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This study examined the associations between parental mental health and children's social-emotional outcomes among Japanese families. Children (n = 493) were identified from the Japan Household Panel Study and the Japan Child Panel Survey. Parental mental health was associated with children's social-emotional outcomes. The effects of maternal mental health on children's social-emotional outcomes were moderated by paternal mental health status. Children demonstrated better social-emotional outcomes when both parents had better mental health status. Mental health policies and programs should focus on families as a whole rather than solely on the child or the parents and provide awareness of and connection to program [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral care during cancer treatment constitutes essential supportive care. We aimed to identify factors associated with cancer patients informing their family dentists about their cancer diagnosis. Using the generated original questionnaire, we conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study in 500 cancer patients (gastric, colorectal, lung, breast, and prostate cancer) through the Internet from September 10 to 13, 2019. The factors influencing patients' disclosure of their cancer diagnosis to their family dentist were identified by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Nearly half of the respondents (42.2%) informed their family dentist that they had cancer. The disclosing behavior of cancer patients was distinctively associated with their physician's advice (odds ratio [OR] 59.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.7–456.3); 8.6% of all respondents were advised to inform their dentist about their cancer diagnosis. In the group without the physician's advice, good relationship with family dentist was associated with disclosing behavior. This study indicates the need for support for cancer patients to receive appropriate oral care; patients' perceptions of the physician's advice and communication with the family dentist should be motivators for disclosing the cancer diagnosis to dentists. Medical workers involved in cancer care should demonstrate the benefit of medical-dental collaboration in cancer care of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little information is available on the temporal trends in the clinical epidemiology and in-hospital mortality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Japan for waves 1, 2, and 3. A national claims database was used to analyze the time trends in admission, medical procedure, and in-hospital mortality characteristics among patients with COVID-19. Patients who were ≥18 years and discharged from January 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 were included. A multilevel logistic regression analysis of 51,252 patients revealed a decline in mortality in waves 2 and 3 (risk-adjusted mortality range = 2.17–4.07%; relative risk reduction = 23–59%; reference month of April 2020 = 5.32%). In the subgroup analysis, a decline in mortality was also observed in patients requiring oxygen support but not mechanical ventilation (risk-adjusted mortality range = 5.98–11.68%; relative risk reduction = 22–60%; reference month of April 2020 = 15.06%). Further adjustments for medical procedure changes in the entire study population revealed a decrease in mortality in waves 2 and 3 (risk-adjusted mortality range = 2.66–4.05%; relative risk reduction = 24–50%). A decline in in-hospital mortality was observed in waves 2 and 3 after adjusting for patient/hospital-level characteristics and medical treatments. The reasons for this decline warrant further research to improve the outcomes of hospitalized patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined the impacts of poverty on children's socio-emotional outcomes among Japanese children. Children of 325 Japanese families were identified based on the Japan Household Panel Study and Japan Child Panel Survey. Poverty was examined in four non-linear income to needs ratio categories and the poverty status, poverty and non-poverty. Compared to children who were in the lowest income to needs ratios, children in the upper categories had less fewer behavioural problems. Children in poverty had significantly lower physical health, emotional well-being, self-esteem, family, friends and school relationship than those children not in poverty. Children's time spent on academics and family support significantly affected children's social outcomes. Child poverty and its adverse impacts on children's mental health should be considered in the ecological framework that incorporates children, family, community and policy. This study examined the associations between poverty and socio-emotional developments among children in Japan. Children and parents of 325 Japanese families participated and provided data on the household poverty status and children's socio-emotional outcomes. Children's socio-emotional outcomes included in the study were behavioural difficulties (strength/weakness) reported by parents and social adaptability (six indicators on the quality of life) measured by children's self-report. Findings indicated that poverty has significant adverse impacts on Japanese children's mental health. The adverse impact of poverty became more prevalent as families' income decreased. Among children living in poverty, self-reported mental health problems were significantly higher than those reported by parents. Other factors such as grade level (upper grade), less time spent on academics and a larger household size negatively affected mental health. Findings suggest for policy interventions with increased expenditures on income assistance programmes for families with children in Japan. In addition, social workers or other service providers in Japan should facilitate matching low-income families with children to available social service programmes. Poverty and its adverse impacts on children's mental health should be considered in an ecological framework that incorporates children, family, community and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]