The Contribution of Environmental Science to Mental Health Research: A Scoping Review.

Mental health is influenced by multiple complex and interacting genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors. As such, developing state-of-the-art mental health knowledge requires collaboration across academic disciplines, including environmental science. To assess the current contribution of environmental science to this field, a scoping review of the literature on environmental influences on mental health (including conditions of cognitive development and decline) was conducted.

The impact of gastrointestinal conditions on psychosocial factors associated with the biopsychosocial model of health: A scoping review.

The increase in the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions is an emerging global health concern. Studies of the impact on the lives of individuals living with GI conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) typically focus on biological elements, such as symptomology and treatment efficacy. Comparatively fewer studies have explored the psychological and social aspects of GI conditions, which could provide key information needed to better understand the impact of GI conditions on people and their lived experiences.

Children's Experiences of Their Journey to School: Integrating Behaviour Change Frameworks to Inform the Role of the Built Environment in Active School Travel Promotion.

Childhood obesity is a public health problem with multiple effects on children's life. Promoting Active School Travel (AST) could provide an inclusive opportunity for physical activity and shape healthy behaviours. Data for this cross-sectional study were drawn from questionnaires carried out in five primary schools located in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, in neighbourhoods chosen for their variability in IMD (index of multiple deprivation) and spatial structure of street networks (measured through space syntax measure of integration).

Restructuring the built environment to change adult health behaviors: a scoping review integrated with behavior change frameworks.

Built environment restructuring can improve public health through increased opportunity for healthy behaviors. Behavioral science targets individual health behaviors within place, suggesting the potential to integrate these approaches. This scoping review was one of the first to summarise the impact built environment restructuring has on health outcomes and behaviors integrate these findings with the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior model and Theoretical Domains Framework of behavior change.

Assessing physical symptoms during the postpartum period: reliability and validity of the primary health questionnaire somatic symptom subscale (PHQ-15).

Introduction: This study aimed at establishing the reliability and validity of the primary health questionnaire (PHQ-15) somatic symptom severity subscale for postpartum women.

Methods: Women (N = 495) completed the PHQ-15 approximately 6 weeks postpartum during the baseline phase of a randomized controlled trial evaluating a writing intervention for postnatal health in England. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency statistics and convergent validity by comparing differences in self-reported physical health, health-related quality of life (QoL) and primary care usage by PHQ-15 symptom severity category.

The Birth Memories and Recall Questionnaire (BirthMARQ): development and evaluation.

Background: Childbirth is a challenging and emotive experience that is accompanied by strong positive and/or negative emotions. Memories of birth may be associated with how women cognitively process birth events postpartum and potentially their adaptation to parenthood. Characteristics of memories for birth may also be associated with postnatal psychological wellbeing.

Effects of testosterone administration in human immunodeficiency virus-infected women with low weight: a randomized placebo-controlled study.

Background: The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease is increasing among women, many of whom remain symptomatic with low weight and poor functional status. Although androgen levels may often be reduced in such patients, the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of testosterone administration in this population remains unknown.

Methods: A total of 57 HIV-infected women with free testosterone levels less than the median of the reference range and weight less than 90% of ideal body weight or weight loss greater than 10% were randomly assigned to receive transdermal testosterone (4 mg/patch) twice weekly or placebo for 6 months.

Neurocognitive function in HIV-infected patients with low weight and weight loss.

Objective: To determine neurocognitive function in HIV-infected subjects with low weight and weight loss.

Design: Cross-sectional cohort.

Methods: Baseline data from male and female participants in longitudinal treatment studies of AIDS wasting were analyzed.

Reduced testosterone levels in human immunodeficiency virus-infected women with weight loss and low weight.

Risk factors for hypoandrogenemia among low-weight, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are not known. Testosterone levels of 69 HIV-infected women with low weight and weight loss were compared with levels for 25 healthy, age- and body mass index-matched control subjects. HIV-infected subjects were of low weight, with a mean (+/- standard deviation) weight loss of -17.