The association of mental health literacy with mental well-being and help-seeking in young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Health literacy and mental well-being of school staff in times of crisis: A path analysis of sense of coherence, work-related stress, and health-protective behaviours

OBJECTIVES

This paper examines the relationship between health literacy and mental well-being of school staff during distressful times. It examines the mediating roles of work-related stress, health-protective behaviours (i.e., attitudes about vaccination), and sense of coherence in the relationship between health literacy and mental well-being.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

Data were derived from 440 school staff who participated in a study on Health Literacy and Well-being of School Staff across all schools in Hong Kong. Structural Equation Modelling was used for path analysis.

RESULTS

Most (64.9 %) of the school staff had limited health literacy (i.e. problematic or inadequate). The mean score of their mental well-being was 51.4 out of 100 (±20.8), with around 18 % of them at risk of depression. Health literacy was not directly associated with mental well-being. Instead, it predicted mental well-being through work-related stress (B = 0.130, p = 0.036) and adoption of health-protective behaviours (B = 0.376, p = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

While health literacy may not directly influence the mental well-being of school staff, it has a critical role in safeguarding mental well-being in times of distress by shaping positive attitudes towards protective health measures and managing sources of work stress.

Time Perspective, Psychological Well-Being and Attitudes to Seeking Mental Health Services in Russian Y and Z Generations

Help-seeking of mental health professionals remains low, even in countries where mental health care is highly accessible. Therefore, it is necessary to continue research on the sociodemographic and psychological factors of attitudes toward seeking mental health services (ATSMHS) in different countries. The purpose of the present study was to identify the associations of the ATSMHS with psychological well-being and time perspective in the Russian Y and Z generations. The Y-Generation sample included 217 (69.9% female) respondents aged 22 to 39 years, and the Z-Generation sample included 256 (82.8% female) respondents aged 17 to 21 years. Russian versions of the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) by Ryff, Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), and Inventory of Attitudes toward Seeking Mental Health Services (IASMHS) by Mackenzie and colleagues were used for diagnostics. The main research findings show that (1) Personal growth is a positive predictor and the Fatalistic present is a negative predictor of ATSMHS in both generations, and (2) additional positive predictors of ATSMHS in the Y-Generation are Positive relations and Hedonistic present, and in the Z-Generation it is Future. These findings are important for developing programs to maintain, preserve, and prevent mental health across generations.

Clusters of Patient Empowerment and Mental Health Literacy Differentiate Professional Help-Seeking Attitudes in Online Mental Health Communities Users

OBJECTIVES

Grounded in the Health Empowerment Model, which posits that health literacy and patient empowerment are intertwined yet distinct constructs, this study investigates how the interplay of these factors influences attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help in members of online communities for mental health (OCMHs). This while acknowledging the multidimensionality of patient empowerment, encompassing meaningfulness, competence, self-determination, and impact.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cluster analysis of data gathered from 269 members of Italian-speaking OCMHs on Facebook has been performed.

RESULTS

Four profiles have been identified: dangerous self-managers (11.2%), effective self-managers (21.2%), disempowered (40.5%) and ambivalent empowered (27.1%). Clusters provided meaningful variations in help-seeking attitudes, also when controlling for depression and anxiety severity, F3, 265 = 11.910, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provided further evidence of the multidimensionality of patient empowerment. Considering the results, we discussed potential interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of OCMHs, tailoring to the unique characteristics of each cluster.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Administrators and moderators of mental health Facebook communities-whether expert-led by mental health professionals or peers-played a key role in this study. They provided valuable insights during the questionnaire design process to ensure the questions were both relevant and appropriate for community members. These administrators and moderators also actively facilitated participant recruitment by creating and sharing posts, either video- or text-based, on community homepages. Furthermore, after completing the questionnaire, participants were encouraged to comment on the Facebook posts where the survey link was shared, mentioning that they participated and inviting other members to take part. This approach aimed to foster a sense of involvement and further promoted the survey within the community.

The influence of family socioeconomic status on college students' mental health literacy: the chain mediating effect of parenting styles and interpersonal relationships

Introduction

With the increasing prevalence of mental health challenges among college students, understanding how family background and interpersonal dynamics affect mental health literacy is critical. This study examined the relationships between family socioeconomic status, mental health literacy, parenting styles, and interpersonal relationships among 1,107 college students.

Methods

Using an online questionnaire, the study explored how family socioeconomic status, parenting styles, and interpersonal relationships influence mental health literacy.

Results and discussion

The results showed that family socioeconomic status significantly and positively predicts mental health literacy. Both positive and negative parenting styles were found to partially mediate the relationship between family socioeconomic status and mental health literacy. Additionally, interpersonal relationships partially mediated this relationship. Finally, the study revealed that positive and negative parenting styles acted as sequential mediators between family socioeconomic status and mental health literacy through interpersonal relationships. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which family socioeconomic factors shape mental health literacy among college students.

Modifiable predictors of mental health literacy in the educational context: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mental health literacy is vital for well-being in educational settings, extending beyond academics to include social and emotional development. It empowers individuals, allowing them to recognize and address their mental health needs and provide essential support to their peers. Despite the acknowledged importance of modifiable factors, there is a noticeable research gap in those amenable to change through educational interventions. Thus, this systematic review aims to identify potentially modifiable predictors of mental health literacy in the educational context. A systematic search was conducted for quantitative studies published between 2019 and October 2023 using several databases following PRISMA guidelines. Studies needed to focus on potentially modifiable predictors of mental health literacy in the educational context. Study quality was assessed using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS tool). In total, 3747 titles and abstracts were screened, 60 articles were assessed in full-text screening, and 21 were included in the review. Significant correlations between mental health literacy and modifiable predictors, including stigma toward professional help, self-efficacy, attitudes toward help-seeking, social support, positive psychological states, receiving mental health training, and psychological distress, were identified. By addressing these factors, educational institutions can cultivate community's adept in mental health, fostering an environment marked by empathy, understanding, and proactive engagement in addressing mental health issues. The implications serve as a foundation for future research, policy development, and implementing of practical strategies to enhance mental health literacy in diverse educational settings.

Athlete mental health help-seeking: A systematic review and meta-analysis of rates, barriers and facilitators

Athletes are vulnerable to a range of mental health symptoms, in part due to stressors within the sport environment. An early intervention framework suggests the benefits of routine screening and referral for mental health, however, greater understanding around athlete help-seeking is needed to support referral uptake. This review examined rates of formal help-seeking behaviour as well as barriers and facilitators to help-seeking in sport settings. Relevant studies were retrieved from SportDiscus, PubMed and PsycInfo, with unpublished studies identified through contacting authors. Help-seeking rates were meta-analysed and barriers and facilitators were meta-synthesised. Twenty-two studies were included. Help-seeking rates were reported in 11 studies (N = 3415) and the pooled proportion of help-seeking was 22.4 % (95 % CI 16.2-30.2, I2 = 95.7 %). Barriers were reported in 13 studies and facilitators in six, highlighting a range of sporting-specific factors, such as stigma in relation to athlete identity and sport culture, fear of deselection, and concerns around confidentiality in sport settings, in addition to lack of awareness, low mental health literacy, and negative attitudes to services. Normalising experiences of mental health in sport settings, including through role models, was a key facilitator to help-seeking. Results provide implications for sport organisations to promote help-seeking and athlete mental health, such as through the use of role models, ensuring clarity around confidentiality, stigma reduction interventions, and fostering team cultures that promote mental health. Findings also support the value of sport staff in facilitating help-seeking, and organisational culture changes to foster wellbeing.