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Simonović M, Stojanović NM, Novak S, Radisavljević M, Žikić O, Milenković T. Choosing a COVID-19 vaccination site might be driven by anxiety and body vigilance. Open Med (Wars) 2024; 19:20240958. [PMID: 38799253 PMCID: PMC11117450 DOI: 10.1515/med-2024-0958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The occurrence of COVID-19 led to the rapid development of several vaccines which were distributed around the world. Even though there had been a vast amount of information about both virus and vaccination, this process was potentially related to increased anxiety and thus affected the vaccination process. Objective The present study examined anxiety levels and body vigilance in subjects reporting for COVID-19 vaccination at different vaccination sites. Methods Instruments used included general socio-demographic questionnaires and specifically constructed ones such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), body vigilance scale (BVS), and coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS). Results A total of 227 subjects enrolled in the study reported mild GAD and CAS scores and relatively low scores on BVS. When the subjects were divided according to a vaccination site (under supervision and non-supervised), it turned out that subjects vaccinated under supervision were more anxious (higher GAD and CAS) and had their body vigilance increased. Conclusion In conclusion, there is a need for highlighting the importance of efficient planning and organization of vaccination process, since to a certain extent it is driven by both anxiety and body vigilance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Simonović
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, 18000Niš, Serbia
- Center for Mental Health Protection, Department for Diagnose and Treatment, University Clinical Center, 18000Niš, Serbia
| | - Nikola M. Stojanović
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, 18000Niš, Serbia
| | - Sonja Novak
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health Institute, 18000Niš, Serbia
| | | | - Olivera Žikić
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, 18000Niš, Serbia
- Center for Mental Health Protection, Department for Diagnose and Treatment, University Clinical Center, 18000Niš, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Milenković
- Center for Mental Health Protection, Department for Diagnose and Treatment, University Clinical Center, 18000Niš, Serbia
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Lac A. Drinking to Cope With the COVID-19 Pandemic Mediates Pathways From COVID-19 Anxiety to Alcohol Use and Alcohol Myopia Consequences. J Dual Diagn 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38742669 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2024.2343372] [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] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE People may consume alcohol to cope with the stressors and anxieties of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study applied the self-medication hypothesis, tension reduction hypothesis, and alcohol myopia theory to understand COVID-19 alcohol coping as a mediator of the pathways from COVID-19 anxiety to alcohol use and alcohol consequences. METHODS Participants (N = 477) were undergraduate college students. The mean age was 22.14 (SD = 5.66) years. Gender distribution included 73% females, 26% males, and 1% transgender. Racial categories included 70% White, 11% Latino, 5% Black, 5% Asian, and 9% multiracial. They completed the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, the COVID-19 Alcohol Coping Scale developed and validated in the present study, measures of drinking frequency and drinking quantity, and the Alcohol Myopia Scale to assess alcohol consequences. RESULTS First, confirmatory factor analysis supported the measurement structure of the COVID-19 Alcohol Coping Scale. Second, a general structural equation model containing only latent factors provided evidence for the following pathways: COVID-19 anxiety to COVID-19 alcohol coping to overall alcohol use to alcohol myopia consequences. Third, a specific structural equation model separated the overall alcohol use factor into two measures of drinking frequency and drinking quantity. Results found that COVID-19 alcohol coping uniquely explained drinking frequency (but not drinking quantity), indicating that the pursuit of alcohol to cope with the pandemic was related to more frequent days of alcohol use but not more concentrated use on drinking days. Tests of indirect effects corroborated the mediational pathways in the explanatory models. CONCLUSIONS The research offers insights into understanding that the risk connections from COVID-19 anxiety to alcohol behavioral outcomes are mediated by alcohol use to cope with the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Lac
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
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3
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Farina FR, Regan J, Marquez M, An H, O'Loughlin P, Pavithra P, Taddeo M, Knight RC, Bennett M, Lenaert B, Griffith JW. Reducing fear and avoidance of memory loss improves mood and social engagement in community-based older adults: a randomized trial. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:786. [PMID: 38030988 PMCID: PMC10688470 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04470-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are among the most feared age-related conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate a brief psychological intervention to promote adaptive coping in older adults experiencing heightened fear of ADRD and investigate positive downstream effects on health-related secondary outcomes, including frequency of reported memory failures, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life. METHODS Eighty-one older adults were recruited and randomized into REFRAME or active control intervention arms. Both groups received psycho-education and training in mindful monitoring of fears related to ADRD. The REFRAME group received an additional behavioral activation component intended to disrupt maladaptive avoidant coping (i.e., avoidance) strategies. Both groups completed 3-weeks of intervention exercises with accompanying questionnaires (baseline, mid- and post-intervention and 4-week follow-up). RESULTS Adherence was strong (> 75%). We observed a significant reduction in ADRD-related fear and avoidance in both groups. Significant reductions were also observed for frequency of self-reported memory failures, anxiety, and depression. Depression was significantly reduced in the REFRAME group compared to the control group. Significant increases in participants' ability to participate in social activities and well-being were also observed. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that a brief psychological intervention can mitigate ADRD-related fears and avoidant coping in older adults, and that benefits extend to broader health-related outcomes including anxiety, depression, social functioning, and well-being. Addressing ADRD-related fear has implications for healthy aging and risk reduction, as individuals may be more likely to engage in activities that are protective against ADRD but were previously avoided. TRIAL REGISTRATION https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04821960 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca R Farina
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - John Regan
- School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Melissa Marquez
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Hosanna An
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | | | | | - Michelle Taddeo
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Rachel C Knight
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marc Bennett
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bert Lenaert
- Faculty of Psychology, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - James W Griffith
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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Koskan AM, LoCoco IE, Daniel CL, Teeter BS. Rural Americans' COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions and Willingness to Vaccinate against COVID-19 with Their Community Pharmacists: An Exploratory Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11010171. [PMID: 36680016 PMCID: PMC9864964 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In early 2022 in the U.S., rural adults were the least likely to vaccinate against COVID-19 due to vaccine hesitancy and reduced healthcare access. This study explored the factors influencing rural adults' COVID-19 vaccine perceptions and their acceptance of pharmacist-administered vaccination. We utilized phone-based semi-structured interviews with 30 adults living in rural regions of one southwestern state and analyzed the data using a team-based thematic analysis approach. Vaccine-willing participants described knowing other people affected by the virus and their desired protection from the virus. They reported trusting scientific institutions and the government to provide safe vaccines. Vaccine-hesitant populations, however, feared that the COVID-19 vaccine development process had been rushed, compromising the safety of these newer vaccines. Although they differed in the news sources they preferred for receiving COVID-19 vaccine information, both vaccine-willing and vaccine-hesitant participants described trusting local authorities, such as healthcare providers and county government officials, to provide accurate COVID-19 vaccine information. Regarding the acceptability of pharmacist-administered COVID-19 vaccinations, all but one participant described their acceptance of this healthcare delivery approach. Future outreach should leverage rural adults' trust in local sources, including community pharmacists, deemed more convenient access points to healthcare, when addressing vaccine hesitancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis M. Koskan
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 425 N 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Iris E. LoCoco
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 550 E Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA
| | - Casey L. Daniel
- Department of Family Medicine, Whiddon College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, 5795 USA North Drive, Mobile, AL 36608, USA
| | - Benjamin S. Teeter
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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Marakis G, Kontopoulou L, Konstantinidis G, Papathanasiou IV, Karpetas G, Mirkopoulou D, Walker AF, Vasara E. The Use of Dietary Supplements and Their Association with COVID-19-Related Anxiety among Non-Institutionalized Elderly in Northern Greece. J Diet Suppl 2023; 20:199-217. [PMID: 36476207 DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2022.2151677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The elderly constitute a vulnerable group for increased anxiety and poor diet during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is limited research on the levels of COVID-19-related anxiety and dietary habits including dietary supplementation practices among the elderly and very elderly in Greece. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 364 non-institutionalized elderly (65-74 y) and very elderly (≥75 y) living in northern Greece, with the aim to investigate the use of dietary supplements and their association with other factors, particularly the COVID-19-related anxiety. Levels of anxiety were assessed with the use of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS-5). The percentage of dietary supplement users was 62.6%. The most popular dietary supplements used were vitamin D followed by vitamin C and multivitamin and mineral supplements. Multivariate analysis showed that the very elderly and overweight individuals were less likely to consume vitamin D supplements. Approximately a third of the participants (33.8%) exhibited signs of COVID-19-related anxiety but only 8% showed dysfunctional levels of anxiety. Regression analysis indicated that women, former smokers, and people exhibiting any sign of COVID-19 anxiety were approximately two times more likely to consume dietary supplements of any kind (Gender: OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.30-4.19; Smoking: OR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.08-4.26; COVID-19 anxiety: OR 2.16, 95 % CI: 1.20-3.91). Our results provide useful insights into the current practices of dietary supplement use in this population group and could be used by dietetic and medical associations as well as public authorities in the formulation of targeted, safe, and effective interventions for the protection of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Marakis
- Nutrition and Food Standards Unit, Hellenic Food Authority, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | - Daphne Mirkopoulou
- 1st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Vasara
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Jimenez WP, Katz IM, Liguori EA. Fear and Trembling While Working in a Pandemic: an Exploratory Meta-Analysis of Workers' COVID-19 Distress. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SCIENCE 2022; 7:39-69. [PMID: 36465154 PMCID: PMC9702905 DOI: 10.1007/s41542-022-00131-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of workers and taken its toll on health and well-being. In line with recent calls for more inductive and abductive occupational health science research, we exploratorily meta-analyzed workers' COVID-19 distress, defined as psychological and psychosomatic strain contextualized to experiencing the virus and pandemic broadly. We identified many existing COVID-19 distress measures (e.g., Fear of COVID-19 Scale by Ahorsu et al., International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 2020; Coronavirus Anxiety Scale by Lee, Death Studies, 44(7), 393-401, 2020a) and correlates, including demographic variables (viz., gender, marital status, whether worker has children), positive well-being (e.g., quality of life, perceived social support, resilience), negative well-being (e.g., anxiety, depression, sleep problems), and work-related variables (e.g., job satisfaction, burnout, task performance). Additionally, we found preliminary evidence of subgroup differences by COVID-19 distress measure and country-level moderation moderators (viz., cultural values, pandemic-related government response) as well as COVID-19 distress's incremental validity over and above anxiety and depression. The findings-based on k = 135 independent samples totaling N = 61,470 workers-were abductively contextualized with existing theories and previous research. We also call for future research to address the grand challenge of working during the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately develop a cumulative occupational health psychology of pandemics. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41542-022-00131-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- William P. Jimenez
- Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Mills Godwin Building 250, Norfolk, VA 23529 USA
| | - Ian M. Katz
- Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Mills Godwin Building 250, Norfolk, VA 23529 USA
| | - Elissa A. Liguori
- Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Mills Godwin Building 250, Norfolk, VA 23529 USA
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Lian Q, Xia L, Wu D. Assessing anxiety during the COVID-19 delta epidemic: Validation of the Chinese coronavirus anxiety scale. Front Psychol 2022; 13:981121. [PMID: 36186384 PMCID: PMC9517585 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.981121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) delta epidemic. A total of 2,116 participants on the Chinese mainland completed the online survey. We employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to investigate the factor structure. The findings showed that the one-factor model of the CAS Chinese version fitted perfectly with the data. The multigroup CFAs showed the measurement invariance across gender and age groups (18–29 and 30–68). We also examined the CAS’s internal consistency and convergent and concurrent validity. The results demonstrated that the one-factor model had good reliability and convergent and concurrent validity. Overall, according to our findings, the CAS Chinese version was reliable for measuring coronavirus anxiety during the COVID-19 delta outbreak.
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Moreta-Herrera R, Caycho-Rodríguez T, Salinas A, Jiménez-Borja M, Gavilanes-Gómez D, Jiménez-Mosquera CJ. Factorial Validity, Reliability, Measurement Invariance and the Graded Response Model for the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale in a Sample of Ecuadorians. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2022:302228221116515. [PMID: 35850602 PMCID: PMC9297068 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221116515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The aims of the research are to evaluate the factorial validity, internal consistency, measurement invariance, discrimination, and difficulty of the Covid-19 Anxiety Scale (CAS) applied to a sample of Ecuadorian adults (N = 451). The study is based on an instrumental design with Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT) technics. The results confirmed the validity of the CAS single-factor structure, with measurement invariance across gender and high internal consistency. Additionally, all CAS items displayed adequate discrimination indexes and proper ordering of the difficulty thresholds. In a conclusion, the CAS is a valid measurement scale for Ecuadorian adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moreta-Herrera
- Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Ambato, Ecuador
- Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
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The Effect of COVID-19 on Hemoglobinopathy Patients’ Daily Lives While Quarantined: Four Greek Hospitals’ Experiences. THALASSEMIA REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/thalassrep12020008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
During a pandemic, people are fearful of becoming infected with the virus, which causes anxiety, loss of purpose, and depression. This study aimed to evaluate the social and psychological impact, as well as the impact on homecare, of patients with hemoglobinopathies during the pandemic. Material and Methods: In total, 130 patients from four Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Units of the National Health System of Greece Hospitals were examined via an anonymous questionnaire developed and distributed through stratified sampling. Results: Transfusion-dependent thalassemia, transfused sickle cell disease, and other hemoglobinopathies were represented by 130 patients. During the pandemic, the main concern of patients was the affordability of blood for transfusion. During the lockdown, patients’ moods varied, and their daily lives were disrupted by a lack of access to basic goods and communication with friends and family. Their eating habits, access to exercise, and, to a lesser extent, their financial situation have all been affected in their daily lives. It is crucial to highlight that while access to health services did not suffer in terms of medication and regular visits for their actual disease, it did suffer in terms of the systematic monitoring of complications.
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Fjermestad KW, Orm S, Silverman WK, Cogo-Moreira H. Short report: COVID-19-related anxiety is associated with mental health problems among adults with rare disorders. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2022; 123:104181. [PMID: 35114595 PMCID: PMC8789552 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For adults with rare disorders, COVID-19 can be more severe and deadlier. This may lead to anxiety about COVID-19 among adults with rare disorders, including worries about being infected. COVID-19 anxiety is linked with mental health problems in the general population. AIMS To examine the levels of mental health problems and COVID-19 anxiety, and their association, among adults with rare disorders. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Adults with rare disorders (N = 58, Mage = 45.2 years, SD = 12.7, 69.0 % females, 31.0 % males) answered standardized mental health and COVID-19 anxiety questionnaires online. Their scores were compared with samples without rare disorders. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS Mental health problems were higher than in a sample without rare disorders (effect size d = 1.14), as was COVID-19 anxiety (effect size d = 0.53). COVID-19 anxiety correlated significantly with mental health problems (r = 0.46). Controlling for age, gender, and work status, COVID-19 anxiety explained 16.1 % of the variance in mental health problems (ΔR2 = 0.161, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS COVID-19 anxiety is higher than norms and associated with mental health problems for adults with rare disorders. During the pandemic, clinicians are recommended to assess COVID-19 anxiety for patients with rare disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krister W Fjermestad
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Frambu Resource Center for Rare Disorders, Norway.
| | - Stian Orm
- Frambu Resource Center for Rare Disorders, Norway; Division of Mental Health Care, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Norway
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