Clinical Research Directory

Gender Differences in Depression Severity, Gender-Sensitive Symptoms, Resilience, and Stigma in Major Depressive Disorder

Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that affects mood, thoughts, behavior, and overall quality of life. It arises from a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. While depression is more frequently diagnosed in women, research suggests that men may experience and express depressive symptoms differently. Men are more likely to display symptoms such as irritability, anger, impulsivity, or increased alcohol use, and they may be less likely to seek professional psychological support due to social expectations and fear of stigma. Stigma-both self-stigma (internalized negative beliefs about having a mental illness) and perceived social stigma (concerns about being judged by others)-can negatively influence individuals' willingness to seek help and adhere to treatment. In addition, psychological resilience, defined as the ability to cope effectively with stress and adversity, may play an important role in how individuals experience depressive symptoms and respond to treatment. This study aims to compare women and men diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in terms of depression severity, gender-sensitive depressive symptoms, self-stigma, perceived social stigma, and levels of psychological resilience. It will also examine the relationships among these factors to better understand how gender-related differences influence the experience and management of depression. Findings from this study may contribute to improved recognition of gender-specific features of depression, reduction of stigma, and the development of more individualized and effective mental health interventions for both women and men.

Examining the Health Effects of NPOWER365 Among Black Same Gender Loving Men

This research study aims to test the effectiveness, reach, and maintenance over time of the NPOWER365 HIV care intervention for Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) living with HIV. NPOWER365 is a BMSM community-developed multicomponent intervention that aims to: 1) Support daily health promotion via HIV health education and health maintenance reminders; 2) Foster positive social connections among BMSM via online moderated forums, interpersonal chats, and community calendars; 3) Connect clients to BMSM-affirming healthcare, including HIV treatment and mental healthcare; 4) Provide resources for housing, transportation, and other economic empowerment.

Methamphetamine, PrEP, and Intersectional Stigma Study

The goal of this clinical trail is to test the developed eMPrISe study in HIV-negative, adult, Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) who use non-injection substances. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can participation in the developed eMPrISe study reduce methamphetamine ('meth') use risk? * Can participation in the developed eMPrISe study improve preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) cascade progression? Participants will participate in 12 weekly modules that: (1) build critical thinking skills, (2) identify and discuss the link between oppression and harmful behaviors, (3) take action, (4) voice and validate feelings and experiences, and (5) share knowledge and resources.

Developing a Tailored Stigma Reduction Intervention to Increase Buprenorphine Prescribing

Buprenorphine is an evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder that also has strong potential to reduce HIV transmission in people who use drugs. Rural health care professionals are eligible and critically needed to provide these medications, but stigma currently limits provider willingness to prescribe buprenorphine, especially in regions where mortality and HIV transmission secondary to opioid use are high. In this developmental trial, the investigators will adapt, refine, and test the feasibility of a prototype brief stigma-reduction training intervention aimed at increasing buprenorphine prescribing in the rural primary care setting.

Exploring the Effectiveness of Interventions on Menstrual Hygiene Awareness in Slum Communities of Karachi, A Quasi- Experimental Analysis

Proper menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices are crucial among women. People of urban slum's areas have no or less knowledge and practices of Menstruation hygiene due to low socio-economic status. This study helps in Improving menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices and can empower individuals to manage their periods with dignity and comfort. This study also contributes in creating a more open and supportive environment for menstruation by addressing stigma and misconception. The study also helps in reducing the risk of reproductive tract infections.

Decreasing the Stigma of Mental Illness Among Health Science Students Through a Mentoring Program

Stigma towards people with mental health problems is a serious public health problem that limits access to treatment and social participation, in addition to being considered the main barrier to inclusion and quality of health care. This stigma also affects students and health professionals, impacting the quality of care and help seeking in mental health. In this context, it is necessary to develop innovative and effective interventions among university students to reduce this stigma and promote an inclusive and recovery-based approach. The aim of the present research project is to analyze the effect of a mentoring program on levels of stigma and mental health help-seeking intention in psychology and nursing students. This three-session mentoring program is based on experiential learning and has been validated and adapted to our country. The mentors, professionals with lived experience in mental health, will provide knowledge and experiences to the students through direct contact sessions in the classroom, focusing especially on the processes of recovery and self-determination. Research question: What is the effect of a mentoring program on levels of stigma and mental health help-seeking intention in health care students? Within the dependent variables of the study are the measurement of levels of stigma and mental health help-seeking intention in students. The independent variables will be the type of group (experimental and control), age, gender and career. Methodology: Quantitative study, including the participation of health students in the experimental and control groups. The sample size was determined using the G\*Power software. After approval by the institutional ethics committee and signature of the informed consent of the participants, the mentoring program will be implemented in the classroom. For this purpose, the levels of stigma and intention to seek mental health help in both groups will be measured using nationally and internationally validated instruments, before, after and at 4 weeks. Data analysis will be performed using a mixed ANOVA model to compare pre- and post-intervention outcomes between the two groups. The present study will provide valuable evidence on the effectiveness of mentoring-based interventions in reducing stigma in health care students, a key group in the future provision of care for people with mental health problems. The results will also lay the groundwork for larger-scale studies to assess the impact of the intervention in other groups and settings, with the potential to significantly improve the quality of care and well-being of patients and their families.

Virtual perI-/Menopause Registry of AusTrALia

13 million (50.7%) Australians are born with ovaries, 14% (\~3 million) are currently aged 40-59 yrs, \& all such who live to midlife will experience menopause, defined as \>12 months without a period. Peri-menopause (peri), typically occurs 5 yrs before menopause as hormone levels decrease. As with oestrogen, peri symptoms can affect every bodily system; e.g. depression/anxiety, diminished mental function, irregular periods, hot flushes, sleep problems, vaginal atrophy \& urinary urgency. These symptoms are linked with lower quality of life \& significantly higher work impairment; a third experiencing symptoms so severe as to impede daily life \& increase risk of suicide. Lifetime increased risks of diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis \& dementia are also associated with menopause, yet it remains disconcertingly poorly studied. The investigators propose to create a world-first, cutting-edge, consumer-driven, Virtual peri-/menopause registry of AusTrALia (VITAL). The unique design will enable consumers to determine VITAL's questions, encourage secure revelation of private data e.g. vaginal \& mental health symptoms, \& to direct priorities for research, education, \& health service improvements. VITAL will thus deliver optimal assessments of incidence, prevalence \& impact. The participating consumers, researchers, clinical specialists, policy makers, \& modern virtual data infrastructure enable this unique \& innovative registry design, future translation to improved community health, \& promote awareness \& collaborative synergies. Leveraging the investigators' critical range of expertise \& ongoing feedback opportunities for both participants \& stakeholder partnerships, the investigators will create a ground-breaking platform that: * empowers the consumer voice and priorities, * enables peri-/menopause research to extend beyond existing niche focuses, * evidences the true impact of peri-/menopause across the nation, * evolves healthcare services and outcomes, \& * educates community, clinicians, \& policy-makers. After Australian registry establishment, the investigators will expand VITAL to mirror it in other nations while still protecting individual's data the right way, but so all can learn \& apply the best aspects of care from across the world.

Taylor Swift and Mental Health Outcomes

A study in Singapore will explore the potential of pop culture, particularly Taylor Swift's music, in influencing young adults' attitudes toward mental health. With the highest prevalence of mental illness among this age group, the study will aim to investigate whether engagement with Swift's songs and social media will be associated with attitudes crucial for help-seeking, such as recognizing mental health issues and being open to professional services. Conducting a survey of over 600 young adults, the researchers will assess participants' mental health symptoms, engagement with Swift's content, social media and demographics, mental health help-seeking attitude and mental health self-diagnosing behavior.