The distinctive symptomatology of mental health illness in economic “crisis-related” patients: a preliminary study

Authors

  • A. Rossi
  • F. Frera
  • S. Cavedoni
  • A. Giannelli

Abstract

Background. Help requests for psychological disorders due specifically to the impact of the economic crisis have been constantly increased. The aim of the study is the identification of a distinctive symptomatology between subjects affected by “crisis-related†mental health illness and people who refer to the same Mental Health Care Center. Methods. An observational research design was used. Patients (n=70) related to the “Crisis and Psychopathology Observatoryâ€â€“Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan–were tested with: Beck Anxiety Inventory (Alpha=.86), Beck Depression Inventory II (Alpha=.85), Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (Alpha=.87) and Derogatis’ Brief Symptom Checklist (Alpha=.96). Findings. MANCOVA was used to test differences–controlling for diagnosis and the elapsed time between the onset of symptoms and the psychiatric visit. Results suggest that “crisis-related†patients show: higher anxiety [F(1,68)=6.07; p=.02] and higher depression [F(1,69)=8.23; p=.012]; higher number of psychological symptoms [F(1,69)=12.34; p<.001]; but an equivalent self-esteem [F(1,69)=1.94; p=.069];. Discussion. Results points out that “crisis-related†patients showed a wider mental health illness’ symptomatology and important index as regards the acuteness; and also suggest a possible way in order to treat this new kind of suffering.

Published

2015-12-31

Issue

Section

Poster presentations