No description available.

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem throughout the world. It accounts for one death certificate among nine in the United States. Heart failure and sudden death combined are responsible for the largest number of deaths in America. The total costs of HF in the United States are estimated to be $37 billion each year. Despite substantial medical and surgical advances related to treatment of HF, it remains a very costly condition with high mortality and morbidity rates. Although biological factors contribute to high morbidity and mortality in HF, there are many unexplored psychosocial factors that also likely contribute to these rates. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation was to examine the association between some of the psychosocial factors (i.e. depression, anxiety, comorbid depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive appraisal, and coping) and health outcomes as defined by rehospitalisation and mortality among HF patients. The first paper is a report of longitudinal study of 1,260 patients with HF. The purpose of the study was to determine whether co-morbid symptoms of depression and anxiety are associated with all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for cardiac causes in patients with HF. Anxiety and depression were treated first as continuous level variables, then as categorical variables using standard published cut points. Patients were then divided into four groups based on the presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression. When depression and anxiety were treated as continuous level variables, both comorbid depression and anxiety, and depression alone were significant predictors of all-cause mortality. However, when depression and anxiety were treated as categorical variables, comorbid depression and anxiety was a predictor of all-cause mortality, while anxiety and depressive symptoms considered alone were not independent predictors of the same outcome. None of those variables were significant predictors of cardiac rehospitalization outcome, regardless of whether entered as continuous or categorical level variables. The second paper is a report of a study that was conducted to (1) examine the association of stress with 6-month cardiac event-free survival; (2) examine the relationship of stress with salivary cortisol; and (3) examine the association of salivary cortisol level with 6-month cardiac event-free survival. The study sample was 81 HF patients. A prospective design was used in which patients were followed for 6 months to determine occurrence of 6-month cardiac event-free survival, defined as time to the combined endpoint of cardiac rehospitalization or all-cause death. Stress was not a significant predictor of event-free survival in HF, salivary cortisol was a significant predictor of event-free survival in the unadjusted model, but not in the adjusted model, and stress was not a significant predictor of salivary cortisol level. The final paper is a report of prospective design study that aimed to describe self-reported stress level, cognitive appraisal and coping among patients with HF, and to examine the association of cognitive appraisal and coping strategies with event-free survival based on a proposed model of HF patients’ response to stressors that been suggested according to literature to date. The study sample consisted of 88 HF patients who been followed for 6 months to determine occurrence of the combined endpoint of rehospitalization for cardiac causes or all-cause death. The study showed that stress level was associated with harm and loss cognitive appraisal. Harm/loss and threat cognitive appraisals were associated with avoidant emotional coping. Furthermore, harm/loss cognitive appraisal was a significant predictor of avoidant emotional coping and event free survival. Finally avoidant emotional coping was a significant predictor of event free survival among HF patients in the unadjusted model, but not in the adjusted model. The findings from this dissertation provided further evidence of the importance of psychosocial factors to health outcomes in HF patients. It also filled important gaps in the body of knowledge related to health outcomes among those with HF by demonstrating the need for cognitive and behavioral therapy among HF patients who negatively appraise their health condition.

No description available.

Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de depressão e ansiedade entre os alunos do primeiro ao sexto ano do curso de medicina da FMUSP e como manifestam a resistência na busca por auxílio psicológico. Método: aplicação dos Inventários de Depressão (BDI) e Ansiedade de Beck (BAI) e Questionário aos alunos matriculados no ano de 2012 na Faculdade de Medicina da USP, bem como do Teste de Apercepção Temática àqueles que preencheram os critérios de resistência à busca de auxílio psicológico. Resultados: Dos 1.034 alunos matriculados na graduação em 2.012, 439 (42,46%) responderam adequadamente o BAI e BDI, sendo que desses, 13,4% sujeitos apresentaram sintomas de ansiedade em nível Leve e 5,5% em nível Moderado. Dentre os 437 Inventários de Depressão respondidos, 16,0% indicaram nível Leve e 4,1% Nível Moderado de depressão. Não houve diferença significativa entre os gêneros em relação aos níveis de depressão e ansiedade encontrados. Dos 82 sujeitos que apresentaram ansiedade em nível Leve e Moderado, 56 (68,3%) afirmaram ter demanda por algum tipo de serviço em saúde mental, mas apenas 12 (14,5%) estavam em tratamento. Dos 87 sujeitos que apresentavam sintomas depressivos em nível Leve e Moderado, 58 (66,7%) apresentaram demanda para tratamento psicológico e somente 17 (19,6%) estavam em terapia. Foram enviadas 109 Cartas-convites aos sujeitos que revelaram interesse em buscar auxílio psicológico e não buscaram e aos que apresentaram sintomas depressivos e ansiosos em nível moderado para participarem do Teste de Apercepção Temática, mas compareceram a essa atividade apenas 7 sujeitos, todos com sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em níveis mínimo e leve. Foram aplicadas 5 pranchas do TAT a esses sujeitos que, de forma geral, revelaram sentimentos que em sua maioria eram negativos ou pessimistas. As ansiedades prevalentes foram as paranoides e as relacionadas ao desempenho de tarefas, as defesas mais percebidas foram a maníaca e a racionalização, a integração do ego variou entre fraca, razoável e boa e a adequação do superego apontou para um superego exigente e rígido. Conclusão: A maioria dos alunos de medicina com ansiedade e depressão em níveis Leve e Moderado apresentou resistência para buscar auxílio psicológico. A resistência se manifestou em dois níveis: um mais intenso, que impede o sujeito de perceber sua doença, seus sintomas e seu próprio sofrimento psíquico; e em um nível menos intenso, em que o sujeito percebe sua doença e/ou sintomas e reconhece a necessidade de buscar auxílio, mas não o procura. A resistência parece estar relacionada a um modo de \"ser\" idealizado, associado a um superego rígido e exigente e compartilhado e perseguido pelo corpo discente / Objective: To estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among first-to-sixth year medical students of FMUSP and how they resist to seek mental health support. Methodology: This study used cross-setional survey data from a representative sample of undergraduated medical students (N= 439) that answered Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and a Supplemental Questionnaire. The students that scored positively for depression and anxiety and those who demand for psychological treatment but had not accessed any mental health service were invited to the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). Results: Of the 1,034 undergraduate students attending the medical school in 2012, 439 (42.46%) responded adequately BAI and BDI, and of them, 13.4% students had symptoms of anxiety in Light Level and 5.5% in Moderate level. Among the 437 BDI that were considered in this survey, 16.0% indicated Light Level and 4.1% Moderate Level of depression. Considering gender, there was no significant difference in the levels of depression and anxiety. Of the 82 students with anxiety in Light and Moderate Level, 56 (68.3%) reported demand for some kind of service in mental health, but only 12 (14.5%) were receiving treatment. Of the 87 subjects with depressive symptoms in Light and Moderate Level, 58 (66.7%) considered seeking for mental health care and only 17 (19.6%) were in therapy. 109 students who have shown interest in seeking psychological help and have not sought and those who had depressive and anxiety symptoms in moderate level were invited to participate to the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), but only 7 students attended this activity, all with symptoms of anxiety and depression in minimum and light levels. The TAT was used in a reduced version of 5 pictures and, in general, the students\' answers revealed negative or pessimistic feelings. The paranoid anxieties were prevalent and related to performance tasks. The manic and rationalization were the most observed psychic defenses. The ego showed a variation from poor to fair good integration and the superego were pointed as demanding and rigid. Conclusion: Most medical students with anxiety and depression in Light and Moderate levels showed resistance to seek psychological help. The resistance was manifested in two levels: the more intense, which prevents the student to perceive their disease, symptoms and their own psychological distress; and a less intense level, that allows the students to perceive their illness and / or symptoms and recognizes their needs to seek help, but prevents them accessing mental health services. The resistance seems to be associated to idealized way of \"being\", shared by this student population

Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de depressão e ansiedade entre os alunos do primeiro ao sexto ano do curso de medicina da FMUSP e como manifestam a resistência na busca por auxílio psicológico. Método: aplicação dos Inventários de Depressão (BDI) e Ansiedade de Beck (BAI) e Questionário aos alunos matriculados no ano de 2012 na Faculdade de Medicina da USP, bem como do Teste de Apercepção Temática àqueles que preencheram os critérios de resistência à busca de auxílio psicológico. Resultados: Dos 1.034 alunos matriculados na graduação em 2.012, 439 (42,46%) responderam adequadamente o BAI e BDI, sendo que desses, 13,4% sujeitos apresentaram sintomas de ansiedade em nível Leve e 5,5% em nível Moderado. Dentre os 437 Inventários de Depressão respondidos, 16,0% indicaram nível Leve e 4,1% Nível Moderado de depressão. Não houve diferença significativa entre os gêneros em relação aos níveis de depressão e ansiedade encontrados. Dos 82 sujeitos que apresentaram ansiedade em nível Leve e Moderado, 56 (68,3%) afirmaram ter demanda por algum tipo de serviço em saúde mental, mas apenas 12 (14,5%) estavam em tratamento. Dos 87 sujeitos que apresentavam sintomas depressivos em nível Leve e Moderado, 58 (66,7%) apresentaram demanda para tratamento psicológico e somente 17 (19,6%) estavam em terapia. Foram enviadas 109 Cartas-convites aos sujeitos que revelaram interesse em buscar auxílio psicológico e não buscaram e aos que apresentaram sintomas depressivos e ansiosos em nível moderado para participarem do Teste de Apercepção Temática, mas compareceram a essa atividade apenas 7 sujeitos, todos com sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em níveis mínimo e leve. Foram aplicadas 5 pranchas do TAT a esses sujeitos que, de forma geral, revelaram sentimentos que em sua maioria eram negativos ou pessimistas. As ansiedades prevalentes foram as paranoides e as relacionadas ao desempenho de tarefas, as defesas mais percebidas foram a maníaca e a racionalização, a integração do ego variou entre fraca, razoável e boa e a adequação do superego apontou para um superego exigente e rígido. Conclusão: A maioria dos alunos de medicina com ansiedade e depressão em níveis Leve e Moderado apresentou resistência para buscar auxílio psicológico. A resistência se manifestou em dois níveis: um mais intenso, que impede o sujeito de perceber sua doença, seus sintomas e seu próprio sofrimento psíquico; e em um nível menos intenso, em que o sujeito percebe sua doença e/ou sintomas e reconhece a necessidade de buscar auxílio, mas não o procura. A resistência parece estar relacionada a um modo de \"ser\" idealizado, associado a um superego rígido e exigente e compartilhado e perseguido pelo corpo discente / Objective: To estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among first-to-sixth year medical students of FMUSP and how they resist to seek mental health support. Methodology: This study used cross-setional survey data from a representative sample of undergraduated medical students (N= 439) that answered Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and a Supplemental Questionnaire. The students that scored positively for depression and anxiety and those who demand for psychological treatment but had not accessed any mental health service were invited to the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). Results: Of the 1,034 undergraduate students attending the medical school in 2012, 439 (42.46%) responded adequately BAI and BDI, and of them, 13.4% students had symptoms of anxiety in Light Level and 5.5% in Moderate level. Among the 437 BDI that were considered in this survey, 16.0% indicated Light Level and 4.1% Moderate Level of depression. Considering gender, there was no significant difference in the levels of depression and anxiety. Of the 82 students with anxiety in Light and Moderate Level, 56 (68.3%) reported demand for some kind of service in mental health, but only 12 (14.5%) were receiving treatment. Of the 87 subjects with depressive symptoms in Light and Moderate Level, 58 (66.7%) considered seeking for mental health care and only 17 (19.6%) were in therapy. 109 students who have shown interest in seeking psychological help and have not sought and those who had depressive and anxiety symptoms in moderate level were invited to participate to the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), but only 7 students attended this activity, all with symptoms of anxiety and depression in minimum and light levels. The TAT was used in a reduced version of 5 pictures and, in general, the students\' answers revealed negative or pessimistic feelings. The paranoid anxieties were prevalent and related to performance tasks. The manic and rationalization were the most observed psychic defenses. The ego showed a variation from poor to fair good integration and the superego were pointed as demanding and rigid. Conclusion: Most medical students with anxiety and depression in Light and Moderate levels showed resistance to seek psychological help. The resistance was manifested in two levels: the more intense, which prevents the student to perceive their disease, symptoms and their own psychological distress; and a less intense level, that allows the students to perceive their illness and / or symptoms and recognizes their needs to seek help, but prevents them accessing mental health services. The resistance seems to be associated to idealized way of \"being\", shared by this student population

Malgré de nombreuses études qui soutiennent l'idée que les enfants ayant vécu la rupture de leurs parents rencontrent un plus haut niveau de difficultés affectives et comportementales que les enfants de familles intactes, certaines questions restent à éclaircir. Notamment, les données empiriques existantes ne conduisent pas à des conclusions précises quant au moment exact de l’apparition de ces difficultés. De plus, ce n'est pas clair si ces difficultés sont associées à la séparation en soi, ou à bien d'autres facteurs liés à la séparation. Cette thèse est constituée de deux articles empiriques. Le premier examine l’adaptation de l’enfant avant et après la séparation en fonction du sexe et de l'âge au moment de la séparation. Le second article présente une étude qui a pour objectif de départager l’importance des facteurs parentaux et contextuels et celle de la séparation parentale pour expliquer l’adaptation de l’enfant. Les participants proviennent de l'Étude Longitudinale du Développement des Enfants du Québec (ÉLDEQ, 1998-2006). À chaque enquête de l'ÉLDEQ, une entrevue structurée réalisée auprès de la mère a permis d'évaluer les niveaux d’hyperactivité/impulsivité, d’anxiété et d’agressivité physique de l’enfant. Pendant cette entrevue, les mères ont également répondu à des questions sur la qualité de leurs pratiques parentales et sur le revenu du ménage. Finalement, un questionnaire auto-administré à la mère a permis d'évaluer ses propres symptômes de dépression et d'anxiété. La première étude inclus 143 enfants de familles séparées et 1705 enfants de familles intactes. Deux sous-groupes ont été créés selon que l’enfant ait vécu la séparation entre 2 et 4 ans, ou entre 4 et 6 ans. L’adaptation de l'enfant a été évaluée à un temps de mesure avant la séparation et à deux temps de mesure après la séparation. Les résultats de cette première étude démontrent qu’avant la séparation, les enfants de familles intactes et séparées ne se distinguent pas significativement quant à leurs niveaux d’hyperactivité/impulsivité et d’anxiété. Par contre, ces difficultés deviennent significativement plus élevées chez les enfants de familles séparées après la rupture des parents. D’autres parts, le niveau d’agressivité physique est plus élevé chez les enfants de la séparation indépendamment du temps de mesure. Finalement, les différences entre les deux groupes d’enfants ne dépendent pas du sexe ou de l’âge au moment de la séparation. La deuxième étude inclus 358 enfants de 8 ans qui ont vécu la séparation de leurs parents, et 1065 enfants du même âge provenant de familles intactes. Après avoir contrôlé pour le sexe de l’enfant, les résultats ont démontré que lorsqu’on tient compte de la contribution des symptômes maternels de dépression et d'anxiété, de la qualité des pratiques parentales et du revenu du ménage dans l’adaptation de l’enfant, la séparation parentale ne demeurent plus liée aux niveaux d’anxiété et d'agressivité physique de l’enfant. Par contre, la relation entre la séparation parentale et l’hyperactivité/impulsivité de l’enfant demeure significative. Les résultats présentés dans les articles sont discutés ainsi que leurs implications. / Despite the large body of research supporting the idea that children who experience their parents’ separation encounter more emotional and behavioral difficulties than children who grow up in continuously intact homes, several questions remained to be investigated. Specifically, empirical evidence does not lead to clear conclusions regarding the time of onset of the adjustment difficulties experienced by children whose parents separate. Furthermore, it is not clear whether it is the separation per se that leads to these difficulties, or whether other factors can explain this association. The present thesis is made up of two empirical articles. The first examines the role of gender and age at the time of separation in children’s pre- and post-separation adjustment. The second article aims to disentangle the role of parental and contextual factors, and that of parental separation, in predicting child adjustment. Participants were from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD, 1998-2006). At every wave of the QLSCD, a structured interview with the mother allowed to assess children’s levels of hyperactivity/ impulsivity, anxiety, and physical aggression. During this interview, mothers also answered questions regarding the quality of their parenting and their household income. Finally, a self-report questionnaire was administered to mothers in order to assess their own symptoms of depression and anxiety. The first study included 143 children from separated families and 1705 children from intact families. Two categories of children were created according to whether separation occurred between ages 2 and 4, or between ages 4 and 6. Child adjustment variables were assessed at one time point prior to parental separation and at two time points following separation. The results of this first paper demonstrated that prior to separation, children of intact and separated families did not differ significantly with regards to their levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity and anxiety. However, children whose parents separated had significantly higher hyperactivity/impulsivity and anxiety levels after the occurrence of separation. Physical aggression was not further increased following parental separation, but was higher in children who experienced separation, irrespective of time. No gender or age differences were found in children’s pre- and post- separation adjustment. The second study included 358, 8 year-old children who had previously experienced parental separation, and 1065 children of the same age who lived in consistently intact homes since birth. After controlling for child gender, results demonstrated that once the contribution of maternal symptoms of depression and anxiety, parenting quality and household income was accounted for, parental separation was no longer associated with child anxiety and physical aggression. However, the relationship between separation and hyperactivity/impulsivity remained significant over and beyond what was contributed by the other variables. The results presented in the articles are discussed, and their implications are highlighted.

Malgré de nombreuses études qui soutiennent l'idée que les enfants ayant vécu la rupture de leurs parents rencontrent un plus haut niveau de difficultés affectives et comportementales que les enfants de familles intactes, certaines questions restent à éclaircir. Notamment, les données empiriques existantes ne conduisent pas à des conclusions précises quant au moment exact de l’apparition de ces difficultés. De plus, ce n'est pas clair si ces difficultés sont associées à la séparation en soi, ou à bien d'autres facteurs liés à la séparation. Cette thèse est constituée de deux articles empiriques. Le premier examine l’adaptation de l’enfant avant et après la séparation en fonction du sexe et de l'âge au moment de la séparation. Le second article présente une étude qui a pour objectif de départager l’importance des facteurs parentaux et contextuels et celle de la séparation parentale pour expliquer l’adaptation de l’enfant. Les participants proviennent de l'Étude Longitudinale du Développement des Enfants du Québec (ÉLDEQ, 1998-2006). À chaque enquête de l'ÉLDEQ, une entrevue structurée réalisée auprès de la mère a permis d'évaluer les niveaux d’hyperactivité/impulsivité, d’anxiété et d’agressivité physique de l’enfant. Pendant cette entrevue, les mères ont également répondu à des questions sur la qualité de leurs pratiques parentales et sur le revenu du ménage. Finalement, un questionnaire auto-administré à la mère a permis d'évaluer ses propres symptômes de dépression et d'anxiété. La première étude inclus 143 enfants de familles séparées et 1705 enfants de familles intactes. Deux sous-groupes ont été créés selon que l’enfant ait vécu la séparation entre 2 et 4 ans, ou entre 4 et 6 ans. L’adaptation de l'enfant a été évaluée à un temps de mesure avant la séparation et à deux temps de mesure après la séparation. Les résultats de cette première étude démontrent qu’avant la séparation, les enfants de familles intactes et séparées ne se distinguent pas significativement quant à leurs niveaux d’hyperactivité/impulsivité et d’anxiété. Par contre, ces difficultés deviennent significativement plus élevées chez les enfants de familles séparées après la rupture des parents. D’autres parts, le niveau d’agressivité physique est plus élevé chez les enfants de la séparation indépendamment du temps de mesure. Finalement, les différences entre les deux groupes d’enfants ne dépendent pas du sexe ou de l’âge au moment de la séparation. La deuxième étude inclus 358 enfants de 8 ans qui ont vécu la séparation de leurs parents, et 1065 enfants du même âge provenant de familles intactes. Après avoir contrôlé pour le sexe de l’enfant, les résultats ont démontré que lorsqu’on tient compte de la contribution des symptômes maternels de dépression et d'anxiété, de la qualité des pratiques parentales et du revenu du ménage dans l’adaptation de l’enfant, la séparation parentale ne demeurent plus liée aux niveaux d’anxiété et d'agressivité physique de l’enfant. Par contre, la relation entre la séparation parentale et l’hyperactivité/impulsivité de l’enfant demeure significative. Les résultats présentés dans les articles sont discutés ainsi que leurs implications. / Despite the large body of research supporting the idea that children who experience their parents’ separation encounter more emotional and behavioral difficulties than children who grow up in continuously intact homes, several questions remained to be investigated. Specifically, empirical evidence does not lead to clear conclusions regarding the time of onset of the adjustment difficulties experienced by children whose parents separate. Furthermore, it is not clear whether it is the separation per se that leads to these difficulties, or whether other factors can explain this association. The present thesis is made up of two empirical articles. The first examines the role of gender and age at the time of separation in children’s pre- and post-separation adjustment. The second article aims to disentangle the role of parental and contextual factors, and that of parental separation, in predicting child adjustment. Participants were from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD, 1998-2006). At every wave of the QLSCD, a structured interview with the mother allowed to assess children’s levels of hyperactivity/ impulsivity, anxiety, and physical aggression. During this interview, mothers also answered questions regarding the quality of their parenting and their household income. Finally, a self-report questionnaire was administered to mothers in order to assess their own symptoms of depression and anxiety. The first study included 143 children from separated families and 1705 children from intact families. Two categories of children were created according to whether separation occurred between ages 2 and 4, or between ages 4 and 6. Child adjustment variables were assessed at one time point prior to parental separation and at two time points following separation. The results of this first paper demonstrated that prior to separation, children of intact and separated families did not differ significantly with regards to their levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity and anxiety. However, children whose parents separated had significantly higher hyperactivity/impulsivity and anxiety levels after the occurrence of separation. Physical aggression was not further increased following parental separation, but was higher in children who experienced separation, irrespective of time. No gender or age differences were found in children’s pre- and post- separation adjustment. The second study included 358, 8 year-old children who had previously experienced parental separation, and 1065 children of the same age who lived in consistently intact homes since birth. After controlling for child gender, results demonstrated that once the contribution of maternal symptoms of depression and anxiety, parenting quality and household income was accounted for, parental separation was no longer associated with child anxiety and physical aggression. However, the relationship between separation and hyperactivity/impulsivity remained significant over and beyond what was contributed by the other variables. The results presented in the articles are discussed, and their implications are highlighted.

No description available.

Background: Antenatal Psychosocial Assessment (APA) has recently been introduced into routine antenatal care, but the ways in which maternity service providers assess and respond to maternal stress are subject of debate. There is a lack of consensus on the instrument(s) of choice and lack of evidence regarding appropriate interventions. Further, national guidelines have not kept apace with the conceptual shift from ‘postnatal depression’ to ‘perinatal anxiety and depression’. Adopting the Medical Research Council Complex Interventions Framework, the ARMS research aimed to inform the development of interventions that support women who are experiencing, or at risk of, mild-moderate mental health disorder in pregnancy. Methods: A mixed methods approach was adopted. In the quantitative element (Study Part 1) participants (n=191) completed a questionnaire when attending for their first formal antenatal appointment, using a procedure and materials that had been previously tested in a pilot study. Details including mental health assessment and referrals were obtained from their health records, following delivery. In the qualitative element (Study Part 2) a sub-sample of women (n=22) experiencing high levels of maternal stress took part in up to three serial in-depth interviews during pregnancy and the early postnatal period.Findings: Maternal stress was found to be common. Using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) threshold of ≥10, approximately 1 in 4 women were classed as high depression (halving to 1 in 8 at the more conservative threshold of ≥13). Almost 1 in 3 women were classed as high anxiety, using the state scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S, threshold ≥41), compared with 1 in 5 using the two-item GAD (threshold ≥3). Fewer than half of the women identified as high anxiety were identified by both measures. Factor analyses of the symptom measures were consistent with wider literature suggesting a three-item anxiety component of the EPDS; however, concurrent validation using regression analyses did not indicate that the EPDS could be used as an anxiety case finding instrument. Women reported that maternal stress had significant impact on their lives that may not be captured with existing clinical approaches. Women commonly found it difficult to self-assess severity of maternal stress and the assessment process could itself act as an intervention. The research provided the first validation of the depression case finding questions in UK clinical practice. The Whooley items completed in clinical practice identified only half of the possible cases identified by the EPDS, at both commonly adopted EPDS thresholds. Inclusion of the Arroll 'help' question as a criterion improved specificity of the assessment completed in clinical practice but substantially compromised sensitivity, missing 9 in 10 possible cases. Women’s mental health history and treatment history were similarly under-reported, particularly concerning anxiety. APA was introduced into routine clinical practice without attention to topics of relevance to women, context of disclosure or to provision of adequate resources for consistently responding to identified need. Women experiencing, or at risk of, mild-moderate disorder were thus usually ineligible for further support. Implications: Care pathways are needed that encompass both assessing and responding to maternal stress, where communication with health professionals, subsequent referral and management are addressed. The development, implementation and evaluation of low-cost resources embedded in such pathways are a priority and the research presented in the thesis offers a foundation on which to build.

Objectives: Information was collected to identify anxiety in dental patients visiting a dental clinic using the Dental Anxiety Scale, their level of psychological distress using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 and identifying a correlation between these groups as well as the gender and age. Data description: This data contains a set of 1550 patients’ answers to questionnaires taken before dental treatment in a dental clinic. It is divided into male and female patients as well as according to their age. The level of Dental Anxiety can be interpreted by answers chosen in the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the level of psychological distress by answers chosen in the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). This dataset should help to encourage more research in the field of dental anxiety and we hope to see more comparisons with our data in the future or in different regions of the world.