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Mukhopadhyay S. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of people with obesity. Stress Health 2024; 40:e3359. [PMID: 38126550 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a risk factor for anxiety and depression. Obesity is also a risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease and therefore may have contributed to adverse mental health outcomes in this vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic. We compare the trajectory of mental health outcomes of people with obesity with normal-weight people before and during the COVID-19 pandemic using nationally representative individual-level longitudinal data from the National Health Interview Survey and Difference-in-Difference regressions. Our results indicate that severe anxiety increased by 2.75 (95% CI: 0.0056-0.0494; p-value 0.014) percentage points, representing a 31.3% relative increase, and anxiety-related prescription drug usage increased by 2.75 (95% CI: 0.0076-0.0473; p-value<0.01) percentage points, representing a 19.2% relative increase among people with obesity, compared to normal-weight people. We conclude that people with obesity experienced an increase in the incidence of severe anxiety and anxiety-related prescription drug usage during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was not observed among normal-weight individuals. Furthermore, women, less-educated, and rural residents with obesity disproportionately bore the burden of the pandemic.
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Jibril AT, Ganjeh BJ, Mirrafiei A, Firouzi M, Norouziasl R, Ghaemi S, Bafkar N, Jayedi A, Djafarian K, Shab-Bidar S. Dose-response association of obesity and risk of mental health among tehranian residents: result of a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1444. [PMID: 38811944 PMCID: PMC11138087 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18670-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity and mental health issues are two of the most prevalent global public health issues for a significant portion of people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity indicators and mental health in Tehran-dwelling Iranian adults. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study on healthy Iranian adults using a convenience sampling technique. The short form of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to measure the outcome, and independent variables included body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body adiposity index (BAI), and a body shape index (ABSI). The relationship between obesity and mental health was investigated using a multivariate logistic regression model. The non-linear dose-response relationships were evaluated using restricted cubic splines (RCS) with three knots. The Benjamini-Hochberg procedure was used to adjust for multiple testing. RESULTS In our study of 434 participants, females made up 52% of the participants, with a mean age of 38.57 years. In all, 54.6%, 53.9%, and 56.6% were classified as having anxiety, depression, and stress respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of mental health components including anxiety, depression, or stress was not significantly different across the tertiles of the obesity indicators. We observed a significant dose-response relationship between BAI and ABSI and the risk of anxiety (PBenjamini-Hochberg 0.028 > Pdose-response 0.023) and stress (PBenjamini-Hochberg 0.028 > Pdose-response 0.003) but not depression (PBenjamini-Hochberg 0.014 < Pdose-response 0.018). The lowest risk for anxiety was observed in people with a BAI of 28% and ABSI equal to 0.079. The risk of stress seemed to increase beyond an ABSI of 0.086. CONCLUSION Our findings showed no direct linear association between obesity indices and anxiety. However, a dose-response relationship was observed between BAI and ABSI and the risk of anxiety and stress, indicating the need for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliyu Tijani Jibril
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Jabbarzadeh Ganjeh
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Mirrafiei
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Firouzi
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reyhane Norouziasl
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shadi Ghaemi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Negar Bafkar
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Jayedi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Kurosh Djafarian
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sakineh Shab-Bidar
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Yetsenga R, Banerjee R, Streatfeild J, McGregor K, Austin SB, Lim BWX, Diedrichs PC, Greaves K, Mattei J, Puhl RM, Slaughter-Acey JC, Solanke I, Sonneville KR, Velasquez K, Cheung S. The economic and social costs of body dissatisfaction and appearance-based discrimination in the United States. Eat Disord 2024:1-31. [PMID: 38520696 DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2024.2328461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
This study estimated the social and economic costs of body dissatisfaction and appearance-based discrimination (specifically, weight and skin-shade discrimination) in the United States (USA) in the 2019 calendar year. We used a prevalence-based approach and a cost-of-illness method to estimate the annual cost of harmful appearance ideals for cases of body dissatisfaction and discrimination based on weight and skin shade. Impacts on conditions/illnesses such as eating disorders that are attributable to body dissatisfaction, weight discrimination and skin-shade discrimination were identified through a quasi-systematic literature review, which captured financial, economic, and non-financial costs. For each impact attributable to body dissatisfaction or appearance-based discrimination, annual health system and productivity costs (or labor market costs) were primarily estimated by using a population attributable fraction methodology. Only direct costs that resulted from body dissatisfaction and appearance-based discrimination were included (for example, costs associated with conditions such as depression attributable to body dissatisfaction or appearance-based discrimination). In contrast, indirect costs (e.g. costs associated with a health condition developed following skin bleaching, which was undertaken as a result of body dissatisfaction) were not included. In 2019 body dissatisfaction incurred $84 billion in financial and economic costs and $221 billion through reduced well-being. Financial costs of weight discrimination and skin-shade discrimination were estimated to be $200 billion and $63 billion, respectively, and reduced well-being was estimated to be $206.7 billion due to weight discrimination and $8.4 billion due to skin-shade discrimination. Sensitivity testing revealed the costs likely range between $226 billion and $507 billion for body dissatisfaction, between $175 billion and $537 billion for skin-shade discrimination, and between $126 billion and $265 billion for weight discrimination. This study demonstrates that the prevalence and economic costs of body dissatisfaction and weight and skin-shade discrimination are substantial, which underscores the urgency of identifying policy actions designed to promote prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon Yetsenga
- Health and Social Policy, Deloitte Access Economics, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rhea Banerjee
- Health and Social Policy, Deloitte Access Economics, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jared Streatfeild
- Health and Social Policy, Deloitte Access Economics, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - S Bryn Austin
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Belle W X Lim
- Health and Social Policy, Deloitte Access Economics, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Kayla Greaves
- The Centre for Appearance Research is cross-departmental, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Josiemer Mattei
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rebecca M Puhl
- Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jaime C Slaughter-Acey
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Iyiola Solanke
- Faculty of Law, University of Oxford/Somerville College, Oxford, UK
| | - Kendrin R Sonneville
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Simone Cheung
- Health and Social Policy, Deloitte Access Economics, Sydney, Australia
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Fortes Cavalcanti de Macêdo P, Brito E, de Magalhães Cunha C, Ribas de Farias Costa P, da Purificação Nazaré Araújo M, Cardoso Martins P, Leila Portela de Santana M. Weight stigma is a predictor of disordered eating in Brazilian college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A 16-month cohort follow-up. Appetite 2024; 192:107084. [PMID: 37875240 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering individuals with and without overweight. A national sample of 738 college students completed an online questionnaire at three time points between July 2020 and December 2021, reporting their experiences of weight stigma, perceived increase in weight stigma during the pandemic, internalized weight stigma, and disordered eating behaviors. The findings showed that the trajectories of disordered eating behaviors varied depending on participants' anthropometric status. Among those with overweight, there was a decrease over time in binge eating, food restriction, and purging. Conversely, the non-overweight group experienced a slight increase in binge eating from T2 to T3. Using the Generalized Estimating Equations model, the study revealed that weight stigma predicted disordered eating behaviors in both weight spectrums during the pandemic. Experiences of weight stigma and the perceived increase in weight stigma significantly increased the likelihood of engaging in binge eating, food restriction, and purging among individuals with overweight. Furthermore, the internalization of weight stigma was longitudinally associated with all examined eating behaviors, regardless of anthropometric status. These findings highlight the importance of addressing weight stigma to prevent disordered eating in college students.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edleide Brito
- Statistics Department, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
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Lee S, Moon H, Ko J, Cankaya B, Caine E, You S. Social connectedness and mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a community sample in Korea. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292219. [PMID: 37856559 PMCID: PMC10586704 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This study compared social connectedness patterns and examined the relationships between objective or subjective social connectedness and mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among community dwelling adults in South Korea. An identical online survey was administered at two time points, in 2019 prior to the onset and again in 2021. Objective (network diversity and network size) and subjective (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness) social connectedness were measured along with positive and negative indices of mental health (depression, suicidal behavior, happiness, and life satisfaction). The results indicated that among social connectedness indices perceived burdensomeness were significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the prior period, while network size was smaller. Subjective social connectedness was associated with all aspects of mental health consequences, either positive or negative. Among objective social connectedness, only network diversity was significantly associated with increased happiness and life satisfaction, and objective social connectedness was not associated with depression and suicidal behavior. These associations did not differ across the two time periods. The findings, both before and during the pandemic, indicated that network diversity is an important factor for positive indices of mental health and that efforts to increase subjective social connectedness are needed to decrease the risk of depression and suicidal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sojung Lee
- Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Hyejoo Moon
- Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Jisu Ko
- Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Banu Cankaya
- Department of Psychology, MEF University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Eric Caine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Sungeun You
- Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
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de Macêdo PFC, Brito E, de Magalhães Cunha C, da Purificação Nazaré Araújo M, Martins PC, de Santana MLP. Weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating role of weight gain concern and psychological distress. Eat Weight Disord 2023; 28:78. [PMID: 37759035 PMCID: PMC10533574 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-023-01608-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the relationship between weight stigma experiences and disordered eating behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic is mediated by weight gain concern and psychological distress among university students with and without overweight. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with university students from five regions of Brazil who participated in the baseline assessment of the Online Cohort on Eating Behavior and Health (July/August 2020). Information on the frequency of binge eating episodes, food restriction, and purging, as well as experienced weight stigma, weight gain concern, and psychological distress, were recorded in an online questionnaire. Stratified structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were performed to address the research questions of interest. RESULTS Out of the total sample (n = 2511), 33.5% of participants reported experiencing weight stigma. The prevalence of binge eating episodes, food restriction, and purging was 43.7%, 24.1%, and 5.4%, respectively. These behaviors were more prevalent in individuals with overweight than in those without this condition. Furthermore, it was observed that weight gain concern and psychological distress mediated the relationship between weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors regardless of body weight status. CONCLUSIONS Experiences of weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors were prevalent among Brazilian university students, especially among those with overweight. Weight gain concern and psychological distress appear to be important factors underlying the relationship between these constructs during the pandemic, and they can contribute to the development of targeted strategies for the prevention and management of disordered eating. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level V, cross-sectional study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edleide Brito
- Department of Statistics, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Carla de Magalhães Cunha
- School of Nutrition, Federal University of Bahia, Campus Canela, Rua Basílio da Gama, Salvador, BA, 40110-907, Brazil
| | | | - Poliana Cardoso Martins
- School of Nutrition, Federal University of Bahia, Campus Canela, Rua Basílio da Gama, Salvador, BA, 40110-907, Brazil
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Vijayaragunathan R, John KK, Srinivasan MR. Identifying the Influencing Factors for the BMI by Bayesian and Frequentist Multiple Linear Regression Models: A Comparative Study. Indian J Community Med 2023; 48:659-665. [PMID: 37970166 PMCID: PMC10637602 DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_119_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In this article, we attempt to demonstrate the superiority of the Bayesian approach over the frequentist approaches of the multiple linear regression model in identifying the influencing factors for the response variable. Methods and Material A survey was conducted among the 310 respondents from the Kathirkamam area in Puducherry. We have considered the response variable, body mass index (BMI), and the predictors such as age, weight, gender, nature of the job, and marital status of individuals were collected with the personal interview method. Jeffreys's Amazing Statistics Program (JASP) software was used to analyze the dataset. In the conventional multiple linear regression model, the single value of regression coefficients is determined, while in the Bayesian linear regression model, the regression coefficient of each predictor follows a specific posterior distribution. Furthermore, it would be most useful to identify the best models from the list of possible models with posterior probability values. An inclusion probability for all the predictors will give a superior idea of whether the predictors are included in the model with probability. Results and Conclusions The Bayesian framework offers a wide range of results for the regression coefficients instead of the single value of regression coefficients in the frequentist test. Such advantages of the Bayesian approach will catapult the quality of investigation outputs by giving more reliability to solutions of scientific problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Vijayaragunathan
- Department of Statistics, Indira Gandhi College of Arts and Science, Puducherry, India
| | - Kishore K. John
- Department of Foreign Trade, Indira Gandhi College of Arts and Science, Puducherry, India
| | - M. R. Srinivasan
- Adjunct Professor, Chennai Mathematical Institute, Siruseri, Chennai, India
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Swami V, Voracek M, Furnham A, Robinson C, Tran US. Support for weight-related anti-discrimination laws and policies: Modelling the role of attitudes toward poverty alongside weight stigma, causal attributions about weight, and prejudice. Body Image 2023; 45:391-400. [PMID: 37116305 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we sought to position support for weight-related anti-discrimination laws and policies within a broader political and socioeconomic context. Specifically, we hypothesised that individualistic (rather than structural) anti-poverty attitudes would provide the basis for negative weight-related dispositions. To test this hypothesis, we asked 392 respondents from the United Kingdom to complete measures of support for weight-related anti-discrimination laws and policies, attributions about the causes of being larger-bodied, and weight-related stigma and prejudice. Path analysis with robust maximum likelihood estimation indicated that greater individualistic anti-poverty attitudes were significantly and directly associated with lower support for weight-related anti-discrimination laws and policies. This direct association was also significantly mediated by weight-related stigma and via a serial mediation involving both weight-related stigma and prejudice. Although greater individualistic anti-poverty attitudes were significantly associated with greater personal attributions for being larger-bodied, the latter did not emerge as a significant mediation pathway. The present findings highlight the importance of considering broader political and socioeconomic contextual factors that may provide a basis for the development, maintenance, and manifestation of negative weight-related dispositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viren Swami
- School of Psychology and Sport Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Centre for Psychological Medicine, Perdana University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Martin Voracek
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrian Furnham
- Department of Leadership and Organizational Behaviour, Norwegian Business School, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Ulrich S Tran
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Borgatti AC, Crockett KB, Jacob AE, Davis AL, Dutton GR. Correlates of psychological distress among adults with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychol Health 2022; 37:1547-1564. [PMID: 35156476 PMCID: PMC9946156 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2022.2038790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study evaluated changes in stress and loneliness among participants with obesity engaged in weight loss self-management in the United States (US) during COVID-19, and identified factors that may increase risk or protect against psychosocial distress during this time. DESIGN Participants who were enrolled in a weight self-management program prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 55, 91% female, 36% Caucasian, mean age = 49.8 years) completed an online survey about social, economic and health behaviour changes during COVID-19 and their relationship to changes in perceived stress and loneliness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Perceived Stress (PSS-4), Loneliness (PROMIS loneliness and social isolation questionnaire). RESULTS Compared to pre-COVID assessments, stress and loneliness increased 40% two months into the COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdown. Higher body mass index (BMI) and social distancing were associated with increases in both loneliness and stress. Alcohol intake was associated with increased stress, and working from home was associated with increased loneliness. CONCLUSION Individuals with obesity endorsed increased stress and loneliness during COVID-19, which may be exacerbated among those with a higher BMI and greater adherence to social distancing guidelines. Ongoing attention to psychosocial well-being among individuals with obesity will remain imperative both during the ongoing pandemic and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena C Borgatti
- Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
- Department of Psychology, UAB, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kaylee B Crockett
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, UAB, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Andrea L Davis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
- Department of Psychology, UAB, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Gareth R Dutton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA
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Salanti G, Peter N, Tonia T, Holloway A, White IR, Darwish L, Low N, Egger M, Haas AD, Fazel S, Kessler RC, Herrman H, Kieling C, De Quervain DJF, Vigod SN, Patel V, Li T, Cuijpers P, Cipriani A, Furukawa TA, Leucht S, Sambo AU, Onishi A, Sato A, Rodolico A, Oliveira Solis ACD, Antoniou A, Kapfhammer A, Ceraso A, O'Mahony A, Lasserre AM, Ipekci AM, Concerto C, Zangani C, Igwesi-Chidobe C, Diehm C, Demir DD, Wang D, Ostinelli EG, Sahker E, Beraldi GH, Erzin G, Nelson H, Elkis H, Imai H, Wu H, Kamitsis I, Filis I, Michopoulos I, Bighelli I, Hong JSW, Ballesteros J, Smith KA, Yoshida K, Omae K, Trivella M, Tada M, Reinhard MA, Ostacher MJ, Müller M, Jaramillo NG, Ferentinos PP, Toyomoto R, Cortese S, Kishimoto S, Covarrubias-Castillo SA, Siafis S, Thompson T, Karageorgiou V, Chiocchia V, Zhu Y, Honda Y. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Associated Control Measures on the Mental Health of the General Population : A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med 2022; 175:1560-1571. [PMID: 36252247 PMCID: PMC9579966 DOI: 10.7326/m22-1507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To what extent the COVID-19 pandemic and its containment measures influenced mental health in the general population is still unclear. PURPOSE To assess the trajectory of mental health symptoms during the first year of the pandemic and examine dose-response relations with characteristics of the pandemic and its containment. DATA SOURCES Relevant articles were identified from the living evidence database of the COVID-19 Open Access Project, which indexes COVID-19-related publications from MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase via Ovid, and PsycInfo. Preprint publications were not considered. STUDY SELECTION Longitudinal studies that reported data on the general population's mental health using validated scales and that were published before 31 March 2021 were eligible. DATA EXTRACTION An international crowd of 109 trained reviewers screened references and extracted study characteristics, participant characteristics, and symptom scores at each timepoint. Data were also included for the following country-specific variables: days since the first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the stringency of governmental containment measures, and the cumulative numbers of cases and deaths. DATA SYNTHESIS In a total of 43 studies (331 628 participants), changes in symptoms of psychological distress, sleep disturbances, and mental well-being varied substantially across studies. On average, depression and anxiety symptoms worsened in the first 2 months of the pandemic (standardized mean difference at 60 days, -0.39 [95% credible interval, -0.76 to -0.03]); thereafter, the trajectories were heterogeneous. There was a linear association of worsening depression and anxiety with increasing numbers of reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and increasing stringency in governmental measures. Gender, age, country, deprivation, inequalities, risk of bias, and study design did not modify these associations. LIMITATIONS The certainty of the evidence was low because of the high risk of bias in included studies and the large amount of heterogeneity. Stringency measures and surges in cases were strongly correlated and changed over time. The observed associations should not be interpreted as causal relationships. CONCLUSION Although an initial increase in average symptoms of depression and anxiety and an association between higher numbers of reported cases and more stringent measures were found, changes in mental health symptoms varied substantially across studies after the first 2 months of the pandemic. This suggests that different populations responded differently to the psychological stress generated by the pandemic and its containment measures. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Swiss National Science Foundation. (PROSPERO: CRD42020180049).
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Salanti
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (G.S., T.T., A.H., N.L., A.D.H.)
| | - Natalie Peter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany (N.P., L.D., S.L.)
| | - Thomy Tonia
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (G.S., T.T., A.H., N.L., A.D.H.)
| | - Alexander Holloway
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (G.S., T.T., A.H., N.L., A.D.H.)
| | - Ian R White
- University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.R.W.)
| | - Leila Darwish
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany (N.P., L.D., S.L.)
| | - Nicola Low
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (G.S., T.T., A.H., N.L., A.D.H.)
| | - Matthias Egger
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, and Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom (M.E.)
| | - Andreas D Haas
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (G.S., T.T., A.H., N.L., A.D.H.)
| | - Seena Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, National Institute for Health and Care Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, and Oxford Health National Health Service Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (A.C., S.F.)
| | - Ronald C Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (R.C.K.)
| | - Helen Herrman
- Orygen National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (H.H.)
| | - Christian Kieling
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil (C.K.)
| | | | - Simone N Vigod
- Women's College Hospital, Women's College Research Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.N.V.)
| | - Vikram Patel
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (V.P.)
| | - Tianjing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (T.L.)
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (P.C.)
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, National Institute for Health and Care Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, and Oxford Health National Health Service Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom (A.C., S.F.)
| | - Toshi A Furukawa
- Department of Health Promotion and Human Behaviour, Graduate School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (T.A.F.)
| | - Stefan Leucht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany (N.P., L.D., S.L.)
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Asper M, Osika W, Dalman C, Pöllänen E, Simonsson O, Flodin P, Sidorchuk A, Marchetti L, Awil F, Castro R, Niemi ME. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and previous pandemics, epidemics and economic crises on mental health: systematic review. BJPsych Open 2022; 8:e181. [PMID: 36214114 PMCID: PMC9551492 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A rise in mental illness is expected to follow the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also been projected to lead to a deep global economic recession, further adding to risk factors. AIMS The aim of this review was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and previous pandemics, epidemics and economic crises on mental health. METHOD Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Sociological Abstracts. We included studies of all populations exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic, and other similar pandemics/epidemics and economic crises, compared with non-exposed time periods or regions. The outcome was mental health. RESULTS The 174 included studies assessed mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (87 studies), 2008 economic crisis (84 studies) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic (three studies). Outcomes were divided into affective disorders, suicides, mental healthcare utilisation and other mental health. COVID-19 pandemic studies were of lesser quality than those for the economic crisis or SARS epidemic. Most studies for all exposures showed increases in affective disorders and other mental health problems. For economic crisis exposure, increases in mental healthcare utilisation and suicides were also found, but these findings were mixed for COVID-19 pandemic exposure. This is probably because of quarantine measures affecting help-seeking and shorter follow-ups of studies of COVID-19 pandemic exposure. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the importance of available, accessible and sustainable mental health services. Also, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations should be particular targets of policy interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Asper
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Walter Osika
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden; and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christina Dalman
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Elin Pöllänen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Otto Simonsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Pär Flodin
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Anna Sidorchuk
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden; and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Rosa Castro
- Federation of European Academies of Medicine, Belgium
| | - Maria E Niemi
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
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12
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de Macêdo PFC, Nepomuceno CMM, Dos Santos NS, Queiroz VADO, Pereira EM, Leal LDC, Santos LADS, Nascimento LF, Martins PC, de Santana MLP. Weight stigma in the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. J Eat Disord 2022; 10:44. [PMID: 35351201 PMCID: PMC8961493 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00563-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Weight stigma is a phenomenon associated with adverse behavioural and psychological consequences. Although experts suggest that its increase during the COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with worse health outcomes for people with obesity, a thorough analysis of the main findings and gaps is still needed when relating to this subject. OBJECTIVE We aim to answer three questions: (1) How does weight stigma manifest in the COVID-19 pandemic? (2) How can weight stigma affect people with overweight or obesity in times of COVID-19? (3) What are the perceptions and experiences of weight stigma during the pandemic in individuals who experience overweight or obesity? METHODS We conducted a scoping review of studies addressing weight stigma and the COVID-19 pandemic in electronic databases (Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, BVS/Lilacs, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and OpenGrey) published until 10th August 2021. All relevant studies were reviewed in full by two researchers. In addition, a narrative synthesis of the data was performed. RESULTS The results included 35 studies out of 8,090 records and identified 13 original research publications, 14 text and opinion papers, and 6 narrative reviews. The results revealed the presence of weight stigma in the media, healthcare settings, interpersonal relationships, and public campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The evidence of increasing weight stigma in the COVID-19 outbreak is limited, though. Many weight discrimination consequences were described during this time, such as impairment in accessing healthcare, worst COVID-19 outcomes, and maladaptive eating. However, only maladaptive behaviours and decline in mental health outcomes were demonstrated empirically in all age groups. This effect occurred regardless of body mass index, but people with high body weight were more likely to experience weight stigma. For some people with obesity, weight stigma in the pandemic has made activities of daily routine difficult. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that weight stigma in the COVID-19 pandemic occurs in several settings; moreover, although weight discrimination impacts mental health, whether before or during the pandemic, this influence between the pandemic and pre-pandemic scenario is still unclear. Therefore, more research is required in this field while the pandemic lasts, especially with people with obesity. Overall, people with overweight or obesity are more vulnerable to weight stigma than individuals without overweight. In addition, weight stigma refers to discrimination or prejudice based on a person's weight and relates to several consequences, for instance, poor healthcare treatment and mental health problems. In the COVID-19 outbreak, these weight stigma effects tend to become even more critical because they may be associated with unfavourable COVID-19 outcomes and eating disorder risks. Thus, it is crucial to investigate how weight stigma occurs during the pandemic and its impact on health, mainly for the most affected people. We investigated 35 studies published between 2019 and 2021 to map and explore how weight stigma was manifested and the related consequences for people with overweight or obesity in the COVID-19 pandemic. Only about a third of them were quantitative or qualitative, limiting the evidence of weight stigma in the COVID-19 context. The available evidence suggests that weight stigma manifests in several settings such as media, healthcare, public campaigns, and is more common in people with excess weight. However, weight discrimination experiences before or during the pandemic were associated with adverse psychological and behavioural consequences across all age groups, regardless of body weight. For some people with obesity, for instance, weight stigma made it difficult to accomplish their activities of daily routine. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether weight stigma has increased in the pandemic, thus, more studies are required, especially about people with overweight or obesity.
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Brownstone LM, Greene AK, Kelly DA, Maloul EK, Norling HN, Rockholm RH, Izaguirre CM. "Are people thinking I'm a vector…because I'm fat?": Cisgender experiences of body, eating, and identity during COVID-19. Body Image 2022; 40:256-266. [PMID: 35077950 PMCID: PMC8783103 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
While a range of studies have shown the negative impact of COVID-19 on disordered eating and body image, few have engaged with how identity and social context interact with these domains. The current study used inductive codebook thematic analysis to understand experiences of body and eating during the pandemic among a diverse (sub)clinical sample of individuals with self-reported disordered eating. We interviewed 31 cisgender participants (18/31 Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), 24/31 women) with a history of disordered eating (diagnosed and undiagnosed). Five themes were identified: Body Surveillance and Dissatisfaction, Movement and Intake Fixation, Food Scarcity and Resource Concerns, Changes in Visibility of Body and Eating, and Bodies Are Vulnerable. We examined the extent to which themes pertained to certain identities over others. Notably, BIPOC, large-bodied, queer participants more commonly spoke to body vulnerability than White, small/medium-bodied, straight participants. BIPOC and large-bodied participants also particularly spoke to feeling relief from discrimination as social distancing and mask wearing reduced their public visibility. Participants related these themes to changed body and eating experiences that spanned distress and resilience. Our analysis offers insight into multifaceted and contextual impacts of COVID-19 on experiences of body, eating, and identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Brownstone
- University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education, Department of Counseling Psychology, 1999 East Evans Avenue, Denver, CO 80208-1700, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Amanda K. Greene
- Lehigh University, Humanities Lab, 35 Sayre Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | - Devin A. Kelly
- University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education, Department of Counseling Psychology, 1999 East Evans Avenue, Denver, CO 80208-1700, USA
| | - Elana K. Maloul
- University of Michigan, Department of English Language & Literature, 435 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hannah N. Norling
- University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education, Department of Counseling Psychology, 1999 East Evans Avenue, Denver, CO 80208-1700, USA
| | - Reagan H. Rockholm
- University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education, Department of Counseling Psychology, 1999 East Evans Avenue, Denver, CO 80208-1700, USA
| | - Cristine M. Izaguirre
- University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education, Department of Counseling Psychology, 1999 East Evans Avenue, Denver, CO 80208-1700, USA
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14
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Robinson E, Sutin AR, Daly M, Jones A. A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies comparing mental health before versus during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. J Affect Disord 2022; 296:567-576. [PMID: 34600966 PMCID: PMC8578001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 532] [Impact Index Per Article: 266.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increases in mental health problems have been observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives were to examine the extent to which mental health symptoms changed during the pandemic in 2020, whether changes were persistent or short lived, and if changes were symptom specific. METHODS Systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies examining changes in mental health among the same group of participants before vs. during the pandemic in 2020. RESULTS Sixty-five studies were included. Compared to pre-pandemic outbreak, there was an overall increase in mental health symptoms observed during March-April 2020 (SMC = .102 [95% CI: .026 to .192]) that significantly declined over time and became non-significant (May-July SMC = .067 [95% CI: -.022 to .157]. Compared to measures of anxiety (SMC = 0.13, p = 0.02) and general mental health (SMC = -.03, p = 0.65), increases in depression and mood disorder symptoms tended to be larger and remained significantly elevated in May-July [0.20, 95% CI: .099 to .302]. In primary analyses increases were most pronounced among samples with physical health conditions and there was no evidence of any change in symptoms among samples with a pre-existing mental health condition. LIMITATIONS There was a high degree of unexplained heterogeneity observed (I2s > 90%), indicating that change in mental health was highly variable across samples. CONCLUSIONS There was a small increase in mental health symptoms soon after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that decreased and was comparable to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2020 among most population sub-groups and symptom types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Robinson
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Liverpool L69 7ZA, UK.
| | - Angelina R Sutin
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Co., Kildare, Ireland
| | - Michael Daly
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Co., Kildare, Ireland
| | - Andrew Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Liverpool L69 7ZA, UK
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Sutin AR, Aschwanden D, Luchetti M, Stephan Y, Terracciano A. Sense of Purpose in Life Is Associated with Lower Risk of Incident Dementia: A Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 83:249-258. [PMID: 34275900 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A sense of purpose in life has been associated with healthier cognitive outcomes across adulthood, including risk of dementia. The robustness and replicability of this association, however, has yet to be evaluated systematically. OBJECTIVE To test whether a greater sense of purpose in life is associated with lower risk of dementia in four population-based cohorts and combined with the published literature. METHODS Random-effect meta-analysis of prospective studies (individual participant data and from the published literature identified through a systematic review) that examined sense of purpose and risk of incident dementia. RESULTS In six samples followed up to 17 years (four primary data and two published; total N = 53,499; n = 5,862 incident dementia), greater sense of purpose in life was associated with lower dementia risk (HR = 0.77, 95%CI = 0.73-0.81, p < 0.001). The association was generally consistent across cohorts (I2 = 47%), remained significant controlling for clinical (e.g., depression) and behavioral (e.g., physical inactivity) risk factors, and was not moderated by age, gender, or education. CONCLUSION Sense of purpose is a replicable and robust predictor of lower risk of incident dementia and is a promising target of intervention for cognitive health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina R Sutin
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | | | - Martina Luchetti
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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The Invisible and Insidious Enemy. Obes Surg 2021; 31:5460-5461. [PMID: 34215974 PMCID: PMC8253466 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-021-05550-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review explores potential sources of weight bias and stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic, including "quarantine-15" messages and discussion of obesity in media and public health campaigns. We examine evidence of the effects of weight bias on well-being during the pandemic and highlight unanswered questions to be addressed in future research. RECENT FINDINGS Studies that have investigated weight change during stay-at-home orders have yielded mixed findings and relied predominantly on self-reported retrospective recall, thus providing weak evidence of a widespread "quarantine-15" effect. No studies to date have evaluated the effects on weight stigma and health of obesity-focused COVID-19 media and public health messages. Individuals with a history of experiencing weight bias may be more vulnerable to binge eating and psychological distress during the pandemic. Weight bias and stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their effects on health and well-being, warrant greater investigation and consideration in public health efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Pearl
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Erica M Schulte
- Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Experiences of cancer care during COVID-19: Phase 1 results of a longitudinal qualitative study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES ADVANCES 2021; 3:100030. [PMID: 34075361 PMCID: PMC8158401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2021.100030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Healthcare services have responded to the challenges of service delivery during COVID-19 with telehealth and hybrid models of care. However, there is limited understanding of the experiences of care amongst people affected by cancer and how their experiences may change and evolve against the shifting landscape of COVID-19 incidence, mortality, vaccination and refinements in service delivery. Objectives This study explores the experiences of cancer care amongst people affected by cancer in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents the results of the initial cross-sectional semi-structured interviews and the longitudinal qualitative research design which will be employed in this study. Design A longitudinal descriptive qualitative study. Setting Ireland Participants People living with and after cancer or caring for someone with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Participants were recruited to the study via social media advertisements and consented to participate in up to three semi-structured interviews between January and July 2021. Initial semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants in January 2021. Participants completed measures of resilience (2-item Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale) and distress (The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results Participants reported low levels of distress and moderate to high levels of resilience on average. Three themes were generated from analysis of the first phase of cross-sectional interviews. Participants described a counterbalance of being cautious of infection and keeping safe through prevention and shielding strategies. Although hospitals felt safe and were working efficiently, some participants felt COVID-19 had compromised person-centredness and empathy in care. While participants valued the measures taken to minimize infection risk, substitution of face-to-face appointments with telehealth services and attending essential face-to-face appointments alone restricted participants' access to professional and social support. Despite this, many participants felt public health measures to reduce transmission of COVID-19 had created a sense of not missing out, feeling safe and reduced difficult social interactions requiring explanation of their diagnosis. Conclusions There is an opportunity to learn from the experiences of healthcare delivery from the perspectives of people affected by cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results highlight the complexities and dualities of living with, after or caring for someone with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opportunities for longitudinal qualitative research to explore the evolving experiences, concerns and persistent and emerging unmet information and clinical needs within the rapidly changing socio-political, socio-cultural and healthcare contexts of the COVID-19 pandemic are highlighted.
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