The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

Barry, Jennifer; Monahan, Christine; Ferguson, Sharon; Lee, Kelley; Kelly, Ruth; Monahan, Mark; Murphy, Rebecca; Gibbons, Patrick; Higgins, Agnes

2021 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-07-2020-0052

The purpose of this paper is to provide first-hand reflective narratives from participants of their involvement in the overall process, with particular reference to the benefits and challenges of engagement.Design/methodology/approachFive participants agreed to write a reflective piece of approximately 500 words on their involvement in the PhotoVoice project.FindingsThe reflective narratives in this paper demonstrate the personal and professional benefits of sustained and meaningful engagement, while challenges such as power imbalances, identity management, time and cost commitments are discussed.Practical implicationsPhotoVoice is a methodology that has the potential to democratise knowledge production and dissemination.Originality/valueThere are scant examples in the PhotoVoice literature of the inclusion of participants involvement in dissemination activities. The reflective narratives in this paper demonstrate the personal and professional benefits of sustained and meaningful engagement, while challenges such as power imbalances, identity management, time and cost commitments are discussed.

Leung, Phuong; Csipke, Emese; Yates, Lauren; Birt, Linda; Orrell, Martin

2021 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-10-2020-0071

This study aims to explore the utility of collaborative knowledge sharing with stakeholders in developing and evaluating a training programme for health professionals to implement a social intervention in dementia research.Design/methodology/approachThe programme consisted of two phases: 1) development phase guided by the Buckley and Caple’s training model and 2) evaluation phase drew on the Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model. Survey and interview data was collected from health professionals, people with dementia and their supporters who attended the training programme, delivered or participated in the intervention. Qualitative data was analysed using the framework analysis.FindingsSeven health professionals participated in consultations in the development phase. In the evaluation phase, 20 intervention facilitators completed the post one-day training evaluations and three took part in the intervention interviews. Eight people with dementia and their supporters from the promoting independence in dementia feasibility study participated in focus groups interviews. The findings show that intervention facilitators were satisfied with the training programme. They learnt new knowledge and skills through an interactive learning environment and demonstrated competencies in motivating people with dementia to engage in the intervention. As a result, this training programme was feasible to train intervention facilitators.Practical implicationsThe findings could be implemented in other research training contexts where those delivering research interventions have professional skills but do not have knowledge of the theories and protocols of a research intervention.Originality/valueThis study provided insights into the value of collaborative knowledge sharing between academic researchers and multiple non-academic stakeholders that generated knowledge and maximised power through building new capacities and alliances.

Jidong, Dung Ezekiel; Bailey, Di; Sodi, Tholene; Gibson, Linda; Sawadogo, Natéwindé; Ikhile, Deborah; Musoke, David; Madhombiro, Munyaradzi; Mbah, Marcellus

2021 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-08-2020-0057

This study aims to explore how cultural beliefs and traditions are integral to understanding indigenous mental health conditions (MHCs) and traditional healing (TH). However, Nigerian cultural beliefs about MHCs and TH are under-researched.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a qualitative design using critical realist and social constructionist perspectives to explore Nigerian mental health-care practitioners (MHCPs) and lay participants’ (LPs) views regarding MHCs and TH. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 53 participants (MHCPs = 26; LPs = 27; male = 32; female = 21) in four Nigerian cities (Ado-Ekiti, Enugu, Jos and Zaria). Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed through thematic analyses.FindingsThe data sets revealed three overarching themes, namely, existing cultural beliefs about MHCs as spiritual curse; description of TH as the first treatment modality for MHCs; and perceived stigma associated with MHCs and help-seeking behaviours.Originality/valueA study on Nigerian cultural beliefs and TH contributes meaningfully to mental health systems. Future research and policy initiatives could explore ways of optimising TH practices and community awareness programmes to increase access to mental health care in Nigeria.

Dwivedi, Manish Kumar

2021 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-09-2020-0065

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of Yoga Nidra in mitigating stress. This study has also investigated the impact of demographic profiles such as age, marital status and gender on stress.Design/methodology/approachThe sample selected for this study consists of 200 respondents. The two groups were divided into the study: control and experimental groups. The data has been collected from the respondents pre and post-test administration of Yoga Nidra intervention within an interval of one month. The subjects have been instructed to practice Yoga Nidra. There is one follow-up at an interval of one month to assess the level of stress.FindingsIt has been observed that the stress level of participants reduced after administrating the intervention of Yoga Nidra. The findings suggested that Yoga Nidra is an effective mechanism in mitigating stress.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of this study is that it might be possible that the respondents would have also practiced any other yogic techniques. Therefore, it is difficult to examine the impact of one yogic technique independently on stress.Practical implicationsThe implication of this study exists in promoting the health of the people by improving the well-being at a minimal cost. It also results in saving the medical expenditure of the people.Social implicationsThe practice of Yoga Nidra helps to improve the well-being of people. Ultimately, it has an impact on boosting the economy of the nation as a whole by reducing the medical expenses incurred in treating people suffered from various diseases.Originality/valueThis study is novel, which helps to make the society free from distress. It provides an effective stress management mechanism that provides relaxation at physical, mental and emotional levels. It ultimately results in saving medical expenditure and cost incurred in the treatment of various kinds of diseases.

Aslam, Naeem; Shafique, Kanwal; Ahmed, Ammar

2021 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-10-2020-0074

Fear of COVID-19 is one of the pivotal components that have generated higher levels of stress, obsessions and anxiety among the adult population, thus creating numerous mental health issues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychological well-being based on COVID-19-related fear, obsessions and anxiety during the pandemic situation.Design/methodology/approachThe current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between COVID-19-related fear, obsessions, anxiety, stress and well-being among adult populations. Additionally, the aim was to see the impact of COVID-19-related fear, obsessions, anxiety and stress on well-being. This was a cross-sectional study based on nonclinical sample of (n = 250) adults; data was obtained via online questionnaire survey method and analysis was performed by using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS-22).FindingsThe authors’ findings based on descriptive statistics showed that COVID-19-related fear and obsessions were positively associated with COVID anxiety and stress and negatively associated with well-being. COVID anxiety was positively associated with stress and negatively associated with well-being. Moreover, perceived stress is negatively associated with well-being. The results additionally provide the outcome/conclusion that COVID-related anxiety significantly negatively predicted the psychological well-being. Overall the model explained 24% of the variance in psychological well-being. Females scored significantly high in COVID-19-related anxiety and obsessions as compared to males.Research limitations/implicationsA distinctive feature of this study is the understanding of COVID-19-related fear, obsessions, anxiety, stress and well-being among adult populations, and the findings are highlighting the need for psychological and social interventions for this specific population; therefore, immediate attention is needed by the clinical health professionals dealing with mental health issues.Originality/valueThere is a vital need to explore and develop psychological interventions aiming at the negative consequences being faced by the adult populations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impending second wave that will expose individuals to various mental health issues evolving because of the health crisis.

Saguem, Bochra Nourhene; Braham, Amel; Romdhane, Islem; Ben Nasr, Selma

2021 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/jmhtep-11-2020-0085

This paper aims to assess the psychological impact of home confinement in Tunisian medical students and analyze the relationship between psychopathology and cognitive emotion regulation strategies.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 251 medical students who have been in home confinement accepted to participate in an online questionnaire survey. They completed depression, anxiety and stress scale, beck hopelessness scale and cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire.FindingsModerate to extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety and stress were reported by 57.4%, 51.0% and 31.4% of medical students, respectively. Based on the cut-off value of nine, 31.1% of the participants showed high levels of hopelessness. Hierarchical regression analysis identified four cognitive emotion regulation strategies as significant independent contributors to psychopathology above and beyond home confinement related variables. Self-blame positively predicted stress. Catastrophizing positively predicted anxiety and hopelessness. Refocusing on planning negatively predicted anxiety. Positive reappraisal negatively predicted hopelessness.Practical implicationsCognitive emotion regulation strategies may constitute a valuable target of preventive and interventional measures to improve medical students’ mental health.Originality/valueA unique feature of this study is the demonstration of the important role played by cognitive emotion regulation strategies in predicting anxiety, stress and hopelessness in medical students. In the context of mandatory home confinement, these cognitive strategies were significant predictors of psychopathology above and beyond home confinement related variables.