MSc Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/13031
Browse
34 results
Search Results
Item EXPLORING THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS OF PAID CAREGIVERS IN SCOTLAND(2024-02-12) Unknown authorAim: The current research aims to identify the physical and mental health concerns of paid caregivers in Edinburgh, Scotland. In addition, the research would also try to understand the influence of the health concerns of the caregivers on the quality of care. Literature review: The paid caregivers are responsible for providing the necessary care and helping the care recipients in their daily activities. Sometimes due to increasing responsibilities the caregivers often face mental and physical health issues. The mental health issues are related to increasing stress and depression. The physical health concern is observed by lack of sleep or other clinical diseases. The mental health concern of the caregivers impacts the quality of the care as well as the life of the caregivers. Methodology: The methodology for the research has followed a qualitative approach. the data was collected through the primary data collection. The research has included nine participants who are paid caregivers. The nine paid caregivers were selected from one of the nursing homes in Edinburgh. The interviews were conducted in participants' comfort places such as gardens, and café. The thematic analysis has been performed. Findings: It has been found that the paid caregiver's mental health concerns affect the quality of care they are providing, the impact of the health care burden, and the paid caregivers often take short breaks from their responsibilities. Also, as a physical concern, they face sleep deprivation. In addition, they prefer to have organizational management support that would help them reduce the impact of their health concerns.Item ASSESSING THE MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL BURDENS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED CHILDREN IN DAMARE IDP CAMP, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA.(2024-02-12) Unknown authorChildren in North-Eastern Nigeria have endured prolonged exposure to armed conflict since 2009 due to the activities of the extremist group Boko Haram. This ongoing conflict has a direct and adverse impact on the development of children in North-Eastern Nigeria. This phenomenological study explored the mental health and psychosocial burdens experienced by internally displaced children due to the Boko Haram insurgency. Eight parents/caregivers of the Internally Displaced children from Damare IDP Camp, Adamawa State, Nigeria were interviewed. Findings revealed profound trauma, grief and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms among children who endured and witnessed extreme violence. High prevalence of flashbacks, emotional numbness, sleep troubles, and poor concentration aligned with research on mental health outcomes of terrorism and disaster exposures. Attacks also severely disrupted education, through destruction of over 1500 schools, fears undermining attendance and declining academic capacity amidst grief over dead peers. The available coping and support services within the IDP camp are minimally provided by the Government, Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and vitally, religious groups. Multiple barriers persist around affordability, transport, understaffing, stigmatization, and misconceptions about mental illness treatment. Urgent action is imperative to aid recovery and resilience among vulnerable displaced children facing lasting psychological scars. Recommendations include improving camp infrastructure, eliminating service fees, rebuilding bombed schools, equipping community workers for basic cognitive interventions, increasing mental health outreach and medication access, sponsoring accelerated learning programs, reducing stigma via collaborating with religious leaders, and advancing research on sociocultural dimensions influencing displaced children’s trauma within this context.Item Effect of Childs’ disability on mothers’ mental health in Lagos state, Nigeria(2024-02-12) Unknown authorBackground Caring for a child with a disability can be overwhelming due to the societal barriers people with disability face which makes them depend on people for daily survival, especially family members leading to increased child caregiving. In Nigeria, most parents, especially mothers, undergo various traumatic experiences figuring out what society and the future hold for their child with a disability, and this also affects their mental well-being. Methods This mixed-method research made use of primary data which was collected through the survey and interview methods. It was analyzed using descriptive statistics to get the frequency and simple percentage of the respondents’ opinions which was represented with a simple bar chat. While thematic analysis was used for the interview, the results were used to triangulate the survey findings. The analysis of the in-depth information gained in this work was guided by the bio-psychosocial model of health and the social model of disability. Results The research findings revealed that the majority of the mothers are stigmatized by their Childs’ disability which puts them away from social engagements like parties, religious centers, and family functions. The findings further revealed that increased parenting stress, loss of hope and social connectedness, and increased family dysfunction were also the effects of child’s disability on the mother’s mental health. Conclusion The areas of effects identified by the research have shown the areas where progress, practice, and policy are needed to help these mothers achieve positive mental health, and also regular engagement with and support to the mothers will lead to improved health outcomes.Item EXPLORING THE EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF DELAYED JUSTICE DELIVERY ON LAWYERS AND LITIGANTS IN THE NIGERIAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM(2024-02-12) Unknown authorBackground: In Nigeria, individuals navigating the legal system often endure an average waiting period of 22 years for case resolution, far exceeding Western standards. These prolonged delays inflict significant economic, relational, health, and psychological burdens on litigants and lawyers, deteriorating their quality of life. However, scant evidence exists documenting these impacts, hindering efforts to enhance support for justice system participants. This study aims to extract themes from existing literature regarding the mental health repercussions of delayed justice and assess the influence of financial pressures and coping mechanisms on stressors. Method: A desk study was conducted, primarily through a Literature Review incorporating 22 studies sourced from Google Scholar and Scopus databases. Various literature sources were examined to establish a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Results: Findings reveal that delayed justice delivery profoundly affects the mental health and psychological well-being of legal practitioners and litigants, particularly exacerbating severe anxiety. The high financial costs associated with prolonged legal processes directly contribute to heightened stress levels among litigants. Coping strategies employed by lawyers and litigants vary, ranging from seeking social support to engaging in self-care practices. Conclusion: Urgent attention is required for further research to comprehensively explore the multifaceted impacts of delayed justice delivery. Practitioners and policymakers must prioritize mental health interventions within the Nigerian legal system and enact supportive policies to alleviate the adverse effects of protracted legal proceedings. Additionally, future research efforts should encompass primary data collection to provide firsthand insights into the experiences of those affected by delayed justice delivery.Item Understanding and Addressing Domestic and Gender Based Violence in India.(2024-02-12) Unknown authorThe study examined how gender-based violence affects women in India. The investigation uncovered a complicated tapestry that allows violence to continue. The origins are firmly ingrained in patriarchal ideals, inflexible gender roles, and little legal protection. The current legal frameworks are discriminatory and unequal, reflecting and encouraging patriarchal and sexist behaviour. Nonetheless, a paradigm shift is essential to improve response and efficacy in preventing gender-based violence. The study's strength lies in its extensive assessment of several facets of gender-based violence in India. The analysis offers a thorough knowledge of the challenges that women encounter. The incorporation of cross-cutting problems such as patriarchy, caste, class, and societal behaviours helps to provide analytical research that portrays India's complex realities. The report acknowledges the limits of traditional legal remedies. Investigating specific legal limits and potential remedies may improve the study's validity. The study suggests personalised therapy that addresses the vulnerabilities of various groups. Strategies include raising cultural standards, empowering women, improving legal and social services, and encouraging accountability. The report emphasised the necessity for legislative changes. However, the focus on India may restrict its generalizability, as metropolitan regions differ; thus, it is critical to exercise caution when extrapolating findings to diverse geographical and cultural settings. Future Directions: To have a more comprehensive understanding of DGBV across several geographies, future studies should focus on metropolitan areas in India. A thorough analysis of the legal framework and proposed adjustments will result in more effective activities. Future research will assess the efficacy of existing therapies in various situations, identifying their successes and shortcomings. The longitudinal evaluation of the success of DGBV interventions could be a valuable source of information for improving and reshaping approaches to understanding and controlling DGBV. This research highlights the prevalence of gender-based violence (DGBV) in India, which is rooted in patriarchal attitudes and lacks proper legal protection. The report emphasises the urgent need for specialised interventions that address different groups' individual vulnerabilities, as well as legislative reforms to build a more equitable legal framework. While the focus on India gives useful insights, caution should be given when generalising findings to other situations. Future studies should strive to broaden the scope of research to include metropolitan regions and analyse intervention effectiveness over time. By doing so, we can better understand and address the complexity of DGBV, ultimately leading to a more just and equitable society for everyone.Item Assessing the Impact of School-Related Stress and Associated Coping Strategies on the Mental Health of Undergraduate Students in Nigeria(2024-08-05) Unknown authorUniversity students are among the categories of people who experience elevated and prolonged stress globally. Due to protracted exposure to diverse stressors in their academic and home environments, they also experience chronic stress which affects their mental balance and wellness. Against this background, this study investigated academic stress among Nigerian undergraduate students, focusing on its causes, gender distribution, mental health correlates, and coping strategies. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were employed to 70 students between ages 18-27 from Nigerian universities to complete a self-administered cross-sectional online survey. The data was statistically analysed in SPSS. Results revealed high stress levels, with over 80% of participants reporting high to very high academic stress. Primary stressors included academic workload, fear of failing exams, and financial concerns. Contrary to many international studies, male students reported higher stress levels than females, suggesting unique cultural and societal pressures. Mental health correlates showed significant relationships between stress and feelings of anxiety and sleep disturbances, while feelings depression exhibited a complex, non-significant association despite high prevalence. Spirituality and entertainment emerged as the most common coping strategies, while academic support services were underutilized due to stigma and lack of awareness. Limitations include the small sample size and cross-sectional design. Future research should employ larger samples, longitudinal designs, and mixed methods to deeper explore the nuanced stress experiences of Nigerian students. This study contributes to the understanding of academic stress in the Nigerian context and provides a foundation for evidence-based reforms to promote student well-being alongside academic success.Item COPING MECHANISMS AND THE IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES ON INTERNATIONAL POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UK: A CASE STUDY OF QUEEN MARGARET UNIVERSITY MUSSELBURGH, SCOTLAND(2024-08-26) Unknown authorBackground We know that mental health poses a great challenge globally because it has been widely proven in literature that there is a burden of mental health issues, including depression among international postgraduate students due to several factors (Evans et al., 2018). The stressors of this burden range from socio-economic factors to others such as academic and personal well- being (Hosseinpur et al., 2023). Aims Based on this evidence, this research engaged international postgraduate students (IPS) in Queen Margaret University (QMU) Musselburgh, Scotland United Kingdom (UK) to: i. Identify the ways through which mental health (MHC) including depression influences their academic performance; ii. Its impact on their well-being and social interactions and iii. To explore the various coping mechanisms that they deploy to handle these challenges (for this study, the acronyms IPS, MHC, QMU and UK will be frequently used). . Methods A qualitative driven methodological approach through purposive sampling, using descriptive online survey with sixty-two respondents and four participants in a semi-structured interview was employed to conduct this study. Descriptive statistics of percentages were used to analyse the data on the JISC Online Survey platform. Results Most IPS experienced MHC after they began their postgraduate studies at QMU, and the most experienced MHC was stress. This arose out of the pressures of finding a balance between the academic workload, finding accommodation, financial security and the demands of adapting to and settling down in a new/ foreign environment far away from friends and family while balancing their well-being and social interactions. Self-help and family support was the most engaged coping mechanism by IPS and most of these postgraduate students also employ more than one coping mechanism to manage their MHC. Conclusion improving inclusive measures of ongoing guidance and support from the QMU authorities both within and outside the school vicinity for these set of students. An adjustment by the UK government in the policies guiding the regulations around IPS dependants and work permits should also be considered for easier and faster acclimatization. Further studies on IPS in the master's degree certificate category in smaller universities should be researched to help give a better understanding of how these set of students cope with MHC in their own contexts.Item “Barriers to mental health services: A Narrative Review of Obstacles to Care Access Amongst Syrian Asylum Seekers and Refugees Residing in Türkiye”(2024-08-05) Unknown authorThe ongoing Syrian civil war has precipitated a massive forced displacement, with Türkiye hosting approximately 3.76 million Syrian asylum seekers (UNHCR, 2023). Despite the high prevalence of mental health conditions among this population, significant gaps remain in understanding the obstacles they face in accessing essential mental health services. This dissertation presents a narrative review synthesizing existing research on the barriers to mental health care access for Syrian asylum seekers in Türkiye. Utilizing the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) pyramid framework, this study examines the multi-layered factors influencing mental health service accessibility and utilization. The review explores socio-cultural, economic, and political barriers, as well as systemic challenges within the Turkish healthcare system that impact service provision for this vulnerable population. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, focusing on studies published between 2014 and 2024. The narrative synthesis highlights key themes in access barriers, including cultural beliefs and stigma, language barriers, lack of awareness about available services, financial constraints, and policy-related challenges. The findings of this review contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay of factors affecting mental health care access for Syrian population in Türkiye. By elucidating these barriers, this study aims to inform policy makers, healthcare providers, and humanitarian organizations in developing more effective, culturally sensitive, and accessible mental health interventions for this population. This research underscores the need for innovative approaches to mental health service delivery, such as community-based interventions and cross-sector partnerships, to enhance the reach and impact of psychological support for Syrian asylum seekers in Türkiye. The insights gained from this review can guide future initiatives aimed at improving mental health outcomes and overall well-being for this displaced population.Item Mental health implications of domestic abuse on children: An in-depth literature review of the mental health and developmental impacts of domestic abuse exposure on children and the support services available(2024-08-19) Unknown authorThis study investigates the impact of domestic abuse on children’s mental health and development in Scotland, addressing a critical gap in knowledge. The research employs a bounded relativism ontology and constructionist epistemology, utilising a comprehensive literature review approach. Six key papers were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that approximately 14% of Scottish mothers with children under the age of 7 years have experienced intimate partner violence. Children exposed to domestic abuse often suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD, and cognitive impairments. The severity of these impacts varies based on factors such as polyvictimisation and frequency of abuse, while a strong mother-child bond can be protective. Significant barriers to support services include lack of awareness, stigma, and poor inter-agency coordination. Current services often fail to adequately address children’s specific needs or provide easy access. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges. The study applies the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Pyramid framework to highlight potential long-term effects of childhood exposure to domestic abuse. However, significant gaps in understanding these long-term outcomes for affected children in Scotland still remain. The research concludes by emphasising the need for more comprehensive, Scotland- specific studies and proposing policy recommendations to enhance early intervention, improve legal system that are quick to act on children’s needs, and provide targeted professional training. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on children’s mental health and development in Scotland and provides the starting point for future research and policy development in the crucial area.Item A critical analysis of mental health services and ‘care’ provision among the women and adolescent refugees in Palestine.(2024-08-26) Unknown authorA broad range of discussion is going around the globe in relation to Israeli-Palestine conflict, which is still going on. But in each discussion, we are vaguely looking into the life of the displaced Palestinians. Women and children are considered as the most vulnerable population even though there are a lot of law implemented and proposed to protect them; it often ends up making more damages than reconstructing. Here in this postgraduate research study, we are looking into the spectrum of service provision and mental health services provided among the women and adolescents in Palestine. We are also looking into the ways in which mental health and psychosocial supports help, protect and guide them; where it needed to be changed for the betterment of the community through peer reviewed research papers from databases such as PubMed, EBSCO, UN agencies and books published in relation to the topic. Here in this research, the researcher looks at the service providers, provision and how it is helping the population to overcome the constant traumatic experience they are facing in their daily life and the concept that gives them hope to move forward.