Journal of Mental Health Issues and Behavior

A theoretical synthesis paper on: impact on parents having a child with autism spectrum disorder

Archana Bagale, Dr. Machhindra Lamichhane, Prof. Dr. Shanta Niraula — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that has sparkedextensive research and theoretical exploration over the decades. This paper synthesizes history and prominent theories underlying the etiology and characteristics of ASD, including the Theoryof Mind (ToM), the Executive Dysfunction Theory, the Weak Central Coherence Theory, and the Enhanced Perceptual Functioning Model. By integrating insights from psychological, biological, and social perspectives, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of ASD’s multifaceted nature. Additionally, implications for intervention and future research are discussed. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods are used to identify the result of studies. Additionally, the research studies are based on models of theories and concept and history related to ASD.. There are number of research done in impacts on parents having child with Autism Spectrum Disorder based on different models. Some are theory based and some are concept based. Though there are multiple researches are obtained on impacts on parents having child with ASD, the studies are lack to identify the impacts on parents having child with ASD in Nepal.Despite significant advances in the study of ASD, its etiology and mechanisms remain only partially understood. Over the years, various theories have emerged to explain different aspects of the disorder. This synthesis paper examines these theories to present a holistic understanding ASD and highlight areas for further exploration.

Fentanyl abuse and its implication on health and society

Dr. Priyanka De, Anuvhab Mondal, Ayush Bhattacharya, Nilratan Pal — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid developed in 1960, initially offered a breakthrough in pain management with its high potency and favorable safety profile. However, escalating cases of its misuse has resulted in alarming rates of overdose deaths, particularly in North America and Europe. This comprehensive review examines the multifaceted impact of fentanyl on various physiological systems. Tracing its timeline from a medical breakthrough to an illicit substance, the paper explores neurological, cardiovascular, renal, reproductive, respiratory, thermoregulatory, and immunological effects of fentanyl. The rise of more potent analogues further complicates the crisis. The neurological implications encompass altered cognition, neuropsychological effects, and neuro inflammation. The review also delves into the intricate connections between fentanyl and the immune system, introducing the concept of vaccination as a treatment strategy for overdose. The urgent need for a collaborative effort from the medical, legal, and public health sectors to address fentanyl's devastating consequences is emphasized, stressing the importance of a better understanding of its systemic effects for effective harm-reduction strategies and combating this escalating epidemic.

Digital overuse and sleep effects on adolescent wellbeing and academic performance

Michael Nyamekye Kusi — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Overuse of digital media and insufficient sleep have commonly been suggested to adversely affect adolescent mental health and academic achievement, but evidence regarding time-based measures remains inconsistent.

Objective: To explore associations between digital overuse and sleep, and investigate sleep as a mediator between digital overuse and psycho-academic outcomes (stress, anxiety, addiction, GPA) among adolescents.

Methods: A quantitative correlational design used secondary data from a Kaggle dataset on adolescent mental health (ages 13–19, N = 1200). Variables included daily social media use, pre-bed screen time, sleep duration, GPA, stress, anxiety, and addiction scores. Hypothesized relationships and mediation pathways were tested using Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modelling (SEM).

Results: Participants averaged 4.54 hours (SD = 2.03) on social media daily, 1.74 hours (SD = 0.72) viewing screens before bed, and 6.45 hours (SD = 1.44) sleeping—below the recommended 7–9 hours. Mean GPA was 2.99 (SD = 0.58), with moderate stress (M = 5.45), anxiety (M = 5.64), and addiction (M = 5.57) scores. Correlations between digital overuse and psychological outcomes were very weak (r = 0.028–0.031, p > 0.05). Regression models explained under 0.2% of variance, and sleep did not significantly predict GPA (r = 0.022, p = 0.449). SEM mediation effects (β = −0.00001 to 0.00002) were non-significant, though directionally consistent with theory.

Conclusion: No statistical support was found for the theorized digital overuse–sleep–wellbeing/academic pathway, suggesting duration-based measures inadequately capture compulsive-use and sleep-quality dimensions considered more clinically relevant. Screening and policy should shift toward validated tools assessing compulsive use and sleep quality, alongside continued emphasis on adolescent sleep health.