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Background: This paper aims to explore the impact of recovery education on recovery knowledge, attitudes and the quality of life of students undertaking recovery education, contributing to the evidence base in relation to the impact of recovery education. It also explores the experiences of all stakeholders involved in the co‐facilitation, delivery and participation in recovery education. Setting and Participants: This study evaluates the experiences of stakeholders involved in the co‐facilitation, delivery and participation in recovery education across four recovery colleges in Ireland. Participants included students undertaking recovery education, peer educators, education facilitators, recovery college coordinators and practitioner/service providers. Discussion: Findings from the quantitative survey when compared with extant literature suggest that students had a good understanding of recovery education. The social aspect of empowerment for growth and wellbeing was identified through themes relating to co‐production and facilitating student learning. Support for equitable access to recovery education, including co‐production for both the public and staff, was identified as a challenge for the future. Conclusion: The findings from both the qualitative and quantitative components of the study show the positive impact of recovery education on stakeholders while acknowledging the need for ongoing support for people working in recovery education and the development of services. In particular, there was a high level of recovery knowledge found in students undertaking recovery education. Patient or Public Contribution: This study utilised a co‐created study design. From inception a steering group comprising stakeholders (peer educators, recovery education facilitators including past recovery college students and nonpeer staff involved in the co‐production of recovery education) directed the conduct of the evaluation. This steering group participated in an iterative process of information sharing, suggestions for evaluation process and language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irish Travellers are a minority ethnic group within the Irish state with a distinct culture and set of traditions. Travellers experience mental health inequalities, high rates of mental ill health, and structural and individual barriers to mental health supports. A Traveller Mental Health Liaison Nurse (TMHLN) was introduced in a healthcare region in Ireland to provide greater mental health‐related support to Travellers. This paper presents a description of the TMHLN role following a multi‐stakeholder evaluation. The research design was descriptive qualitative and the findings are reported using COREQ criteria. Thirty‐four key stakeholders were interviewed individually or as part of focus groups. Thematic analysis generated two broad themes: the role context, and the specific activities of the role. Mental health nursing experience and understanding of local issues and services were key, as was use of language, building trusting relations, creating the metaphorical, and having the physical, space for working. Specific activities involved in‐reach and outreach work, including one‐to‐one mental health support provision, delivery of education/training sessions to Travellers and service providers, (re)establishing links to specialist services, integrated and interagency working, and promoting cultural competency. The findings set out a role with a greater emphasis on the use of recovery technologies, having an emphasis on psychosocial interventions and self‐care, and less focus on biomedical technologies, signs and symptoms, and clinical outcomes. This study contributes to knowledge on the role of a MHLN as this relates to working with marginalized minority groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Regular moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with improved mental health, but the evidence for the effect of reducing sedentary behavior (SB) or increasing light PA (LPA) in older adults is lacking. Using isotemporal substitution (IS) models, the aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of substituting SB with LPA or MVPA on associations with mental health in older adults. Methods: Data from 1360 older adults (mean age 75.18 years) in four countries were utilized. PA and SB was measured using ActiGraph wGT3X‐BT + accelerometers worn for 7 days. Self‐rated mental health was measured using the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). IS models estimated cross‐sectional associations when 30 minutes of one behavior was substituted with another. Models were adjusted for age, sex, marital status, and educational attainment. Results: Substituting 30 minutes of SB with LPA (β −.37; 95% CI −0.42, −0.32) or MVPA (β −.14; 95% CI −0.21, −0.07) and substituting LPA with MVPA (β −.11; 95% CI −0.18, −0.04) were associated with improvements in anxiety. However, substituting 30 minutes of SB with LPA (β.55; 95% CI 0.49, 0.62) was associated with increased depression. Conclusion: Replacing 30 minutes of SB with LPA or MVPA was associated with improved anxiety symptoms in older adults. Greater benefits were observed when shifting SB and LPA to MVPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adults with an intellectual disability (ID) have much lower rates of employment than their counterparts without intellectual disability, which increases their risk of poverty and social exclusion. Differential treatment of people with intellectual disability in welfare and training policies suggests an expectation they will be passive welfare recipients rather than productive employees. Methods: This paper aims to examine occupational activities by older people with intellectual disability in Ireland, exploring factors influencing outcomes using data from the IDS‐TILDA study (n = 708). Results: Most people were unemployed but engaged in regular occupational activity. Occupational activity was associated with better emotional/mental health. Activities of Daily Living (ADL) functioning was associated with an active occupational status, while social supports most strongly predicted high occupational engagement across a range of activities. Conclusions: A focus on the individual meaning derived from a broad range of engagement may better support people with intellectual disabilities to benefit from regular occupational activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Increasingly, experts as deemed by personal experience or mental health service use, are involved in the education of nurses; however, accompanying research is limited and focuses primarily on opinions of nurse educators and students. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of the potential contribution to mental health nursing education by those with experience of mental health service use. The research was part of the international COMMUNE (Co‐production of Mental Health Nursing Education) project, established to develop and evaluate co‐produced mental health content for undergraduate nursing students. A qualitative descriptive design was adopted with data collected through focus group interviews in seven sites across Europe and Australia. Experts by experience (people with experience of distress, service use, and recovery) co‐produced the project in partnership with nursing academics. Co‐production enriched the process of data collection and facilitated the analysis of data from multiple perspectives. Two themes are presented in this paper. The first focuses on how experts by experience can enhance students’ understanding of recovery by seeing the strengths inherent in the ‘human’ behind the diagnostic label. The second highlights the importance of communication and self‐reflection on personal values, where students can explore their own thoughts and feelings about mental distress alongside those with lived experience. Interacting with experts by experience in the classroom can assist in challenging stigmatizing attitudes prior to nursing placements. These findings can be used to inform international nursing curricula by increasing the focus on nursing skills valued by those who use the services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study undertaken in the Republic of Ireland during 2005 and is based on the experiences of children and young people who have lived with domestic violence. The objectives of the study were to explore the impact of domestic violence on children, identify their needs and recommend appropriate interventions to be brokered through a centrally based women's support service. Data were gathered from 70 participants, including 37 service providers/volunteers, 11 mothers and 22 children and young people who had lived in violent environments. The data indicated that children respond in unique ways to living with domestic violence, and that services to meet their needs must be tailored to suit their individual situations. The impact of domestic violence on their lives manifested itself with regard to their sense of fear and anxiety in relation to themselves, their siblings and their mothers; their self-esteem and sense of being ‘different’, their relationships (including ambivalent relationships with their fathers); their experiences of education and their sense of a lost childhood. The final report for the study was based on the total data collection, but this paper will concentrate primarily on the material elicited from the children and young people. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Significant overlap and comorbidity has been demonstrated among young people with mental health problems. This paper examined demographic characteristics, heterogeneity of need descriptors and services provided among young people (12-25 years) engaging in brief interventions at J igsaw in the Republic of Ireland. Method Between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013, a total of 2571 young people sought help from 1 of 10 J igsaw sites. Of these, 1247 engaged in goal-focused brief interventions, typically consisting of one to six face-to-face sessions. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize social and demographic factors. Latent class analysis was used to cluster young people into relevant typologies of presenting issues. Multinomial logistic regression was then performed to determine significant predictors of class membership. Results The most common age of young people was 16. More women (59.6%) than men engaged in brief interventions, 56% attended school, 74% lived with their family of origin or with one parent, and 54.2% came from families where parents were married. Using established fit criteria, four relevant typologies emerged: Developmental (26.8%), Comorbid (15.8%), Anxious (42.7%) and Externalising (14.6%). Predictors varied by class membership, but general family problems and lack of adult support emerged as the strongest predictors for all classes. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the mental health needs of young people in Ireland are significant and diverse. Because J igsaw favours a more descriptive approach to problem identification, the four typologies suggest a need to determine program capacity in engaging youth with heterogeneous presenting issues and to tailor brief interventions to each group's clinical profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Internationally, 75% of all mental health problems emerge before the age of 25 years, and adolescence represents a critical period that strongly influences the course of these problems. To date, there is limited research on the mental health of young people aged 12-25 years in Ireland. The My World Survey ( MWS) national study provides data on risk and protective factors of mental health among 14 306 young people. The MWS was conducted in two phases: Phase 1 - MWS- Second Level ( MWS-SL) with adolescents aged 12-19 years, and Phase 2 - MWS- Post Second Level among young adults aged 17-25 years. Aim This article provides a comprehensive overview of the development of the MWS-SL study. Another aim is to identify key learning points when conducting research in the second-level school system. Methods The MWS-SL study was conducted with 6085 adolescents aged 12-19 years in 72 second-level schools. The MWS consists of standardized reliable and valid measures that have been used internationally to assess a range of risk and protective factors associated with adolescent mental health. Results Schools recruited for the MWS-SL study represented quite well the national distribution of second-level schools based on gender composition, disadvantaged/non-disadvantaged status and geographic location. Conclusions Key learning points when collecting survey data in schools include pilot testing of survey instruments; building relationships with key stakeholders to ensure buy-in for the study from schools; establishing rigorous data collection and processing protocols; and recognizing the value of online surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to present selected findings of a grounded theory study that aims to explore individual processes and desired outcomes of recovery from recurrent health problems in order to build up a theoretical framework of recovery in an Irish context. Volunteers included mental health service users or participants of peer support groups who have experienced recurrent mental health problems for two or more years, consider themselves in improvement, and are willing to participate in individual interviews. The current paper is based on the analysis of 15 audiorecorded and transcribed interviews. We identified two open codes of ‘giving up’ and ‘fighting to get better’. Giving up was associated with accepting a passive identity of a patient with a chronic mental illness and a lack of intrinsic motivation to get better. Fighting had both positive (fighting for) and negative (fighting against) dimensions, as well as internal and external ones. The fight for recovery entailed substantial and sometimes risky effort. Starting such a fight required strong, self-sustained motivation. Service providers might need to discuss internal and external motivators of fighting for recovery with service users, with a view to including such motivators in the care plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic experience was different in each country (e.g., prevalence, societal restrictions). There is limited data on eating disorder (ED) diagnosis and service activity trends within Ireland. The aim of this study is to describe the ED referral and hospitalization trends during COVID‐19 in Ireland. Method: Monthly data (2019–2021) from three regional community ED services (two‐child and one‐adult) were collected. National psychiatric and medical hospitalization data were analyzed. A descriptive and trend analysis was performed. Results: There was a trend of referrals to community ED services during the COVID‐19 pandemic for children (p <.0001) and adults (p =.0019). Albeit the increase in child referrals was evident at an earlier point before adult referrals. There was a trend of a diagnosis for children and adults of anorexia nervosa (p <.0001; p =.0257) and other‐specified‐feeding‐or‐eating‐disorder (OSFED) respectively (p =.0037; p =.0458). There was no trend in psychiatric co‐morbidity. There was a trend of child (p =.0003) not adult (n = 0.1669) psychiatric hospitalization. There was a trend of medical hospitalization for child and adult combined (p <.0001). Conclusion: This study adds to the growing literature on the association of the COVID‐19 pandemic on ED trends and the need for future public health and service provision funding to be allocated for mental health services during periods of international crisis. Public Significance: This study illustrates the referral and hospitalization trend in young persons and adults with an ED in Ireland during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study highlights that there was a trend of Anorexia Nervosa and OSFED presentations during the COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A substantial body of research indicates that higher education students from lower social class backgrounds tend to have poorer health than those from higher social class backgrounds. To investigate sleep as a potential mediator of this relationship, online survey responses of students from five large Australian universities, one Irish university and one large Australian technical college were analysed in three studies (Study 1 N = 628; Study 2 N = 376; Study 3 N = 446). The results revealed that sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep disturbances, pre‐sleep worries and sleep schedule variability mediated the relationship between social class and physical and mental health. Sleep remained a significant mediator when controlling for related variables and other mediators. Thus, the findings suggest that sleep partly explains social class differences in health. We discuss the importance of addressing sleep issues among students from lower social class backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite much research on the relationship between unemployment and mental health, consideration of the relationship between economic and psychological problems remains re markedly rare. Available evidence suggests that income affects psychological well-being indirectly via subjectively appraised financial strain. This paper presents an analysis of the relationships between measures of household income and resources, subjectively appraised financial strain and psychological distress drawing on a nationally representative sample of 3294 households in the Republic of Ireland. Our analysis demonstrates that objectively assessed exclusion from customary lifestyles, involving deprivation of socially defined necessities, is associated with increased psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study explored the experiences of service users of Adult Mental Health and Primary Care services in Ireland in receiving teletherapy during the COVID‐19 pandemic to provide an illustration of these experiences which may inform future applications of teletherapy. Method: Semi‐structured telephone interviews about participants' experiences with teletherapy were conducted, the transcripts of which were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Six themes were generated: Early Apprehensions, Adaptations Improving Experiences, The Therapeutic Space, Seeing and Being Seen, Technical Difficulties: The Loss of "The Moment," and The Security of a Pre‐Existing Relationship. Conclusion: Generated themes highlight both the range of experiences that clients can have during teletherapy, and some of the most significant factors which influence these experiences. The quality and effectiveness of teletherapy are often susceptible to factors outside of therapists' and clients' control. In most cases, it may be best considered as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, traditional in‐person services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary EU agricultural policies place a significant emphasis on current and future societal issues, e.g. climate, biodiversity, animal welfare, and air and water quality amongst others. The governance of farming practices has changed in order to deliver on these expectations resulting in increasingly specific regulations to ensure their delivery. For male farmers these developments have the potential to undermine their autonomy as a 'good farmer', their gendered sense of mastery and ultimately their conception of what it is to be a 'man' in rural Ireland. This qualitative study explores how changes in agricultural policy are being received by farming communities, how they impact on gendered roles, and what the collateral impacts are on wellbeing and mental health. Eleven focus groups were conducted with male farmers (n = 3) and key informants (n = 8). Utilizing Thematic Content Analysis, all transcripts were coded iteratively using open and comparative coding techniques. Themes were grouped into primary and sub‐themes. Theme memos and conceptual maps were used to track evolving relationships between themes. Our analysis identified two interrelated themes. (i) 'Resistance or submission': negotiating farming masculinities in response to changing agri‐governance and (ii) 'Advancement or abandonment': reconfiguring 'the good farmer' in the wake of contemporary challenges in the dairy sector. We explore these issues by drawing out how contemporary regulation of farming practices gives rise to tensions associated with a perceived loss of autonomy and mastery, as well as ripple effects for farmer wellbeing. Findings highlight the tensions that permeate the construction of farming identities and masculinities in the wake of changes to agricultural policy and governance, and unpack the ripple effects for farmers' mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ireland, little is known about mothers and infants where child welfare and protection concerns arise during the perinatal period. This study explores, for the first time, perinatal child protection. A retrospective audit was carried out of a large maternity hospital's medical social work, neonatal and psychiatric files for a five‐year period from 2016 to 2020. The study identified 99 children, born to 86 mothers, who were either subject to a child protection conference; placed for adoption; discharged to someone other than the mother; or discharged home under supervision. The study found that two‐thirds of the children were discharged to their mother's care. When compared to national data, the health indicators for this cohort of mothers and children painted a grim picture. The maternal profiles identified high prevalence of mental health and addiction difficulties and domestic violence. The study found evidence of supports provided to the mothers to enable them to care for their infants while they remained in the hospital and during an initial discharge from hospital. However, a significant number of the mothers were not caring for their children when viewed across a longer time frame. Dedicated multi‐disciplinary clinics and improved data systems were identified as of importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Experts by Experience involvement in the education of health professionals has gained momentum as an important strategy in ensuring quality, person‐centred education. Despite being a requirement for occupational therapy programs in Australia and internationally, involvement is variable and limited. Barriers to the implementation of academic roles have been identified, including negative attitudes of colleagues, systemic barriers, and insufficient evidence of their value. Mental health academics who do not identify as having lived experience (referred to as allies) have provided crucial support for Experts by Experience. Understanding their perspectives on implementation barriers and how they can be addressed is crucial to facilitating a broader level of meaningful involvement. Methods: A qualitative exploratory research project was conducted, involving in‐depth interviews with mental health academic allies (n = 16) from Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. Participants were from the disciplines of nursing, occupational therapy, social work, and psychiatry. Data were analysed thematically. Findings: Two main themes were identified from the data analysis process: convincing colleagues and dealing with university barriers. Participants described varying attitudes from colleagues towards Experts by Experience, with many not understanding or appreciating their contribution to education and student outcomes. At the university level, reluctance to embrace innovation and funding and other resource shortages presented impediments to the implementation of Expert by Experience roles. Participants described using creative measures to overcome institutional barriers and encourage greater acceptance of such roles by colleagues. Conclusion: This research describes how allies experienced and overcame barriers they faced when supporting the implementation of academic positions for Experts by Experience. Allies have an important role to play in overcoming systemic barriers, and the approaches they have taken to achieve this may be an important source of learning for others with similar aspirations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While chronic and acute stress are often associated with negative health, the sense of coherence–revised (SOC‐R) is proposed to facilitate coping with stress and promote health. However, research is lacking on the specific mechanisms. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate potential mediating and moderating mechanisms of SOC‐R in the relationship between stress and health. Using a cross‐sectional design, standardized questionnaires assessed SOC‐R, acute (perceived) stress, early‐life adversity (ELA; indicator for early‐life chronic stress), mental and physical health, and satisfaction with life. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted with N = 531 Irish adults (mean age: 59.5 years; 58.4% female). Regarding acute (perceived) stress, results showed that SOC‐R and its Manageability subscale significantly mediated the association between perceived stress and mental health, and satisfaction with life. SOC‐R and its Manageability subscale also significantly moderated the association between perceived stress and mental health. Regarding ELA, the Manageability subscale significantly mediated the association between ELA and mental health, and satisfaction with life; and the Balance subscale significantly mediated the association between ELA and physical health. SOC‐R may provide a useful focus for stress‐related research, with future longitudinal studies needed to examine SOC‐R as a long‐term modulating pathway between stress and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary This paper is a reflection on the development of an accessible mental health programme for people with intellectual disabilities., The authors note rationale for the development of the programme., The authors outline the key components of the programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic in Ireland resulted in a nationwide quarantine on March 27, 2020. This study represents the first assessment of rates of anxiety and depression in the general population of Ireland during the pandemic. Aims: Our first aim was to estimate the probable prevalence rates of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression and to identify sociodemographic risk factors associated with screening positive for GAD or depression. Our second aim was to determine if COVID‐19 related anxiety was highest amongst those in society at greatest risk of morality from COVID‐19. Method: Self‐report data were collected from a nationally representative Irish sample (N = 1041) online between March 31 and April 5; the first week of the nationwide quarantine measures. Recognized cut‐off scores on the GAD‐7 and PHQ‐9 were used to estimate rates of GAD and depression. Correlates of screening positive for GAD or depression were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results: GAD (20.0%), depression (22.8%) and GAD or depression (27.7%) was common. Screening positive for GAD or depression was associated with younger age, female sex, loss of income due to COVID‐19, COVID‐19 infection and higher perceived risk of COVID‐19 infection. Citizens aged 65 and older had significantly higher levels of COVID‐19 related anxiety than adults aged 18–34. Conclusions: Initial results from this multi‐wave study monitoring changes in population anxiety and depression throughout the pandemic indicate that GAD and depression were common experiences in the population during the initial phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parental incarceration (PI) is associated with adverse developmental outcomes for children affected. However, research in this area often reports conflicting results with few studies following children across time in non‐U.S. populations. Additionally, more research is called for using multi‐informant perspectives rather than relying on adult reports of child outcomes alone. Methods: This study used data from the first two waves of a nationally representative cohort study of 8,568 children aged 9 years and followed up at age 13 living in the Republic of Ireland (2007–2012). Propensity score matching was used to match children who had experienced PI by the age of nine to children who had not experienced PI by sociodemographics and experience of other stressful events. Mental health, as measured by self‐concept (Piers‐Harris II) and externalizing and internalizing difficulties (strength and difficulties questionnaire), was compared across both groups. Results: Fifty of the 8,568 children (weighted percentage 0.9%) reported experiencing PI by the age of nine. These children came from more socially disadvantaged homes and were more likely to have experienced other potentially stressful life events. In comparison to a matched sample of children not affected by PI, children affected by PI reported higher levels of anxiety at age nine. Longitudinal analysis indicated these children affected by PI also reported lower levels of happiness at age 13 with higher levels of emotional difficulties reported by their primary caregiver. Conclusions: Children of incarcerated parents face a greater array of life challenges. PI had an association with child‐reported levels of anxiety at age nine. PI also had a medium‐term association on caregiver assessments of emotional difficulties of children affected as well child‐reported levels of happiness over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposures to life events are associated with emotional, psychological and behavioural problems in those with intellectual disability (ID). Older adults with ID may experience different life events given differences in living circumstances, cognitive decline, greater dependency on others and less autonomy. This study examines the relationship of life events and mental ill health in an older ID population in Ireland. Methods: The study was part of 'The Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing'. The frequency of life events was assessed using a 20‐item checklist, and the level of stress experienced was assessed using a three‐point Likert scale measuring the burden of the life event. The associations of life events with factors associated with mental ill health were measured using a variety of self‐report and proxy completed questionnaires. Results: For the study population, 88.1% had been exposed to at least one life event in the preceding 12 months and 64.5% to two or more life events. Frequency and burden of life events were significantly higher in individuals living in institutional settings and in individuals with any current psychiatric condition, increased depressive and anxiety symptoms, challenging behaviour and reported poorer self‐rated mental and physical health. More life events were significantly associated with new psychiatric diagnoses as well as initiation and increased dosage of mood stabilising, hypnotic and sedative medications. Conclusions: Life events are significantly associated with mental ill health in the older ID population. Service providers must focus on limiting the exposure to these events and, in situations where they cannot be avoided, should support and manage individuals compassionately and effectively, prioritising their mental and physical well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community participation in primary care is enshrined in international and Irish health policy. However, there is a lack of evidence about how stakeholders work collectively to implement community participation within interdisciplinary teams; community perspectives are rarely captured, and a theoretical underpinning for implementation of community participation in primary care is absent. Objective: To conduct a theoretically informed, multiperspectival empirical analysis of the implementation of community participation via primary care teams (PCTs) in Ireland. Methods/Design/Participants: Participatory learning and action (PLA) focus groups and interviews were held with 39 participants across four case study sites within a nationally funded programme designed to enable disadvantaged communities to participate in primary care. Normalization process theory (NPT) informed data generation and analysis of how diverse stakeholder groups worked together to implement community participation via PCTs. Results: The various stakeholders had a shared understanding of the value of community participation on PCTs. Motivations to get involved in this work varied, but were strong overall. Challenges to enacting community participation on PCTs included problems with the functioning of PCTs and a lack of clarity and confidence in the role of community representatives at PCT meetings. Informal appraisals were positive, but formal appraisal was limited. Discussion and Conclusion: The implementation and sustainability of community participation on PCTs in Ireland will be limited unless (i) the functioning of PCTs is strong, (ii) there is increased confidence and clarity on community representatives' roles among all health‐care professionals, and (iii) more sophisticated methods for formal appraisal are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although a widespread issue, research on victimisation among primary school children in high-poverty regions is limited. The aim of this research was to explore victimisation incidence and associated mental health correlates from first-wave data of the 'Healthy Schools' programme in a high-poverty urban region. Method The study explored victimisation incidences among 458 Irish primary school children and associations with depression, health-related quality of life ( HRQoL) and social support. Results Victimisation (33.8%) was consistent with recent literature. On the stand-alone victimisation question, victims scored lower on all HRQoL subscales compared with nonvictims. Further categorisation revealed that frequent victims scored lower on four of these subscales, compared with nonvictims. Furthermore, over half of children felt that their school was not doing enough to combat school aggression. Conclusions Although from a high-poverty area, rates were consistent with data from more affluent areas. Results stress an importance on specific school aggression behaviours when measuring victimisation rates, along with corresponding health consequences. Future research should continue to adopt the behaviour-based assessment of victimisation to provide an overall picture of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives There is consensus that empowerment is key to recovery from mental health problems, enabling a person to take charge of their life and make informed choices and decisions about their life. However, little is known about the mechanisms through which empowerment affects mental health in young people. The current study involved young people aged 16-29 years and examined empowerment as a potential mediator of the relationship between psychological factors (psychosocial, cognition, coping, and control) and mental health, well-being, and recovery from personal problems. Methods A cross-sectional, Internet-based questionnaire study recruited 423 young people aged between 16 and 29 attending universities in England ( n = 336) and Ireland ( n = 87). Psychological factors, mental well-being, empowerment, and recovery from personal problems were measured using self-report measures. Results Mediation analysis in both the single and one over-arching mediator models revealed that empowerment mediates the relationship between psychological factors (psychosocial, self-efficacy, thinking style, coping, and control) and mental health, well-being, and recovery from general life problems. Conclusions This study demonstrates the importance of empowerment, showing that it mediates the relationship between psychological processes and mental health, well-being, and recovery in young people. Clinical implications for working with young people within mental health services, and facilitating their empowerment are discussed. Practitioner points Empowerment is currently a poorly defined concept. This study demonstrates how empowerment mediates the relationship between psychological processes and mental health, well-being, and recovery in young people., Clinicians working with young people might benefit from a structured means of understanding and assessing the different ways in which individuals manage their thinking styles., Empowerment in young people is influenced by the manner in which clinicians facilitate them in establishing social networks in support of employment, education, family/social relations and to encourage young people to take an assertive role in their own care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To identify factors that influence lack of engagement of young adults with Type 1 diabetes (aged 13-21 years) with structured diabetes education ( SDE) to inform and broaden the reach of future SDE. Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was undertaken of 227 young people with Type 1 diabetes drawn from 11 health trusts across Northern Ireland and England, deemed to be representative of the wider population. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire exploring non-attendance, along with the Diabetes Care Profile, the Diabetes Empowerment Scale (Short Form), the Diabetes Knowledge Test and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Demographic, health and diabetes-specific variables including HbA1c were also collected. Results The five most commonly cited reasons for non-attendance were 'Had other things to do' (68.3%), 'No time' (62.2%), 'Could not get time off school/college or work' (60.8%), 'Learnt about diabetes from other sources' (55.5%) and 'Feel able to cope on own' (52.9%). Conclusions Greater emphasis is required on communication with young people about the benefits of SDE. In addition, efforts need to be directed to making diabetes education more accessible without losing the quality of structured programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a multisystem genetic condition with a broad phenotype. It is associated with a high prevalence of depression and anxiety during childhood and increased risk of schizophrenia in adulthood. Despite this, studies report that families may receive inadequate information of mental health (MH) risks at diagnosis. Therefore, this study investigated parents' experiences of caring for a child with 22q11DS, investigated their knowledge regarding the risk of MH problems and assessed the need for a psycho-educational programme. Methods A qualitative design and purposeful sampling was utilized. Parents registered with the '22q11 Ireland' support group, and parents listed on the cleft palate database in a children's hospital in Ireland were invited to participate. Focus groups were held with 22 parents. Data were thematically analysed using Burnard's method of analysis. Results Most parents had some knowledge of the relationship between 22q11DS and an increased risk of MH issues. Parents reported that MH information relating to 22q11DS was mainly obtained from 22q11DS conferences, the '22q11 Ireland' support group and the Internet. Parents expressed a need for information to prevent or cope with their child's MH issues. Parents suggested that the following topics would be quite useful in a psycho-educational programme. These included information on the early warning signs of MH issues and guidance on when and how to tell the child about the condition and how to manage the child or young person's anxiety, obsessive behaviour or hearing voices. Conclusions The findings indicated parental support for a psycho-educational programme that would provide relevant, accurate and timely information on how to effectively care for a child with 22q11DS MH needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The nature of stigmatizing attitudes towards children and adolescents with mental health problems has received little empirical attention, despite consensus that such attitudes are widespread. As a consequence, much less is known about stigma in childhood and adolescence and methods of stigma measurement are frequently borrowed from the adult literature. For research on this topic to develop, a theoretically based and developmentally appropriate measure is needed. This study aimed to develop a theory-based peer stigma questionnaire suitable for children and adolescents. Method Participants were 562 children and adolescents aged 9-16 years (M = 12.99 years; SD = 1.6 years) in the Republic of Ireland, 316 female, all were White. The Peer Mental Health Stigmatization Scale ( PMHSS) contains 24 statements (negative and positive) about peers with mental health problems that are rated on a 5-point scale. Participants also completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Re-test data was collected after 2 weeks from 109 participants. Results Principal Components Analysis on the negative statements indicate the presence of two components: Stigma Agreement, personal endorsement of stigmatising statements and Stigma Awareness: awareness of prevailing societal stigma towards youth with mental health problems. The positive statements include three components: Intellectual Ability, Recovery and Friendship. Conclusions The PMHSS is a psychometrically sound instrument with good retest reliability suitable for use with older children and teenagers. Initial use of the scale suggests that personal endorsement of stigma is lower than perceptions of public stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To compare the role of different life domains in determining quality of life (QoL) in Ireland with international results. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of responses to The Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing. SETTING: Individuals aged 50 and older living in private residential addresses in the Republic of Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: Eight thousand five hundred four individuals living in 6,279 households in the Republic of Ireland (response rate 62%) were interviewed and completed a self-completion questionnaire. MEASUREMENTS: Quality of life was measured using the Control, Autonomy, Self-realization and Pleasure measure (CASP-19). The domains of physical and mental health, social participation, economic resources, and socio-demographic status were measured using a large number of indicators. Ordinary least squares regression models were used to estimate the effect of factors on CASP-19, with the relative contribution of different domains to total explanation measured using a measure of statistical fit. RESULTS: The mean CASP-19 score for the sample was 43.8 (95% confidence interval = 43.6-44.1), significantly higher than the mean score for the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (mean 42.5: 42.342.7). In unadjusted analyses, CASP-19 was curvilinear with age, peaking at 67 and falling thereafter. Controlling for predictors of QoL, CASP-19 continued to rise, at a decreasing rate, with age. Mental health independently explained the largest proportion of variance in CASP-19 (7.6%), but no single domain of life dominated in terms of explanation. CONCLUSION: Increasing longevity can be associated with increasing QoL as long as it is accompanied by reasonable levels of mental and physical health, high-quality relationships, and social participation. Even if physical health becomes poor, evidence suggests that QoL can often remain high as individuals find value and enjoyment in other dimensions of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the contribution that international comparisons of the health and well-being of older people make. The comparability of the "HRS family" of studies that have been modeled on the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is discussed. The Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TILDA) is introduced, and the comparability of TILDA data with respect to the HRS family and other studies is described, along with what TILDA will add to international aging research. Data from the 2010 waves of TILDA, HRS and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing are used to compare the physical and cognitive health of older Irish adults with that of the U.S. and English populations. The study shows that the physical and cognitive health of older people in Ireland is closer to that of their English counterparts than of those in the United States and that similar health inequalities exist in all three countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To assist researchers planning studies similar to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), concerning the development of the health assessment component, to promote use of the archived data set, to inform researchers of the methods employed, and to complement the accompanying article on normative values. DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal study of older adults. SETTING: Republic of Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: Eight thousand five hundred four community-dwelling adults who participated in wave 1 of the TILDA study. MEASUREMENTS: The main areas of focus for the TILDA health assessments are neurocardiovascular instability, locomotion, and vision. RESULTS: The article describes the scientific rationale for the choice of assessments and seeks to determine the potential advantages of incorporating novel biomeasures and technologies in population-based studies to advance understanding of aging-related disorders. CONCLUSION: The detailed description of the physical measures will facilitate cross-national comparative research and put into context the normative values outlined in the subsequent article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-registration psychiatric nursing education, in the Republic of Ireland, has recently moved to a 4-year degree programme, with the first cohort of psychiatric nursing graduants graduating in 2006. In addition, a number of other policy initiatives have taken place that will have a significant impact on psychiatric nursing practice, education and research activity. To provide a baseline for future benchmarking and evaluation, the year 2005 seemed an appropriate time to reflect on and record publications by psychiatric nurses in the Republic of Ireland. This article reports the findings of a study undertaken to identify psychiatric nursing publications in peer-reviewed journals, with a view to establishing trends in publication, such as the type of publication, subject area and journal type. Emerging trends are identified and discussed in light of concurrent changes in psychiatric nursing and mental health care, and suggestions are made for future development of publication capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the Burden trust's call for applications for the 1998 Burden Research Prize. Eligibility of all registered medical practitioners working the field of learning disabilities in Great Britain and Ireland; Contact information; Deadline for submission of applications.

The author compares the practice of geriatric psychiatry among three countries: Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The two main areas reviewed are how the practice of geriatric psychiatry is done, and the mental health services available in each country, including organizational characteristics. The US is the most entrepreneurial of the three, Britain's greatest strength is the uniformity and comprehensiveness of its services, and Ireland provides an excellent model for nations of comparable size. Considerable change is occurring in all three countries. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]