Depressive symptoms and professional satisfaction in Greek nursing personnel in the realm of European financial crisis

Background: The ongoing economic crisis in Europe, including Greece, has been linked with increased psychiatric morbidity and financial rewards reduction, both related to job dissatisfaction. Aim: We explored among Greek nursing personnel the degree of satisfaction from wages, and associations with depressive symptoms and total professional satisfaction. Also, associations with socio-demographic, educational and employment variables were explored. Methods: A cross-sectional study was applied (July to August 2015). A census sample of 66 members of nursing personnel employed in a randomly selected Greek public hospital completed the Index of Work Satisfaction and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Results: The response rate was 73.4%. The degree of satisfaction from wages was low [mean (SD) = 2.1(0.13)-scale range/item 1–7], and strongly positively associated with total professional satisfaction (r = 0.419, P = 0.005). Also, those working in morning shift reported higher degree of work satisfaction from wages (P = 0.05) compared to those working in rotation shifts. Total professional satisfaction was moderate [mean (SD)/item = 3.93(0.05)-scale range/item: 1–7]. Higher depressive symptom values were observed in deputy head nurses compared to nursing assistants (P = 0.011) and staff nurses (P = 0.02), as well as in employees working in morning shifts compared to those working in rotation shifts (P = 0.013). Conclusions: An association between satisfaction from wages and total professional satisfaction was noted; yet, there was no link of depressive symptoms with satisfaction from wages, or total professional satisfaction. Instead, satisfaction from wages and intensity of depressive symptoms were associated with organizational/administrative polices and employment variables

Depressive symptoms and professional satisfaction in Greek nursing personnel in the realm of European financial crisis

Background: The ongoing economic crisis in Europe, including Greece, has been linked with increased psychiatric morbidity and financial rewards reduction, both related to job dissatisfaction. Aim: We explored among Greek nursing personnel the degree of satisfaction from wages, and associations with depressive symptoms and total professional satisfaction. Also, associations with socio-demographic, educational and employment variables were explored. Methods: A cross-sectional study was applied (July to August 2015). A census sample of 66 members of nursing personnel employed in a randomly selected Greek public hospital completed the Index of Work Satisfaction and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Results: The response rate was 73.4%. The degree of satisfaction from wages was low [mean (SD) = 2.1(0.13)-scale range/item 1–7], and strongly positively associated with total professional satisfaction (r = 0.419, P = 0.005). Also, those working in morning shift reported higher degree of work satisfaction from wages (P = 0.05) compared to those working in rotation shifts. Total professional satisfaction was moderate [mean (SD)/item = 3.93(0.05)-scale range/item: 1–7]. Higher depressive symptom values were observed in deputy head nurses compared to nursing assistants (P = 0.011) and staff nurses (P = 0.02), as well as in employees working in morning shifts compared to those working in rotation shifts (P = 0.013). Conclusions: An association between satisfaction from wages and total professional satisfaction was noted; yet, there was no link of depressive symptoms with satisfaction from wages, or total professional satisfaction. Instead, satisfaction from wages and intensity of depressive symptoms were associated with organizational/administrative polices and employment variables

Is there any association among depressive symptoms, job satisfaction and self-assessed empathy? A correlational study in Greek Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurses

A descriptive correlational design was applied to explore association among self-assessed depressive symptoms, job satisfaction and self-assessed empathy in 206 Greek Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Personnel (PMHNP). Depressive symptom intensity was associated with satisfaction from performed tasks (r = -0.157, p = 0.033), professional prestige (r = -0.255, p < 0.0001), relations with colleagues (r = -0.263, p < 0.0001) and empathy (r = -0.183, p = 0.013). In a regression model, only satisfaction from relations and workload remained significant depressive symptom predictors after controlling for important covariates. The quality of relations with colleagues and workload are important predictors of PMHNPs self-perceived mental health well-being, independently of clinicians' self-assessed empathy or overall professional satisfaction

Depression in Male Inmates

Introduction: The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity is high among incarcerated individuals. Severe mental disorder is five to ten times higher among prisoners compared to the general population. Several factors are held to be responsible for the high prevalence of depression in prison: mainly poor living conditions (narrow room, loss of privacy), limited interpersonal relationships, and lack of mental health access. Inmates are at increased risk of all-cause mortality, suicide, self-harm, violence, and victimization while those with mental disorders are involved in conflicts and are more likely to be charged with prison rules. Purpose: To explore depression among male inmates. Methods and material: In the study, 101 male inmates were enrolled. Data were collected by the completion of a “self-rating depression scale (SDS)-Zung” which included participants’ characteristics. The statistical significance level was p p = 0.012); those suffering from a chronic disease compared to those who did not (median 48 vs. 45, p = 0.038); those who had spent time in solitary confinement compared to those who had not (median 46 vs. 43.5, p = 0.038) as well as those who had not considered harming themselves compared to those who had thought of it (median 46 vs. 44, p = 0.017). Conclusion: Given that prison populations are marginalized and deprived of the rights that people in the community benefit from, establishing the prevalence of depression in male inmates and its associated characteristics may help to formulate recommendations for future prison health care services. Clinical, research, and policy efforts are needed to improve prison mental health

Posttreatment Anxiety, Depression, Sleep Disorders, and Associated Factors in Women Who Survive Breast Cancer

Objective: Breast Cancer Survivors (BCSs) experience negative effects on their physical and mental health, including sleep disorders, after the completion of treatment and over the whole spectrum of survival. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of posttreatment anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders exhibited by women who have survived breast cancer. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with a population of 170 BCSs, who were monitored as outpatients by two surgical departments of a central Athens hospital for between one and five-5 years after completing their therapy. The data were collected between November 2019 and March 2020 and included demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the Athens Insomnia Scale to measure sleep disorders and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess the incidence of mental disorders. Results: The majority of the patients were aged 61-70 years (41.4%), married (56.9%), with two children (56.3%), and graduates of higher education (41.8%). Of the total population, 53.5% had sleep disorders, 29.4% anxiety, and 18.2% depression. Insomnia had a moderately positive correlation with both anxiety and depression (r = 0.598, P &lt; 0.001 and r = 0.584, P &lt; 0.001, respectively), while a strongly positive correlation was found between depression and anxiety (r = 0.683, P &lt; 0.001). Sleep disorders were associated with factors such as profession (P &lt; 0.001), income (P = 0.01), the number of minor children (P = 0.021), and the number of pathological problems (P = 0.003); anxiety was related to the number of minor children (P = 0.008) and the use of drug therapy to treat mental disorders (P = 0.038); while for depression, the relevant factors were the duration of treatment (P = 0.029), the number of minor children (P &lt; 0.001), the use of medication for treatment of mental disorders (P = 0.008), and sleep disorders (P = 0.003). Conclusions: Women who have survived breast cancer in Greece show a high rate of anxiety and depression related to the disease, as well as sleep problems that are partly associated with their psychological status, but are also affected by parameters such as income, type of profession, and the presence of minor children in the household

Body Image, Social Physique Anxiety Levels and Self-Esteem among Adults Participating in Physical Activity Programs

(1) Background: individuals may benefit from being involved in physical and athletic activities in order to improve their body appearance and promote their physical and mental health. This study aimed to investigate body image, body mass index (BMI) characteristics, social physique anxiety, self-esteem and possible correlations between the above factors. (2) Methods: 245 adults engaged in training programs in gyms, as well as in track and field, football and basketball athletic activities completed (a) a sociodemographic questionnaire which recorded their BMI values and utilized the (b) Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults, (c) the Social Physique Anxiety Scale and (d) the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. (3) Results: Females and individuals with higher BMI reported statistically significant lower body-esteem and greater social physique anxiety levels compared to males and individuals with lower BMI, respectively (p p p = 0.001); BMI value (p p = 0.008). Additionally, individuals with lower body-esteem and greater social physique anxiety levels presented lower global self-esteem (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: individuals’ engagement in physical activity promotes physical as well as mental well-being, contributing to an improved quality of life, which may be the most important issue for health care professionals

Exploring Loneliness, Fear and Depression among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greek Provincial Towns

Background: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, life changed abruptly for older adults in Greece. Social isolation, lockdowns, the fear of serious illness and death, all contributed to an increased risk of developing depression. Objective: To explore the presence and severity of depression in older adults in Greek provincial towns during the pandemic and to explore any possible relationships with loneliness and fear. Methods: A convenience sample of 200 participants aged >65, completed a socio-demographic form, the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Geriatric Depression-15 Scale (GDS-15) and the COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S). Data were collected from April to May 2022. Results: The average age of participants was 76.6 years and 35.5% of the participants presented depressive symptoms (mean prevalenceof depression 5 ± 3.7). A moderate to low level of loneliness (mean value 39 ± 11.3) and a moderate level of COVID-19 fear (mean value 18.9 ± 6.5) were also experienced. Higher levels of loneliness were found among participants with lower perceived health status and among those participants registered in Primary Health and Social Care (PHSC) services. Loneliness was positively correlated with depression (r = 0.7, p p = 0.01 for both). Conclusions: During the pandemic, older adults experienced loneliness, fear of COVID-19 and depression which were positively associated with each other. It is imperative to develop PHSC policies that are aimed at addressing the mental health problems of the older population, which have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, through developing their resilience, offering psychological support and promoting social connections

Associations between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in Urban Greece

Physical activity is an important factor in achieving healthy aging, offering older persons multiple benefits in terms of maintaining and improving their health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity on the quality of life of older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2022, using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A total of 124 people aged 65 and over participated in the survey. The average age of the participants was 71.6 years, and 62.1% were women. Participants showed a moderate quality of life with regard to the physical health dimension (mean score 52.4) and a higher quality of life with regard to the mental health dimension (mean score 63.1) compared to the expected values of the population. Low levels of physical activity were recorded among older adults, reaching a rate of 83.9%. A moderate or high level of physical activity has been found to contribute to a better physical functioning (p = 0.03), vitality (p = 0.02) and general health (p = 0.01). Finally, comorbidity had a negative impact on physical activity (p = 0.03) and quality of life regarding mental and physical health in older adults. The study showed very low levels of physical activity in older Greek adults. The management of this problem, which was intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, should be a high priority in public health programs focusing on healthy aging, as physical activity affects and promotes many of the basic aspects of quality of life

Anxiety, Stress and the Resilience of University Students during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on everyone&rsquo;s daily lives with short-term or long-term consequences. Among the affected population, university students were studied by researchers specifically due to the total change to their educational way of learning and the courses they attended. The present study aimed to assess the psychological difficulties experienced by the university students of Greece during the first wave of the outbreak. Methods: 288 university nursing students completed an electronic questionnaire after consent. The sample included students from all years of study. The questionnaire included demographic data and questions about mental health status, resilience level, coping strategies, positive and negative emotions and an optimism assessment. Results: Depression (44.8%), anxiety (36.8%) and stress (40.3%) were experienced by the students. Females had significantly greater anxiety and stress signs compared to males (p &lt; 0.001). The resilience score was significantly greater in males, as it was for the Positive Affect Score. Students in the fourth year of study used significantly more active/positive coping strategies than students in the first (p = 0.016) or second year of study (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Several students experienced serious mental disorders during the first period of the COVID-19 outbreak. Variables such as gender, year of study, age, positive and negative affect score, life orientation test score and coping strategies were identified as factors contributing to this situation. Special attention must be paid to female students as they mentioned negative emotions more frequently than males. Further research on the academic population could be beneficial to university administrators