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Baker LD, Ponder WN, Carbajal J, Galusha JM, Hidalgo JE, Price M. Mapping PTSD, depression, and anxiety: A network analysis of co-occurring symptoms in treatment-seeking first responders. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 168:176-183. [PMID: 37913744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.10.038] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
First responders are at high risk for a range of co-occurring mental health conditions due to their repeated exposure to traumatic events. When first responders present for treatment, their complex presentation of symptoms including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can prove challenging to differentiate for clinical purposes. Network analysis provides a means to identify the nuanced associations between the symptoms of these conditions and to identify groups of related symptoms. In this study, a treatment-seeking sample of first responders (N = 432) completed self-report measures of PTSD, depression, and GAD. Network analysis was used to identify symptom clusters within the sample. Our cross-sectional data yielded six empirically distinct communities: depression symptoms, GAD symptoms, and four communities comprising PTSD symptoms - intrusion and avoidance; irritability and aggression; negative affect; and arousal and sleep. Network associations underscore the heterogeneity of PTSD and also highlight overlapping and diverging symptoms of depression and GAD. These findings are discussed within the context of existing research on first responders, and recommendations for further study and treatment interventions are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas D Baker
- Department of Mental Health Service, George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | | | - Jose Carbajal
- Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, United States
| | | | - Johanna E Hidalgo
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States
| | - Matthew Price
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States
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Polizzi CP, McDonald CW, Sleight FG, Lynn SJ. Resilience, Coping, and the Covid-19 Pandemic Across the Globe - an Update: What Have we Learned? CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2023; 20:316-326. [PMID: 37791081 PMCID: PMC10544248 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20230411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is a mass traumatic event that has universally and indiscriminately negatively affected the world. The adverse consequences of the pandemic have globally impacted psychological health and well-being via increased stressors, such as uncertainty, health anxieties, and financial instability. During the initial months of the pandemic, we (Polizzi et al., 2020) identified coping strategies that may be well-suited to address the sequelae of the pandemic. These strategies included behavioral activation, acceptance-based coping, mindfulness practice, and loving-kindness meditation. We argued that these coping skills may foster resilience and recovery during the pandemic by generating a sense of social connection, encouraging meaning-making, and enhancing feelings of control amid uncertainty. Three years later, we update our initial suggestions by providing a narrative review that considers empirical evidence collected during the pandemic to support the utility of the previously identified coping strategies as well as additional strategies. We also discuss cross-cultural similarities and differences among these strategies and how research supports their application across diverse countries and groups. Finally, we conclude by synthesizing the literature within a regulatory flexibility framework that emphasizes flexible skill implementation with respect to sensitivity to context, coping repertoires, and feedback from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig P. Polizzi
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
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Ahmadi A, Ponder WN, Carbajal J, Schuman DL, Whitworth J, Yockey RA, Galusha JM. Validation of the PCL-5, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 in a Sample of Veterans. J Occup Environ Med 2023; 65:643-654. [PMID: 37264532 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Veterans can present at nongovernment (Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs) mental health agencies with complex symptom constellations that frequently include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and generalized anxiety. To date, no veteran study has validated these measures on a treatment-seeking sample of veterans outside the DoD and VA. METHODS We used a treatment-seeking sample of veterans ( N = 493) to validate measures that assess these constructs (PTSD Checklist 5, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7). RESULTS The seven-factor posttraumatic stress disorder hybrid configuration was the best fit. The best fitting model of the depression measure was a two-factor structure, cognitive-affective, and somatic depression. The measure of generalized anxiety was a unidimensional model. LIMITATIONS Follow-up studies should validate these measures on nontreatment-seeking discharged veterans. CONCLUSIONS We interpret these findings within the veteran scholarship and explore clinical implications for providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aazi Ahmadi
- From the Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA (A.A.); One Tribe Foundation, Fort Worth, Texas (W.N.P.); Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas (J.C.); University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas (D.L.S.); University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida (J.W.); University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas (R.A.Y.); and Private Practice, Dallas, Texas (J.M.G.)
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Goldstein Ferber S, Shoval G, Rossi R, Trezza V, Di Lorenzo G, Zalsman G, Weller A, Mann JJ. Transdiagnostic considerations of mental health for the post-COVID era: Lessons from the first surge of the pandemic. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:809-820. [PMID: 36818632 PMCID: PMC9928692 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i4.809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)-related psychiatric burden partly results from prolonged social stress world-wide. Studies have examined the psychiatric impact of COVID-19 on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM 5) and International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) categories, implicating multiple diagnoses, complicating clinical management.
AIM To verify whether COVID-19-related psychopathology spans multiple DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnoses, but not in a random pattern. Consequently, empirical analysis of the multiple associated symptoms will better describe COVID-19-related psychopathology.
METHODS We conducted a bi-national study during the first surge of the pandemic: an Italian sample (n = 21217, studied March-April 2020); and three representative longitudinal samples from Israel (n = 1276, 1189, and 1432 respectively, studied May-July 2020). Data in Italy were collected by a national internet-based survey with an initially approached sample of about one million persons and in Israel by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics using probability-based national representative sampling. Data analysis focused on the frequency and patterns of reported multiple mental health symptoms.
RESULTS Combinations with all symptoms were more prevalent than combinations with fewer symptoms, with no majorities-minorities differences in both countries, demonstrating the generalizability of the transdiagnostic pattern of mental health issues in both nations. A history of previous mental disorder (Italian study) and an increase in symptom prevalence over time (Israel study) were associated with an increased number of symptoms. Conclusions: Based on finding correlated symptom diversity spanning conventional diagnostic categories, we suggest that the pattern of mental health issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is transdiagnostic.
CONCLUSION The findings have implications for improving prevention and treatment of COVID-19 related psychopathology and for post-pandemic times in conditions resulting from multiplicity of stressors with mixed symptomatology in the clinical picture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gal Shoval
- Department of Neuroscience, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544, United States
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 77096, Israel
| | - Rodolfo Rossi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Rome Tre University, Rome 00154, Italy
| | - Giorgio Di Lorenzo
- Department of Psychiatry, Rome University Tor Vergata, Rome 00179, Italy and IRCCS—Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome 00179, Italy
| | - Gil Zalsman
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 77096, Israel
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, NY, 10032, United States
| | - Aron Weller
- Department of Psychology, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - J John Mann
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, NY, 10032, United States
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Network analysis of distress, suicidality, and resilience in a treatment seeking sample of first responders. J Affect Disord 2023; 320:742-750. [PMID: 36179781 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION First responders are routinely and regularly exposed to traumatic events that can clinically manifest with a symptom constellation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety, depression, and suicidality. METHODS We used network analysis to examine baseline data from treatment seeking first responders (n = 308) to examine the interrelatedness of those constructs, including a measure of resilience. We estimated two models: a regularized partial correlation network and a Bayesian Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). RESULTS The models reveal converging evidence highlighting the central role of negative alterations in cognitions and mood PTSD cluster along with affective depression. These nodes did not significantly differ, though they were among the strongest in the partial correlation network and shared the most variance with the other nodes. The DAG results suggested that the negative alterations in cognitions and mood PTSD cluster predicted downstream constructs of affective depression; intrusion, hyperarousal, and avoidance PTSD clusters; and resilience. Only resilience and affective depression exhibited direct effects on suicidality. Both somatic depression and suicidality were endogenous endpoints in the DAG. Resilience exhibited an inverse path to suicide. However, resilience was relatively independent of the other constructs in the models and the DAG suggested that it was a consequence of PTSD related distress. LIMITATIONS The data is cross-sectional in nature that should be followed up in longitudinal studies. CONCLUSION Findings are discussed in respect to the role of distress and emotional dysregulation as common factors underlying a broad range of internalizing problems.
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Witteveen A, Young S, Cuijpers P, Ayuso-Mateos J, Barbui C, Bertolini F, Cabello M, Cadorin C, Downes N, Franzoi D, Gasior M, John A, Melchior M, McDaid D, Palantza C, Purgato M, Van der Waerden J, Wang S, Sijbrandij M. Remote mental health care interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic: An umbrella review. Behav Res Ther 2022; 159:104226. [PMID: 36410111 PMCID: PMC9661449 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Mitigating the COVID-19 related disruptions in mental health care services is crucial in a time of increased mental health disorders. Numerous reviews have been conducted on the process of implementing technology-based mental health care during the pandemic. The research question of this umbrella review was to examine what the impact of COVID-19 was on access and delivery of mental health services and how mental health services have changed during the pandemic. A systematic search for systematic reviews and meta-analyses was conducted up to August 12, 2022, and 38 systematic reviews were identified. Main disruptions during COVID-19 were reduced access to outpatient mental health care and reduced admissions and earlier discharge from inpatient care. In response, synchronous telemental health tools such as videoconferencing were used to provide remote care similar to pre-COVID care, and to a lesser extent asynchronous virtual mental health tools such as apps. Implementation of synchronous tools were facilitated by time-efficiency and flexibility during the pandemic but there was a lack of accessibility for specific vulnerable populations. Main barriers among practitioners and patients to use digital mental health tools were poor technological literacy, particularly when preexisting inequalities existed, and beliefs about reduced therapeutic alliance particularly in case of severe mental disorders. Absence of organizational support for technological implementation of digital mental health interventions due to inadequate IT infrastructure, lack of funding, as well as lack of privacy and safety, challenged implementation during COVID-19. Reviews were of low to moderate quality, covered heterogeneously designed primary studies and lacked findings of implementation in low- and middle-income countries. These gaps in the evidence were particularly prevalent in studies conducted early in the pandemic. This umbrella review shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic, practitioners and mental health care institutions mainly used synchronous telemental health tools, and to a lesser degree asynchronous tools to enable continued access to mental health care for patients. Numerous barriers to these tools were identified, and call for further improvements. In addition, more high quality research into comparative effectiveness and working mechanisms may improve scalability of mental health care in general and in future infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.B. Witteveen
- Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands,Corresponding author
| | - S. Young
- Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - P. Cuijpers
- Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J.L. Ayuso-Mateos
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - C. Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - F. Bertolini
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - M. Cabello
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - C. Cadorin
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - N. Downes
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Faculté de Médecine St Antoine, Paris, France
| | - D. Franzoi
- Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M. Gasior
- Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A. John
- Health Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, UK
| | - M. Melchior
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Faculté de Médecine St Antoine, Paris, France
| | - D. McDaid
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - C. Palantza
- Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M. Purgato
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - J. Van der Waerden
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Faculté de Médecine St Antoine, Paris, France
| | - S. Wang
- Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M. Sijbrandij
- Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Mallory JB, Ponder WN, Sherrill T, Carbajal J, Schuman DL, Jetelina KK, Stafford J. The Impact of COVID-19 on Veterans’ Resilience, Attachment, and Negative Affect. JOURNAL OF VETERANS STUDIES 2022. [DOI: 10.21061/jvs.v8i3.324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Meyer EC, Coe E, Pennington ML, Cammarata C, Kimbrel NA, Ostiguy W, Leto F, Gulliver SB. The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders Delivered to Firefighters via Videoconferencing: Pilot Outcomes Highlighting Improvements in Alcohol Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms. COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Chavira DA, Ponting C, Ramos G. The impact of COVID-19 on child and adolescent mental health and treatment considerations. Behav Res Ther 2022; 157:104169. [PMID: 35970084 PMCID: PMC9339162 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Denise A. Chavira
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, USA,Corresponding author. 1285 Franz Hall, PO Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Carolyn Ponting
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, USA,University of California San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, USA
| | - Giovanni Ramos
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, USA
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Yan K, Yusufi MH, Nazari N. Application of unified protocol as a transdiagnostic treatment for emotional disorders during COVID-19: An internet-delivered randomized controlled trial. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:8599-8614. [PMID: 36157826 PMCID: PMC9453349 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i24.8599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been an emotionally challenging time, especially for young adults. It is associated with a substantial increase in the prevalence of mental health problems, negative symptoms, and stressful experiences that compromise well-being. In low-income countries, internet-delivered psychological services could have a remarkable impact on the population’s mental health, given the lack of mental health professionals.
AIM To investigate the efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT)-transdiagnostic intervention for adults with emotional disorders.
METHODS In this internet-delivered randomized controlled trial, 102 students with an emotional disorder (mean age = 28.20 years, standard deviation = 5.07) were randomly allocated to receive unified protocol (UP) (n = 51) or treatment as the usual intervention. Following a semi-structured clinical interview, participants completed an online survey including the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale, Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Emotional Style Questionnaire.
RESULTS The participants showed a high degree of adherence. In total, 78% (n = 40) of the experimental group participants completed the UP treatment. Considering the intention to treat procedure, the results of the analysis of covariance indicated that participants who received UP showed statistically significant changes in depression symptoms [Cohen’s d = -1.50 with 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.90 to -1.10], anxiety (Cohen’s d = -1.06 with 95%CI: -1.48 to -0.65), difficulties with emotion regulation (Cohen’s d = -0.33 with 95%CI: -0.7 to -0.06), positive affect (Cohen's d = 1.27 with 95%CI: 0.85 to 1.68), negative affect (Cohen’s d= -1.04 with 95%CI: -1.46 to -0.63), and healthy emotionality (Cohen’s d = 0.53 with 95%CI: 0.09 to 0.13) compared with the control group.
CONCLUSION This study’s findings highlight the potential value of transdiagnostic internet-delivered programs for young adults with an emotional disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic, and expand the research examining emotional well-being improvements resulting from CBT-transdiagnostic interventions. The findings suggest that UP, which generally concentrates on reducing negative effects, can increase positive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kou Yan
- School of Humanities and Education, Xi'an Eurasia University, Xi'an 710065, Shaanxi Province, China
| | | | - Nabi Nazari
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Lorestan, Iran
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The Impact of COVID-19 Related Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes: A Transdiagnostic Account. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116596. [PMID: 35682179 PMCID: PMC9180779 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, and the social distancing practices that followed, have been associated with increased prevalence of emotional disorders. However, not all individuals affected by COVID-19-related social distancing experienced elevations in emotional disorder symptoms. Understanding this phenomenon is of crucial public health significance given the burden of emotional disorders on individuals and systems. In this narrative review, we consider the differential impact of COVID-19-related social distancing on mental health outcomes from a transdiagnostic perspective. We argue that individuals high in negative affect and aversive reactivity to emotion, that is, neuroticism, and who respond to such emotional experiences with emotion-motivated avoidant coping, are most likely to experience emotional disorders in the context of COVID-19 social distancing. We acknowledge the pro-social and adaptive function of some types of avoidance during the pandemic, which may have initially buffered against negative mental health outcomes. Implications of this conceptualization for treatment of emotional disorders in the present sociocultural context are discussed.
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