Social Psychiatry And Psychiatric Epidemiology[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Bidirectional associations between insomnia symptoms and depression: a prospective cohort study.
Wang S, Dai M, Li Q … +5 more , Hou T, Wang S, Vitiello MV, Miyawaki CE, Liu M
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Jun · PMID 42223653 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Depression and insomnia are both prevalent in older adults and exhibit a bidirectional relationship. Difficulty initiating sleep (DIS) and difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS) are major symptoms of insomnia. Howev...
PURPOSE: Depression and insomnia are both prevalent in older adults and exhibit a bidirectional relationship. Difficulty initiating sleep (DIS) and difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS) are major symptoms of insomnia. However, whether and how these two insomnia symptoms differ in their associations with depression among older adults is unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between insomnia symptoms (DIS and DMS) and depressive symptoms among older adults. METHODS: We used data of the 3,377 community-dwelling older adults from five waves (2011-2015) of the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative survey of Medicare Beneficiaries in the United States. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Insomnia symptoms included self-reports of DIS and DMS. Generalized estimating equation models were used to examine the concurrent and lagged associations between insomnia symptoms and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Participants were on average 76.0 ± 7.1 years old, predominantly female (59.2%), and non-Hispanic white (72.1%). Both DIS and DMS were concurrently associated with depressive symptoms. Longitudinally, DIS predicted subsequent depressive symptoms even after full adjustment, whereas DMS did not. Conversely, depressive symptoms were concurrently associated with both DIS and DMS, but only predicted subsequent DIS, not DMS. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the bidirectional yet distinct relationships between specific insomnia symptoms and depression in older adults. DIS shows consistent bidirectional associations with depressive symptoms, while DMS is only concurrently associated. Understanding the specific interplay between these conditions may enable the development of more targeted and effective prevention and treatment strategies. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
Headache as a predictive clinical marker for combat-related PTSD risk.
Roitman MS, Magiel E, Lichtenstein GR … +5 more , Chechik Y, Calderon N, Maggio N, Sharon R, Abuhasira S
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Jun · PMID 42223652 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Only a subset of trauma-exposed individuals develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suggesting pre-existing characteristics may be associated with differential risk. The predictive value of pre-trauma...
BACKGROUND: Only a subset of trauma-exposed individuals develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suggesting pre-existing characteristics may be associated with differential risk. The predictive value of pre-trauma physical symptoms, such as headache, remains unclear in large population-based cohorts. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1,126,651 Israeli young adults evaluated for mandatory military service (1998-2019). Headache history was documented at recruitment. Combat-related PTSD diagnoses were identified through military and Ministry of Defense psychiatric registries. Logistic regression models assessed the association between pre-enlistment headache and subsequent PTSD, adjusting for sex, cognitive ability, socioeconomic status, and combat assignment. Predictive performance was evaluated using a hold-out validation split. RESULTS: Headache was reported by 4.37% of participants. Pre-enlistment headache was associated with increased odds of subsequent PTSD (adjusted OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.17-1.47, p < 0.001). A significant sex interaction was observed, with a stronger association among women (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.31-1.74, p < 0.001) than men (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.10-1.50, p = 0.011). In univariate analysis, headache status demonstrated limited discrimination (AUC = 0.55, 95% CI 0.51-0.59). Among individuals with pre-enlistment headache, combat service was associated with higher PTSD risk (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.00-1.63, p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-enlistment headache appears to be an independent predictive clinical marker of increased PTSD risk following combat-related trauma. While headache history shows statistically significant but modest discrimination at the population level, its clinical utility as a standalone screener is limited. These findings suggest that incorporating neurological history into multifactorial models may contribute to improved identification of high-risk individuals.
Depression and increased cancer risk: a 10-year population-based cohort study.
Baek CH, Kim HJ, Son M … +3 more , Kim HR, Kim SH, Kim HS
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Jun · PMID 42223651 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This study aimed to clarify the association between depression and cancer risk, which remains uncertain. METHODS: A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted based on data from Korean adults without pr...
PURPOSE: This study aimed to clarify the association between depression and cancer risk, which remains uncertain. METHODS: A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted based on data from Korean adults without prior cancer who underwent health examinations between 2009 and 2010. Depression was identified using the diagnostic codes within two years before baseline. Incident cancer cases were ascertained through hospitalization and outpatient records during follow-up until 2019. Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for cancers, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, clinical variables and lifestyle. Additionally, subgroup analyses by sex and age and sensitivity analyses considering antidepressant use and a one-year lag period were performed. RESULTS: Among 227,251 participants, depression was significantly associated with a risk of overall cancer (adjusted HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07-1.17; p < 0.001), most notably in pancreatic cancer (adjusted HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.23-1.68; p < 0.001), with findings remaining consistent across subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses showed a slightly stronger association in men (adjusted HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.11-1.26; p < 0.001) than in women (adjusted HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.17; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Depression was associated with an increased risk of overall cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer. These findings underscore depression as a potential early indicator of cancer risk.
A cross-cultural study of the experience of family members caring for persons with schizophrenia in Australia and India.
Tirupati S, Padmavati R
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Jun · PMID 42223650 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Families experience a significant burden caring for their relatives with Schizophrenia The nature and degree of burden could vary across cultures in relation to the family structure and dynamics, economic status...
PURPOSE: Families experience a significant burden caring for their relatives with Schizophrenia The nature and degree of burden could vary across cultures in relation to the family structure and dynamics, economic status and access to health and welfare service This study aimed to examine similarities and differences in the experience of burden by family members (FM) caring for persons with Schizophrenia (PwS) in two countries, Australia and India that differ in their cultural, economic status, and health and welfare services. METHODS: A thematic analysis of individual in-depth interviews of 33 FMs, 12 from Australia and 22 from India, caring for persons with enduring Schizophrenia. The comparable and contrasting experiences of the families in the two countries were identified and discussed. RESULTS: Five themes comprising 13 subthemes emerged from the data. Experiences of psychological distress and its effect on mental health, devastation and trauma, and concerns over future care of PwS in the absence of FMs were expressed by both Australian and Indian FMs. Financial difficulties impacting caregiving and concerns over the PwS's marriage were experienced only by the Indian families. CONCLUSION: The caregiving experiences of families of persons with enduring Schizophrenia in Australia and India were mainly comparable. Some distinctive issues faced by the Indian families were related to economic and cultural factors. Family interventions to promote their well-being and caregiving capacity should be trauma-informed, address the individual needs, and be culturally sensitive.
Social support as the protector of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Population-based longitudinal evidence across pre- and post-vaccine phases.
Park EY, Barnet JH, Malecki KC … +1 more , Oliver TR
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Jun · PMID 42223649 · Publisher ↗
This longitudinal study examined how perceived social and emotional support was associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of a general adult population of Wisconsin, befo...
This longitudinal study examined how perceived social and emotional support was associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of a general adult population of Wisconsin, before and after the availability of vaccines. Using a statewide population-based longitudinal household cohort data from two critical pandemic phases (January-March 2021 and June-August 2021), a series of regression analyses were performed to explicitly test associations across distinct phases of the pandemic, using generalized estimating equations (GEE), adjusting for age, gender, race and ethnicity, education, and income. Before vaccines were available, participants with inadequate social support significantly had a higher prevalence of symptoms of depression (PR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.85, 2.38; p<0.001) and anxiety (PR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.48, 1.83; p < 0.001), compared to those with adequate social support. Although the overall prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms decreased over time, the association between social support and mental health was stronger after the vaccines were widely distributed. Longitudinal findings of this study emphasize the critical role social and emotional support plays as a social determinant of common psychiatric symptoms. It highlights that the role of social and emotional support on mental health is not static but rather, it varies over time, in response to changing conditions in the society that are closely tied to public health policies. This study offers implications for population-level preparedness in future public-health emergencies. Future research on both perceived and received social support with longer longitudinal assessments is warranted.
Patterns of substance-induced psychosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national registry study of specialist healthcare contacts.
Bramness JG, Lund IO, Hauge LJ … +7 more , Rognli EB, Leonhardt M, Brandlistuen R, Reneflot A, Ask H, Stene-Larsen K, Madsen C
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Jun · PMID 42223648 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic affected both substance use patterns and impacted healthcare systems. Substance-induced psychosis (SIP) is a severe mental disorder characterized by severe psychosis triggered by substance...
PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic affected both substance use patterns and impacted healthcare systems. Substance-induced psychosis (SIP) is a severe mental disorder characterized by severe psychosis triggered by substance use. The number of treated SIP episodes may be sensitive to both changes in substance availability and treatment access. We study investigated whether the monthly prevalence of SIP episodes and mortality among SIP patients changed during the pandemic in Norway, comparing observed cases during 2020-2021 to predictions based on pre-pandemic trends. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Norwegian Patient Registry (2012-2021), we identified 7,150 individuals diagnosed with SIP (ICD-10 F1x.5). Monthly prevalence rates for overall SIP episodes and substance-specific SIP diagnoses (i.e., due to alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, or multiple substances) and yearly mortality rates were predicted using ensemble time-series models. Deviations during the pandemic were assessed against 95% prediction intervals derived from pre-pandemic data. RESULTS: The observed monthly prevalence of episodes of any SIP during 2020-2021 largely matched predictions, with some deviations. Alcohol-induced psychosis showed lower than expected rates in 2020 but higher in 2021. Cannabis-induced psychosis rates were below expectations. Amphetamine-induced psychosis and psychosis due to multiple substances showed higher-than-expected rates during lockdowns, with lower rates between lockdowns. Mortality rates among SIP patients for all-cause mortality, suicide, and accidental poisoning during the pandemic were similar to those in the pre-pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic did not seem to alter the overall number of SIP episodes. There were, however, some drug-specific changes. This may reflect drug availability, changes in substance use, or changes in healthcare access. A high mortality burden was observed among patients with SIP. However, mortality rates due to all causes, suicide, and accidental poisoning in this group were similar in the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods.
Comparison of psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the composite international diagnostic interview short form self-report (CIDI-SF-SR) in young adults.
Sandroni V, Gosling CJ, Jacob L … +2 more , Morvan Y, Frajerman A
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42189186 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used self-report tool for screening depressive symptoms. However, several psychometric studies have raised concerns about its diagnostic accuracy. The Compo...
PURPOSE: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used self-report tool for screening depressive symptoms. However, several psychometric studies have raised concerns about its diagnostic accuracy. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form Self-Report (CIDI-SF-SR) is increasingly used in epidemiological surveys because it uses the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). In this study, we aimed to compare the concordance between the PHQ-9 and CIDI-SF-SR to assess the presence of depression in young adults. METHODS: Data were obtained from a national study on the mental health of midwifery students (n = 1,797). Participants completed both the PHQ-9 and the CIDI-SF-SR. While the PHQ-9 assessed the presence of symptoms over the past two weeks, the CIDI-SF-SR covered both the past two weeks and the past year. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 44% using the PHQ-9 (cut-off ≥ 10), compared to the 7% and 13% MDD prevalence with the CIDI-SF-SR for the past 2 weeks and 12 months, respectively. The concordance between the two scales was around 60%. Adding functional impairment to the standard PHQ-9 algorithm improved concordance classification to 90%. The optimal cut-off point, comparing PHQ-9 to CIDI-SF, was ≥ 15. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to compare the PHQ-9 to the CIDI-SF-SR in a large sample of young adults. Compared to the CIDI-SF-SR, using the standard scoring of the PHQ-9 resulted in a 6-fold increase in the prevalence of depressive symptoms. This study could facilitate comparisons between studies using these two instruments and be useful for future meta-analysis.
Stability and change in social network size over four decades: an age-period-cohort analysis.
Sosnowski DW, Khizar M, Ding Y … +5 more , Costa PT, Tsai G, Maher BS, Spira AP, Eaton WW
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42189185 · Full text
PURPOSE: Interest in social networks has increased in recent decades amid concerns around social isolation and loneliness, despite increased access to social connections via electronics. Prior studies identified predicto...
PURPOSE: Interest in social networks has increased in recent decades amid concerns around social isolation and loneliness, despite increased access to social connections via electronics. Prior studies identified predictors and outcomes linked to network size, but few studies have examined age, period, and cohort effects simultaneously. METHODS: Using four decades of data, we assessed age, period, and cohort effects, as well as sociodemographic and personality factors, on family and friend network size. In 1981, 3,481 participants (M = 47.8 years; 62% White; 38% female) were sampled from East Baltimore, with follow-up periods beginning in 1993, 2004, and 2021. Mixed effects models tested fixed effects of age, sociodemographic, and personality characteristics, along with random effects of period and cohort, on network size. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that males, unmarried persons, and persons higher on neuroticism had smaller family networks; Non-White individuals and those higher on conscientiousness had smaller friend networks. Higher income, education, and extraversion predicted larger family and friend networks. No age or cohort effects were detected, though a period effect indicated larger friend networks during baseline data collection compared to other periods. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest family and friend networks are shaped by demographic and personality traits but remain largely stable across time and generation.
Multidomain correlates of burnout: A population-based study using supervised machine learning.
Monstadt A, Friedrich Y, Rottstädt F … +13 more , Weiss M, Behrens T, Casjens S, Frost J, Massag J, Moor I, Opel N, Pfrommer LR, Schüz B, Scherag A, Walter M, Mikolajczyk R, Croy I
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42189184 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Burnout is a growing challenge for individuals and society and understanding risk factors is crucial to develop targeted prevention strategies. Thus, we aimed to determine whether and how burnout relates to diff...
PURPOSE: Burnout is a growing challenge for individuals and society and understanding risk factors is crucial to develop targeted prevention strategies. Thus, we aimed to determine whether and how burnout relates to different organisational factors, psychosocial employment conditions, sociodemographic variables and mental health. METHODS: We analysed cross-sectional survey data collected in the 2023 wave with focus on occupational health within the German population-based DigiHero cohort. Using linear associations and xg-boost machine learning, we explored the relations of multidomain variables with burnout severity, which was measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Machine learning results were interpreted through SHAP values. RESULTS: We included 27,020 participants, aged 18-67 years (median 49), 65.2% female, in the analysis. The strongest predictors of burnout were effort-reward-imbalance, work-life-interference, overcommitment and poor general mental health, particularly symptoms of depression and anxiety. Compared to psychosocial employment conditions and individual mental health, organisational and sociodemographic factors were less important. However, occupation mattered and other aspects, such as extended remote work, had small, but noticeable effects. Age and income were the only sociodemographic factors that contributed. Results from xg-boost were compared to results from univariate statistics and remained robust when adjusting for sample bias through case weights. CONCLUSION: The study emphasises the importance of psychosocial employment conditions and individual mental health in the context of burnout, which outweigh the effects of organisational and sociodemographic factors. For practice this suggests that positive social work environments may prevent burnout while mental health problems increase vulnerability. For causal insights, prospective longitudinal studies are required.
Sociodemographic, academic, and health-related factors associated with antidepressant use among university and higher education students: a scoping review.
Brattland TLL, Larsen MD, Bojanic I
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42189183 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The rising use of antidepressants among young people, including university students, has become a global public health concern. Despite previous reviews on this topic, the underlying drivers of this trend remain...
PURPOSE: The rising use of antidepressants among young people, including university students, has become a global public health concern. Despite previous reviews on this topic, the underlying drivers of this trend remain unclear. This scoping review aims to identify and analyse the key factors associated with antidepressant use among university and higher education students. METHODS: We used a four-step approach-screening, selection, data extraction, and synthesis-based on an existing scoping review framework. Literature published from 2019 to 2025 was searched in Medline, Embase, and Scopus using keywords including "antidepressants," "psychotropic drugs," "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors," "serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors," "tricyclic antidepressants," "college and university students," "higher education," "undergraduate students," and "graduate students.". Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, quantitative studies in English that examined students' antidepressant use in non-clinical populations. RESULTS: Eighteen articles were included, following the screening of a total of 471 citations. All studies employed cross-sectional design and self-reported drug use. Factors associated with students' antidepressant use were organized into three main categories: sociodemographic, academic, and health-related factors. Female gender, older age, lower academic performance, and the presence of mental or emotional conditions were the most common factors associated with antidepressant use among the students, as reported by the studies. CONCLUSION: Antidepressant use among students appears to be linked to a variety of sociodemographic, academic, and health-related factors. This scoping review highlights the need for longitudinal and registry-based studies to better understand causal factors influencing antidepressant use among students.
Construct validity of the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale in a diverse urban population.
Millington M, Fleary S
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42189182 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Although the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS) has been validated in samples across several countries it has yet to be validated in the US. This study examines the validity of the SWEMWBS...
PURPOSE: Although the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS) has been validated in samples across several countries it has yet to be validated in the US. This study examines the validity of the SWEMWBS within a diverse urban population of US adults. METHODS: A population representative sample of adults living in NYC was obtained from the NYC Neighborhood Wellness Survey (NWS). Respondents answered questions about their mental health, emotional and social support, demographics (i.e., age, sex at birth, gender identity, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity) and completed the SWEMWBS. Using a combination of Rasch analyses and classical test theory (CTT), we assessed the SWEMWBS for unidimensionality, monotonicity, local independence, differential item functioning, and measurement invariance. RESULTS: 95% of eligible participants completed all seven items of the SWEMWBS (N = 41,484). The measure showed high internal consistency (α = 0.88), and all items were highly correlated with the overall score. Assumptions of unidimensionality, monotonicity, and local independence were supported. Differential item functioning was identified between age groups (18-24 vs. 65-74; 18-24 vs. 75+; 25-29 vs. 65-74; 25-29 vs. 75+; 30-44 vs. 75+) for SWEMWBS item 1 (I've been feeling optimistic about the future). Measurement invariance was assessed for key demographic variables, but no significant differences between configural and metric models were identified. CONCLUSION: Despite differences in item functionality by age, this assessment shows that the SWEMWBS is a useful tool for evaluating mental well-being in a diverse population and should be studied further among smaller groups and rural communities in the US.
Correction: Exploring grief dynamics and psychometric validation in arabic populations: factorial validity and mediating roles of resilience, life satisfaction, and religiosity.
Ali M, Alyousef DSA, Ahmed M … +1 more , Grifa D
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42154245 · Publisher ↗
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Loneliness in sexual and gender minority youths: Critical implications of a multidimensional approach.
Ortells-Faci P, McDanal R, Eaton NR
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42154244 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Loneliness is a widely studied transdiagnostic risk factor for myriad mental and physical health outcomes. However, it is often treated as unidimensional, potentially obscuring complex patterns of health dispari...
PURPOSE: Loneliness is a widely studied transdiagnostic risk factor for myriad mental and physical health outcomes. However, it is often treated as unidimensional, potentially obscuring complex patterns of health disparities across different manifestations. This study sought to (1) explore the granularity of loneliness and (2) examine potential disparities in loneliness dimensions across groups of youths defined by self-reported gender identities and sexual orientations. METHOD: This secondary analysis uses baseline data from a web-based randomized controlled psychological intervention trial, for which 2,446 youths completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Bass-Ackwards analysis extracted loneliness dimensions and associated factor scores at different levels of resolution. Cross-group comparisons focused on the most comprehensive level that retained interpretability. ANOVAs and Tukey's tests compared groups defined as (a) cisgender heterosexual, (b) cisgender sexual minority, and (c) dual gender and sexual minority. RESULTS: We identified a maximum of five interpretable loneliness dimensions: superficial relationships, relationship incompatibility, lack of support, aloneness, and introversion. Significant cross-group disparities emerged for superficial relationships, aloneness, and introversion, but not for relationship incompatibility or lack of support. Relative to cisgender heterosexual individuals, levels of superficial relationships and aloneness were disparately higher for sexual minorities and dual gender/sexual minorities, while levels of introversion were higher for dual gender/sexual minorities only. CONCLUSION: Multidimensional conceptualizations of loneliness may reveal distinct epidemiological patterns across demographic groups that can be obscured by a unidimensional approach. Future work should examine whether the multidimensionality of psychosocial risk factors like loneliness may be pertinent for applied research.
The effects of trauma non-disclosure on symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety and depression: findings from a prospective, population-based study.
Kempe S, van der Velden PG, Wittmann L
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42154243 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Individuals who do not disclose a potentially traumatic event (PTE) may receive no (or less) event-related social support after victimization. However, it is less clear whether non-disclosure increases the ri...
BACKGROUND: Individuals who do not disclose a potentially traumatic event (PTE) may receive no (or less) event-related social support after victimization. However, it is less clear whether non-disclosure increases the risk of post-event psychopathology. AIMS: The present study aims to examine the effects of trauma non-disclosure or disclosure on post-event psychopathology in adult victims of PTEs in the general population of a western European country. METHOD: In this prospective study, lack of emotional support along with anxiety and depression symptomatology (ADS) was assessed before participants (N = 1258) experienced a PTE (T1). Twelve months later (T2), following victimization between T1 and T2, PTSD symptoms (PTSS), ADS, and the extent of PTE-related social acknowledgment among disclosing participants were examined. Post-event psychopathology was then compared between non-disclosers (n = 98) and disclosers with high, fairly high, limited, or low levels of PTE-related social acknowledgment (n = 1160). RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that non-disclosers had a higher prevalence of both PTSS and ADS at T2 than did disclosers with high and fairly high levels of PTE-related social acknowledgment. However, non-disclosers reported lower prevalence of PTSS than disclosers with low levels of PTE-related social acknowledgment. Among disclosers, the prevalence of PTSS and ADS at T2 increased when the level of PTE-related social acknowledgment decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Non-disclosure of trauma is not necessarily detrimental to mental health when compared to the effects of receiving low event-related social acknowledgment following disclosure. Rather than promoting disclosure in general, it would be more beneficial to recommend disclosure only when supportive relationships are present.
Adversity, social systems, and mental health in a national Canadian sample: a person-context network analysis.
Sloss IM, Smith JA, Brosseau K … +1 more , Browne DT
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42154242 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Previous research has established the link between adversity and social-contextual factors in relation to psychopathology. However, psychopathology and wellbeing are distinct dimensions of mental health, highlig...
PURPOSE: Previous research has established the link between adversity and social-contextual factors in relation to psychopathology. However, psychopathology and wellbeing are distinct dimensions of mental health, highlighting the need to differentiate these relationships. The current study explored the association between an individual's context (i.e., stressors and social systems) and both psychopathology and wellbeing. METHODS: Data came from a 2022 nationally representative cross-sectional survey that included Canadian residents above the age of 19. Participants (n = 8,967) were recruited by Statistics Canada, and data about demographic characteristics, contextual factors, and mental health were collected using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Pre-registered psychometric network analysis with survey weights explored the partial correlations between variables of interest in a facet-level, and two (psychopathology, wellbeing) item-level networks. RESULTS: Results revealed that current stress and negative social interactions provided a link between childhood adversity and psychopathology. Perceived life stress and loneliness were the most central nodes in the facet-level network, and item-level networks, respectively. Positive contextual factors were more strongly associated with wellbeing, and negative factors with psychopathology. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of considering contextual factors in relation to mental health, and how these relationships may differ by valence of mental health (i.e., psychopathology vs. wellbeing). This understanding can inform the development and implementation of interventions that holistically support mental health.
Young carers' mental health during and after the Covid-19 pandemic: variation by gender, ethnicity, income and peer, school or social support.
Lacey RE, Letelier A, Neale B … +3 more , McGowan A, Guan S, McMunn A
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42154241 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Young carers are an often overlooked group of carers, with little longitudinal research on their mental health, particularly regarding variations across demographics and support systems. This study examined whet...
PURPOSE: Young carers are an often overlooked group of carers, with little longitudinal research on their mental health, particularly regarding variations across demographics and support systems. This study examined whether young carers have poorer mental health than peers and explored inequalities by gender, ethnicity, special educational needs (SEN) status, income, parental composition, and support systems. METHODS: We used the COVID Social Mobility and Opportunities cohort study, 2021-2023, a probability sample of > 13,000 young people aged 16-18 in England. We assessed self-reported young caring and mental health outcomes, including psychological distress, anxiety, depression and chronic mental illness. Modifiers were ethnicity, gender, household income, special educational needs (SEN) status, parental composition, perceived school support for mental health, peer support and social support. RESULTS: Young carers reported 1.69 higher odds of chronic mental illness (95% CI: 1.35, 2.12), and more depressive (B = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.33) and anxiety symptoms (B = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.29). Associations did not vary by gender, ethnicity, SEN status, parental composition or income. No statistical differences were observed by peer, social or school support. CONCLUSIONS: Young carers had poorer mental health which did not vary across key axes of inequality. Addressing their mental health is crucial to prevent a cycle of care need. Increasing societal awareness and fostering empathy and support may help improve young carers' mental health.
The impact of universal credit on mental, physical, and financial well-being: longitudinal evidence from the UK household longitudinal survey.
Bai Y, Kim C, Cao P … +5 more , Ienciu K, Grignon M, Ramraj O, Tiwana J, Chum A
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42126567 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Universal Credit (UC) is a major UK welfare reform that consolidates six means-tested benefits into a single monthly payment, aiming to simplify benefits delivery and incentivize labor market participation. H...
BACKGROUND: Universal Credit (UC) is a major UK welfare reform that consolidates six means-tested benefits into a single monthly payment, aiming to simplify benefits delivery and incentivize labor market participation. However, concerns have emerged regarding its potential adverse consequences on recipients' mental and physical well-being. Existing evidence is limited by methodological weaknesses, short follow-up time, and a narrow focus on psychological distress. METHODS: Applying the heterogeneous difference-in-differences approach developed by Callaway and Sant'Anna, we used waves 6-14 of the UK Household Longitudinal Survey (UKHLS), focusing on working-age individuals receiving social benefits to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of that welfare reform on psychological distress (GHQ-12), mental functioning (SF-12 MCS), physical functioning (SF-12 PCS), but also employment, perceived financial outlook, benefits income, and total income. RESULTS: Transitioning to UC significantly increased GHQ-12 scores by 1.20 points (95% CI: 0.33 to 2.07) and decreased SF-12 MCS scores by 2.19 points (95% CI: - 3.79 to - 0.59), indicating deteriorating mental health. No significant effect was observed for SF-12 PCS. UC was also associated with a £93.05 reduction in monthly benefit income, a £222 decrease in total income, and an 8%-point decrease in perceived financial optimism. No significant effect on employment status was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the transition to UC adversely affected mental health and financial well-being, while yielding limited employment benefits. These adverse impacts reflect both implementation challenges, such as payment delays and benefit deductions, and structural design flaws, including rigid conditionality and reduced income security for vulnerable groups. The results underscore the need for welfare reforms that integrate health considerations and provide more flexible, targeted support to mitigate unintended harms.
Faith-based mental health awareness in Lagos: evaluating knowledge, stigma, and referral outcomes from the MeHPriC initiative.
Adewuya AO, Olibamoyo O, Lebimoyo A … +1 more , Oladipo OE
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42113052 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a faith-based mental health literacy intervention implemented in churches and mosques in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of the Mental Health in Primary Care (MeHPriC) initiativ...
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a faith-based mental health literacy intervention implemented in churches and mosques in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of the Mental Health in Primary Care (MeHPriC) initiative. The primary aim was to assess changes in mental health knowledge, stigma-related attitudes, and referral behaviour, and to examine the moderating effects of education, gender, language match, facilitator-faith congruence, and congregation size. METHODS: A total of 14,120 adult participants, recruited from 314 religious institutions (233 churches, 81 mosques), received a single 15-minute mental health awareness session delivered in their preferred language by trained facilitators. Validated instruments were used to assess mental health knowledge (Mental Health Knowledge Schedule, MAKS), stigma-related attitudes (Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale, RIBS), and referral behaviour at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in mental health knowledge (MAKS: from 17.6 to 21.5, p < 0.001, d = 0.55) and stigma-related attitudes (RIBS: from 12.9 to 16.1, p < 0.001, d = 0.68). Referral behaviour increased from 3.5% at baseline to 8.2% at 3 months (p < 0.001). Moderator effects were evident across all outcomes, with stronger improvements among participants who had higher education, preferred language alignment, female gender, faith-congruent facilitators, and attended medium-sized congregations. CONCLUSION: Faith-based institutions can serve as effective platforms for delivering scalable, culturally adapted mental health interventions. The findings support further integration of religious venues into national mental health promotion strategies in LMICs, with attention to context-sensitive delivery and primary care linkage.
Early-life factors associated with developmental trajectories of internalizing and externalizing symptoms from early childhood through adolescence: Rhea mother-child cohort in Crete, Greece.
Koutra K, Mouatsou C, Margetaki K … +4 more , Roumeliotaki T, Psoma S, Kampouri M, Chatzi L
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42113051 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The developmental trajectories of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, including ADHD, vary widely among individuals, yet the factors that contribute to these diverse patterns are not fully understood. Our...
PURPOSE: The developmental trajectories of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, including ADHD, vary widely among individuals, yet the factors that contribute to these diverse patterns are not fully understood. Our specific objectives are to empirically identify developmental trajectories of internalizing, externalizing, and ADHD symptoms from ages 4 to 15, and to explore how early-life risk factors are linked to these trajectory groups. METHODS: The study included 551 mother-child pairs of the Rhea mother-child cohort in Crete, Greece. Children's internalizing, externalizing, and ADHD symptoms were evaluated using maternal reports at ages 4 (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, ADHD Test), 6, 11 and 15 years (Child Behavior Checklist, Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised). Group-based trajectory modeling was applied to identify trajectory groups from 4 to 15 years and multinomial logistic regression models were implemented to examine the associations between early-life risk factors and group trajectories. RESULTS: The analysis revealed four distinct trajectories for each outcome (internalizing, externalizing, and ADHD symptoms): stable low, high-decreasing, low-increasing, and stable high symptoms. Furthermore, several early-life sociodemographic and perinatal factors, such as sex, maternal and paternal age, paternal education, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and breastfeeding duration were significantly linked to the development of internalizing, externalizing, and ADHD symptoms. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the complex and dynamic nature of emotional and behavioral symptom development and the critical role of early-life determinants in shaping these trajectories. Findings suggest that early identification and intervention are crucial for preventing the persistence of psychopathology into adolescence.
Social functioning, loneliness, and psychosis phenotype in the general population: a network analysis perspective.
Cviková V, Majsniarová S, Januška J … +7 more , Straková A, Harvanová S, Ivančík V, Čavojská N, Kurilla A, Heretik A, Hajdúk M
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 42096051 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Psychotic experiences (PEs) occur across a continuum from subclinical phenomena in the general population to clinical disorders and are consistently associated with impaired social functioning. The present study...
PURPOSE: Psychotic experiences (PEs) occur across a continuum from subclinical phenomena in the general population to clinical disorders and are consistently associated with impaired social functioning. The present study aimed to investigate the network structure linking PEs, social functioning, and loneliness, and to identify central elements within this network. METHODS: We analyzed data from a representative sample of Slovak adults (N = 1200) who completed validated measures of PEs, loneliness, social functioning, emotional distress, social motivation, and mentalizing. A regularized partial correlation network was estimated using EBICglasso, comprising 17 nodes. Centrality indices and edge weights were used to determine the most influential nodes and connections. RESULTS: The network revealed 40 non-zero edges. Friendship approach, bizarre experiences, social withdrawal, paranoia, and avolition emerged as the most interconnected nodes. Paranoia was strongly associated with loneliness and social withdrawal, while avolition was linked to loneliness and reduced social participation. Negative affect showed associations with loneliness and diminished participation. Social withdrawal linked negative symptoms to diminished social engagement and interpersonal communication. In contrast, hallucinations and grandiosity showed no notable direct associations with social functioning or loneliness. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight paranoia, social withdrawal, and avolition as central mechanisms connecting PEs with social functioning and loneliness, while social approach motivation may serve as a protective factor. The results support a dimensional model of psychosis and point to early social and motivational targets for intervention.
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