A systematic review and lived experience synthesis of self-disclosure as an active ingredient in interventions for adolescents and young adults with anxiety and depression

Background: Self-disclosure, referring to the ability to communicate and share intimate personal feelings, has strong face validity for many young people as a way of improving anxiety and depression outcomes. The current review aimed to generate the first comprehensive evidence synthesis of self-disclosure interventions involving young people aged 14-24 years who are either disclosers or recipients of personal information about living with anxiety and/or depression. Methods: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative data was combined with new insights from an adolescents and young adults lived-experience panel (n=7) with the intention to combine rigorous systematic review methods and experiential knowledge. Results: Six studies of variable quality were included in this review, five were quantitative and one was qualitative. Findings suggest that self-disclosure may be effective at reducing symptoms for adolescents and young adults with established depression; effects were not apparent when delivered as early prevention. No evidence for impacts on anxiety was found. The potential for negative effects like bullying or harassment was identified. Limitations: Findings were limited by a small number of studies; low representation of peerreviewed studies from low-or middle-income countries; and varied interventions in terms of format, participants' context, and nature of delivery. Conclusions: Self-disclosure may be of value in the context of interventions intended explicitly to reduce depression for those already showing symptoms. Delivery by nonspecialists (such as peers and teachers) in addition to mental health professionals can help build capacity in community health systems. Self-disclosure may also be helpful at reducing stigma and stimulating help-seeking at earlier stages of mental health problems

A systematic review and lived experience synthesis of self-disclosure as an active ingredient in interventions for youth anxiety and depression

Background: Self-disclosure, referring to the ability to communicate and share intimate personal feelings, has strong face validity for many young people as a way of improving anxiety and depression outcomes. The current review aimed to generate the first comprehensive evidence synthesis of self-disclosure interventions involving young people aged 14-24 years who are either disclosers or recipients of personal information about living with anxiety and/or depression. Methods: A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative data was combined with new insights from a youth lived-experience panel (n=7) with the intention to combine rigorous systematic review methods and experiential knowledge. Results: Six studies of variable quality were included in this review, five were quantitative and one was qualitative. Findings suggest that self-disclosure may be effective at reducing symptoms for youth with established depression; effects were not apparent when delivered as early prevention. No evidence for impacts on anxiety was found. The potential for negative effects like bullying or harassment was identified. Limitations: Findings were limited by a small number of studies; low representation of peer-reviewed studies from low-or middle-income countries; and varied interventions in terms of format, participants' context, and nature of delivery. Conclusions: Self-disclosure may be of value in the context of interventions intended explicitly to reduce depression for those already showing symptoms. Delivery by non-specialists (such as peers and teachers) in addition to mental health professionals can help build capacity in community health systems. Self-disclosure may also be helpful at reducing stigma and stimulating help-seeking at earlier stages of mental health problems

Working paper: What is a shock-responsive health system?

Sophie Witter - ORCID 0000-0002-7656-6188 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7656-6188This output has been funded by UK aid from the UK government; however the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.https://maintainsprogramme.org/rc/working-paper-what-is-a-shock-responsive-health-system/pubpu

ASSOCIATION OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE WITH ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SOUTH INDIA

 Objective: The present study was designed to assess the association of emotional intelligence (EI) with academic performance among medicalstudents.Methods: A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the information. Schutte self-report EI test was used for the studyand the items were scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) based on 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 11.5.The scores of EI obtained were then categorized into low (33-77), moderate (78-121) and high (122-165). The results obtained were then expressedas proportions, statistical test Chi-square was used and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 532 participants were assessed for EI. Around 1.9% had low EI, 61.8% had moderate EI and 36.3% had high EI. Gender, academicperformance and satisfaction with the career choice were found to be statistically significant with EI.Conclusion: Significant association was found between that of EI and academic performance and efforts must be made to include the concept of EIinto the medical curriculum.Keywords: Emotional intelligence, Medical students, South India