Child contact problems and family court issues are related to chronic mental health problems for men following family breakdown

It is known that family breakdown and divorce are stressful for all parties. There is evidence these can even lead to suicide, especially in men. However it is not known how much various factors – such as child access restrictions and family court issues – cause stress, and whether the levels of stress change over time. The present study surveyed the experiences of 29 men who had separated from their partners. Participants submitted multiple reports (n = 408 for the whole sample) over a 12-month period. It was found that these reports included 358 stressful experiences related to child access problems, and 229 stressful experiences related to family court issues. Men’s mental well-being, measured using the Positive Mindset Index, was continuously low – just above clinical levels on average – throughout the 12-month period. Mental well-being was strongly negatively correlated to problems with child access (rs = –.571) and family court issues (rs = –.448). These correlations can be interpreted in the context of free text responses, which indicate that child access issues and family court issues had a negative impact on men’s mental well-being. Physical health problems were frequently reported too. Implications of these findings for the long-term mental health and physical health of men experiencing family breakdown are discussed in relation to the need for the family courts, and associated services, to recognise the chronic stress experienced by many men who find themselves in this predicament, and to ensure that court processes are resolved as swiftly as possible

How therapists work with men is related to their views on masculinity, patriarchy, and politics

In recent years, guidelines have been issued encouraging therapists to see masculinity in relation to power, privilege, and other constructs related to patriarchy theory. An exploratory study took a snowball sample of psychological therapists (psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, etc) recruited through professional networks and social media platforms between September and November 2020. This anonymous online survey asked participants how they view masculinity in relation to therapy. A total of 107 therapists met the inclusion criteria, mean + SD age 47.1 + 12.5, 66% (71) male, and 12.1 + 9.9 years in practice. Sixty therapists also described their approach to therapy with men, and content analysis found three categories: male-orientated (i.e., being aware of male-typical preferences for therapy; n = 36); gender-neutral (i.e., treating male and female clients in the same way; n = 20); and anti-patriarchy (i.e., viewing men’s problems as a result of the influence of patriarchy on socialisation into masculinity; n = 4). Chi-square (χ2) analysis with Fisher’s exact correction found therapists with a male-friendly approach were significantly less likely than other therapists to believe that: the training they received was male-friendly (χ2 = 17.804, p < .01); patriarchy holds women back (χ2 = 17.542, p < .05); and masculinity is simply a social construct (χ2 = 17.476, p < .05). They also identified less as being feminist (χ2 = 16.787, p <. 05); and less as being left-wing politically (χ2 = 15.347, p <. 05). Therapists’ views about masculinity and patriarchy are significantly related to how they report treating male clients

Reactions to contemporary narratives about masculinity: A pilot study

Masculinity is frequently talked about in contemporary Western media as being in crisis, needing reform or even being ‘toxic’. However, no research to date has assessed the impact that this pervasive narrative might be having on people, particularly men themselves. This cross-sectional online pilot survey asked 203 men and 52 women (mean + SD age 46 + 13) their opinions about the terms toxic masculinity, traditional masculinity, and positive masculinity, and how they would feel if their gender was seen as the cause of their relationship or job problems. Most participants thought the term toxic masculinity insulting, probably harmful to boys, and unlikely to help men’s behaviour. Having feminist views, especially being anti-patriarchy, were correlated with more tolerance of the term toxic masculinity. Most participants said they would be unhappy if their masculinity or femininity were blamed for their work or relationship problems. Further analysis using multiple linear regression found that men’s self-esteem was significantly predicted by older age, more education, and a greater acceptance of traditional masculinity. Men’s mental positivity – which is known to be negatively correlated with suicidality – was significantly predicted by older age, a greater acceptance of traditional masculinity, and more education. Implications for the mental health of men and boys are discussed in relation to the narrative around masculinity in the media, social sciences, and in clinical psychology

Adults are expected to take responsibility for their problems, especially when those problems are congruent with traditional gender role expectations

Some research suggests that we attribute responsibility differently for men and women. For example, Reynolds et al. (2019) found women are more easily typecast as victims and men as perpetrators. The present study was a cross-sectional online survey of 408 male and female adults aged 18 to 65, stratified by UK region. Participants saw 14 vignettes depicting a wide variety of scenarios featuring either a male or female character (a man or woman, or a boy or girl), about which participants were asked to make attributions. The gender of the vignette character was randomly assigned for each vignette. There was no overall difference in total internal attribution of responsibility to boys compared to girls (Cohen’s d = –0.01, p < .862). For the vignettes about adults, there was a non-significant overall trend towards total internal attribution being higher for male characters (d = 0.061, p < .065). However, in terms of each vignette separately, participants agreed more strongly that: boys were more responsible for how depressed they feel (p < .013), and men were more responsibility for avoiding workplace accidents (p < .002) and finding work (p < .003). Girls were attributed as more responsible for being physically fit (p < .034), and women attributed as more responsible for making sure their children don’t have a playground accident (p < .034). Findings of this exploratory study are discussed about attributions of responsibility being based on traditional gender role expectations. Implications for social issues, for example, encouraging help-seeking for mental health problems by boys, are discussed

Using Ripple Effects Mapping to understand the longer-term impacts of delivering a dance programme for older adults on dance artists

Background: The dance workforce plays a central role in delivering arts and health programmes yet there is little exploration of how programme delivery impacts dance artists in a professional or personal capacity. This study explored the experiences of dance artists delivering Dance On, which engages inactive older people 55yrs+. Methods: Ripple Effects Mapping was used to explore the short- and long term experiences and practices of dance artists delivering a dance programme. Findings: Two ripples were developed 1) Becoming a specialist 2) Connecting with communities. These ripples highlighted the strengths of the sustained nature of the programme and emphasised the need for ongoing support from employing organisations, communities, and dance artist peers. Conclusion: This study showcases the central role dance artists play in upholding the outcomes we observe in arts and health work–their role, expertise, and commitment to programmes should be further illuminated and supported through ongoing discourse about their practice

Longitudinal Predictors of HPV Vaccine Initiation among Adolescent Girls in a High-Risk Geographic Area

HPV vaccine uptake is low among adolescent girls in the United States. We sought to identify l ongitudinal predictors of HPV vaccine initiation in populations at elevated risk for cervical cancer

Acceptability of school requirements for human papillomavirus vaccine

We characterized parental attitudes regarding school HPV vaccination requirements for adolescent girls. Study participants were 866 parents of 10–18 y-old girls in areas of North Carolina with elevated cervical cancer incidence. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by logistic regression. Approximately half (47%) of parents agreed that laws requiring HPV immunization for school attendance “are a good idea” when opt-out provisions were not mentioned. Far more agreed that “these laws are okay only if parents can opt out if they want to” (84%). Predictors of supporting requirements included believing HPV vaccine is highly effective against cervical cancer (OR = 2.5, 95% CI:1.7–5.0) or is more beneficial if provided at an earlier age (OR = 16.1, 95% CI:8.4–31.0). Parents were less likely to agree with vaccine requirements being a good idea if they expressed concerns related to HPV vaccine safety (OR = 0.3, 95% CI:0.1–0.5), its recent introduction (OR = 0.3, 95% CI:0.2–0.6). Parental acceptance of school requirements appears to depend on perceived HPV vaccine safety and efficacy, understanding of the optimal age for vaccine administration, and inclusion of opt-out provisions

Problem-solving therapy rather than treatment as usual for adults after self-harm: a pragmatic, feasibility, randomised controlled trial (the MIDSHIPS trial)

Background: Non-fatal self-harm is one of the commonest reasons for adults’ emergency hospital attendance. Although strongly associated with fatal and non-fatal repetition, there is weak evidence about effective interventions—and no clear NICE guidance or clinical consensus concerning aftercare. We examined the practicability of a definitive trial to evaluate problem-solving therapy (PST) to reduce repetition of self-harm; MIDSHIPS is a single-centre, parallel-group, individually randomised controlled feasibility trial comparing treatment-as-usual (TAU) alone to TAU plus up to six sessions of brief problem-solving therapy (PST) with adults who had recently attended hospital because of self-harm. Objectives were to adapt the intervention for a UK setting, train therapists, recruit and randomise patients, deliver PST under supervision, and establish comparative outcomes, assessed blindly. Methods: We adapted the problem-solving intervention from an earlier trial and trained a mental-health nurse to deliver it. Adult patients attending the general hospital for self-harm were recruited while undergoing psychosocial assessment by the mental health team, and 62 were randomly allocated (32 TAU, 30 PST). The primary outcome assessed repeat hospital attendance due to further self-harm 6 months post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes included participant-reported outcomes and service use at 3 and 6 months post-randomisation. Results: The recruitment period had to be extended and 710 patients screened in order to establish a trial sample of the planned size (N = 62). A quarter of participants allocated to PST did not undertake the therapy offered; those who received PST attended a median of three sessions. Secondary outcomes were established for 49 (79%) participants at 6 months; all participants’ hospital records were retrieved. Repetition of self-harm leading to hospital presentation occurred in 19 of the 62 participants (30.6%, 95% CI 19.2%, 42.1%) within 6 months of randomisation. Promising differential rates of self-harm were observed with an event rate of 23.3% (95% CI 8.2%, 38.5%) in the PST arm; and 37.5% (95% CI 20.7%, 54.3%) in TAU. Economic findings were also encouraging, with a small QALY gain (0.0203) in the PST arm together with less reported use of the NHS in the PST arm (average £2120) than with TAU-only (£2878). Conclusions: The feasibility trial achieved its objectives despite considerable difficulties with recruitment—adapting the PST, training a therapist, recruiting patients who had recently self-harmed, delivering the therapy, and establishing primary and secondary outcomes. These data provide a robust platform for a definitive multicentre randomised controlled trial of brief problem-solving therapy after hospital attendance due to self-harm. Trial registration: Identification number and URL: ISRCTN54036115 http://www.isrctn.com/search?q=midships. Registered: 13 January 201

Knowledge of human papillomavirus infection and its prevention among adolescents and parents in the greater Milan area, Northern Italy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In order to be widely accepted by users, the implementation of a new health intervention requires them to be adequately informed about its clinical importance, benefits and risks. The aim of this study was to provide data on the knowledge of Italian adolescents and parents concerning human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its prevention in order to allow the development of adequate training programmes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between 2 May and 15 June 2008, we made a cross-sectional survey of 863 high school students and 2,331 parents of middle and high school students using two anonymously completed questionnaires covering the knowledge of HPV infection and related diseases, and attitudes to vaccinations. The approached schools were a convenience sample of the schools of the greater Milan area, Northern Italy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>More mothers than fathers were aware that HPV infection could concern their children (58% <it>vs </it>53%; p = 0.004) and were favourable towards vaccinating their children against HPV (68% <it>vs </it>65%; p = 0.03); among the students, more females than males were aware that HPV infection could concern themselves (45% <it>vs </it>26%; p < 0.001) and would undergo vaccination against HPV (68% <it>vs </it>40%; p < 0.001). The parents' propensity to vaccinate their children against HPV was significantly associated with professing the Catholic religion (odds ratio - OR = 0.61, 95% confidence interval - CI 0.46-0.82, being atheist), the gender of the offspring (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.53-2.30, having at least one daughter), a propensity to vaccinations in general (OR = 23.1, 95% CI 13.7-38.8), a knowledge that HPV vaccine is aimed at preventing cervical cancer (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.69-3.16), and an awareness that HPV could affect their own children (OR = 3.52, 95% CI 2.89-4.29). The students who were aware that HPV infection could affect themselves were more in favour of to HPV vaccination, regardless of whether they were male (OR = 5.73, 95% CI 2.85-11.5) or female (OR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.66-3.46).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Both students and parents seem to underestimate the likelihood of HPV infection, and this is associated with a lower propensity for vaccination. This is an important indication for future training programmes concerning HPV prevention designed to increase the acceptance of HPV vaccine in families.</p