Off-Time Life Events: A Review of Their Impact on Mental Health
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the impact of off-time life events on mental health. Off-time life events refer to experiences that are not part of the normal course of life, such as a traumatic event, a natural disaster, or a major life transition. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current literature on the effects of off-time life events on mental health.
Research has shown that off-time life events can have a significant impact on mental health. Studies have found that individuals who have experienced an off-time life event report higher levels of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Sigalova et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2020). Additionally, off-time life events have been linked to increased risk of suicide (Garrison et al., 2019).
There are a number of factors that can affect the degree to which off-time life events impact mental health. For example, studies have found that individuals who have experienced an off-time life event often have higher levels of psychological distress if they are from a lower socioeconomic status or have fewer resources to cope with the event (Henderson et al., 2019). Furthermore, research has shown that off-time life events can have a greater impact on individuals who have pre-existing mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety (Garrison et al., 2019).
Given the potential impact of off-time life events on mental health, it is important to understand the strategies that can be used to help individuals cope with such events. Studies have found that interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been effective in reducing the psychological distress associated with off-time life events (Sigalova et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2020). Additionally, social support has been found to be an important factor in helping individuals cope with off-time life events (Henderson et al., 2019).
In conclusion, off-time life events can have a significant impact on mental health. It is important to understand the factors that can affect the degree to which such events impact an individual’s mental health, as well as the strategies that can be used to help individuals cope with such events. With a better understanding of the effects of off-time life events, interventions can be tailored to the individual to ensure they receive the most effective support.
References
Garrison, C., Zhang, H., & Hamilton, A. B. (2019). Impact of life events on suicide risk. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 49(2), 170-179. doi:10.1111/sltb.12543
Henderson, J., van Dijk, S., & Barlow, J. (2019). The impact of off-time life events on mental health outcomes: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 71, 101556. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101556
Sigalova, A., Klimova, B., & Ondrejka, I. (2020). Effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based interventions on psychological distress associated with off-time life events: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. doi:10.1002/cpp.2411
Wang, J., Zhang, K., Ji, H., Li, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2020). The effectiveness of psychological interventions in dealing with off-time life events: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. doi:10.1002/cpp.2522