development and psychometric evaluation of a new questionnaire to measure women's beliefs about return to work (RTW) after long-term sick leave for CMDs.Methods: Data were collected in central Sweden from women on long-term sick leave(2–24 months) for CMDs. The questionnaire was developed by conducting an elicitation study with 20 women and included direct and indirect measures. Subsequently, 282 women participated in a psychometric evaluation and 35 of them in a test-retest procedure. Psychometric properties were evaluated by determining reliability (internal consistency [Cronbach’s alpha] and test-retest stability [intraclasscorrelation coefficient]), construct validity (exploratory factor analysis) and content validity. Results: The development resulted in 60 questionnaire items. Content validity assessment showed that the women overall found it easy to complete the questionnaire. Reliability analyses showed satisfactory results for direct and indirect measures, with a few exceptions. Factor analyses of the indirect scales showed that items were generally in line with the TPB, but that items related to life as a whole/personal life and items related to work separated into two different factors. Conclusions: The questionnaire, called the RTW Beliefs Questionnaire, showed promising results and can among women with CMDs considered useful, especially scales for direct measures. This questionnaire gives the opportunity to identify new potential predictors for RTW.

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore how persons with systemic mastocytosis (SM) described the time between the onset of symptoms and signs and getting the diagnosis.

Background: SM is a rare disease caused by the accumulation of clonal mast cells with abnormal function. The symptoms and signs of the disease are varied, often diffuse and affect individuals differently. Due to this complexity, a multi-disciplinary diagnostic approach is required, in which general practitioners play an important part in identifying and referring patients relevant for such investigations.

Methods: Sixteen persons with SM were interviewed about their experiences of the time before the diagnosis was received. Systematic text condensation was used in the analysis process.

Findings: The time between symptom and signs onset and diagnosis was perceived as difficult. SM often had a complex and unpredictable effect on a person’s daily life, long before diagnosis. In the analysis, three themes were found. Having symptoms and signs with an unknown cause included the participants’ descriptions of numerous symptoms and signs, often years before diagnosis. These could be severe and result in worries for both participants and their next-of-kin. Dealing with the symptoms and signs encompassed the different ways in which the participants coped with the symptoms and signs, and sought relief. Being a patient without a diagnosis underlined the lack of information and knowledge within healthcare, often resulting in a delayed or incorrect diagnosis. The study highlighted the importance of a person-centred approach and the need to increase knowledge of the disease within primary care, to shorten this stressful and vulnerable time.

Purpose Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a rare group of hematological malignancies with heterogeneous symptoms from various organs, and overall survival ranges from normal for indolent SM (ISM) to 2–4 years for advanced SM subtypes (Adv SM). There is limited knowledge about the experience of living with SM. Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of everyday life among persons diagnosed with ISM or Adv SM. 

Methods In this descriptive qualitative study, data were collected through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with 16 participants diagnosed with ISM (n = 9) or Adv SM (n = 7). Data were subsequently analysed with content analysis. 

Results Three main categories were identified. The persistent presence of the disease includes findings of how the symptoms affected the participants, how they handled its limitations, and the adaptions and medication management required. Struggling against ignorance illustrates contact with both healthcare professionals and strangers. The participants described being forced to be experts on SM due to a general lack of knowledge. An illness or wellness perspective encompasses the participants’ feelings of vulnerability and alienation, but also how various strategies were used to gain emotional control.

Conclusions 

The disease has a considerable impact on everyday life, with constant efforts required to manage symptoms and medication side effects. The complexity and rarity of the disease complicated relationships with healthcare professionals and contributed to feelings of marginalisation and alienation. The participants described feeling vulnerable but used a multitude of strategies in their striving for resilience. Trusting relationships with healthcare professionals, family members and friends promoted a wellness perspective. 

Common mental disorders are associated with long-term sick leave, especially among women. There is a lack of theory-based research regarding the impact of personal factors on return to work and psychological well-being. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether return-to-work beliefs and perceived health were predictors of return to work and psychological well-being among women during or after long-term sick leave for common mental disorders, based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. This was a prospective cohort study with a 1-year follow-up. At baseline, women (n = 282) had been on full- or part-time sick leave for common mental disorders for 2–24 months. Data were collected in October 2019–January 2020 and October 2020–January 2021 in Sweden. The Social Insurance Agency identified the women at baseline. The Return-To-Work Beliefs Questionnaire, EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale and General Health Questionnaire-12 were used. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted. The women were divided into two groups: full-time sick leave or part-time sick leave at baseline. The results showed that stronger return-to-work intention significantly predicted return to work among women on full-time sick leave at baseline. No significant predictors of return to work were found among women on part-time sick leave at baseline. Psychological well-being was predicted by stronger social pressure to return to work (full-time group) and a more positive attitude toward returning to work and better perceived health (part-time group). We concluded that the Theory of Planned Behaviour can be useful for understanding return to work among women on full-time sick leave, and what underlies psychological well-being in both groups. However, return to work and psychological well-being were predicted by different factors, indicating that a multifactorial approach should be used in supporting women to return to work after long-term sick leave for common mental disorders.