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Mental Health Assessments, Chronic Disease and Health Psychology

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral and Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 13431

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Carlos Javier Van-der Hofstadt Roman

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Guest Editor

1. Hospital Psychology Unit, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis, Avda Pintor Baeza, 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
2. Research Group in Hospital Psychology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Avda Pintor Baeza, 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
3. Department of Health Psychology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain
Interests: health psychology; clinical psychology; psychological intervention; mental health assessments; chronic disease; chronic pain; bariatric surgery; inflammatory bowel disease; transplant; quality of life; communication skills

Dr. Purificación Bernabeu-Juan

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor

Research Group in Hospital Psychology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Avda Pintor Baeza, 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain
Interests: health psychology; clinical psychology; psychological intervention; mental health assessments; chronic disease; chronic pain; bariatric surgery; inflammatory bowel disease; transplant; quality of life

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Suffering a chronic disease, even if the disease occurs acutely, can trigger intense emotional reactions in the patient and their family that can have lasting negative impact. For example, the occurence of sadness, apathy, stress, anxiety, depression, anguish, and fear in chronic disease sufferers is common, in addition to feelings of guilt and that they have lost control of their lives.

However, only a small proportion of patients receive psychological care. Health psychology has been working in this direction for years, and greater awareness of this reality is needed even within the health community.

There is great scientific evidence that suggests the health and quality of life of patients with chronic diseases are influenced by psychological conditions. Significantly, health problems such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, cancer, cardiovascular disease, severe asthma, immune-mediated diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, and transplant failure are all exacerbated by stress.

Evaluation and psychological intervention in the care of chronic diseases can contribute positively to their treatment. Reducing the need for these patients to use health systems can assist in avoiding exacerbations and contribute to the improvement of quality of life, resulting in widespread positive effects.

Dr. Carlos Javier Van-der Hofstadt Roman
Dr. Purificación Bernabeu-Juan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

health psychology
cognitive behavioral therapy
psychological intervention
mental health assessments
chronic disease

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 547 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differences in the Quality of Life of Patients Recently Diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

by Purificación Bernabéu Juan, Paula Cabezos Sirvent, Laura Sempere Robles, Ana van-der Hofstadt Gomis, Jesús Rodríguez Marín and Carlos J. van-der Hofstadt Román

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(16), 6576; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20166576 - 14 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1699

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic diseases, encompassing Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). An IBD diagnosis has an impact on the quality of life of patients; this impact can be different according to the type of disease. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the differences in the impact on quality of life in the early stages after diagnosis in patients with CD and UC. Patients and methods: This was an observational, multi-center, and cross-sectional study, with the participation of 156 patients recently diagnosed with IBD (<6 months) from 4 hospitals from the Health Council of the Valencian Community. The patients were assessed through the use of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ-32), which measures the quality of life when living with IBD. Results: The sample was composed of 80 patients with CD (51.0%) and 76 patients with a UC diagnosis. The mean age was 42.3 ± 16.2. The CD patients were more affected (42.5%) in their general quality of life than the UC patients (17.1%) (p = 0.001). In the dimensions of the IBDQ-32, the patients with CD showed significant differences in the systemic, emotional, and social spheres. The bowel dimension scores were similar in both groups. Conclusions: The patients who were recently diagnosed with CD were more affected regarding their quality of life as compared to those who were diagnosed with UC. Psychological care must be considered to mitigate the impact of an IBD diagnosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Assessments, Chronic Disease and Health Psychology)

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14 pages, 657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of the Glover–Nilsson Smoking Behavioral Questionnaire (GN-SBQ) to Evaluate Nicotine Dependence in Spanish Clinical Settings

by José Luis Carballo, Sara Rodríguez-Espinosa, Clara Sancho-Domingo and Ainhoa Coloma-Carmona

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021119 - 8 Jan 2023

Viewed by 2331

Abstract

An assessment of the different aspects of tobacco addiction is central to adapting interventions to the profiles and needs of smokers. The Glover–Nilsson Smoking Behavioral Questionnaire (GN-SBQ) is one of the few and most used scales to evaluate the behavioral aspects of tobacco addiction. However, few studies involve the validation of the GN-SBQ in clinical settings. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the GN-SBQ in a sample of Spanish smokers. A total of 341 smokers attending clinical services in Spain participated in this cross-sectional study. Measures included the psychological factors related to tobacco addiction, assessed with the GN-SBQ, the physical factors of nicotine addiction, withdrawal symptoms, smoking-related variables, and alcohol use. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, internal consistency coefficients, confirmatory factor analyses, Spearman correlations, and the Kruskal–Wallis test. The GN-SBQ showed adequate reliability (

α

= 0.76 and

ω

= 0.76) and a unidimensional structure. GN-SBQ scores also provided evidence of convergent and concurrent validity. GN-SBQ scores significantly correlated with the physical symptoms of addiction, age, number of cigarettes, and withdrawal symptoms. The results of discriminant validity were also adequate, as no correlation was observed between GN-SBQ scores and CO levels or alcohol use. Significant differences were found between all levels of psychological addiction based on the GN-SBQ scores regarding physical nicotine addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and age. Thus, this questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the psychological aspects of tobacco addiction in smokers in clinical settings. The short length of the GN-SBQ proves advantageous for its use in time-limited assessments, which are common in public health services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Assessments, Chronic Disease and Health Psychology)

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13 pages, 617 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cyberbullying: Common Predictors to Cyber-Victimisation and Bystanding

by Daniel Lloret-Irles, Víctor Cabrera-Perona, Sonia Tirado-González and José V. Segura-Heras

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15750; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315750 - 26 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1395

Abstract

Cyberbullying has increased worryingly in the last decade, becoming a mental health problem in adolescence. Research usually focuses on cyber-bullies or cyber-victims, overlooking that these roles may overlap (e.g., cyber-victim-bystander). Aim: To identify possible common predictors to cyber-victimisation and bystanding. Sample: The study sample consisted in 560 students, 12–15 years old, 47.5% female. Method: Canonical correlation, examining linear relationship between a group of X variables, and a group of Y variables. Main results and conclusions: Two canonical varieties were built (Cor (U₁,V₁) = 0.442; Cor (U₂,V₂) = 0.270). Minors with high scores in cyber-victimisation (r = −0.888) and bystanding (r = −0.902) would have more favourable attitude towards violence, greater number of contacts on social networks/messaging and greater attention to emotions. The second variety discriminates minors with high cyber-victimisation score, but low observation and would relate to low attitudes towards violence and contacts on social networks/messaging, together with high scores in parental monitoring. Results suggest the possible overlapping of roles and how cyber-victimisation and bystanding share predictive factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Assessments, Chronic Disease and Health Psychology)

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17 pages, 2782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling Identity Disturbance: A Network Analysis of the Personality Structure Questionnaire (PSQ)

by Georgia Mangion, Melanie Simmonds-Buckley, Stephen Kellett, Peter Taylor, Amy Degnan, Charlotte Humphrey, Kate Freshwater, Marisa Poggioli and Cristina Fiorani

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 13793; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113793 - 24 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1598

Abstract

Due to the relevance of identity disturbance to personality disorder this study sought to complete a network analysis of a well validated measure of identity disturbance; the personality structure questionnaire (PSQ). A multi-site and cross-national methodology created an overall sample of N = 1549. The global network structure of the PSQ was analysed and jointly estimated networks were compared across four subsamples (UK versus Italy, adults versus adolescents, clinical versus community and complex versus common presenting problems). Stability analyses assessed the robustness of identified networks. Results indicated that PSQ3 (unstable sense of self) and PSQ5 (mood variability) were the most central items in the global network structure. Network structures significantly differed between the UK and Italy. Centrality of items was largely consistent across subsamples. This study provides evidence of the potential network structure of identity disturbance and so guides clinicians in targeting interventions facilitating personality integration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Assessments, Chronic Disease and Health Psychology)

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13 pages, 814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Violence in Dating Relationships: Validation of the CADRI Questionnaire in a Young Adult Population

by Pedro José López-Barranco, Ismael Jiménez-Ruiz, César Leal-Costa, Elena Andina-Díaz, Ana I. López-Alonso and José Antonio Jiménez-Barbero

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 11083; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191711083 - 4 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1911

Abstract

Dating violence in the young adult population is reaching alarming levels. However, the instruments used to measure it and their results are still heterogeneous. The main aim of this study was to validate the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory questionnaire for a young adult Spanish university population aged between 19 and 25 years old, and to describe the types of violence perpetrated and suffered. Material and Methods. Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. A validity analysis was carried out through a confirmatory factor analysis. The relative frequencies for each type of violence and the Chi2 test for two dichotomous variables were used to describe the different types of violence perpetrated and suffered. Results: The sample consisted of 976 young adults aged 19–25 years old (M = 21.7 years. SD = 1.8). The confirmatory factor analysis had an adequate structure and a good fit to the model. The types of violence perpetrated and suffered were described according to the sex of the participants, with significant differences found for verbal-emotional violence and physical violence exerted. Conclusions: The confirmatory factor analysis allowed us to consider the application of the questionnaire to be correct for the study population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Assessments, Chronic Disease and Health Psychology)

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Review

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18 pages, 712 KiB

Open AccessReview

Barriers to Cardiac Rehabilitation among Patients Diagnosed with Cardiovascular Diseases—A Scoping Review

by Pupalan Iyngkaran, Pavithra Yapa Appuhamilage, Gayani Patabandige, Prasadi Saubhagya Sarathchandra Peru Kandage, Wania Usmani and Fahad Hanna

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030339 - 13 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1580

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a rising global burden. Preventative strategies such as cardiac rehabilitation (CR) have shown a marked reduction in disease burden. Despite this, CR is underutilized worldwide. This study aims to identify the barriers to CR among patients diagnosed with CVD. Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines. Four major databases, including CINAHL, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Scopus, were used to obtain studies published between 2010 and 2023. Search terms such as “Cardiac rehab*”, “Barrier*”, “Cardiovascular”, “Disease”, and “diagnosis*” were utilized in order to obtain subject-specific studies relevant to the research question. Results: From the initial 2098 studies, only 14 were included in the final analysis, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative designs. The thematic analysis included “healthcare system-related factors”, “Socioeconomic factors”, and “individual characteristics”. Healthcare system-related factors were mostly related to the poor availability of CR programs, lack of proper referral strategies, inadequate knowledge of CR provider and inter-provider communication issues, and lack of alternative methods of CR delivery. The socioeconomic barriers were lack of education, longer distance to CR facilities, high cost of care, unemployment, and poor income status. The identified individual characteristics were female gender, older age, and comorbidities. Conclusions: Lack of resources, poor access, educational attainment, and high cost of care were some of the barriers to CR, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Health policymakers and healthcare providers should implement strategies incorporating the issues identified in this scoping review. Systematic reviews may be required to confirm these findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Assessments, Chronic Disease and Health Psychology)

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Other

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27 pages, 774 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Attitudes and Beliefs of Mental Health Professionals towards Trans People: A Systematic Review of the Literature

by María Asunción Cutillas-Fernández, José Antonio Jiménez-Barbero, María Herrera-Giménez, Luis Alberto Forcén-Muñoz and Ismael Jiménez-Ruiz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(15), 6495; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20156495 - 1 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1641

Abstract

A systematic review was conducted to assess and synthesize recent research on mental health professionals’ attitudes towards trans people. The main objectives of our research were (a) to identify, synthesize, and analyze the scientific evidence available so far about the attitudes of mental health professionals towards the trans community, and (b) to determine the factors related to these professionals’ attitudes, paying special attention to psychosocial and cultural aspects. A systematic search was carried out in the following electronic databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Gender Studies Database, and Lilacs. A total of 32 articles of quantitative (n = 19), qualitative (n = 11), and mixed (n = 2) design, published up to March 2023, were included. Most studies used a cross-sectional or qualitative design, limiting the possibility of generalizing the results. The studies reviewed indicated mostly positive attitudes among the professionals, depending on their psychosocial characteristics. In line with the results of our review, we recommend that the training of professionals is important to improve their positive attitudes towards transgender and gender diverse people. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Assessments, Chronic Disease and Health Psychology)

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