Applying
effective library research skills is critical for any scholarly endeavor.
Howard (2021) emphasizes the importance of mastering research skills to
navigate vast academic resources effectively. My focus on mental health issues
stems from a keen interest in understanding the challenges individuals face in
accessing appropriate care and support. Last month I encountered a patient
struggling with severe depression who lacked adequate community support,
highlighting the need for improved mental health interventions. I used Capella
University Library's Summon tool to find peer-reviewed articles from databases
such as ProQuest Central and PubMed Central. The articles that checked all my
quality selection criteria in the year of publication, having a peer-reviewed
status, and expertise author affiliations included Bonham (2023), Lincoln et
al. (2021), Ramalho et al. (2023), and Westphal et al. (2021). I employed
keywords like "depression," "anxiety," and "mental
health stigma" and limited the scope to studies published from 2021-2024
to ensure a focused search on pertinent literature.
Assessing Credibility and Relevance of Information Sources
I
made considerations about the authors and their affiliations, the impact
factors of the journals where the articles were published, and whether the
articles in question had been peer-reviewed while assessing the credibility of
the selected information sources. All 4 selected articles have been published
in reputable, peer-reviewed journals, which portrays high academic standards.
The authors are affiliated with reputable institutions, which support the
studies' validity. For instance, the journal Archives of Psychiatric Nursing
where Bonham (2023) published their work prioritizes stringent peer-reviewing
processes. The impact of societal violence related to gun situations supports
the need for policy change and interdisciplinary approaches to meeting mental
health needs more comprehensively. The research by Lincoln et al. (2021) in the
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry empirically shows that the effect of
discrimination on the mental health of Somali immigrants is through systematic
lapses characterizing their lives. This work is very important in developing
targeted interventions among immigrant populations. Ramalho et al. (2023)
engage on the pages of the Global Mental Health journal in a
discussion focusing on impediments to mental health research efforts within
Latin America, raising awareness of structural barriers and underlining that
more support is needed. The paper is relevant in providing information on the
disparities experienced globally that give rise to mental health research. The
research by Westphal et al. (2021)
published in the PloS One journal is important for studying mental
health because it provides evidence of mindfulness approaches in mediating
mental health issues among healthcare staff working in emergency areas. Each
article was selected based on the added value in apprehending the facets of
mental health including the social effect and discrimination towards victims,
associated structural challenges, and some of the available interventions.
Annotated Bibliography
Bonham, E. (2023).
Firearm violence is both a public health and mental health issue in
America. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 47, 21–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2023.11.002
This editorial discusses how gun violence perpetuates the risks associated with deteriorating poor mental health among such vulnerable populations as children and adolescents. There is also the idea that exposure to gun violence manifests a huge rise in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Bonham (2023) emphasizes that the use of interdisciplinary approaches is highly crucial in addressing the gun violence dilemma that has seriously spiraled into a great public health issue. The author highlights the speed needed in policy change and community intervention to help blunt the psychological fallout following societal violence. In this respect, the editorial analyzes how pervasive gun violence is and how far-reaching its effects are on mental well-being. By relating societal violence to mental health deterioration, Bonham (2023) underlines the critical need for strategies holistically oriented toward the incorporation of mental health support as part of wider strategies aimed at controlling gun violence. This article is particularly valuable for its detailed exploration of external stressors that profoundly influence psychological well-being, thereby broadening the scope of mental health discussions to include significant social determinants.
Lincoln, K., Cardeli,
E., Sideridis, G., Salhi, C., Miller, B., Fonseca, T., Issa, O., & Ellis,
H. (2021). Discrimination, marginalization, belonging, and mental health among Somali immigrants in North America. American Journal
of Orthopsychiatry, 91(2), 280–293. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000524
The study by Lincoln et al. (2021) examines the mental health of Somali young adults in North America with a focus on the detrimental effects of discrimination. The authors manage to demonstrate that discrimination directly impacts mental health outcomes leading to heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and stress by utilizing data from the Somali-youth longitudinal study. The study identifies individual factors such as marginalized acculturation styles and community-level factors like a sense of belonging as mediators of this relationship. Findings from the study suggest that societal attitudes and behaviors along with structural supports and constraints influence the mental health of immigrant populations. Lincoln et al. (2021) provide insights for developing targeted interventions aimed at reducing mental health disparities among marginalized groups. The research underscores the importance of fostering supportive environments to enhance the mental well-being of immigrants who are facing multiple layers of discrimination.
Ramalho, R., Chappe, V.,
Alvarez, L., Ramos, G., Rivera, G., Bonay, L., Mena, C., Hoppe, M., Robalino,
N., & Gonzalez, M. (2023). Mental health research in South America:
Psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees’ perceived resources and barriers. Global
Mental Health, 10, e66–e66. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2023.58
This cross-sectional, Global Mental Health-published survey includes questionnaires from mental health professionals across nine Spanish-speaking countries and reports significant barriers such as lack of funding, absence of research training, and few mentorship opportunities. Latin American psychiatrists have had a high commitment to participate in global mental health research but the results from the survey suggest the need for better support structures that hold more funds, time protection for research, and strong mentorship programs. Of special relevance is that the paper highlights structural obstacles in the developmental phase of mental health research in developing regions. Ramalho et al. (2023) provide an extensive background on the state of affairs in mental health initiatives globally emphasizing the need for better resource allocation to empower psychiatric researchers. The determination of mental health professionals all around the world necessitates additional support in improving mental healthcare in the face of major constraints.
Westphal, M., Wall, M.,
Corbeil, T., Keller,
I., Brodmann-Maeder, M., Ehlert, U.,
Exadaktylos, A., Bingisser, R., & Kleim, B. (2021). Mindfulness predicts
less depression, anxiety, and social impairment in emergency care personnel: A
longitudinal study. PloS One, 16(12),
e0260208–e0260208. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260208
Westphal et al. (2021)
conducted a longitudinal study where they found that dispositional mindfulness
measured at the start of the study predicted lower levels of depression,
anxiety, and social impairment in six months. The study involved 190 emergency room
personnel including residents, medical students, and nurses who completed
online surveys at three different points over six months. The authors utilized
linear mixed effects regression to analyze the data, controlling for variables
such as work stressors, negative life events, and social support at work. The
findings reveal that mindfulness serves as a protective factor against the
adverse effects of high-stress environments. The study provides robust evidence
supporting the implementation of mindfulness-based interventions in healthcare
settings to enhance mental health outcomes. By highlighting the resilience
conferred by mindfulness, this research offers practical implications for
mental health interventions aimed at healthcare professionals working in
demanding and high-stress conditions.
Summary of Learnings
I learned from the development of the annotated bibliography that responses to mental health issues are dependent on complex interactions of the individual, community, and systemic factors. Bonham says, "Gun violence has been a persistent problem in the United States, impacting mental health at all levels. Comprehensive, public health-oriented policies are needed" (Bonham, 2023). Lincoln et al. (2021) detail how discrimination negatively impacts the mental health of immigrants necessitating the need for community support and inclusive policies. Ramalho et al. (2023) pinpoint important barriers to mental health research and call for investment to support resourcing mental health researchers. Westphal et al. (2021) provide evidence of the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing mental health distress in healthcare workers, therefore providing intervention in high-stress environments. The sources collectively enhanced my understanding of mental health by illustrating the diverse challenges and interventions across different contexts. Right now I understand the importance of addressing individual and systemic factors to improve mental health outcomes.
References
Bonham, E. (2023).
Firearm violence is both a public health and mental health issue in
America. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 47, 21–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2023.11.002
Howard, V. (2021).
Undergraduate mental health nursing students’ reflections in gaining
understanding and skills in the critical appraisal of research papers – An
exploration of barriers and enablers. Nurse Education in Practice, 55,
103143–103143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103143
Lincoln, K., Cardeli,
E., Sideridis, G., Salhi, C., Miller, B., Fonseca, T., Issa, O., & Ellis,
H. (2021). Discrimination, marginalization, belonging, and mental health among
Somali immigrants in North America. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 91(2),
280–293. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000524
Ramalho, R., Chappe, V.,
Alvarez, L., Ramos, G., Rivera, G., Bonay, L., Mena, C., Hoppe, M., Robalino,
N., & Gonzalez, M. (2023). Mental health research in South America:
Psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees’ perceived resources and barriers. Global
Mental Health, 10, e66–e66. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2023.58
Westphal, M., Wall, M., Corbeil,
T., Keller, I., Brodmann-Maeder, M., Ehlert, U., Exadaktylos, A., Bingisser,
R., & Kleim, B. (2021). Mindfulness predicts less depression, anxiety, and
social impairment in emergency care personnel: A longitudinal study. PloS
One, 16(12), e0260208–e0260208. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260208
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