Fear of the coronavirus (COVID-19): Predictors in an online study conducted in March 2020

Overconfidence at the time of COVID-19:Does it lead to laxer attitudes?

BACKGROUND

Health education campaigns often aim to create awareness by increasing objective knowledge about pathogens, such as COVID-19. However, the present paper proposes that confidence in one's knowledge more than knowledge is a significant factor that leads to a laxer attitude toward COVID-19 and hence lower support for protective measures and reduced intention to comply with preemptive behaviors.

METHODS

We tested two hypotheses in three studies conducted between 2020 and 2022. In Study 1, we assessed participants' level of knowledge and confidence, as well as attitudes toward COVID-19. In Study 2, we tested the relation between fear of COVID-19 and protective behaviors. In Study 3, we used an experimental approach to show the causal effect of overconfidence on fear of COVID-19. In addition to manipulating overconfidence and measuring fear of COVID-19, we also measured prophylactic behaviors.

RESULTS

In Study 1, more overconfident participants had a laxer attitude toward COVID-19. While knowledge had an increasing effect on worry, confidence in said knowledge significantly decreased worry about COVID-19. In Study 2, participants who were more worried about COVID-19 were more likely to engage in protective behaviors (e.g., wearing masks). In Study 3, we show that when overconfidence was experimentally diminished, fear of COVID-19 increased. The results support our claim that the effect of overconfidence on attitudes toward COVID-19 is causal in nature. Moreover, the results show that people with higher fear of COVID-19 are more likely to wear masks, use hand sanitizers, avoid crowded places or social gatherings, and get vaccinated.

CONCLUSIONS

Managing adherence to public health measures is critical when it comes to highly infectious diseases. Our findings suggest that efficient information campaigns to increase adherence to public health measures should focus on calibrating people's confidence in their knowledge about COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the virus.

Intolerance of uncertainty fuels preservice teachers' smartphone dependence through rumination and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

We aimed to explore the relationship among intolerance of uncertainty (IU), rumination, anxiety, and smartphone dependence (SPD) in preservice teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Two cross-sectional studies were conducted with Chinese preservice teachers, using questionnaires on IU, rumination, anxiety, and SPD. Data were analyzed using AMOS 24.0 and SPSS 25.0, and the mediating mechanism was tested using the macro program Model 6. Study 1 recruited participants who were forcibly sequestered in a university due to an anti-epidemic policy during the COVID-19 crisis. Study 2 was surveyed online from different universities to replicate and enhance the reliability of Study 1 finding.

Results

Study 1 (N = 553, Mage = 20.8 ± 2.3, 30.0% female) and Study 2 (N = 1610, Mage = 21.1 ± 2.1, 51.4% female) both found that IU affected SPD through the independent mediators of rumination and anxiety, as well as the chain mediation of rumination→ anxiety. In Study 1, the indirect effect of IU on SPD was significant through rumination (β = 0.16, 95% CI [0.03, 0.06]), anxiety (β = 0.11, 95% CI [0.03, 0.06]), and the chain mediation (β = 0.02, 95% CI [0.01, 0.04]); in Study 2, the indirect effect of IU on SPD was significant through rumination (β = 0.08, 95% CI [0.05, 0.11]), anxiety (β = 0.10, 95% CI [0.08, 0.13]), and the chain mediation (β = 0.02, 95% CI [0.02, 0.03]).

Conclusion

Two cross-sectional studies found that preservice teachers' SPD is indirectly connected to IU, mediated by rumination and anxiety, and weakly mediated by the chain mediation of rumination and anxiety. Our findings may help educators understand the impact of anti-epidemic policies on preservice teachers and possible inclusive later interventions.

Exploring the Relationships Among (COVID)-19 Stress, Leisure Constraints, and Happiness for Adults During the (COVID)-19 Pandemic in Korea

Objectives: The emergence of COVID-19 and its consequences has led to fears, worries, discomfort, depression, and anxiety for human beings worldwide. In this study, we examined the relationships among COVID-19 stress, leisure constraints, and happiness of Korean adults. Methods: We employed on-line convenience sampling to recruit participants. The sample consisted of Korean adults. A total of 600 surveys were distributed, we retained 293 responses for analysis. Results: COVID-19 stress subcomponents significantly impacted on individual happiness. Our findings align with research focusing on positive correlates between perceived COVID-19 stress and leisure constraints subcomponents. We also found that as COVID-19 stress decreased, perceived happiness increased. Conclusions: Future research is proposed to explore the mechanism of how leisure constraints influence the engagement of physical activities and strategies of leisure constraints negotiation to gain the benefits of happiness in the pandemic crisis. Managerial implications and future research are discussed from the perspectives of constraint negotiation and happiness.

Differences in perceived threat and trauma in children during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The past 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic were stressful for most children and adolescents; some children may have experienced a high level of stress and trauma. To date, no study has examined self-reported stress and trauma levels due to COVID-19 in children. This study aimed to assess perceived threat, exposure and trauma symptoms in children aged 7-13 years. In addition, we explored whether parent-reported factors could predict a higher risk of COVID-19 vulnerability in their children.

METHOD

Cross-sectional data were collected from 752 children to assess COVID-19 threat, exposure and trauma symptoms using the self- and parent-reported Child and Adolescent Trauma Screening Self-Report (CATS) Trauma questionnaire. We used exploratory analyses (factor analysis of mixed data and hierarchical clustering) to identify subgroups (i.e., clusters) of children sharing similar characteristics in the dataset. Linear regression modeling was applied to determine the likelihood of higher threat and vulnerability in children with parent-reported COVID-19 threat, exposure, CATS trauma symptoms, behaviors on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and posttraumatic growth (PTG).

RESULTS

We identified a high-risk group of children reporting clinically relevant trauma symptoms and COVID-19-related fears. Parents' reports of trauma could be used to identify children at high risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 25% of children reported moderate to clinically relevant levels of trauma symptom. It is especially important to offer adequate support to these children to ease the trauma and prevent their symptoms from developing into psychopathology.

Fear of COVID-19 and future anxiety among Polish university students during a pandemic

BACKGROUND

The pandemic poses a threat to human health and life, and anxiety is the most common psychological problem occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to establish the differences in the fear of COVID-19 infection and the future anxiety experienced by students during the pandemic by gender, field of study, place of study and paid employment, and their relationships to psychological well-being.

PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE

The study involved 1294 university students aged 18-30. The Future Anxiety Scale and short version of the Psychological General Well-Being Index were used. In addition, students stated whether they were concerned about the possibility of contracting the coronavirus and falling ill with COVID-19.

RESULTS

One-third of respondents stated that they felt fear of contracting the coronavirus. Women experienced a significantly stronger fear of COVID-19 and future anxiety than men. The observed interaction effects show that female students of medical faculties experienced a higher fear of COVID-19 than women studying fields of study related to physical activity and working students experienced a slightly higher future anxiety. A positive, but weak correlation between fear of COVID-19 and future anxiety was found. Psychological well-being correlated poorly with fear of COVID-19 and moderately with future anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Because future anxiety was stronger in women, medical students, some master's students and working people, preventive measures should be taken to prevent excessive anxiety and to promote mental health in these groups.

Fear of COVID-19: Data of a large longitudinal survey conducted between March 2020 and June 2021

Research indicates that fear was an important factor in determining individual responses to COVID-19, predicting relevant behaviors such as compliance to preventive measures (e.g., hand washing) and stress reactions (e.g., poor sleep quality). Given this central role of fear, it is important to understand more about its temporal changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article describes a publicly available dataset that contains longitudinal assessment of fear of COVID-19 and other relevant constructs during the first 15 months of the pandemic. Particularly, the dataset contains data from two different samples. The first sample consists predominantly of Dutch respondents (N = 439) who completed a cross-sectional survey in March 2020. The second sample consists of a large-scale longitudinal survey (N = 2000 at T1), including respondents with a broad range of nationalities (though predominantly residing in Europe and North America; 95.6%). The respondents of the second sample completed the survey between April 2020 and August 2020 using the Prolific data collection platform. In addition, one follow-up assessment was completed in June 2021. The measures included in the survey were fear of COVID-19, demographic information (age, gender, country of residence, education level, and working in healthcare), anxious traits (i.e., intolerance of uncertainty, health anxiety, and worrying), media use, self-rated health, perceived ability to prevent infection, and perceived risk for loved ones. Additionally, at the follow-up assessment in June 2021, respondents were asked whether they were vaccinated against COVID-19 or were planning to get vaccinated. The datafiles of this study have been made available through the Open Science Framework and can be freely reused by psychologists, social scientists, and other researchers who wish to investigate the development, correlates, and consequences of fear of COVID-19.

YES, WE COPE: Dyadic Coping as a Mediator Between Perceived Relationship Quality and Emotional Representation of COVID-19

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about social changes that have impacted the functioning and dynamics of couples in a romantic relationship, arising from the overwhelming amount of added stress they have endured. Specifically, the divorce rate in Portugal has increased after lockdown, which underscores the adverse consequences of COVID-19 on couples. A lower quality of the couple's relationship may worsen the emotional representation of COVID-19; however, the literature suggests that perceived partner dyadic coping responses have a great influence on adverse events. The aim of the present study was to assess the mediating role of partner coping in the association between relationship quality and emotional representation of COVID-19. We also sought to observe whether the length of the relationship moderates this association.

Methods

Participants (N = 528) were adults living in Portugal (84.7% female) currently in a romantic relationship with their current partner for at least 1 year. Online data collection.

Results

We found that relationship quality predicted COVID-19 emotional representation, but this association was fully mediated by total dyadic coping. This association was especially significant in couples with a shorter length of time in the relationship.

Conclusions

We point out the importance of dyadic coping as a protective factor against emotional distress to cope with the ongoing stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. These data suggest the need for relationship education programs that promote positive coping between partners.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10608-023-10379-4.

Exploring Loneliness, Fear and Depression among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greek Provincial Towns

BACKGROUND

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, life changed abruptly for older adults in Greece. Social isolation, lockdowns, the fear of serious illness and death, all contributed to an increased risk of developing depression.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the presence and severity of depression in older adults in Greek provincial towns during the pandemic and to explore any possible relationships with loneliness and fear.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 200 participants aged >65, completed a socio-demographic form, the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Geriatric Depression-15 Scale (GDS-15) and the COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S). Data were collected from April to May 2022.

RESULTS

The average age of participants was 76.6 years and 35.5% of the participants presented depressive symptoms (mean prevalenceof depression 5 ± 3.7). A moderate to low level of loneliness (mean value 39 ± 11.3) and a moderate level of COVID-19 fear (mean value 18.9 ± 6.5) were also experienced. Higher levels of loneliness were found among participants with lower perceived health status and among those participants registered in Primary Health and Social Care (PHSC) services. Loneliness was positively correlated with depression (r = 0.7, p < 0.001), and increased loneliness and depression were associated with an increase in fear of COVID-19 (r = 0.2, p = 0.01 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

During the pandemic, older adults experienced loneliness, fear of COVID-19 and depression which were positively associated with each other. It is imperative to develop PHSC policies that are aimed at addressing the mental health problems of the older population, which have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, through developing their resilience, offering psychological support and promoting social connections.

Experiences of People with Cardiovascular Disease during COVID-19 in Sweden: A Qualitative Study

Although people with cardiovascular conditions were subjected to more rigorous restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is limited knowledge of how the restrictions affected their lives and well-being. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe how people with cardiovascular conditions experienced their life situation and physical and mental health during the second wave of the pandemic in Sweden. Fifteen participants (median age 69 years; nine women) were individually interviewed, and data were analyzed with systematic text condensation. The findings revealed that some of the participants were fearful of contracting COVID-19 as their medical condition made them vulnerable. Additionally, the restrictions changed their daily routines and their ability to take part in social activities, as well as their access to specialized outpatient care (medical check-ups and physiotherapy). Although emotional and psychological distress were present, several participants found strategies that reduced their worries, such as exercising and meeting friends outdoors. However, some had adopted a more sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diets. These findings indicate that healthcare professionals should provide individualized support to persons with cardiovascular diseases in order to find well-functioning emotion- and problem-focused strategies aimed at improving physical and mental health during crises such as pandemics.

Gender-Specificity of Fatigue and Concerns Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Report on the Polish Population

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic, which is now going on its third year, and its consequences experienced in almost every sphere of life may eventually lead to pandemic fatigue. Previous research indicates that one of the important determinants of the negative consequences of the pandemic is gender. Based on the WHO's definition of pandemic fatigue, a study was undertaken to determine the level of pandemic fatigue and concerns expressed in relation to the pandemic in Poland.

METHODS

A survey among 1064 respondents was conducted using the CATI technique during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Questionnaires adopted: the Polish adaptation of the Pandemic Fatigue Scale (PFS), Subjective Fatigue Symptoms (SFS), and the COVID-19 Concerns Checklist (CCC) and sociodemographic questions. The following statistical methods were employed: ANOVA analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis test, and Chi-square test.

RESULTS

The analysis showed that women received higher overall PFS, information PFS, SFS, and pandemic-related concerns scores. Other factors that were associated with pandemic fatigue were age, treatment for chronic diseases, receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine, and COVID-19 survivor status.

CONCLUSIONS

Women in Poland are experiencing pandemic fatigue, subjective fatigue symptoms, and concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic at a higher rate than men. Along with implementing interventions focused on public health safety, it seems reasonable to put in place strategies to assist people who are less capable of coping with prolonged stressful situations.

Between here and there: comparing the worry about the pandemic between older Italian international migrants and natives in Switzerland

Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, people have been worried about COVID-19. As one of the risk groups, persons aged 65 and older are especially vulnerable. Additionally, minorities and migrants are hit harder by the pandemic than natives. Using data from the TransAge survey, a study including over 3000 older persons (65+) living in Switzerland and Italy, we show that the levels of worry about the pandemic are significantly higher among Italian international migrants living in Switzerland than among Swiss natives. We are not able to fully explain the difference using sociodemographic variables, the COVID-19 situation at the time of the interview, and international migrants' transnationalism behavior. Nevertheless, transnationalism explains a large part of the difference in worry between the two groups and our study sheds light on the importance of two specific transnational aspects, having Swiss nationality and voting behavior, for the prevention of elevated levels of worry of international migrants.

Post-traumatic stress disorders, anxiety, and depression in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in psychiatric disorders in college students, particularly posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. While existing studies assess the prevalence of these disorders and their predictors, they overlook potential complications caused by comorbidity between these disorders. To fill this gap, this study examined the prevalence of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and their comorbidity to inform targeted intervention for college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

Self-report questionnaires were used to assess 6,898 college students about six months after the COVID-19 outbreak.

RESULTS

The results found that the prevalence of PTSD, depression, and anxiety were 15.5%, 32.2%, and 32.1% respectively, and the prevalence of comorbid PTSD and depression, comorbid PTSD and anxiety, comorbid depression and anxiety, and comorbid PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms were 11.5%, 11.6%, 20.4%, and 9.4% respectively. Moreover, left-behind status, lower economic status, previous trauma experiences, exposure to the pandemic, and rumination were risk factors of psychological distress, but self-disclosure was a protective factor for these disorders.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that distinct psychiatric disorders may be comorbid in individuals, and are further influenced by pre-, within-, and post-disaster factors. Furthermore, psychological service targeted at college students should pay attention to comorbid symptoms rather than only symptoms of single disorders.

Fears during the Covid-19 pandemics and their influence on physical health: A cross-sectional study on the general population in Spain

Background/objective

This study examines the paths through which Covid-19 can negatively impact health and lead to somatic symptoms. Based on the dual process theory, fears can impair health in two ways: through psychological distress, which is an automatic reaction to fear, and through a more conscious and deliberative rumination process.

Method

Data from a representative sample of the Spanish population (N = 3083 subjects,18 years or older) were obtained from a Survey by the Sociological Research Center (CIS). The dual path model was tested, and a longer sequence was included where the two mediators act sequentially to produce an impact on somatic symptoms.

Results

The results showed how Covid-19 fears translate into somatic problems. Beyond the direct relations, and after comparing with other possible alternative models, our findings support a process where rumination mediates between fears and psychological distress, and psychological distress in turn leads to somatic problems.

Conclusions

This process reveals a plausible mechanism that explains the somatization of health problems during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it provides theoretical and practical inputs to better understand the role of fears in health in crisis contexts.

Examining the Relationships Between Fear of Coronavirus, State Anxiety, and Relationship Happiness Among Married Turkish Individuals During COVID-19

The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of state anxiety in the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and relationship happiness among married individuals. An additional aim of the study also tested the moderating role of joint family activities between state anxiety and relationship happiness. The study sample consisted of 1713 married individuals (1031 women and 682 men). The study findings showed both the significant direct associations among the studied variables and the mediating role of state anxiety in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and relationship happiness. It also found that the path of state anxiety to relationship happiness among married individuals having family activities was significantly lower than those who did not. Directions for future research and application were discussed.

Adolescents’ perceived stress of COVID-19 and self-compassion in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health challenges for adolescent populations. The current study aims to examine the levels of perceived stress of COVID-19 and self-compassion and their relationship among adolescents in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This study employed a cross-sectional online survey of adolescents from secondary schools in Asir, Saudi Arabia. Instruments we distributed online included the modified Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), in addition to demographic and health-related questions. A total of 500 adolescents completed the survey.

Results

Adolescents in the study reported an average moderate perceived stress level of 18.6 (SD = 6.67) and an average moderate self-compassion level of 3.22 (SD = 0.53). A significant correlation is also found between the two variables (r = −0.460, P < 0.001). This negative correlation indicates that lower levels of perceived stress are significantly correlated with higher levels of self-compassion.

Conclusion

The study results show that the perceived stress of COVID-19 is inversely correlated with self-compassion in Saudi adolescents. Further research is needed to explore how to enhance adolescents' self-compassion. School nurses’ role should be given full play in this area.

The Moderating Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty in the Relationship Between Health Anxiety and Pandemic-Related Stress

Background and Objectives

Global pandemics, including COVID-19, have a significant effect on mental health, and this may be especially true for individuals with health anxiety. Although health anxiety is related to both pandemic-related fears and perceptions of health risks, there is a paucity of research on individual difference variables that might exert an influence on these relationships. The present study examined intolerance of uncertainty (IU) as a potential moderator of the relationship between health anxiety and COVID-related stress, and the relationship between health anxiety and perceived risk of contracting COVID.

Design and Methods

A nationally representative sample of North American adults (N = 204) completed self-report measures of health anxiety, IU, COVID-related stress, and perceived risk of contracting COVID.

Results

Prospective IU moderated the positive relationship between health anxiety and COVID-related stress, as the relationship was strengthened at average and higher levels of prospective IU. Neither IU subscale moderated the relationship between health anxiety and perceived risk.

Conclusion

These results suggest that individuals with elevated health anxiety and high prospective IU may be at higher risk of experiencing COVID-related stress, illuminating the interplay of risk factors that place anxious populations at an increased risk of experiencing stress during acute health risks.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10608-023-10365-w.

Social and cognitive vulnerability to COVID-19-related stress in pregnancy: A case-matched-control study of antenatal mental health

Emerging evidence shows that compared to pre-pandemic norms pregnant women report significant increases in clinical levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms during COVID-19. This pre-registered study examined cognitive and social vulnerability factors for poor mental health in pregnancy during COVID-19. Understanding vulnerability profiles is key to identifying women at risk for deteriorating peripartum mental health. N = 742 pregnant women and N = 742 age and country-matched controls from the COVID-19 Risks Across the Lifespan Study were included. Using a case-match control design allowed us to explore whether the cognitive vulnerability profiles would differ between pregnant and non-pregnant women. The findings showed that COVID-19-related stress was associated with heightened levels of depression and anxiety during pregnancy. Its impact was greatest in women with cognitive (i.e., higher intolerance of uncertainty and tendency to worry) and social (i.e., higher level of self-reported loneliness) vulnerabilities. Importantly, our data show that the mental health impacts of the pandemic were greater in pregnant women compared to women who were not pregnant, especially those with cognitive and social vulnerabilities. The results highlight the urgent need to prioritize mental health care for pregnant women to mitigate the impact of COVID-19-related stress on women's postpartum mental health and their infants' well-being.

Fear of Covid-19 and perceived academic safety: the buffering role of personal resources

Purpose

The study investigates the moderating effect of personal resources, including optimism and resilience, on the link between fear of Covid-19 and perceptions of academic safety among university students in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 618 students took part in the research by completing an online self-reported questionnaire. The respondents were chosen using a simple random sample method. The data was processed and analysed using IBM SPSS version 24 and SEM-PLS, respectively.

Findings

Results reveal fear of Covid-19 positively influence students' perception of academic safety. Furthermore, both resilience and optimism mitigate the impact of fear of Covid-19 on students' perceptions of academic safety.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine personal resources as a moderator between fear of Covid-19 and students' perceptions of academic safety. Practical and theoretical implications are added to the text.

Prevalence of grief symptoms and disorders in the time of COVID-19 pandemic: A meta-analysis

Millions of people worldwide are mourning the loss of loved ones due to the COVID-19 epidemic, which may adversely impact their mental health. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate pandemic grief symptoms and disorders for developing policy, practice, and research priorities. The databases of Cochrane, Embase, Ovid-MEDLINE, WHO COVID-19, NCBI SARS-CoV-2, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Science Direct were comprehensively searched until July 31, 2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute's and Hoy's criteria were used to evaluate the studies. A pooled prevalence was presented in a forest plot figure with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) and prediction interval. Between-study heterogeneity was measured using the I² and Q statistics. Variations in the prevalence estimates in different subgroups were examined by moderator meta-analysis. The search identified 3677 citations, of which 15 studies involving 9289 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence rate of grief symptoms was 45.1% (95%CI: 32.6%-57.5%), and grief disorder was 46.4% (95%CI: 37.4%-55.5%). Grief symptoms were significantly higher in <6 months (45.8%; 95%CI: 26.3%-65.3%) compared to the period of more than 6 months. Unfortunately, moderator analyses for grief disorders could not be performed due to limited studies. The prevalence of grief problems during the pandemic was substantially higher than in non-pandemic conditions; therefore, it is crucial to strengthen bereavement support to reduce psychological distress. The results provide a foundation for nurses and healthcare workers to anticipate a heightened need for support and provision of bereavement care in the post-pandemic era.

Assessment of acceptance, concerns and side effects towards COVID-19 vaccination among the community: A cross-sectional study from Baghdad, Iraq

Introduction

The newly developed and marketed vaccines along with concerns about vaccine safety and long-term side effects has been raised an alarming in the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of acceptance, perceptions and concerns towards receiving COVID-19 vaccines and to explore the incidence of vaccines' side effects among Iraqi population in Baghdad province, Iraq.

Method

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted via direct interviews among a convenient sample size of Iraqi population using a structured validated questionnaire consisting of using 24-item questionnaire to assess acceptance, concerns and the incidence of vaccines' side effects towards receiving COVID-19 vaccines.

Results

A total of 500 participants with an average age of 27.8 ± 3.7 years were included. Majority were females (70.6%). 43.4% had a history of COVID-19, and 46% received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. 73.4% (P < 0.0001) agreed about the importance of receiving the vaccination to protect the community against the COVID-19.46.8% (P < 0.0001) were unsure about the adverse effects and long-term vaccine safety. 72.8% reported that transmission of COVID-19 infection to family members is the main concern for accepting vaccination. Fatigue (60%), injection site reactions (55.8%) were the most common vaccine's side effects. Young age (P = 0.001), females (P < 0.0001), and university educational (P < 0.0001) were the most significant determents for accepting vaccination.

Conclusion

This study highlights that the Iraqi population showed a considerable acceptance rate for the COVID-19 vaccines. However, vaccine safety is considered a high priority concern associated with the willingness of the population to vaccinate.

Validation of the Chinese version of the COVID-19 Phobia Scale among Chinese college students

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Different languages and versions of the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S) have been developed and tested in several countries. Chinese college students are a large vulnerable group and are susceptible to psychological problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, no studies had yet examined the reliability and validity of the C19P-S in China among college students group. This study aims to evaluate the COVID-19-related phobia of Chinese college students and examine the reliability and validity of this scale.

METHODS

A total of 1689 Chinese college students participated in this study from April 27 to May 7, 2022. They finished the online questionnaire including demographic information and C19P-S. Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability were used to examine the internal consistency of the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis was further used to examine the scale's construct validity. Convergence validity was also confirmed.

RESULTS

This scale in Chinese had high reliability and validity. The Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability of the total scale were 0.960 and 0.935, respectively. The construct validity-related indicators of the total scale met the standards (RMSEA = 0.064, IFI = 0.907, TLI = 0.906, and CFI = 0.907). Regarding the subscales, the composite reliability (CR) and average variance extracted (AVE) also met the cutoff values (CR > 0.7 and AVE >0.5). Comparison between gender groups showed that total and subscale scores between male and female students differed significantly.

CONCLUSION

The Chinese version of the C19P-S was appropriate for evaluating phobic symptoms among Chinese college students. Therefore, this tool could be used to evaluate the mental health of college students in the future.

The association between facets of mindfulness and COVID-19 related distress: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Trait mindfulness could function as a protective factor against distress. The current study investigated the relationship of the five distinct facets of mindfulness and COVID-19 related distress.

METHODS

An online self-report study was conducted in a Dutch sample (N = 811; M_age = 49 ± 17; 54.5 % female) in February 2021. Dispositional mindfulness was assessed with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and the COVID Stress Scale was used to assess COVID-19 related distress.

RESULTS

Multivariate regression analyses showed that describing and non-judging were inversely related to COVID-19 related distress. Specifically, describing was related to fewer socioeconomic worries, while describing and non-judging were negatively associated with traumatic stress symptoms. Non-judging was negatively associated with COVID-19-related compulsive checking.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that individuals high in mindfulness traits describing and non-judging, experience less distress during the pandemic. Teaching mindfulness skills and practice could be helpful in global situations like pandemics.

One virus, many lives: a qualitative study of lived experiences and quality of life of adults from diverse backgrounds living in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic has had far-reaching consequences for people's lives. In the UK, more than 23 million have been infected and nearly 185 000 have lost their lives. Previous research has looked at differential outcomes of COVID-19, based on socio-demographic factors such as age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation. We conducted a qualitative study with a diverse sample of adults living in the UK, to understand their lived experiences and quality of life (QoL) during the pandemic.

METHODS

Participants were recruited with the help of civil society partners and community organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and July 2021. Interviews were recorded with permission and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed following an inductive analytical approach as outlined in the Framework Method.

RESULTS

18 participants (≥16 years) representing different ethnicities, sexes, migration and employment statuses and educational qualifications took part. Five key themes and 14 subthemes were identified and presented using the QoL framework. The five key themes describe how COVID-19 affected the following aspects of QoL: (1) financial and economic, (2) physical health, (3) social, (4) mental health and (5) personal fulfilment and affective well-being. The narratives illustrated inequities in the impact of COVID-19 for individuals with intersecting social, economic, and health disparities.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate the multidimensional and differential impact of the pandemic on different population groups, with most of the negative economic impacts being borne by people in low-paid and insecure jobs. Similarly, adverse social, physical and mental health impacts particularly affected people already experiencing displacement, violence, physical and mental illnesses or even those living alone. These findings indicate that COVID-19 impacts have been influenced by intersecting health and socioeconomic inequalities, which pre-existed. These inequities should be taken into consideration while designing pandemic recovery and rebuilding packages.

Fear of COVID-19, death depression and death anxiety: Religious coping as a mediator

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the well-being and mental health of populations worldwide. This study sought to examine whether religious coping mediated the relationship between COVID-19-related fear and death distress. We administered an online survey to 390 adult participants (66.15% females; Mage = 30.85 ± 10.19 years) across Turkey. Participants completed a series of questionnaires measuring the fear they had experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, their levels of religious coping and their levels of death anxiety and depression. Our findings revealed that (a) fear of COVID-19 was associated with positive religious coping, negative religious coping, death anxiety and death distress; (b) negative religious coping was associated with death anxiety and depression and (c) negative religious coping mediated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and death anxiety and depression. These results highlight the detrimental effect of negative religious coping in increasing the adverse effect of the COVID-19 fear on death depression.

Quality of life and physical activity level in patients with chronic kidney disease during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic process may affect the physical and psychosocial health in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life, physical activity, fear of COVID-19 and mental health in CKD patients and healthy individualsand compare the aforementioned parameters in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and renal transplantation (RTx) patients during the pandemic. Eighty-two patients (33 ESRD, 49 RTx) and age-gender matched 108 healthy individuals were included. Quality of life (Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire-SF-36), physical activity (short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire -IPAQ-SF), fear of COVID-19 (Fear of COVID-19 Scale-FCV-19S) and mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-HADS) were evaluated. Physical activity levels and all SF-36 scores except mental health in CKD patients were significantly lower than healthy individuals (p < 0.05). FCV-19S and HADS scores were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). ESRD patients' pain and general health perceptions scores of SF-36 were lower than RTx patients' (p < 0.05). Quality of life and physical activity levels were worse in CKD patients compared to healthy individuals during the pandemic. The participants had fear of COVID-19, poor mental health and low physical activity. For these reasons, psychosocial and physical activity interventions for the both groups may be beneficial for the affected outcomes during COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19-Associated Acute Psychotic Disorder-Longitudinal Case Report and Brief Review of Literature

Even though since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the literature became more and more abundant on data and hypotheses about the various consequences on people's lives, more clarity needs to be added to the existing information. Besides the stressful experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infection has been proven to impact brain functioning through direct and indirect pathogenic mechanisms. In this context, we report a case of a patient presenting with a first episode of psychosis following COVID-19. In our case, a 28-year-old male patient with no personal or family psychiatric history developed psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized behaviour) that required antipsychotic treatment and inpatient hospitalization one week after he was discharged from the hospital after COVID-19. At the six-month and one-year follow-up, the patient was in remission without any psychotic signs or symptoms. A brief review of the literature is also provided. The case presented in this article outlines the possibility that the post-COVD-19 recovery period might be a crucial time for the onset of acute psychotic disorder, and therefore, routine psychiatric assessments should be carried out during all phases of the disease. A clearer picture of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health will most likely be revealed in the future as many consequences need long-term evaluation.

Web-Based Psychosocial Interventions for Disaster-Related Distress: What Has Been Trialed in the Past, and What Can We Learn From This?

OBJECTIVES

To summarize reports describing implementation and evaluation of Web-based psychosocial interventions for disaster-related distress with suggestions for future intervention and research, and to determine whether a systematic literature review on the topic is warranted.

METHODS

Systematic searches of Embase, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE were conducted. Duplicate entries were removed. Two rounds of inclusion/exclusion were conducted (abstract and full-text review). Relevant data were systematically charted by 2 reviewers.

RESULTS

The initial search identified 112 reports. Six reports, describing and evaluating 5 interventions, were included in a data analysis. Four of the 5 interventions were asynchronous and self-guided modular programs, with interactive components. The fifth was a short-term, online supportive group intervention. Studies utilized a variety of evaluation methods, and only 1 of 14 outcome measures used across the studies was utilized in more than 1 project.

CONCLUSIONS

Several Web-based psychosocial interventions have been developed to target disaster-related distress, but few programs have been formally evaluated. A systematic review of the topic would not be recommended at this time due to heterogeneity in reported studies. Further research on factors impacting participation, generalizability, and methods of program delivery with consistent outcome measures is needed.

COVID-19, Mental Health, and Chronic Illnesses: A Syndemic Perspective

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic is an epidemiological and psychological crisis; what it does to the body is quite well known by now, and more research is underway, but the syndemic impact of COVID-19 and mental health on underlying chronic illnesses among the general population is not completely understood.

METHODS

We carried out a literature review to identify the potential impact of COVID-19 and related mental health issues on underlying comorbidities that could affect the overall health of the population.

RESULTS

Many available studies have highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on mental health only, but how complex their interaction is in patients with comorbidities and COVID-19, the absolute risks, and how they connect with the interrelated risks in the general population, remain unknown. The COVID-19 pandemic can be recognized as a syndemic due to; synergistic interactions among different diseases and other health conditions, increasing overall illness burden, emergence, spread, and interactions between infectious zoonotic diseases leading to new infectious zoonotic diseases; this is together with social and health interactions leading to increased risks in vulnerable populations and exacerbating clustering of multiple diseases.

CONCLUSION

There is a need to develop evidence to support appropriate and effective interventions for the overall improvement of health and psychosocial wellbeing of at-risk populations during this pandemic. The syndemic framework is an important framework that can be used to investigate and examine the potential benefits and impact of codesigning COVID-19/non-communicable diseases (NCDs)/mental health programming services which can tackle these epidemics concurrently.

Initial risk factors, self-compassion trajectories, and well-being outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A person-centered approach

Introduction

We investigated whether initial risk classes and heterogeneous trajectories of self-compassion over the course of the pandemic may impact well-being outcomes 1 year into the pandemic.

Methods

A large, representative sample of Canadians (N = 3,613; 50.6% women) was sampled longitudinally over 11 waves (April 2020-April 2021), using a rolling cross-sectional survey design. Analyses were conducted in three steps: (1) latent class analysis to identify heterogeneity in risk factors (sociodemographic, cognitive-personality, health-related) early in the pandemic, (2) latent class growth analysis (LCGA) to identify longitudinal self-compassion trajectories, and (3) GLM to examine effects of risk factor classes and self-compassion trajectories, as well as their interaction, on later well-being (mental health, perceived control, life satisfaction).

Results and Discussion

Four risk factor classes emerged, with 50.9% of participants experiencing low risk, 14.3% experiencing multiple risks, 20.8% experiencing Cognitive-Personality and Health risks, and 14.0% experiencing sociodemographic and Cognitive-Personality risks. Four self-compassion trajectories also emerged, with 47.7% of participants experiencing moderate-high self-compassion that decreased then stabilized, 32.0% experiencing moderate self-compassion that decreased then stabilized, 17.3% experiencing high and stable self-compassion across time, and 3.0% experiencing low and decreasing self-compassion. Comparisons of well-being outcomes 1 year post-pandemic indicated that higher levels of self-compassion over time may protect against the impact of initial risk on well-being outcomes. Further work is still needed on heterogeneity in experiences of risk and protective factors during stressful life events.

The Role of Pre-Pandemic Mental Health Status and Personality Traits on Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Lockdown among Italian Young Adults

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed changes on day-to-day activities and had a detrimental psychological effect on the population, especially among vulnerable individuals, such as adolescents and young adults. The current study aimed to explore variables associated with anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms in a sample of 608 Italian young adults aged 18 to 25. Data were collected using an online questionnaire administered two months into the COVID-19 lockdown, which explored several areas including sociodemographic information, pre-pandemic and current psychological distress, pre-pandemic and current levels of loneliness, and the traits of intolerance of uncertainty and boredom susceptibility. Results highlighted that having pre-existing mental health issues, being female, and the personality traits of intolerance to uncertainty and boredom susceptibility all played a role in the psychological distress experienced during the pandemic. COVID-19 contributed to negative impacts on young adults' mental health, highlighting the necessity to develop protective psychological intervention tailored for this vulnerable population.

Race, ethnicity, psychological factors, and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic

We examined the associations between perceived risk, perceived severity, and fear of contracting COVID-19 and vaccine acceptance among different ethnic groups in San José, California. We surveyed 3,797 adults living in San José using a multi-stage, clustered sampling design in which we randomly selected census tracts in San José followed by households within each census tract. We estimated the odds ratio (ORs) for perceived risk, perceived general severity, fear of contracting COVID-19, and vaccine acceptance using regression models. Finally, we assessed the differential impacts of perceived risk, perceived severity, and fear of contracting the COVID-19 on vaccine acceptance by controlling for social-demographic variables. Hispanic/Latino respondents reported higher levels of perceived risk and lower fear of contracting COVID-19 than Asians. Hispanic/Latinos (odds ratio [OR] = 0.48, P < 0.05), Whites (OR = 0.61, P < 0.05), and African Americans (OR = 0.28, P < 0.05) were less likely to report intentions to be vaccinated than Asians. Finally, perceived risk and perceived personal severity were not associated with intentions to be vaccinated, while perceived general severity and fear of contracting COVID-19 were stronger predictors of vaccination intentions. The study highlights the importance of psychological factors in understanding vaccine acceptance across race/ethnicity groups.

Tinnitus in patients recovering after COVID-19: observational and cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

In our study, it was aimed to determine the tinnitus rate in patients who recovered from COVID-19.

METHODS

The study included 279 individuals aged 18-60 years, who recovered from COVID-19 within the last month and did not have a chronic disease. Visual Analogue Scale and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory were used for assessment in participants with tinnitus.

RESULTS

While 201 participants (72.00%) included in the study stated that they did not have tinnitus, 78 participants (28.00%) reported that they had tinnitus. Twenty-eight (10%) of the participants stated that they had no tinnitus before COVID-19 and that tinnitus started with COVID treatment; 16 (5.70%) of the participants stated that tinnitus was not present before COVID-19 and started after recovery. The mean tinnitus severity was 4.50 ± 2.16; tinnitus frequency/duration was 4.19 ± 2.45; tinnitus discomfort was 4.41 ± 2.50, and the total scores of the tinnitus handicap inventory were 49.56 ± 9.81. There was statistically borderline significance between tinnitus frequency/duration scores according to age groups (p = 0.052). Statistically significant differences were found for tinnitus severity (p = 0.033) and discomfort scores (p = 0.014) according to age groups. In addition, a statistically significant difference was observed between the tinnitus severity scores of the participants with and without a history of hospitalization (p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should keep in mind that tinnitus can be caused by COVID-19 as well as pre-existing tinnitus can be exacerbated by it but most participants in our study did not have post-COVID-19 tinnitus.

Lost in between crises: How do COVID-19 threats influence the motivation to act against climate change and the refugee crisis?

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been found to undermine mental health, it is unclear how it may impact individuals' motivation to tackle other global crises. There are at least two perspectives on how COVID-19 might psychologically impact how people respond to other global crises. The finite-pool-of-worry hypothesis suggests that worrying about one issue might diminish worry about other issues since individuals have a limited capacity of worry. Conversely, the affect-generalization hypothesis advocates that worry about an issue might generalize to other issues and increase general levels of worry. To test these competing hypotheses, the present research investigated how threats activated by the COVID-19 pandemic might affect individuals' interest in and motivation to address climate change (Study 1) and the refugee crisis (Study 2) by assessing pro-environmental behavior and prosocial behavior toward refugees, respectively. The results showed that exposure to COVID-19 threats elevated anxiety levels, and trait anxiety, psychological distance, and future orientation moderated this effect. While COVID-19 threats did not influence pro-environmental and prosocial behavior and intentions, exploratory analyses uncovered that being psychologically closer to COVID-19 might predict an increase in pro-environmental and prosocial behavior and intentions, pointing to the affect-generalization hypothesis.

The Association between Change in Lifestyle Behaviors and Mental Health Indicators in Immunosuppressed Individuals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Little is known on how changes in lifestyle behaviors affect mental health among immunosuppressed individuals who observed stricter physical and social distancing measures due to higher risk of complications during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the association between changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time (ST) and sleep duration following COVID-19 outbreak on mental health indicators of immunosuppressed individuals and their relatives. Participants (n = 132) completed an online questionnaire between May and August 2020. Linear regressions were conducted to assess the associations between an increase or decrease in lifestyle behaviors and mental health indicators. Individuals with decreased MVPA and increased ST experienced higher distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Those who reported an increase or decrease in sleep had higher levels of stress, distress and depressive symptoms. Decreases in sleep was associated with higher anxiety symptoms. Lifestyle behaviors in the context of a stressful life event such as the COVID-19 pandemic may impact mental health indicators of immunosuppressed individuals and their relatives.

Social Support and Technology Use and Their Association With Mental and Physical Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Asian Americans: The COMPASS Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The global COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and revealed significant health disparities with reports of increased discrimination and xenophobia. Among AAPIs, the pandemic exacerbated their social, linguistic, and geographic isolation. Social support may be especially important for AAPIs given the salience of collectivism as a cultural value. Another mechanism for support among AAPIs was technology use, as it is generally widespread among this population. However, older adults may not perceive the same benefits.

OBJECTIVE

We examined social support and technology use and their relationships with mental and physical health outcomes through the COVID-19 pandemic among AAPIs.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the COVID-19 Effects on the Mental and Physical Health of AAPI Survey Study (COMPASS) for the time period of October 2020 to February 2021. COMPASS was a cross-sectional, multilingual, national survey conducted online, by phone, and in person with AAPI adults who were ≥18 years of age, in collaboration with academic and community partners in the United States. Data were analyzed using multivariable linear regression using the outcome variables of mental and physical health with various predictors such as social support and technology use. We tested for interactions specific to age and ethnicity.

RESULTS

Among 4631 AAPIs (mean age 45.9, SD 16.3 years; 2992/4631, 63.1% female), we found that (1) increased social support was associated with better physical health, (2) total social support was positively associated with better mental health, (3) higher technology use was associated with poorer mental health and inversely associated with poorer physical health, (4) the association of technology use with mental health was weaker among those with low social support (vs those with high social support), (5) adults younger than 60 years old (vs ≥60 years old) were more negatively affected with social support and mental health, and (6) Korean Americans appeared to be a high-risk group for poor physical health with increased technology use.

CONCLUSIONS

Our paper identified mental and physical health needs along with supportive therapies observed among AAPIs during the pandemic. Future research on how social support can be leveraged, especially among AAPIs younger than 60 years old, and how various types of technology are being utilized are important to guide the recovery efforts to address both mental and physical disparities across communities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Susceptibility to COVID-19 Nutrition Misinformation and Eating Behavior Change during Lockdowns: An International Web-Based Survey

To understand the susceptibility to nutrition-health misinformation related to preventing, treating, or mitigating the risk of COVID-19 during the initial lockdowns around the world, the present international web-based survey study (15 April-15 May 2020) gauged participants' (n = 3707) level of nutrition-health misinformation discernment by presenting them with 25 statements (including unfounded or unproven claims circulated at the time), alongside the influence of information sources of varying quality on the frequency of changes in their eating behavior and the extent of misinformation held, depending on the source used for such changes. Results revealed widespread misinformation about food, eating, and health practices related to COVID-19, with the 25 statements put to participants receiving up to 43% misinformed answers (e.g., 'It is safe to eat fruits and vegetables that have been washed with soap or diluted bleach'). Whereas higher quality information sources (nutrition scientists, nutrition professionals) had the biggest influence on eating behavior change, we found greater misinformation susceptibility when relying on poor quality sources for changing diet. Appropriate discernment of misinformation was weakest amongst participants who more frequently changed their eating behavior because of information from poor quality sources, suggesting disparities in the health risks/safety of the changes performed.

How and When May Technostress Impact Workers' Psycho-Physical Health and Work-Family Interface? A Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

Although a growing body of research has analyzed the determinants and effects of technostress, it is still unclear how and when technostress would impact workers' psycho-physical health and work-family interface during the pandemic. To fill this gap, this study tests the mediating mechanisms and the boundary conditions associated with the impact of technostress on workers' psycho-physical well-being and work-family conflict. A total of 266 Italian workers completed online questionnaires measuring (traditional vs. remote) working modalities, technostress, fear of COVID-19, working excessively, psycho-physical distress, work-family conflict, loss of a loved one due to COVID-19, and resilience. Structural equation models were performed. Results indicated that technostress was positively related to psycho-physical distress and work-family conflict, as mediated by fear of COVID-19 and working excessively, respectively. The loss of a loved one exacerbated the effects of fear of COVID-19 on psycho-physical health, while resilience buffered the effects of working excessively on work-family conflict. Since numerous organizations intend to maintain remote working also after the COVID-19 emergency, it is crucial to study this phenomenon during its peaks of adoption, to prevent its potential negative outcomes. The implications of these findings for theory and practice are discussed.

Social Media Overload and Anxiety Among University Students During the COVID-19 Omicron Wave Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Study in Shanghai, China, 2022

Objectives: The increase in the intensity of social media use during the COVID-19 lockdown has affected mental health. Therefore, it is of practical implications to explore the association between social media overload and anxiety and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Using data from 644 university students during the COVID-19 blockade in Shanghai from March to April 2022, the chain mediation model of information strain and risk perception of omicron between social media overload and anxiety was then tested using the macro PROCESS4.0 tool. Results: The findings showed that social media overload (including information overload and social overload) was positively associated with anxiety. This relationship was mediated by information strain and risk perception of Omicron. A chain mediating role of information strain and risk perception of Omicron has also been proved in this study. Conclusion: Social media overload has a positive effect on anxiety by increasing information strain and risk perception of Omicron. This study provides some implications for future interventions on how to use social media properly for mental health during the pandemic and health management of urban governance.

Beliefs about COVID-19 as a threat to values are related to preventive behaviors and fear of COVID-19

We investigated factors related to preventive behaviors and fear of COVID-19: values and beliefs about threat to values because of COVID-19. In two studies, participants reported their own values and evaluated how COVID-19 may threaten values. They also reported their preventive behaviors (washing hands, wearing a facial mask, keeping social distance, and avoiding public places) and fear of COVID-19. COVID-19 is perceived as a threat to personal focused values (openness and self-enhancement values) rather than social focused values (conservation and self-transcendence values). Both value importance and perceived threats to values are related to preventive behaviors and fear of COVID-19. Greater importance of conservation values was related to engaging in preventive behaviors and increased fear of COVID-19. Perceived threats to personal focused values (self-enhancement and openness values) were also related to engaging in preventive behaviors and fear of COVID-19.

Facteurs associés à la crainte de l’infection par la COVID-19 chez des personnes vivant avec le VIH

INTRODUCTION

People living with HIV (PLHIV) who may have experienced biographical disruptions in their life trajectory may have a vulnerability to risk that differs from the general population, particularly in the context of an infectious health crisis. This study aimed to understand the factors associated with concerns about being infected with COVID-19 among PLHIV during the first period of the health crisis.

METHODS

This was an online cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic in France among a population of PLHIV. The recruitment was done via social networks and through various actors in the fight against HIV. The self-questionnaire was available from July 2020 to September 2020.

RESULTS

The ACOVIH study collected 249 responses, 202 men and 47 women, with a mean age of 46.6 &#177; 12.9 years. The most represented socio-professional categories were employees (n=73.29%), followed by managers, professionals and artists (n=59.24%). The PLHIV most worried about being infected by COVID-19 had a level of education lower than or equal to the baccalaureate, family difficulties related to HIV and a deterioration in the relationship of trust with the HIV medical team.

CONCLUSION

Feelings of anxiety can have a health and psychosocial impact on PLHIV. It is necessary to consider these negative factors by proposing adapted support and by carrying out preventive actions aiming in particular at improving the literacy of the PLHIV.

Seeking and receiving help for mental health services among pregnant women in Ghana

OBJECTIVE

The heightened vulnerability of women to mental health issues during the period of pregnancy implies that seeking and receiving support for mental health services is a crucial factor in improving the emotional and mental well-being of pregnant women. The current study investigates the prevalence and correlates of seeking and receiving help for mental health services initiated by pregnant women and health professionals during pregnancy.

DESIGN

Using a cross-sectional design and self-report questionnaires, data were collected from 702 pregnant women in the first, second and third trimesters from four health facilities in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

It was observed that 18.9% of pregnant women self-initiated help-seeking for mental health services whereas 64.8% reported that health professionals asked about their mental well-being, of which 67.7% were offered mental health support by health professionals. Diagnosis of medical conditions in pregnancy (i.e., hypertension and diabetes), partner abuse, low social support, sleep difficulty and suicidal ideation significantly predicted the initiation of help-seeking for mental health services by pregnant women. Fear of vaginal delivery and COVID-19 concerns predicted the provision of mental health support to pregnant women by health professionals.

CONCLUSION

The low prevalence of individual-initiated help-seeking implies that health professionals have a high responsibility of supporting pregnant women achieve their mental health needs.

FEAR AND STIGMATIZATION IN THE GENERAL POPULATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

OBJECTIVE

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the feeling of fear and stigmatization in the general population, during the pandemic. .

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 1076 people attending a vaccination center in the Region of Argos, a prefecture of Peloponnese Region. The study was conducted from May 2021 to August 2021. In this study we used the Fear Investigation Scale(FCV-19S) and the COVID-19 Stigma scale.

RESULTS

Results: A total of 1076 participants took part in the study. Vaccinated participants for Sars Cov-2 had higher levels of fear (U=117,569.00, p<0.001) and individuals with unspecified employment status had a higher level of fear compared to civil servants, pensioners, unemployed, private employees and freelancers (H = 17.225, p=0.004). Higher levels of fear were also seen by those who reported that they were uncertain that the COVID-19 pandemic was likely to be treated soon compared to those who believed it would be treated soon and those who did not believed this (H = 31.299, p<0.001). Vaccinated citizens showed a higher stigmatization rate of health professionals. Professional uncertainty and unemployment shows that they are a factor for increased fear. Strong social and family ties also indicate the reduced presence of stigmatization.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: An important imprint of the pandemic was the stigmatization of population's groups, such as health professionals, foreigners, as well as the infected by COVID-19. It is evident in society, that it was the fear of contracting the disease that contributed to stigmatization and isolation.

Health-related social media use and COVID-19 anxiety in adolescence: health anxiety as covariate and moderator

Background

Adolescents can benefit from engagement with health-related content on social media (e.g., viewing, commenting, or sharing content related to diseases, prevention, or healthy lifestyle). Nevertheless, such content may be distressing or exaggerated and present a challenge to mental well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumination about such content may lead to COVID-19 anxiety. Yet, the individual factors that would explain the association between health-related social media use (SMU) and COVID-19 anxiety are understudied.

Objective

In the current study, we aimed to fill the gap by investigating the association between health-related social media use (SMU) and COVID-19 anxiety in light of several individual factors: health anxiety, eHealth literacy, and mild and severe experience with COVID-19 infection. We (1) studied the relationship between individual factors and health-related SMU, (2) tested health anxiety as a moderator in the association between health-related SMU and COVID-19 anxiety, and (3) explored a direct effect of experience with COVID-19 on COVID-19 anxiety.

Methods

Using structural equation modeling, we analyzed cross-sectional data from a representative sample of 2,500 Czech adolescents aged 11-16, 50% girls. Sociodemographic measures, health-related SMU, COVIDCOVID-19 anxiety, health anxiety, eHealth literacy, and mild and severe experience with COVID-19 infection were assessed with an anonymous online survey. The data were collected in June 2021.

Results

We conducted a path analysis to test the main relationships and an additional simple-slopes analysis to explore the moderating effect of health anxiety. Higher health anxiety and eHealth literacy were associated with increased health-related SMU. The effect of experience with COVID-19 infection on both COVID-19 anxiety and health-related SMU was negligible. Health-related SMU and COVID-19 anxiety were positively associated, however, only for adolescents high in health anxiety. For other adolescents, the two variables were unrelated.

Conclusion

Our findings show that adolescents with higher health anxiety and eHealth literacy engage in health-related SMU more intensively. Furthermore, for adolescents high in health anxiety, the frequency of health-related SMU is associated with the risk of COVID-19 anxiety. This is likely due to differences in media use. Adolescents with high health anxiety may use social media for content that is more likely to lead to COVID-19 anxiety compared to other adolescents. We recommend focusing on the identification of such content, which may lead to more precise recommendations regarding health-related SMU compared to cut-back on the frequency of overall SMU.

Analyzing the role of resilience and life satisfaction as mediators of the impact of COVID-19 worries on mental health

The aim of this study was to test whether resilience and life satisfaction (two traditional protective factors) mediate between COVID-19 related worries and the development of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in adolescents and young adults. Participants involved 392 adolescents and young adults (70.20% female) aged between 12 and 25 years (M = 17.05 years, SD = 3.08). Participants completed the COVID-19 related worries scale, the CD-RISC to analyse resilience, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 to study emotional symptoms. Descriptive analyses and Pearson correlations were conducted, together with a structural equation modeling testing a mediational model and multigroup invariance. Results show that resilience and life satisfaction play a mediating role in the relation between the COVID-19 related worries and emotional symptoms (depression, anxiety, and stress). This study highlights the role of protective factors on adolescents' and young adults' emotional symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety sensitivity, and health anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring temporal relationships using cross-lag analysis

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and anxiety sensitivity (AS) have been widely discussed and explored as factors that may contribute to health anxiety. We propose that IU and AS are salient issues for many during the COVID-19 pandemic, and may play a role in the development or exacerbation of health anxiety during the pandemic. Studies have examined links between IU and AS with health anxiety during the pandemic, but these relationships have not been tested together using a longitudinal study design. In the present study, measures of IU, AS, and health anxiety were collected from 301 adults at two time points 6 months apart during (early stages of) the COVID-19 pandemic using an online survey platform. Cross-lagged analysis was utilized to simultaneously estimate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between these three variables. Robust cross-sectional associations were observed, and IU prospectively predicted changes in both health anxiety and AS. No other statistically significant prospective associations emerged. Present findings support the putative role of IU in health anxiety, suggesting that some observed links between AS and health anxiety could be driven by shared variance with IU. IU may be an important factor to monitor and target in health anxiety interventions during the pandemic.

Development of Social Distancing Phobia Scale and Its Association with Anxiety and Perceived Stress

The aim of the present study is to develop the social distancing phobia scale and is to determine the role of generalized anxiety disorder of the individual in predicting social distancing phobia and perceived stress. The sample of the study consists of 1260 people selected according to the convenience sampling method. Social distancing phobia scale, generalized anxiety disorder, perceived stress scale, and positive negative emotion scale were used in the study. As a result of the analysis, this scale consists of 17 items with three factors including "physiological, emotional, and behavioral response." With its psychometric properties in assessing the three-sub-dimensional construct of the social distancing phobia scale, this scale will help to provide a better understanding of the emotions and psychological or psychiatric disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, generalized anxiety disorder was found to significantly predict perceived stress and social distancing phobia.

The relationship between fear of COVID-19 and depression, anxiety and stress in persons with disabilities: A cross-sectional study

AIM

This study aimed to determine the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and the depression, anxiety and stress in persons with disabilities.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, the data were collected using an online survey from 178 persons with disabilities using the Personal Information Form, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S).

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 34.08 ± 11.8 years. The disability types that participants had were related to vision (47.2 %), hearing (25.8 %), mobility (24.7 %), cognitive (8.4 %), and chronic disease (10.1 %). It has been determined that 73.6 % of the participants stated that their access to healthcare services was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean DASS-21 was 10.24 ± 8.25 and the mean FCV-19S was 17.71 ± 5.05. A positive correlation was found between DASS-21 and FCV-19S.

CONCLUSION

The pandemic has created a need to provide appropriate interventions to improve the psychosocial health of persons with disabilities.

Different facets of COVID-19-related stress in relation to emotional well-being, life satisfaction, and sleep quality

Introduction

As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, it is of great importance to investigate how people can maintain their mental health during chronically stressful times. This study therefore investigated which facets of COVID-19-related stress (Fear of COVID-19, financial worries, and social isolation) impacted people the most during a third COVID-19 infection wave from March until May 2021 and how these facets relate to well-being (emotional well-being and life satisfaction) and sleep quality.

Methods

A study sample of 480 German participants (M _age = 43, SD _age = 13.7, 20-69 years, 50.8% female) completed a cross-sectional online questionnaire.

Results

As predicted, social isolation was reported most often, followed by fear of COVID-19 and financial worries. In accordance with our expectations more social isolation and financial worries predicted lower emotional well-being and sleep quality. In contrast to our hypothesis, fear of COVID-19 only predicted emotional well-being and not sleep quality. Life satisfaction was solely predicted by financial worries and not by social isolation and fear of COVID-19, which only partly confirmed our hypotheses. These associations remained stable after controlling for age, gender, household income, and living alone.

Discussion

Financial worries, although reported the least often, were the strongest and most stable predictor for emotional well-being, sleep quality, and life satisfaction. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

The psychometric properties and gender invariance of the Italian version of the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire (I-PVDQ) during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire (PVDQ) measures beliefs associated with personal susceptibility to infectious diseases and behaviors or perceptions in the presence of potential risk of pathogen transmission. Given the onset of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 global pandemic, otherwise known as the COVID-19 pandemic, the construct being measured may function differently based on affective, behavioral, and cognitive changes along with the need to change norms and lifestyles in a global context. The present study aims to test the psychometric properties and the gender invariance of the Italian adaptation of the PVDQ to confirm that the scale can be used with Italian-speaking people, and that it functions effectively during a pandemic.

METHODS

A total of 509 participants filled out an online questionnaire including the Italian version of the I-PVDQ (I-PVDQ) and several measures of psychological constructs. Reliability and factor analyses (single and multigroup) were conducted. Bayesian correlation tests and Bayesian independent sample t-tests were used to assess the validity of I-PVDQ.

RESULTS

Exploratory factor analysis supported the two-factor structure of the I-PVDQ, and factor loadings loaded appropriately onto perceived infectability (PI) and germ aversion (GA). In terms of invariance, the scale showed configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance across genders. Decisive evidence in favor of correlation with the measure of COVID-19 related fears for both PI and GA was found. There was strong evidence for observed correlations with COVID-19 related constructs such as intolerance to uncertainty, psychological inflexibility, resilience, stress, and anxiety. Women showed higher GA than men, while there were no gender differences in PI.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these results suggest that the I-PVDQ confirms the psychometric properties of the original version and that can be used to detect PVD when it is affected by environmental circumstances since its functioning is preserved during a pandemic.