Academic Psychiatry and Psychology Journal

Factors affecting the mental health of the elderly in Health Region 1

2025-02-17T19:08:37+07:00

Objectives: To study the mental health status and factors affecting the mental health of elderly in Health Region 1

Materials and methods: This descriptive research involved 480 elderly residing in eight provinces within Health Region 1: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, and Mae Hong Son provinces. Participants were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using a personal information questionnaire, the 2 - Question Depression Screening Test (2Q), the 3 - item Resilience Assessment Scale, and the Thai Geriatric Mental Health Assessment Scale (Short Form) (T-GMHA-15). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: The study found that 44.8% of the sample perceived their mental health to be better than that of the general population. Among the key contributing factors, support systems played a crucial role, with family support being the most significant. Personal factors affecting the mental health of the elderly included age, occupation, and the presence of chronic illnesses. Specifically, 56.1% of individuals aged 60 - 69 reported better mental health compared to the general population. Occupations positively associated with better mental health included farmers, wage laborers, and self-employed individuals. Additionally, the elderly with hypertension exhibited better mental health outcomes compared to those with other chronic conditions. The study also found significant correlations between depression, psychological resilience, and mental health status.
Conclusions: The majority of the sample group perceived themselves as having better mental health compared to the general population. Factors influencing the mental health status of the elderly include age, occupation, presence of chronic diseases, depression, and mental resilience.

Factors associated with 48 hours revisit in schizophrenia patients at psychiatric emergency department, Srithanya hospital.

2025-02-27T15:10:10+07:00

Objectives:The objective was to study the characteristics of schizophrenia patients and factors associated with inpatient or outpatient care revisiting within 48 hours at the emergency psychiatry department of Srithanya hospital.

Materials and methods: This study was a cross-sectional study of 128 schizophrenia patients undergone treatment from 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2023. The data was retrieved from medical records (e.g. disease factor, patient factor, medical service factor, family and community factor) and further analyzed with descriptive statistics including frequency, standard deviation, chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with inpatient or outpatient care

Results:The sample consisted of 128 schizophrenia patients, and most of them were male (68.8%). The average time for revisit was 21.5 ± 14.9 hours, and the most crucial factor influencing revisit was disease-related factor (46.9%). Additionally, symptoms of psychosis were associated with inpatient care (95% CI: 1.09 - 5.58), while medication side effects were significantly associated with outpatient care (95% CI: 0.00 - 0.31). On the other hand, there was no significant association between 48 hours revisit in patient, medical service, family and community factors.

Conclusion: Most schizophrenia patients readmitted as inpatients to the emergency psychiatry department at Srithanya Hospital within 48 hours were due to psychotic symptoms, and medication side effects was a significant disease-related factor associated with outpatient revisits.

The Effectiveness of 'Nong Hug' Chatbot on Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Among High School Students in Chiang Rai Province

2025-04-07T10:10:56+07:00

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the 'Nong Hug' chatbot on anxiety, depression, and stress among high school students in Chiang Rai Province.

Materials and Methods: This research employed a randomized controlled trial design conducted from May to August 2024. The sample consisted of 212 high school students in Chiang Rai Province. The research instruments included: 1) a personal information questionnaire, 2) the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and 3) the 'Nong Hug' chatbot program. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic data analysis. Inferential statistics included Chi-square test, independent t-test, paired t-test, and Repeated Measures ANOVA. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results: At the conclusion of the experiment, students who used the 'Nong Hug' chatbot with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) had significantly lower mean scores of anxiety, depression, and stress compared to those who used the 'Nong Hug' chatbot with supportive therapy (F = 11.765, p < .001, F = 11.136, p < .001, F = 23.053, p < .001, respectively).

Conclusion: The use of the 'Nong Hug' chatbot may help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress among students. Therefore, it is recommended to implement Nong Hug in the student mental health care system.

Factors Predicting Prevention Behaviors of Amphetamine Relapse in Patient with Drug Treatment in a Community Hospital

2025-05-19T19:44:15+07:00

Objectives:1) investigate the prevention behaviors of amphetamine relapse, self-efficacy, social support from family, and motivation to quit drug use, and 2) study the relationship and ability to predict the behaviors to prevent amphetamine relapse.

Methods:The sample consists of 142 respondents using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient, and multiple regression were analyzed. Data collection was conducted between June 1 and November 30, 2024.

Results:1) Mean score of prevention behaviors of amphetamine relapse, self-efficacy, social support from the family, and motivation to change in substance use among patients in rehabilitation was 3.25 (SD = 0.59), 2.97 (SD = 0.86), 3.70 (SD = 0.67), 3.22 (SD = 0.61) respectively, 2) Self-efficacy and social support from the family were significantly correlated with prevention behaviors of amphetamine relapse (r = .448, .393, p < .01, respectively), and the combination of both factors predicts the prevention behaviors of amphetamine relapse 29.1% of the total variance (R² = .291, adjusted R² = .281, F = 17.82, p < .01)

Conclusion: Self-efficacy and social support from the family were significant predictors for prevention behaviors of amphetamine relapse. The results of this study suggest that a relapse prevention program should be developed by enhancing these crucial factors.

Attitudes toward Suicide among Individuals involved in Suicide Care in Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen provinces, Thailand

2025-05-26T17:22:36+07:00

Objective: To study the attitudes toward suicide among individuals involved in the care of people with suicidal behavior in Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen Provinces, Thailand

Methods: This qualitative study employed semi-structured in-depth interviews. Informants from each province included public health personnel, religious leaders, and caregivers of individuals who had attempted suicide. Data were collected in Chiang Mai at Sansai Hospital (13 participants) and in Khon Kaen at Khon Kaen Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital (14 participants) between July and September 2023. The questionnaire was developed by the researchers based on a review of relevant literature and was validated by experts. Data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results: The causes of suicide were perceived to stem either from impulsive emotions or from well-considered decisions. Some participants believed that suicide is a personal right, while others thought that no one has the right to take their own life. When a family member dies by suicide, it leaves emotional wounds and a sense of guilt among those left behind. The role of religion in preventing suicide was seen as dependent on individual perspectives. Family members can help prevent suicide by engaging in conversation and offering emotional support to the person at risk.

Conclusion: Different attitudes and religious beliefs toward suicide can influence its prevention. Public health personnel should provide caregivers with accurate perspectives to enhance the effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts outside of hospital settings.