Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Health Inequality: What Counselors Need To Know To Act, D. Jones, M. Tang

David E. Jones

Mental Health Of University Students: Perspectives For Intervention And Prevention: An Indo-Canadian Collaborative Project, Amresh Srivastava, Rahel Eynan, Ravi Shah, Laxaman Dutt, Shubhangi Parkar, Tss Rao, Dp Giridhar, Rakesh Bhandari, Nagesh Bhandari, Paul Link

Amresh Srivastava

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the levels of psychological distress of university students and examine teachers’ awareness and opinions concerning suicide prevention. Methods: The study used a two-phase, sequential mixed-method approach of converging quantitative and qualitative methodologies. In the quantitative study the 1a2-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to measure psychological wellbeing in a student sample ( n=110 ). The qualitative study consisted of a focus group with students (n=200) and faculty members. (n=25). Results: The scores for the sample ranged between 0- 33 with a mean score of 10.25 (SD= 6.14). The majority of respondents (70.6%) endorsed …

Socioeconomic-Status And Mental Health In A Personality Disorder Sample: The Importance Of Neighborhood Factors, Zach Walsh, M. Tracie Shea, Shirley Yen, Emily B. Ansell, Carlos M. Grilo, Thomas H. Mcglashan, Robert L. Stout, Donna S. Bender, Andrew E. Skodol, Charles A. Sanislow, Leslie C. Morey, John G. Gunderson

Charles A. Sanislow, Ph.D.

This cross-sectional study examined the associations between neighborhood-level socioeconomic-status (NSES), and psychosocial functioning and personality pathology among 335 adults drawn from the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study. Participants belonged to four personality disorder (PD) diagnostic groups: Avoidant, Borderline, Schizotypal, and Obsessive Compulsive. Global functioning, social adjustment, and PD symptoms were assessed following a minimum two-year period of residential stability. Residence in higher-risk neighborhoods was associated with more PD symptoms and lower levels of functioning and social adjustment. These relationships were consistent after controlling for individual-level socioeconomic-status and ethnicity; however, the positive association between neighborhood-level socio-economic risk and PD symptoms was …

Public Perception Study 2011: Mental Illness, Drug And Alcohol Abuse, Oscar T. Mcknight

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

This study examined the public perception of mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse. Field-interviews with participants occurred "on the street" with no difficulty. Participants offered ten general recommendations to professionals developing programs for mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse. The public stressed the professional responsibilities of physicians, pharmacists, counselors and teachers to prevent drug abuse.

Trauma, Psychiatric Disorders, Substance Use, And Smoking Among Women, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Nancy Poole, Natalie Hemsing, Karin O'Leary

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Despite decreasing smoking rates among women in the general population, there remain subgroups of women characterized by high nicotine dependence, who remain less able to quit.

One subgroup of women who continue to smoke at rates higher than the general population are those who: have past experiences of trauma, are vulnerable to psychiatric disorders and have substance use problems/addictions.

However, the prevalence of the co-occurrence of trauma, psychiatric disorders, and substance use problems/ addictions, with smoking among women has not previously been synthesized.

The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive review to identify the prevalence of smoking …

Treatment Outcomes From The Tdc: A Look At Smoking Cessation Among Patients With Co-Occurring Substance Use And Psychiatric Disorders, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Summary of Key Findings

• Smoking abstinence at end of program:
• Intent to treat analysis: 32.2% (83/258)
• Among program completers: 41.3% (83/201)

• Significant predictors of abstinence:
• Having an alcohol, heroin (or other opioid) or marijuana use history was a significant predictor of being less likely to quit smoking when compared to having no history of substance use disorder.
• Having a lower CO level at program enrolment was a significant predictor of being more likely to quit
• Attending the TDC program for a longer duration was a significant predictor of being more likely to quit.

Treatment Outcomes From The Tdc: A Look At Smoking Cessation Among Patients With Co-Occurring Disorders, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Summary of Key Findings •Smoking abstinence at end of program:

–Intent to treat analysis: 32.2%(83/258) –Among program completers: 41.3%(83/201)

•Significant predictors of abstinence : –Having an alcohol, heroin (or other opioid) or marijuana use history was a significant predictor of being less likely to quit smoking when compared to having no history of substance use disorder. –Having a lower CO level at program enrolment was a significant predictor of being more likely to quit –Attending the TDC program for a longer duration was a significant predictor of being more likely to quit.

Smoking Cessation Outcomes Among Individuals With Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder History And Mental Illness, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

BACKGROUND: A history of substance use disorder and/or mental illness is associated with tobacco use. However, there is limited information available on tobacco dependence treatment outcomes in such populations. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of a history of substance use disorder and/or mental illness on smoking cessation outcomes. METHODS: Data from 202 participants enrolled in a tobacco treatment program were analyzed. Information on sociodemographics, tobacco use and quit attempt history, social supports for quitting, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence scores, importance and confidence in quitting smoking, expired carbon monoxide level, substance use history, mental health history, and previous pharmacotherapy use …

Smoking Cessation In Patients With Substance Use Disorders: The Vancouver Coastal Health Tobacco Dependence Clinic, Milan Khara, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Summary of Key Findings •Smoking abstinence at end of program:

–Intent to treat analysis: 32.2%(83/258) –Among program completers: 41.3%(83/201)

•Significant predictors of abstinence : –Having an alcohol, heroin (or other opioid) or marijuana use history was a significant predictor of being less likely to quit smoking when compared to having no history of substance use disorder. –Having a lower CO level at program enrolment was a significant predictor of being more likely to quit –Attending the TDC program for a longer duration was a significant predictor of being more likely to quit.

Intensive Tobacco Dependence Treatment For Clients With Substance Use Disorder And/Or Mental Illness, Milan Khara, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

BACKGROUND •Drug treatment populations are disproportionately affected by morbidity and mortality due to tobacco use. However, with appropriately intensive intervention, individuals in drug treatment settings can succeed in their efforts towards smoking cessation. •The Tobacco Dependence Clinic (TDC) is a program that provides smoking cessation counseling and up to 26 weeks of free pharmacotherapy for clients through Vancouver Coastal Health Addiction Services , British Columbia, Canada. There are currently three clinic sites: Pacific Spirit, Three Bridges, and Downtown Community Health Centre (DCHC). •The purpose of this study is to provide 2-year pilot evaluation data (in terms of program completion and …

Assessing Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure Among Persons With Severe And Persistent Mental Illness, Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Joy L. Johnson, Leslie Malchy

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Background

• Secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure increases the risk for cancer, respiratory illness, and cardiovascular disease.

• Individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) have a higher smoking prevalence than the general population, placing them at increased risk for related morbidity and mortality.

• Given the higher smoking prevalence in this population, the risk for SHS exposure among smokers and nonsmokers with SPMI should be an issue of concern. Yet, SHS exposure in this population is understudied.

• The purpose of our study was to examine the correlates of SHS exposure in this population. Our specific aims were …

Mental Health Services Research & Policy Collection: Arl Collection Initiative, Phyllis Ruscella, Ardis Hanson, John Abresch, Claudia Dold

Ardis Hanson

An ARL-level mental health services research and policy collection will support, not only the international and national goals of improving mental health; it also positions USF (USF) within the renowned health services research community, becoming peers with other major university health services research centers. The further development of the mental health services research and policy collections, with the foci on disaster mental health and vulnerable populations and the improved access to related mental health services research grey literature, directly supports USF’s stated goals. It expands the university’s capacity for world-renowned interdisciplinary research. It supports globally competitive undergraduate, graduate, and professional …

Policies Matter: The Case Of Outpatient Drug Treatment Program Practices, Jamie Chriqui, Yvonne Terry-Mcelrath, Duane C. Mcbride, D Eidson

Duane McBride

This study examined relationships between state policy requirements governing outpatient substance abuse treatment services and reported outpatient treatment program practices. State policies effective as of February 1, 2003, and February 1, 2004, were collected and analyzed via primary legal research; data were validated by state officials (88% response rate; > 90% validation rate). Treatment practice data were obtained from the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services for the years 2003 and 2004. Multivariate analyses clustered by state were conducted, controlling for state, program, and state-aggregated client admission characteristics. Results indicated that treatment programs located in states with requirements for comprehensive …

Mental Health Parity: National And State Perspectives 2001: A Report To The Florida Legislature, Bruce Lubotsky Levin, Ardis Hanson, Richard Coe

Ardis Hanson

The federal Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 requires insurers to offer the same benefits for mental disorders and substance abuse as they would for physical disorders, including any annual or lifetime limitations and restrictions placed upon such coverage. This report examines actuarial studies, the current state of parity legislation across the nation, cost of treatment issues, and the impact on Florida should parity legislation be passed.

Mental Health Parity: National And State Perspectives 1999, Bruce Lubotsky Levin, Ardis Hanson, Richard Coe

Ardis Hanson

Mental health parity legislation could substantially reduce the degree to which financial responsibility for the treatment of mental illness is shifted to government, especially state and local government. There is substantial evidence that both mental health and addictions treatment is effective in reducing the utilization and costs of medical services. There appears to be a lack of substantial evidence to discourage Florida from pursuing mental health and substance abuse parity legislation.