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BACKGROUND: Occupational health factors such as shift work, sleep, fatigue, and work environment jeopardise the health and safety of gas station workers. This calls for new research to investigate how the working environment and characteristics impact the occupational health of workers at gas stations. However, minimal research has been conducted in this field, especially those involving psychological and behavioural factors, occupational stress, and so forth. OBJECTIVE: This review was performed to investigate the present condition of the occupational risk of gas station workers in this safety-critical position. METHODS: Five databases (Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO) were searched for relevant peer-reviewed studies. Results were selected according to these criteria: studies on fatigue, shift work, sleep, and physical and mental health of gas station employees; published on or before November 11, 2021; papers in English. RESULTS: Twenty studies were considered for the final analysis. The results showed that shift work at gas stations leads to psychological and physiological problems. The psychological consequences included anxiety, stress, and depression, while the physiological consequences included biochemical changes and lifestyle consequences. CONCLUSION: Shift work and the specific working environment of gas station employees adversely affect their sleep, stress levels, physical and mental health, and turnover intention. This systematic review allowed us to consider the occupational risk factors that can lead to sickness or accidents and contribute to reducing these risk factors. Realistic countermeasures ought to be established and interventions must be explored to mitigate risks to life, property, and the environment in operating gas stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As interest in job-related psychology increased, the need to focus on understanding workplace stress was emphasized. Negative emotional states such as anxiety and stress permeate the organization and, if uncontrolled, can negatively impact the health and work performance of workers. Therefore, attempts to analyze various signals to understand human emotional states or attitudes may be important for future technological development. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify what biological variables can discriminate emotions that can significantly affect work results. METHODS: Databases (Embase, PsychINFO, PubMed, and CINAHL) were searched for all relevant literature published as of December 31, 2019. RESULTS: Brain activity (BA) and heart rate (HR) or heart rate variability (HRV) are adequate for assessing negative emotions, while BA, galvanic skin response (GSR), and salivary samples (SS) can confirm positive and negative emotions. CONCLUSION: In the future, researchers should study measurement tools and bio-related variables while workers perform tasks and develop intervention strategies to address emotions associated with work. This may enable workers to perform tasks more efficiently, prevent accidents, and satisfy clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Sedentary tasks contribute to the deterioration of health and the appearance of chronic diseases. Physical exercise can contribute to the development of health, although the characteristics of the most appropriate program are unknown. OBJECTIVES: This is the second paper of the PRODET® intervention trial evaluating the effect of a supervised group exercise intervention in the worksite based on aerobic capacity and strength lasting 12 weeks. METHODS: The sample was composed of 67 subjects (N = 67, mean age 34.31 years) and the study investigated a 12-week group physical exercise program in the workplace, two days per week with 50-minute sessions, which was supervised and based on aerobic endurance and strength. The 67 subjects were working-age office workers, deemed as sedentary and randomized into an intervention (N = 40) or control (N = 27) group. Outcomes work ability, depression, anxiety and job satisfaction were assessed with questionnaires pre-and post-test in both groups. RESULTS: The program showed effects on the mental factor of work ability (Z = 2.36, P = 0.019, η2 = 0.09). However, there were no significant differences in the rest of the results. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention had an impact on the mental factor of work ability in the workers whose occupations were based on sedentary tasks, and reinforcing this variable with an exercise program in the workplace could contribute to reducing the mental factor of work ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), or lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disorder. Individuals with lupus face unique psychosocial and emotional challenges such as living with the unpredictability of the disease, symptoms such as fatigue, pain and depression, anxiety, cognitive problems, and coping with stress. OBJECTIVE: This article attempts to shed light on the role that lupus plays in the lives of college students in their academics and other unique psychosocial needs. METHOD: The author uses a single case study method based on the lived experience of a student with lupus. The method adopted is used as a means to provide anecdotal information about specific areas to consider when providing services to students living with this condition. RESULTS: Findings from this one case study identified some of the accommodations available to help students in higher education that may even vary for two students with same diagnosis of lupus. CONCLUSIONS: The paper presents some of the innovative strategies that can be used by practitioners while working with these students in higher education. These strategies can provide helpful support for students with lupus with the recommended academic accommodations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: It is well established that environmental factors can have impact upon an injured person's recovery and return-to-work outcomes. To date, there has been no cohesive model to provide theoretical understanding of the way in which these divergent factors combine to create disability behaviours. OBJECT: Development of a conceptual model for understanding the development of disability behavior. METHODS: Interpolation from existing neuroplasticity theory to observed behaviors and studies of behavior in the workers' compensation environment, including existing research concerning predictors for disability. RESULTS: The paper describes a conceptual model for understanding instances of disability that are not necessarily attributable to physical harm. Preliminary testing provides support for the model.CONCLUSIONS: Factors that contribute to the formation of a neural network supporting the behavior of learned disability are described. From that description, intervention methods to prevent or resolve so-called "needless disability" are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The Indigenous workforce in Canada is challenged by a history of Euro-Canadian colonialism that has presented deleterious health outcomes, including those in the workplace. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the mental health of Indigenous workers in the workplace. METHODS: We used the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) between 2015 to 2016. Data were analyzed using the Public Use Microdata Files to profile the workplace mental health characteristics of First Nation Canadians (n = 6,297) and Canadians (n = 84,155). We utilized secondary data analysis design. The analyses included descriptive statistics (e.g., means and standard deviations) of self-reported mood disorders (depression, bipolar, mania, dysthymia), anxiety (phobia, OCD, panic) and occupational factors (e.g., demographic, days off work due to an acute mental health condition, job type, and job stress) in indigenous peoples living off-reserve and other Aboriginal settlements in the provinces. RESULTS: We examined the indigenous cohort between the ages of 18–64 who were employed. The sample was 53.1% male, married (34.8%), and obtained a post-secondary diploma or university degree (57.9%). The study reported statistically significant gender and age differences across mood and anxiety disorders (p < 0.05), job stress (p < 0.05) and workload (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the work profile of indigenous populations in Canada across various occupational mental health (e.g., mood disorders, anxiety) and demographic (e.g., age, education attainment) outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: It is important to determine nurses' levels of knowledge, health-protective practices for work and social life, and mental health states at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to combat the pandemic and minimize further problems. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationships between knowledge levels, health-protective practices, and anxiety among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out with the online participation of 605 nurses in Turkey. The researchers prepared a questionnaire form to evaluate the participants' knowledge of COVID-19 and their awareness and health-protective behaviours in work and social life. The mental health statuses of the participants were assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire. RESULTS: Most of the participants (87.8%) had high levels of knowledge of COVID-19, while 28.8% had severe levels of anxiety disorder. The use of alcohol-based hand disinfectants (88.2%) and the use of N95 or N99 masks (88.5%) were the least frequently practiced protective behaviours at work, while in social life, a healthy and balanced diet (61.6%), social distancing (72.8%), and paying attention to one's sleep pattern (77.3%) were the least frequently practiced protective behaviours. Older age (41–50 years), higher education (master's degree) and having a work experience of 10 years or more were determined to increase the knowledge levels of the participants about COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Anxiety levels were higher in those with a history of mental illness (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Determining the knowledge levels, health-protective practices, and anxiety levels of nurses who are struggling in the frontlines in the field of health during the pandemic period can make a great contribution to the management of different current epidemics and pandemics and future ones by showing the areas in which nurses need to be empowered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Health care providers (HCPs) and health care students experience a huge amount of stress due to high workloads and pressure to perform and are likely to develop anxiety, depression and burnout. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to carry out an umbrella review of systematic and narrative reviews on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing stress and improving well-being in HCPs and health care students. METHODS: Systematic and narrative reviews that examined the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on HCPs and healthcare students' perceived stress were identified through a systematic search of three electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. RESULTS: Fifteen articles were included in the analysis: eleven systematic and four narrative reviews. Studies' quality varied from critically low to high. The different interventions showed positive results in reducing stress in both HCPs and students, with mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course having the major impact. CONCLUSIONS: MBSR techniques and other mindfulness based interventions resulted to be potentially effective in reducing stress. However, despite the vast amount of data collected by the studies and the promising results, several limitations affected the validity of the studies. Therefore, more research that considers the critical aspects of this field is required, in order to provide more reliable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As millions of teachers have been forced to rely upon remote teaching due to the closure of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is particularly important to understand the extent to which teacher's psychological wellbeing has been affected by this global health crisis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis was twofold: 1) ascertain the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression among teachers during the COVID-19 outbreak; 2) identify the associated factors of these psychological wellbeing domains of the teachers. METHODS: Academic Search Premier, Eric, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for articles published from December 2019 and July 2021, using search terms including "COVID-19" "anxiety" "depression" "stress", and "teachers". RESULTS: This study included 54 studies synthesising data from 256,896 teachers across 22 countries. The meta-analysis showed higher prevalence of stress (62.6%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 46.1–76.6), compared to anxiety (36.3%, 95% CI: 28.5–44.9) and depression (59.9%, 95% CI: 43.4–74.4) among teachers. Teachers' experiences of these psychological issues were associated with various socio-demographic and institutional factors, including gender, nature of online teaching, job satisfaction, teaching experience, and the volume of workload. Additionally, several protective factors, such as regular exercises and provision of technical support for online teaching, reduced teachers' negative psychological experiences. CONCLUSION: There is a need for authorities to formulate educational policies to improve teachers' wellbeing at the time of global crisis. Special attention should be paid to assist female teachers in overcoming physical and mental stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examined the effectiveness of art therapy and artistic engagement in addressing the anxiety and stress of COVID-19 patients and their treatment teams in Kolkata, India. Among the various art and performance activities during the study are drawing, poetry, music, and theatre. Also mentioned are the factors leading to stress and anxiety like fear of death and isolation, and the effectiveness of art as a tool to improve relisience of patients and their carers.

BACKGROUND: The likelihood of infection with SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) in the dental office is considered high. OBJECTIVES: Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 on dental practices and anxiety levels in risk group Brazilian dentists. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using the IBM SPSS 25.0 software (Pearson's Chi-square association test, multivariate logistic regression, and Poisson multiple regression), with subsequent calculation of the odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Responses of 578 dentists distributed in all regions of Brazil were collected. Most of the dentists were female, with an average age of 35. Of the participants, 23.4% were part of the increased risk group for COVID-19. The professionals who belonged to the increased risk group had a greater chance of not feeling prepared to perform consultations (OR = 1.67) and were not performing any procedures during the pandemic (OR = 2.03). Belonging to the increased risk group did not influence anxiety levels among the dentists. The factors associated with increased anxiety were being female, being younger, working in the southeastern region of the country, being afraid of contracting COVID-19 while working, and being concerned for one's professional future. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic has had a negative impact on the professional practice of individuals at risk, but the level of anxiety was like professionals who were not part of the increased risk group for COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Early studies have revealed the psychological effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on healthcare workers (HCWs). Burnout and psychological outcomes of different medical professions during the pandemic have not yet been addressed. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the burnout, depression, anxiety, and psychological distress levels of HCWs, and to determine the predictive factors of burnout in different professions of frontline HCWs during the pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 253 HCWs (79 physicians, 95 nurses, and 79 other-HCWs). The Maslach Burnout Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and Sociodemographic Form were used. RESULTS: Emotional exhaustion was significantly higher in physicians and nurses than in other frontline HCWs. While depersonalization was significantly higher in physicians than nurses / other HCWs, levels of avoidance, hyperarousal and intrusion were found to be higher in other HCWs / nurses than physicians. Depression was the most effective predicting variable for burnout, following age, quarantine, supervisor's/team leader's attitude, hyperarousal and avoidance. CONCLUSIONS: It has been observed that depending on the uncertainty and life risk of the pandemic in HCWs involved in the treatment of COVID-19, physicians who are the decision-making authorities in the treatment process used more depersonalization than nurses and other HCWs. Nurses and other-HCWs had significantly higher distress symptoms than physicians. Both future research and psychosocial services should address those with high depressive symptoms as a potentially fragile subgroup for burnout among HCWs, and investigate and develop evidence-based interventions that can provide mental well-being, and prevent burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This study is the second leg of a two-leg project. In the first leg, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers (HCWs) was investigated in the period between the first case in Turkey and the arrival of the first case in the hospital. OBJECTIVE: In this second leg, three months after the first evaluation, we aimed to investigate whether psychological effects of COVID-19 such as stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality have been changed on HCWs. METHODS: This was a 3-month observational study. 169 hospital staff who participated in the first leg of the study were reached and asked to participate in the second leg evaluation in Gaziantep University Medical Faculty Hospital.110 HCWs accepted to participate. Impact of Event Scale (EIS-R), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess in both two legs. Paired Sample T-test was used for comparison of normally distributed variables. Wilcoxon test was used for the comparison of abnormally distributed variables. SPSS 22.0 software was used in the analysis of variables. RESULTS: Of the HCWs with an average age of 33.9±6.6 years, 59% (65) were males. There was no significant difference between the two legs in terms of IES-R, DASS-21, and PSQI scales. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCWs started with the pandemic, before the arrival of the first case in the hospital. Also, these psychological effects continued similarly without significant change after the initiation of direct contact with COVID-19 patients and even after the increase in COVID-19 patients in a hospital which in they work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Torn between the decision to return to school classrooms or continue holding online classes during COVID-19, teachers around the world feel great uncertainty. OBJECTIVE: Bearing in mind that the study of mental health during the pandemic is of great importance for vulnerable categories, and given the role of teachers in society, the aim of this research is to assess teachers' concerns and anxiety before the start of the school year, and also to examine the factors related to them and propose measures in line with the results. METHODS: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study before the start of the 2020/2021 school year. The research sample consisted of 286 teachers. For the purposes of this research, a special questionnaire was constructed consisting of a general questionnaire and a Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). RESULTS: The strongest predictor of a teacher's answer that they were concerned about the reopening of schools was their concern for their own life and health and for the life and health of their family members, followed by the amount of information received about COVID-19, and, finally, older age. Only 2% of teachers had mild anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: This research indicated that it is necessary to examine in more detail the degree of teachers' concern and its impact on their functionality and work process. It is also necessary to repeat the research on the mental health status of teachers and implement procedures in the form of a regular screening program of the mental health status of teachers or implement procedures of support in concern management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The suicide of college students had been a social topic attracting people's attention, and the generation of suicidal ideation was an inevitable link in the psychological process of suicidal behavior. It was the focus of many researches whether the pressure of college students with suicidal ideation can be detected and relieved in time. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to analyze the therapeutic effect of cognitive behaviour therapy on psychological stress, depression, and other negative emotions of college students with suicide ideation. METHODS: 114 people from 1,158 college students with suicide ideation in the Wuhan area were divided into an experimental group and a control group in this study. Students in the experimental group were given with the cognitive behaviour therapy, and students in the control group were not intervened in any way. The suicide ideation scale (despair, optimism, and sleep), psychological stress test rating, and self-reporting inventory (somatization, compulsion, interpersonal relationship, depression, anxiety, hostility, terror, delusion, and psychosis) were used to evaluate the objects in the pre-test stage, intermediate-test stage, and the tracking-test stage. The multivariate logistic regression was adopted to analyze the influencing factors of the suicide ideation of the college student. RESULTS: The suicide ideation of the college student was significantly positively correlated with the psychological stress, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, and psychosis (P > 0.05); the total score of suicide ideation, despair, optimism, and sleep in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05) in the intermediate-test stage and the tracking-test stage (P < 0.05); the psychological stress, depression, and anxiety of the college students in the experimental group in the intermediate-test and tracking-test stage were slighter than those in the control group (P < 0.05); the somatization, compulsion, and interpersonal relationship of students in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The psychological stress, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, and psychosis were all risk factors for the college student to have suicide ideation. Negative emotions such as psychological stress, emotional depression, and anxiety of the college student with suicide ideation could be improved effectively by cognitive behaviour therapy, and the level of suicide ideation could be reduced finally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Stress is an acknowledged element of the medical profession; how cultural backgrounds may affect the perception of stress is understudied. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the stress-related experiences of British South Asian medical students and junior doctors, and to explore their coping mechanisms. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five participants at various stages of medical training. All participants reported stress, anxiety or depression and were of a British South Asian heritage. RESULTS: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was undertaken and three master themes were identified. These themes follow a narrative journey. The first theme was Individualism and External Reasoning, and referred to the factors that influenced participants career choices - both internal (e.g. a sense of self-efficacy) and external (e.g. prior exposure to the medical career). Secondly, Stress and Vulnerability examined the stress the participants experienced as a result of either internal stressors (e.g. perfectionism) or external stressors (e.g. social comparison). The last theme, Perseverance and Coping, referred to the coping strategies that participants developed to deal with aforementioned stressors, which varied from self-harm to visualisation. CONCLUSIONS: The choice to pursue a medical career was based on self-efficacy, prior exposure, and the perceived prestige of the vocation. Stressors and related coping mechanisms varied within the cohort, depending on social, environmental, and psychological circumstances. Whilst stress management interventions should take a personalised approach, considering individual cultural backgrounds; the systemic factors within medical training that directly lead to stress have to be addressed rather than merely acknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have been empirically validated as effective psychotherapeutic interventions for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This single subject design case study is of a survivor of the Twin Towers collapse who was treated for prolonged PTSD complicated by dissociated memories. OBJECTIVE: EMDR and EFT's effectiveness in treating PTSD were evaluated. METHOD: Multiple assessments using Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) and Personality combination with EMDR were conducted. RESULTS: Effects of a single session of EFT assessed immediately after treatment demonstrated an elimination of clinically significant scores on both the TSI and PAI. The participant concluded treatment with nearly complete symptom remediation and a return to work. CONCLUSION: The combination of treatment methods appears to be highly effective and allowed this subject to return to work after many years of disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: One reaction to injustice or humiliation is embitterment, a disabling emotion, which can hinder the pursuit of functional solutions for problems in life. Unemployment can be experienced differently, depending on the subjective appraisal of the cause, how a person came to being laid off, the consequences, and especially feelings of injustice. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to explore the frequency and correlates of embitterment in unemployed persons in contrast to general psychological distress. METHODS: Self rating on the Posttraumatic Embitterment Scale (PTED scale), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and a survey on the unemployment status of 102 randomly selected persons who were waiting in a German unemployment agency office. RESULTS: A score of ≥6 on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was found in 40.2% of the sample, indicating severe psychological distress. Unemployment was seen as a severe, or very severe burden by 56% of participants, and judged as unjust by 40% of participants. An elevated score above 2 on the Posttraumatic Embitterment Scale was found in 25.5% participants. Appraisal and duration of unemployment, feelings of injustice, and age were related to embitterment, but not psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Embitterment is a destructive emotion in reaction to unemployment, which can impair functional coping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pain is affected by pain psychological factors (PPFs), whereas relationship between PPFs and job stress are unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between PPFs and job stress in workers. METHODS: The study participants were the staff of the rehabilitation department of a core hospital. After undergoing a preliminary survey (38/43, 88% response rate), the rehabilitation workers were divided into the chronic pain group (CPG, n = 18) and the nonpain group (NPG, n = 13). RESULTS: Depression, anxiety, and magnification in the CPG were significantly associated with depressed mood and total stress response. Anxiety in the NPG was also significantly associated with all stress responses, except irritability and feelings of anxiety. Furthermore, all subscales of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale in the NPG were significantly and negatively associated with the vigor of stress responses. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic pain in workers was associated with severe job stress, and increased job stress worsened the state of chronic pain. Pain catastrophizing may be associated with early job stress in a person with no pain. This finding revealed a difference between the CPG and NPG and may be important for managing workers with job stress or pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Care farming is a service developed at farms for promoting mental and physical health and is increasingly used in mental health rehabilitation in Norway. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to present a descriptive review of Norwegian intervention research on care farms that provide rehabilitation for people with mental health disorders. METHODS: This literature review applied a non-systematic search strategy: all articles in the field known to the authors were selected for inclusion. The selected studies were intervention studies that were conducted on farms in Norway, that used adult participants with mental health problems/disorders, and that reported outcome measures related to mental health. The studies and articles presented quantitative and/or qualitative data. RESULTS: The findings from the published articles report improvements to mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, perceived stress, positive affect, rumination, and self-efficacy. Qualitative data describe a variety of positive experiences, such as improved coping ability, increased social support, and appreciation of the care farm activity. CONCLUSION: Participating in interventions on care farms positively influences mental health. Care farming may therefore be used as a supplementary approach in mental health rehabilitation, as it offers meaningful and engaging occupations and social inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This article presents an overview of multiple sclerosis (MS), one of the most common neurological disorders in the Western Hemisphere. We explore the impacts of MS on employment, career development, and community living, and the implications for rehabilitation professionals. OBJECTIVE: The objective in this article is to provide a current and comprehensive review of the etiology and symptoms, incidence and prevalence, and current treatment strategies for MS, and the effects of MS on vocational and psychosocial outcomes. METHODS: This analysis represents a comprehensive review of the relevant medical, vocational, community living, and rehabilitation research literature. RESULTS: Living with MS is associated with wide-ranging and unpredictable effects on employment, career development, and community independence. Effective responses by health and rehabilitation professionals require a comprehensive understanding of this progressive and complex condition and its psychosocial impacts. CONCLUSIONS: Customized interventions from allied health professionals and rehabilitation counselors that are grounded in the unique features of MS and that reflect current best practices in Vocational Rehabilitation are required to improve rehabilitation outcomes for people with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Labour force participation of people with mental disorders varies according to the nature of their disorder. Research that compares function and psychosocial need in job-seekers with different mental disorders, however, is scant especially in the Australian setting. Identifying rehabilitation needs of job-seekers with mental disorders receiving employment services is of interest to providers of disability employment services in Australia. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to identify differences in health, social needs and function in people with anxiety, mood, or psychotic disorders accessing disability employment services to inform disability service providers of vocational rehabilitation interventions. PARTICIPANTS: 106 adult job-seekers with anxiety (29%), mood (51%), and psychotic (20%) disorders receiving job placement services from a disability employment service provider consented to participate in this study. METHODS: Self-report measures and the Executive Interview (EXIT) were used to document function. Differences between disorders were determined using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Significantly better estimates of social functioning as measured by the Behaviour and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-32) were reported by job-seekers with psychotic disorders compared to those with anxiety or mood disorders. However, job-seekers with psychotic disorders reported longer periods of unemployment compared to those with mood disorders and longer estimates of the time it would take to obtain work compared to both the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived psychosocial problems, such as poor social function in job-seekers with anxiety and mood disorders and perceptions of poor employability in those with psychotic disorders, should be considered when developing vocational rehabilitation interventions, or where additional support may be required once employment is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is provided which discusses the articles within the issue on topics, including integrative medicine, human posture and anxiety in border security personnel in India.