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Biomedical subjects

Anthony F Jorm

Publications and source records attributed to Anthony F Jorm.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Mental health first aid training in a workplace setting: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN13249129].

BACKGROUND: The Mental Health First Aid training course was favorably evaluated in an uncontrolled trial in 2002 showing improvements in participants' mental health literacy, including knowledge, stigmatizing attitudes, confidence and help provided to others. This article reports the first randomized controlled trial of this course. METHODS: Data are reported on 301 participants randomized to either participate immediately in a course or to be wait-listed for 5 months before undertaking the training. The participants were employees in two large government departments in Canberra, Australia, where the courses were conducted during participants' work time. Data were analyzed according to an intention-to-treat approach. RESULTS: The trial found a number of benefits from this training course, including greater confidence in providing help to others, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, improved concordance with health professionals about treatments, and decreased stigmatizing attitudes. An additional unexpected but exciting finding was an improvement in the mental health of the participants themselves. CONCLUSIONS: The Mental Health First Aid training has shown itself to be not only an effective way to improve participants' mental health literacy but also to improve their own mental health. It is a course that has high applicability across the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Association of adverse childhood experiences, age of menarche, and adult reproductive behavior: does the androgen receptor gene play a role?

Previous research has reported associations between adverse childhood experiences, early menarche, and early sexual activity. One hypothesis to account for these findings is that an X-linked androgen receptor GGC-repeat polymorphism predisposes fathers to behaviors which include family abandonment and their daughters to earlier menarche and sexual activity and less stable relationships. Retrospective data relevant to this theory were examined from a community survey involving 3,702 women in the age groups 20-24, 40-44, and 60-64 years, and another involving 908 women aged 18-79 years. Earlier age of menarche was found to be associated with adverse childhood experiences and earlier sexual activity. However, the androgen receptor gene polymorphism was unrelated to adverse fathering behavior or to marital breakdown.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Delivering interventions for depression by using the internet: randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of two internet interventions for community-dwelling individuals with symptoms of depression--a psychoeducation website offering information about depression and an interactive website offering cognitive behaviour therapy. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Internet users in the community, in Canberra, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 525 individuals with increased depressive symptoms recruited by survey and randomly allocated to a website offering information about depression (n = 166) or a cognitive behaviour therapy website (n = 182), or a control intervention using an attention placebo (n = 178). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in depression, dysfunctional thoughts; knowledge of medical, psychological, and lifestyle treatments; and knowledge of cognitive behaviour therapy. RESULTS: Intention to treat analyses indicated that information about depression and interventions that used cognitive behaviour therapy and were delivered via the internet were more effective than a credible control intervention in reducing symptoms of depression in a community sample. For the intervention that delivered cognitive behaviour therapy the reduction in score on the depression scale of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies was 3.2 (95% confidence interval 0.9 to 5.4). For the "depression literacy" site (BluePages), the reduction was 3.0 (95% confidence interval 0.6 to 5.2). Cognitive behaviour therapy (MoodGYM) reduced dysfunctional thinking and increased knowledge of cognitive behaviour therapy. Depression literacy (BluePages) significantly improved participants' understanding of effective evidence based treatments for depression (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both cognitive behaviour therapy and psychoeducation delivered via the internet are effective in reducing symptoms of depression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Use of medical services after participation in a community-based epidemiological health survey.

BACKGROUND: Personally relevant health information is an important factor that can change individuals' perceptions of their health needs. Health information can be delivered through various mechanisms, including health promotion campaigns and the general media. Another means by which individuals may receive personal health information is by participating in an epidemiological health survey. This study investigated effects of such participation on numbers of health services used by a representative sample of 7485 Australians. METHODS: Participants in the PATH Through Life Project lived in Canberra and environs, Australia, and were drawn from three age groups: 20-24 years, 40-44 years and 60-64 years. Information obtained included socio-demographic variables, mental and physical health as measured by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire, and national insurance data on numbers of general practitioner (GP) services used before and after survey participation. RESULTS: Both men and women in the youngest age group, men aged 40-44 years and women aged 60-64 years obtained more GP services for 3 months after interview. After this 3-month period, levels of service use by these participants returned to pre-interview levels. Increased service use related primarily to participants reporting poorer mental or physical health and to their being given information on potential health risks as part of the survey process. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that participating in such surveys may increase self-awareness of current physical and mental health status, potential health risks and health care needs.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

A community survey demonstrated cohort differences in the lifetime prevalence of self-reported head injury.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the lifetime prevalence and validity of self-reported head injury. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Analysis of a cross-sectional community survey, stratified by birth cohort. Seven thousand four hundred eighty-eight residents of Canberra and Queanbeyan, 3,678 males and 3,810 females, representing three cohorts aged in their 20s, 40s and 60s at the time of the survey, were randomly selected from the Australian Electoral Roll. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of head injury with at least 15 min loss of consciousness ranged from 5.6 to 6.0% across the three cohorts. Self-reported head injury was associated with symptoms of traumatic brain injury or postconcussion syndrome. Reported head injury did not differ across the birth cohorts, contrary to expectations that prevalence rates would increase with age. Analysis of age at first head injury showed significant differences between cohorts in the reported prevalence at age 20, with estimates considerably higher for the youngest cohort. CONCLUSION: Although the data may reflect real increases in the risk of head injury, it may be that self-reported measures of lifetime prevalence of head injury underestimate prevalence in older cohorts.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

A population survey found an association between self-reports of traumatic brain injury and increased psychiatric symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined whether self-reported Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), identified in a community sample and occurring up to 60 years previously, is associated with current psychiatric symptoms, suicidality, and psychologic well-being. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Three age cohorts (20-24, 40-44, 60-64) were randomly sampled from the cities of Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia, yielding a total of 7,485 participants. The samples were administered scales measuring anxiety, depression, suicidality, positive and negative affect, personality traits, and physical health status. RESULTS: Of the total sample, 5.7% reported history of TBI involving loss of consciousness for at least 15 min, occurring an average of 22 years previously. History of TBI was associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, negative affect, and suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: History of TBI is a risk factor for psychiatric morbidity. The effect is greatest in young adults, and occurs up to several decades subsequent to the occurrence of TBI.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

An examination of seasonality experienced by Australians living in a continental temperate climate zone.

BACKGROUND: To date, there has been only limited information on factors associated with seasonal changes in mood and behaviour experienced by a random sample of Australians living in a continental temperate climate region. This paper identifies socio-demographic, psychological and personality factors associated with reporting higher levels of seasonality. METHOD: Information on seasonal change using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) was obtained from 7485 persons in three age groups. Age and sex differences in seasonality scores were examined. Those meeting probable caseness for seasonal affective disorder were identified and compared with less-seasonal participants on a range of state and trait measures. RESULTS: Levels of seasonality reported by survey participants were comparable to those reported in northern hemisphere studies of randomly selected community samples. However, these levels were significantly lower than other key studies outside Australia and previous Australian findings. Compared with less-seasonal participants, those reporting seasonal change had more current depressive and anxiety symptoms and higher levels of negative affect, regardless of season of interview. LIMITATIONS: This study is likely to over-estimate the number of participants who meet requirements for caseness for seasonal affective disorder. CONCLUSION: Levels of seasonality experienced by a random sample of Australians living in a temperate climate are comparable to those reported by similar groups in the northern hemisphere. Importantly, this study found that those experiencing higher levels of seasonality had significantly more current depressive symptoms than less-seasonal participants across all seasons. These results raise questions about the usefulness of the SPAQ as a measure of seasonal variation in mood and behaviour.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Use of medications to enhance memory in a large community sample of 60-64 year olds.

BACKGROUND: There are no existing epidemiological data on use of medications to enhance memory. METHOD: A community survey was carried out in Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia, of an electoral roll sample of 2551 adults aged 60-64 years. Data collected included self-reports of using medications to enhance memory, tests of memory and other cognitive functions, anxiety, depression, physical health and use of other medications. RESULTS: 2.8% of the sample reported using medications to enhance memory, the main ones being gingko biloba, vitamin E, bacopa (brahmi), and folic acid/B vitamins. Users were more likely to be female, to have subjective memory problems and to use other psychotropic medications. However, they did not differ in memory performance, anxiety, depression or physical health. DISCUSSION: Some older people are using complementary medications to improve their memory or prevent memory loss, despite the lack of strong evidence for their effectiveness. These people show no objective evidence of memory impairment.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

The Informant Questionnaire on cognitive decline in the elderly (IQCODE): a review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The IQCODE is widely used as a screening test for dementia, particularly where the subject is unable to undergo direct cognitive testing or for screening in populations with low levels of education and literacy. This review draws together research on the psychometric properties and validity of the IQCODE. METHOD: A systematic search of the literature was carried out using three databases. RESULTS: The review shows that the questionnaire has high reliability and measures a single general factor of cognitive decline. It validly reflects past cognitive decline, performs at least as well at screening as conventional cognitive screening tests, predicts incident dementia, and correlates with a wide range of cognitive tests. A particular strength is that the IQCODE is relatively unaffected by education and pre-morbid ability or by proficiency in the culture's dominant language. The disadvantage of the IQCODE is that it is affected by informant characteristics such as depression and anxiety in the informant and the quality of the relationship between the informant and the subject. CONCLUSIONS: Because the IQCODE provides information complementary to brief cognitive tests, harnessing them together can improve screening accuracy.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Academic consumer researchers: a bridge between consumers and researchers.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the contributions that consumers, and academic consumer researchers in particular, can make to mental health research. METHOD: A literature survey and a systematic consideration of the potential advantages of consumer and academic consumer researcher involvement in health research. RESULTS: Consumer researchers may contribute to better health outcomes, but there are significant barriers to their participation in the research process. To date, discussion has focused on the role of nonacademic consumers in the health research process. There has been little recognition of the particular contributions that consumers with formal academic qualifications and research experience can offer. Academic consumer researchers (ACRs) offer many of the advantages associated with lay consumer participation, as well as some unique advantages. These advantages include acceptance by other researchers as equal partners in the research process; skills in research; access to research funding; training in disseminating research findings within the scientific community; potential to influence research funding and research policy; capacity to influence the research culture; and potential to facilitate the involvement of lay consumers in the research process. In recognition of the value of a critical mass of ACRs in mental health, a new ACR unit (the Depression and Anxiety Consumer Research Unit [CRU]) has been established at the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University. CONCLUSIONS: Academic consumer researchers have the potential to increase the relevance of mental health research to consumers, to bridge the gap between the academic and consumer communities and to contribute to the process of destigmatizing mental disorders.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed2004

Effect of web-based depression literacy and cognitive-behavioural therapy interventions on stigmatising attitudes to depression: randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the efficacy of educational interventions for reducing the stigma associated with depression. AIMS: To investigate the effects on stigma of two internet depression sites. METHOD: A sample of 525 individuals with elevated scores on a depression assessment scale were randomly allocated to a depression information website (BluePages), a cognitive-behavioural skills training website (MoodGYM) or an attention control condition. Personal stigma (personal stigmatising attitudes to depression) and perceived stigma (perception of what most other people believe) were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Relative to the control, the internet sites significantly reduced personal stigma, although the effects were small. BluePages had no effect on perceived stigma and MoodGYM was associated with an increase in perceived stigma relative to the control. Changes in stigma were not mediated by changes in depression, depression literacy or cognitive-behavioural therapy literacy. CONCLUSIONS: The internet warrants further investigation as a means of delivering stigma reduction programmes for depression.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease: another look.

OBJECTIVE: To test the claim that pet ownership reduces cardiovascular risk. DESIGN: Community survey. PARTICIPANTS: 2528 adults aged 40-44 years and 2551 aged 60-64 years who lived in the Australian Capital Territory and Queanbeyan, New South Wales, and were drawn randomly from the Australian electoral roll in 2000 and 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sociodemographic measures, including pet ownership, and measures of physical health (including body mass index [BMI], alcohol and cigarette consumption, and levels of physical activity). Two readings of diastolic and systolic blood pressure were also taken. RESULTS: While pet owners and non-pet owners had similar levels of systolic blood pressure, those with pets had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure. Pet owners also had higher BMI and were more likely to smoke. While those with pets undertook more mild physical activity, they continued to have significantly higher diastolic blood pressure after controlling for hypertensive risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found no evidence that pet ownership per se is associated with cardiovascular health benefits. Rather, pet owners had higher diastolic blood pressure than those without pets. It is likely that this increased health risk is linked to other hypertensive risk factors that are only indirectly associated with pet ownership.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Improving screening accuracy for dementia in a community sample by augmenting cognitive testing with informant report.

This study sought to determine whether the augmentation of cognitive testing with an informant report questionnaire could improve accuracy in screening for dementia in a community setting. The sample consisted of 646 subjects aged 70-93 years. Cognitive state was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Informants completed the 16-item short form of the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Dementia was diagnosed according to DSM-III-R criteria. Combination of the IQCODE with the MMSE resulted in more accurate prediction of caseness than either test alone. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis demonstrated the superior screening performance of a logical "or" rule and a weighted sum of scores on the two tests over other methods of combination, replicating previous clinically based research. The findings also suggest that the appropriate combination of existing tests may be a fruitful method of improving screening accuracy in a variety of situations.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Association of obesity with anxiety, depression and emotional well-being: a community survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of obesity with anxiety, depression and emotional well-being (positive and negative affect) in three age groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Canberra and the neighbouring town of Queanbeyan, Australia, with a random sample from the electoral roll of 2,280 persons aged 20-24, 2,334 aged 40-44, and 2,305 aged 60-64. RESULTS: Self-reported height and weight were used to classify participants as underweight (body mass index of less than 18.5), acceptable weight (18.5 to less than 25), overweight (25 to less than 30) or obese (30 and over). Obesity in women was associated with more anxiety and depression symptoms and less positive affect, but there were only weak and inconsistent associations in men. When factors that might mediate any association were controlled (physical ill health, lack of physical activity, poorer social support, less education and financial problems), a different picture emerged, with the underweight women having more depression and negative affect and the obese and overweight women tending to have better mental health than the acceptable weight group. Controlling for physical ill health alone accounted for the association of obesity with anxiety and depression in women. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity has an association with anxiety, depression and lower well-being in women, but not in men. The results are consistent with physical ill health playing a mediating role. IMPLICATION: Reducing obesity in the population is unlikely to have any direct effect on mental health or emotional well-being.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Improving Australians' depression literacy.

Community awareness and understanding of depression ("depression literacy") underpins successful implementation of prevention, early intervention and treatment programs. Improving depression literacy is a major goal of beyondblue: the national depression initiative. Although other countries have previously attempted to address this issue, there is little evidence to indicate that those attempts have achieved their aims. Work in other areas of health promotion, such as the widely used PRECEDE model, offers a useful framework from which to develop effective depression literacy initiatives in Australia. This model proposes that effective health promotion strategies should focus not on health actions per se, but on the knowledge and attitudes that encourage or impede individuals from taking such actions. We identify the goals of an effective depression literacy campaign and a range of educational strategies for achieving change in each of these areas. Applying these strategies may give a stronger basis for improving depression literacy than previous initiatives.

Attitude↗
PubMed2002

Mental health first aid training for the public: evaluation of effects on knowledge, attitudes and helping behavior.

BACKGROUND: Many members of the public have poor mental health literacy. A Mental Health First Aid training course was developed in order to improve this. This paper describes the training course and reports an evaluation study looking at changes in knowledge, stigmatizing attitudes and help provided to others. METHODS: Data are reported on the first 210 participants in public courses. Evaluation questionnaires were given at the beginning of courses, at the end and at 6 months follow-up. Data were analyzed using an intention-to-treat approach. RESULTS: The course improved participants' ability to recognize a mental disorder in a vignette, changed beliefs about treatment to be more like those of health professionals, decreased social distance from people with mental disorders, increased confidence in providing help to someone with a mental disorder, and increased the amount of help provided to others. CONCLUSIONS: Mental Health First Aid training appears to be an effective method of improving mental health literacy which can be widely applied.

Caregivers↗
PubMed2002

Lack of association of a single-nucleotide polymorphism of the mu-opioid receptor gene with anxiety-related traits: results from a cross-sectional study of adults and a longitudinal study of children.

There is evidence from animal experiments that the mu- and delta-opioid receptors may play a role in anxiety and depression. It might therefore be expected that functional polymorphisms of these genes in humans are associated with anxiety and depression. We investigated a single-nucleotide polymorphism (Asn40Asp) of the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1). This association was investigated in two samples: 1) a cross-sectional survey of 867 community-living adults aged 18-79 years who were assessed for anxiety and depression symptoms and related personality traits; and 2) a longitudinal study of childhood temperament in which 660 children were followed from infancy to the mid-teens and assessed for anxiety-related temperament and behavior problems. The data did not support a role for the Asn40Asp polymorphism in anxiety and depression, despite adequate statistical power to detect small effects.

Adolescent↗