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Mahoney MR, Sommer EC, Popescu F, Adams LE, Barkin S. Comparing Family Health Before and After a Family-Focused Nutrition Program during the Pandemic. Matern Child Health J 2024:10.1007/s10995-024-03934-2. [PMID: 38896148 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-024-03934-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic affected child health behaviors, leading to worse physical health. Given the importance of good family health in improved child health outcomes, this secondary cohort analysis tested the hypothesis that family health would improve from baseline to 12-week follow-up after participation in a novel family nutrition program. METHODS Diverse parent-child dyads participated in a home-based virtual Teaching Kitchen Outreach (vTKO) program (11 weekly healthy, low-cost recipes, cooking videos, and associated groceries delivered). The primary outcome was the Family Healthy Lifestyle Subscale (FHLS). Secondary outcomes were parent and child nutrition, and food insecurity. Statistical testing and modeling were used to evaluate pre-post outcomes. RESULTS Of 123 enrolled dyads, 114 (93%) had sufficient data for analysis. Participants were 11% Hispanic, 54% Black, and 28% White; 31% completed high school or less; and 30% indicated food insecurity. Cohort mean pre-post FHLS scores significantly increased (25.5 vs. 27.3; p < 0.001). There were significant improvements in parent nutrition (p < 0.001) and child nutrition (p = 0.02 to < 0.001), but not in food security. After adjusting for baseline covariates, tobit regression found statistically significant pre-post FHLS differences (2.3; 95% CI=[1.4, 3.3]; p < 0.001). DISCUSSION Participants in the novel home-based vTKO program reported improved family health over 12 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Rose Mahoney
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 1161 21st Ave S # D3300, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Evan C Sommer
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Dr, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Filoteia Popescu
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Dr, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, 910 Madison Ave #1002, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA
| | - Laura E Adams
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Dr, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Shari Barkin
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Dr, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, 1000 E Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
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Green R, Linga-Easwaran J, Goodman C, Taylor M, Fabiano GF, Miller SP, Williams TS. Positive parenting practices support children at neurological risk during COVID-19: a call for accessible parenting interventions. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1328476. [PMID: 38650902 PMCID: PMC11033430 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1328476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Children and youth with neurological and/or neurodevelopmental conditions were at high risk for behavioral and mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Positive and responsive parenting practices may be one way to prevent and manage potential difficulties in families. We aimed to identify whether positive parenting practices were associated with reduced behavioral concerns in children at neurological risk during the late stages and aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we examined whether ongoing parental stress, anxiety, and depression impacted parenting practices during this time period. Families (N = 179) with children 4 to 15 years old (M = 7.11y, SD = 2.02) diagnosed with neurological (84.3%), neurodevelopmental (54.8%) or comorbid neurological and/or neurodevelopmental conditions (21.2%) were contacted to complete online questionnaires regarding demographics, parent stress, child behavior, COVID-19 conditions, and parenting practices. Multivariable linear regression (MLR) analyses examined the association between positive parenting practices and parenting competency measures with child behavioral outcomes, controlling for relevant covariates, including COVID-19 related stress. MLR were also run to determine whether parental mental health impacted parenting practices. More positive parenting practices predicted fewer child problem behaviors and lower intensity of problem behaviors. Similarly, a higher sense of satisfaction with parenting competence also predicted fewer child problem behaviors and lower intensity of problem behaviors. In addition, higher reported parental depression, anxiety, and stress significantly predicted fewer reported positive parenting practices. Findings points to the promising application of positive parenting interventions to support vulnerable families, as well as the need for parental mental health intervention to support parenting practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rivka Green
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Janaksha Linga-Easwaran
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carly Goodman
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marin Taylor
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Giulia F. Fabiano
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Steven P. Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tricia S. Williams
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Bai S, Tornello SL, Mogle JA, Feinberg ME. Daily implementation of health-protective behaviors and family life during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. FAMILY PROCESS 2024; 63:428-442. [PMID: 36806013 PMCID: PMC10432569 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated the use of health-protective behaviors (HPB), such as social distancing, staying at home, frequent handwashing, and wearing facemasks to mitigate the transmission of disease. An investigation of interpersonal costs associated with the use of HPB can help inform strategies to promote their sustained implementation. This study examined the daily associations between the implementation of HPB and family functioning and assessed moderation by coparenting quality, economic strain, and the number of days that state-level stay-at-home policies had been in effect, during the early days of the pandemic. Mothers and fathers from 155 families with children who were 9 years old, on average, completed daily reports of HPB, parental stress, and family relationship quality over eight consecutive days in April or May of 2020. Hierarchal linear models showed that HPB was associated with increased levels of parental stress and interparental conflict. Negative coparenting relations exacerbated the next-day association between HPB and interparental conflict. HPB was also associated with increased levels of parent-child and interparental closeness, but these linkages dissipated for families who had spent more days under state-level stay-at-home policies. Although crucial for public health, the implementation of HPB may have detrimental short-term effects on daily family life. Family support and interventions are necessary to minimize the psychosocial burden of these important public health measures and increase their sustained adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunhye Bai
- Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Samantha L. Tornello
- Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jacqueline A. Mogle
- College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Mark E. Feinberg
- Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Tesson S, Swinsburg D, Nielson-Jones C, Costa DSJ, Winlaw DS, Badawi N, Sholler GF, Butow PN, Kasparian NA. Mother-Infant Dyadic Synchrony and Interaction Patterns After Infant Cardiac Surgery. J Pediatr Psychol 2024; 49:13-26. [PMID: 37873696 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad069] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Parents and their infants with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) face relational challenges, including marked distress, early separations, and infant hospitalizations and medical procedures, yet the prevalence of parent-infant interaction difficulties remains unclear. Using a standardized observational paradigm, this study investigated mother-infant dyadic synchrony, interactional patterns, and associated predictors in mother-infant pairs affected by CHD, compared with typically-developing pairs. METHODS In this prospective, longitudinal cohort study, mothers and their infants requiring cardiac surgery before age 6-months (n=110 pairs) and an age- and sex-matched Australian community sample (n=85 pairs) participated in a filmed, free-play interaction at 6.9±1.0 months. Mother-infant dyadic synchrony, maternal and infant interactional patterns, and relational risk were assessed using the Child-Adult Relationship Experimental (CARE) Index. Maternal and infant predictors were assessed at 32 weeks gestation, 3- and 6-months postpartum. RESULTS Most mother-infant interactions were classified as "high risk" or "inept" (cardiac: 94%, control: 81%; p=.007). Dyadic synchrony (p<.001), maternal sensitivity (p=.001), and infant cooperativeness (p=.001) were lower for cardiac than control pairs. Higher maternal traumatic stress at 6-months postpartum predicted lower dyadic synchrony for mother-infant pairs affected by CHD (B=-.04, p=.03). Dyadic synchrony was higher among older infants in the total (B=.40, p=.003) but not cardiac sample (B=.24, p=.06). CONCLUSIONS Relational difficulties were almost universal among mother-infant pairs affected by CHD and were also high in the Australian community sample. Widespread education initiatives are recommended to increase awareness of heightened mother-infant relational risk in congenital heart care and well-child settings, alongside relationally-focused prevention and early intervention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Tesson
- Heart Centre for Children, The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dianne Swinsburg
- Heart Centre for Children, The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Claudia Nielson-Jones
- Heart Centre for Children, The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel S J Costa
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Pain Management Research Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, Australia
| | - David S Winlaw
- Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, USA
| | - Nadia Badawi
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Grace Centre for Newborn Care, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Australia
| | - Gary F Sholler
- Heart Centre for Children, The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Australia
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Phyllis N Butow
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Australia
- Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Nadine A Kasparian
- Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, USA
- Heart and Mind Wellbeing Center, Heart Institute and Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA
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Guerra GC, Nardozza O, Frigerio A, Garito MC, Ponzetti S, Passaquindici I, Fasolo M, Spinelli M, Lionetti F. Families Facing Pandemic Modifications of Everyday Life: A Mixed Study on Mothers' and Children's Emotional Reactions and Regulation Strategies. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1627. [PMID: 37892290 PMCID: PMC10605359 DOI: 10.3390/children10101627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused many enduring changes in the everyday life of families, with negative effects on parents' and children's wellbeing. However, there is a lack of studies in the literature exploring the emotional reactions and coping strategies of both mothers and children of different ages. Furthermore, most studies used only self-reports. This study aimed to identify the emotions and coping strategies of children, adolescents and their mothers and to verify the association between maternal and child wellbeing. A mixed-method design using interviews and questionnaires was applied to collect information on wellbeing (emotional reactions, behavioral/emotional problems) and coping strategies of both mothers (n = 65; M age = 42.17; SD = 4.40; M age = 41.63; SD = 4.48), and their children (n = 35, 8-10 year; n = 30, 11-13 year) during the second wave of the pandemic (December 2020). No differences between the groups emerged concerning the emotional reactions reported. In contrast, mothers and children of different ages reported different self-regulation and other-regulation strategies. Moreover, maternal strategies had different effects on children's wellbeing. The integration of qualitative and quantitative results was informative to understand how families adapted to the radical changes of everyday life related to the pandemic. The implications for developing interventions in such similar stressful situations to promote family wellbeing are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Carlotta Guerra
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.C.G.); (O.N.); (M.C.G.); (S.P.); (I.P.); (M.F.); (F.L.)
| | - Odette Nardozza
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.C.G.); (O.N.); (M.C.G.); (S.P.); (I.P.); (M.F.); (F.L.)
| | - Alessandra Frigerio
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University Milano, 20143 Milan, Italy;
| | - Maria Concetta Garito
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.C.G.); (O.N.); (M.C.G.); (S.P.); (I.P.); (M.F.); (F.L.)
| | - Silvia Ponzetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.C.G.); (O.N.); (M.C.G.); (S.P.); (I.P.); (M.F.); (F.L.)
| | - Ilenia Passaquindici
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.C.G.); (O.N.); (M.C.G.); (S.P.); (I.P.); (M.F.); (F.L.)
| | - Mirco Fasolo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.C.G.); (O.N.); (M.C.G.); (S.P.); (I.P.); (M.F.); (F.L.)
| | - Maria Spinelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.C.G.); (O.N.); (M.C.G.); (S.P.); (I.P.); (M.F.); (F.L.)
| | - Francesca Lionetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.C.G.); (O.N.); (M.C.G.); (S.P.); (I.P.); (M.F.); (F.L.)
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6
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Querdasi FR, Vogel SC, Thomason ME, Callaghan BL, Brito NH. A comparison of the infant gut microbiome before versus after the start of the covid-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13289. [PMID: 37587195 PMCID: PMC10432475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40102-y] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting public health directives led to many changes in families' social and material environments. Prior research suggests that these changes are likely to impact composition of the gut microbiome, particularly during early childhood when the gut microbiome is developing most rapidly. Importantly, disruption to the gut microbiome during this sensitive period can have potentially long-lasting impacts on health and development. In the current study, we compare gut microbiome composition among a socioeconomically and racially diverse group of 12-month old infants living in New York City who provided stool samples before the pandemic (N = 34) to a group who provided samples during the first 9-months of the pandemic (March-December 2020; N = 20). We found that infants sampled during the pandemic had lower alpha diversity of the microbiome, lower abundance of Pasteurellaceae and Haemophilus, and significantly different beta diversity based on unweighted Unifrac distance than infants sampled before the pandemic. Exploratory analyses suggest that gut microbiome changes due to the pandemic occurred relatively quickly after the start of the pandemic and were sustained. Our results provide evidence that pandemic-related environmental disruptions had an impact on community-level taxonomic diversity of the developing gut microbiome, as well as abundance of specific members of the gut bacterial community.
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7
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Vacaru SV, Scatolin SW, van den Heuvel MI, Beijers R, de Weerth C. Breastfeeding and room-sharing during COVID-19 in the Netherlands: The impact of perinatal healthcare support. Early Hum Dev 2023; 183:105812. [PMID: 37379684 PMCID: PMC10290183 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2023.105812] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
AIM The recommendations of 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and parent-infant room-sharing (RS) are often not followed. As these early caregiving practices may have been affected by the COVID-19-related restrictions, we documented BF and RS practices in the Netherlands (2020-2021) and the effects of perceived perinatal healthcare support. METHODS Pregnant women and mothers of an infant younger than 6 months (N = 784) completed online questionnaires (e.g., demographic information, the impact of COVID-19 on their lives aspects, infant childcare practices) twice: at the beginning of the pandemic and when the infant reached 6 months of age. RESULTS The pandemic EBF practices mirrored pre-pandemic Dutch reports (17.8 %; Mduration = 3.4 months), while RS rates and duration seemingly doubled (30.6 %; Mduration = 3.98 months). Higher maternal education (r = 0.18) and multiparity (r = 0.08) were significantly associated with longer EBF, and similarly for education (r = 0.17) and multiparity (r = 0.11) with RS durations. Higher perceived perinatal healthcare support predicted shorter RS duration [β = -0.509, t(5,596) = -2.27, p = .023]. CONCLUSION While the COVID-19 pandemic did not impact EBF, it may have promoted RS. The negative association between perinatal healthcare support and RS may suggest that parents who need more support from their providers also experience more challenges adhering to RS recommendations, yet this hypothesis remains to be corroborated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania V Vacaru
- Radboud university medical center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | - Roseriet Beijers
- Radboud university medical center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Radboud university medical center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Weiß M, Gründahl M, Deckert J, Eichner FA, Kohls M, Störk S, Heuschmann PU, Hein G. Differential network interactions between psychosocial factors, mental health, and health-related quality of life in women and men. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11642. [PMID: 37468704 PMCID: PMC10356800 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38525-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychosocial factors affect mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a complex manner, yet gender differences in these interactions remain poorly understood. We investigated whether psychosocial factors such as social support and personal and work-related concerns impact mental health and HRQL differentially in women and men during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between June and October 2020, the first part of a COVID-19-specific program was conducted within the "Characteristics and Course of Heart Failure Stages A-B and Determinants of Progression (STAAB)" cohort study, a representative age- and gender-stratified sample of the general population of Würzburg, Germany. Using psychometric networks, we first established the complex relations between personal social support, personal and work-related concerns, and their interactions with anxiety, depression, and HRQL. Second, we tested for gender differences by comparing expected influence, edge weight differences, and stability of the networks. The network comparison revealed a significant difference in the overall network structure. The male (N = 1370) but not the female network (N = 1520) showed a positive link between work-related concern and anxiety. In both networks, anxiety was the most central variable. These findings provide further evidence that the complex interplay of psychosocial factors with mental health and HRQL decisively depends on gender. Our results are relevant for the development of gender-specific interventions to increase resilience in times of pandemic crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Weiß
- Translational Social Neuroscience Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Marthe Gründahl
- Translational Social Neuroscience Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Deckert
- Translational Social Neuroscience Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Felizitas A Eichner
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mirjam Kohls
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Störk
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter U Heuschmann
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Clinical Trial Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Data Science, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Grit Hein
- Translational Social Neuroscience Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
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Saunders NR, Stukel TA, Strauss R, Fu L, Guan J, Cohen E, Vigod S, Guttmann A, Kurdyak P, Toulany A. Association between physician characteristics and practice-level uptake of paediatric virtual mental healthcare: a population-based study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070172. [PMID: 37451721 PMCID: PMC10350908 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine physician factors associated with practice-level uptake of virtual mental healthcare for children and adolescents. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A population-based data linkage study of a cohort of all physicians (n=12 054) providing outpatient mental healthcare to children and adolescents (aged 3-17 years, n=303 185) in a single-payer provincial health system in Ontario, Canada from 1 July 2020 to 31 July 2021. EXPOSURES Physician characteristics including gender, age, specialty, location of training, practice region, practice size and overall and mental health practice size. MAIN OUTCOMES Practice-level proportion of outpatient virtual care provided: (1) mostly in-person (<25% virtual care), (2) hybrid (25%-99% virtual care) or (3) exclusively virtual (100% virtual care). Multinomial logistic regression models tested the association between practice-level virtual care provided and physician characteristics. RESULTS Among physicians, 1589 (13.2%) provided mostly in-person mental healthcare with 8714 (67.8%) providing hybrid care, and 2291 (19.0%) providing exclusively virtual care. The provision of exclusive virtual care (vs mostly in-person) was associated with female sex (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.97, 95% CI 1.70 to 2.27 (ref: male)), foreign training (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.50 (ref: Canadian-trained)), family physicians (aOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.69 (ref: psychiatrist)) and reversely associated with large practice size (aOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.40 (ref smallest quintile)). Mostly in-person care was associated with older age physicians (71+ years) and practice outside the Toronto region. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In a single-payer universal healthcare system that remunerates physicians using the same fee structure for in-person and virtual outpatient care, there is heterogeneity in utilisation of virtual care that is associated with provider factors. This practice variation, with limited evidence on effectiveness and appropriate contexts for virtual care use, suggests there may be opportunity for further outcomes research and guidance on appropriate context for paediatric virtual mental healthcare delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Ruth Saunders
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Pediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Insitute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Therese A Stukel
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Insitute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Eyal Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Pediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Insitute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simone Vigod
- Insitute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women's College Hospital and Women's College Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Astrid Guttmann
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Pediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Insitute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul Kurdyak
- Insitute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alene Toulany
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Insitute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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10
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Glaze K, Sward A, Lenne E, Brown S, Rogers L, Frankel KA, Klawetter S. Impact of COVID-19 on Referral Patterns and Service Delivery for an Integrated Behavioral Health Program. FAMILIES IN SOCIETY : THE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY HUMAN SERVICES 2023; 104:142-153. [PMID: 38587508 PMCID: PMC9791057 DOI: 10.1177/10443894221133500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The emergence and rapid spread of COVID-19 led to unprecedented changes for families and systems of care. This study sought to understand the needs of families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) before and during the pandemic and considers the impact remote service delivery has on access to an integrated behavioral health intervention to support the psychosocial needs of children and caregivers. Needs for referral varied significantly pre- and post-pandemic onset. Analyses revealed that significantly more referrals were made regarding social determinants of health after the onset of COVID-19 (13.8%) compared with prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (4.1%, p < .05). Providers' transition to telehealth services sufficiently served WIC families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Glaze
- PsyD, assistant professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ashley Sward
- PsyD, assistant professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eline Lenne
- MOT, OTR/L, PhD student, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Samantha Brown
- PhD, assistant professor, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Lindsey Rogers
- PsyD, instructor, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Karen A Frankel
- PhD, professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Susanne Klawetter
- PhD, LCSW, assistant professor, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
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11
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Gogoi M, Chaloner J, Qureshi I, Wobi F, Al-Oraibi A, Wilson H, Suleman M, Nellums L, Pareek M. One virus, many lives: a qualitative study of lived experiences and quality of life of adults from diverse backgrounds living in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e067569. [PMID: 36858475 PMCID: PMC9979590 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic has had far-reaching consequences for people's lives. In the UK, more than 23 million have been infected and nearly 185 000 have lost their lives. Previous research has looked at differential outcomes of COVID-19, based on socio-demographic factors such as age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation. We conducted a qualitative study with a diverse sample of adults living in the UK, to understand their lived experiences and quality of life (QoL) during the pandemic. METHODS Participants were recruited with the help of civil society partners and community organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and July 2021. Interviews were recorded with permission and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed following an inductive analytical approach as outlined in the Framework Method. RESULTS 18 participants (≥16 years) representing different ethnicities, sexes, migration and employment statuses and educational qualifications took part. Five key themes and 14 subthemes were identified and presented using the QoL framework. The five key themes describe how COVID-19 affected the following aspects of QoL: (1) financial and economic, (2) physical health, (3) social, (4) mental health and (5) personal fulfilment and affective well-being. The narratives illustrated inequities in the impact of COVID-19 for individuals with intersecting social, economic, and health disparities. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate the multidimensional and differential impact of the pandemic on different population groups, with most of the negative economic impacts being borne by people in low-paid and insecure jobs. Similarly, adverse social, physical and mental health impacts particularly affected people already experiencing displacement, violence, physical and mental illnesses or even those living alone. These findings indicate that COVID-19 impacts have been influenced by intersecting health and socioeconomic inequalities, which pre-existed. These inequities should be taken into consideration while designing pandemic recovery and rebuilding packages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuri Gogoi
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Jonathan Chaloner
- Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
| | - Irtiza Qureshi
- Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
| | - Fatimah Wobi
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Amani Al-Oraibi
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
| | | | - Mehrunisha Suleman
- The Health Foundation, London, UK
- The Ethox Centre and Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laura Nellums
- Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
| | - Manish Pareek
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Department of Infection and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
- NIHR Leicester BRC, Leicester, UK
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12
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Hunter SC, Mauch CE, Ridley K, Shipman J, Riggs DW, Coveney J, Feo R, Golley RK. Family Life During and Beyond COVID-19: The Impact of Relationship Quality on Caregivers’ Management of Paid Work, Caregiving, and Self-Care. JOURNAL OF FAMILY ISSUES 2023. [PMCID: PMC9908515 DOI: 10.1177/0192513x231155668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
This multi-method project examined how Australian caregivers navigated family life during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and subsequent impact on family health behaviours. Participants were invited to complete all three phases. In phase 1, 115 caregivers completed an online survey, focussed on 2020 experiences of COVID-19. In phase 2, 96 of the participants completed a use-of-time recall and 80 completed a dietary recall examining participants’ health behaviours including how they spent their time, their physical activity, and diet quality. Phase 3 involved 24 of the participants completing an online story completion task, focussed on understanding participants’ sense-making of COVID-19. Through triangulating analyses of the three phases, this project identified how poor relationship quality negatively affected families’ experiences of significant disruptions and transitions. This project provides a nuanced picture of how COVID-19 in 2020 impacted family life and highlights the importance of caregiver relationship quality for family health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C. Hunter
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Sarah C. Hunter, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
| | - Chelsea E. Mauch
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Kate Ridley
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jessica Shipman
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Damien W. Riggs
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - John Coveney
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Rebecca Feo
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Rebecca K. Golley
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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13
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Altın B, Erden G. A Review of Studies on the Covid-19 Pandemic and the Psychological Effects of Related Measures on Children, Youth and Parents. TURK PSIKIYATRI DERGISI = TURKISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2023; 34:202-214. [PMID: 37724646 PMCID: PMC10645015 DOI: 10.5080/u25936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Pandemics are social events that affect individuals' lives in many ways and have a significant impact on the mental health of masses. Pandemics and measures taken to combat these epidemics affect children and young people as well as adults. The purpose of the current review is to compile studies that have been conducted on the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related measures on children, youth, and parents, and use the findings to shed light on future studies. In this review, 35 studies that were determined as a result of a comprehensive search in relevant literature were examined. It was observed that the aforementioned studies noted that the COVID-19 global pandemic and the measures taken to combat the epidemic (e.g., quarantine, lockdown, and school closures) had negative psychological effects on children, young people, and parents. Problems observed in children and young people, such as the fear of catching or transmitting the virus, getting bored, not being able to communicate enough with friends and teachers, and problems observed in parents, such as the troubles of negative repercussions of working at home or unemployment and difficulties in communicating with children with the closure of schools, are only a few to name these negative effects. The reviewed studies were discussed taking their limitations into account. Recommendations were made for future studies and intervention programs to be planned for community mental health. Keywords: COVID-19, children and youth, parents, pandemic, quarantine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gülsen Erden
- Prof., Ankara University, Clinical Psychology, Ankara, Turkey
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14
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Popescu F, Sommer EC, Mahoney MR, Adams LE, Barkin SL. Effect of a Virtual Home-Based Behavioral Intervention on Family Health and Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2247691. [PMID: 36538328 PMCID: PMC9856707 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.47691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Virtual home-based interventions may bolster protective factors, such as family health and resilience, during stressors such as the COVID-19 pandemic; however, their effectiveness is unknown. OBJECTIVE To examine the effectiveness of a virtual health coaching intervention on family health and resilience during the pandemic. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this parallel-group, single-site randomized clinical trial, 123 parents and their 2- to 8-year-old children were enrolled at a pediatric clinic or community partner site in Tennessee from March 10 to August 11, 2021. Follow-up surveys were completed between June 29 and November 11, 2021. INTERVENTIONS All participants received 11 weekly cooking videos and associated home-delivered groceries. The intervention group also received 12 weekly, 30-minute virtual health coach sessions. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was the validated 6-item (range, 6-30) Family Healthy Lifestyle Subscale (FHLS) scores. The secondary outcome was the validated 6-item (range, 0-6) Family Resilience and Connection Index (FRCI) scores. Outcomes were determined a priori and evaluated at baseline and 12-week follow-up. A priori independent t tests and multivariable tobit regression models assessed intervention effects, and post hoc, secondary interaction models assessed whether effects differed over baseline outcomes. RESULTS Among the 123 enrolled families, 110 (89%) were included in the primary analyses (parent mean [SD] age, 35.1 [8.2] years; 104 [95%] female; 55 [50%] non-Hispanic Black; child mean [SD] age, 5.2 [1.7] years; 62 [56%] male). Intervention-control group mean differences were nonsignificant for follow-up FHLS scores (0.7; 95% CI, -0.6 to 2.0; P = .17) and FRCI scores (0.1; 95% CI, -0.5 to 0.6; P = .74). Tobit regression model intervention effects were nonsignificant for FHLS scores (0.9; 95% CI, -0.3 to 2.2; P = .15) and FRCI scores (0.4; 95% CI, -0.2 to 1.1; P = .17). Post hoc, secondary models found no significant interaction for FHLS scores (1.3 increase per 5-point decrease; 95% CI, -0.2 to 2.7; P = .09), with significant intervention associations for baseline scores of 6 to 23. The interaction was significant for FRCI scores (0.4 increase per 1-point decrease; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.8; P = .047), with significant intervention associations for baseline scores of 0 to 3. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this randomized clinical trial of families with young children, weekly virtual health coaching did not detectably improve family health and resilience. Post hoc, secondary results provided preliminary evidence of potential effectiveness among families with low baseline scores. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05328193.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filoteia Popescu
- The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis
| | - Evan C. Sommer
- Department of Academic General Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Laura E. Adams
- Department of Academic General Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Shari L. Barkin
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
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15
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Wen X, Ren J, Li X, Li J, Chen S. Parents' personality, parenting stress, and problem behaviors of children with special needs in China before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-12. [PMID: 36277263 PMCID: PMC9580424 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03869-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The positive predictive effect of children's problem behaviors on parenting stress has been verified to some extent, but research on parents of children with special needs remains insufficient. Moreover, the role of parental personality traits in the relationship between children's problem behaviors and parenting stress, and whether it differs from before the COVID-19 pandemic, remains unclear. Accordingly, in this study, online questionnaires were used to survey parents of children with autism and intellectual disabilities in China - 337 parents before and 604 during the COVID-19 pandemic - to explore the relationship between problem behaviors in the children and parenting stress as well as the moderating effect of parents' personality. The results showed that problem behaviors of children with autism and intellectual disabilities had a positive predictive effect on parenting stress. However, there was no significant difference in this effect before and during the pandemic. In addition, the relationship between children's problem behaviors and parenting stress was moderated by the Agreeableness and Neuroticism of the parents, but only during COVID-19 pandemic. The research results suggest that, during the pandemic when facing problem behaviors of children with autism or intellectual disabilities, positive personality characteristics such as Agreeableness have a protective effect on parenting stress. By contrast, negative personality characteristics such as Neuroticism are risk factors. The study results provide evidence from special groups regarding the role of parents' personalities in the parent - child interaction and the parenting stress models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Wen
- School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Ren
- School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Special Education Research, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingkai Li
- Huan Shi Road Primary School, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianlin Li
- School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
- Foshan Fumi Rehabilitation Technology Co., Ltd, Fushan, China
| | - Suiqing Chen
- School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Special Education Research, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
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16
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Romanello JP, Sun B, Hill MJ, Singer T, O’Brien JE. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gestational carriers. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:2365-2372. [PMID: 36152113 PMCID: PMC9510232 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02622-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive medicine has been significantly impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and this includes the gestational carrier (GC) process. The objectives of this commentary are to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the GC process, as well to communicate Shady Grove Fertility’s considerations of and response to COVID-19 on the GC process to the larger assisted reproductive technology (ART) community. We also gathered conclusions drawn from available data on the impact of COVID-19 infection on maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality as well as on counseling patients on vaccination. We compiled proposals to mitigate risk and to maximize safe evaluation and treatment for GCs during the ongoing pandemic. Over 2 years after the onset of the pandemic, the multiple resurgences of cases in the USA have necessitated nimble strategies to provide ongoing and safe reproductive care and have posed unique challenges to the GC process. With the prospect of the virus continuing to spread globally well into the future, as healthcare professionals of the ART community, we will need to ensure effective collaboration and communication as we provide care during the ongoing pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer P. Romanello
- Rush Medical College, Rush University, 600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 524, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Bei Sun
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, P.O.B. 39040, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Micah J. Hill
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Building 9, Floor 2, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Tomer Singer
- Shady Grove Fertility, 110 E. 60th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10022 USA
| | - Jeanne E. O’Brien
- Shady Grove Fertility, 9601 Blackwell Road, 4th Floor, Rockville, MD USA
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17
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Agatha Nsamenang S, Anne Gutierrez C, Manayathu Jones J, Jenkins G, Anne Tibelius S, Maria DiGravio A, Chamas B, Efua Ewusie J, Geddie H, Punthakee Z, Constantine Samaan M, Wahi G, Morrison KM. Les effets de la pandémie de COVID-19 sur la santé mentale et physique des enfants inscrits à une clinique pédiatrique de gestion du poids. Paediatr Child Health 2022; 27:S158-S164. [PMID: 36092294 PMCID: PMC9455654 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxac032] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Historique L’obésité est un problème sanitaire mondial. Étant donné la perturbation généralisée causée par la pandémie de COVID-19, il est important d’en évaluer l’effet chez les enfants ayant des troubles de santé chroniques. La présente étude évalue la santé des patients pédiatriques obèses inscrits à un programme de gestion du poids d’un hôpital de soins tertiaires avant la pandémie de COVID-19, puis un an après le début de la pandémie. Méthodologie Les chercheurs ont mené une analyse rétrospective des dossiers de patients de deux à 17 ans inscrits à une clinique pédiatrique de gestion du poids. Ils ont comparé les effets en matière de santé mentale (nouvelles orientations en psychologie, en travail social, dans un programme de troubles alimentaires, incidence de dysrégulation de l’alimentation, idéation suicidaire ou automutilation) et de santé physique (mesures anthropométriques) avant la pandémie, puis un an après le début de la pandémie. Résultats Chez les 334 enfants vus pendant l’une ou l’autre période, le nombre d’orientations en psychologie (12,4 % par rapport à 26, 5 %; p=0,002) et le résultat composite sur la santé mentale (17,2 % par rapport à 30,2 %; p=0,005) se sont creusés pendant la pandémie comparativement à auparavant. Dans un sous-groupe d’enfants (n=30) dont ils connaissaient les mesures anthropométriques au cours des deux périodes, le taux de diminution du score z de l’indice de masse corporelle était plus faible (−1,5 [2,00] par rapport à −0,3 [0,73]/année; p=0,002) et l’adiposité, plus élevée (−0,8 [4,64] par rapport à 2,7 [5,54] %/année; p=0,043) pendant la pandémie. Exposé La pandémie a influé sur la santé mentale et physique des enfants obèses inscrits à une clinique de gestion du poids. L’étude démontre un effet négatif sur la santé mentale et une amélioration moins marquée des mesures anthropométriques, mais les futures recherches, lorsque les patients auront repris les soins en clinique, permettront d’examiner nos résultats à la lumière de nouvelles mesures objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheri Agatha Nsamenang
- Département de psychiatrie et de neurosciences comportementales, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Carline Anne Gutierrez
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,École de soins infirmiers, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Jane Manayathu Jones
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,École de soins infirmiers, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Glenn Jenkins
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Stephanie Anne Tibelius
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Anna Maria DiGravio
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Basma Chamas
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Joycelyne Efua Ewusie
- Unité de biostatistique de l'Institut de recherche, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Hannah Geddie
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,Département de pédiatrie, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Zubin Punthakee
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,Département de médecine, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,Centre de recherche sur le métabolisme, l'obésité et le diabète, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - M Constantine Samaan
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,Département de pédiatrie, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,Centre de recherche sur le métabolisme, l'obésité et le diabète, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Gita Wahi
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,Département de pédiatrie, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,Centre de recherche sur le métabolisme, l'obésité et le diabète, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
| | - Katherine M Morrison
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,Département de pédiatrie, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada.,Centre de recherche sur le métabolisme, l'obésité et le diabète, Université McMaster, Hamilton (Ontario)Canada
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18
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Theuring S, van Loon W, Hommes F, Bethke N, Mall MA, Kurth T, Seybold J, Mockenhaupt FP. Psychosocial Wellbeing of Schoolchildren during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Berlin, Germany, June 2020 to March 2021. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191610103. [PMID: 36011738 PMCID: PMC9407732 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have affected the wellbeing of schoolchildren worldwide, but the extent and duration of specific problems are still not completely understood. We aimed to describe students’ psychosocial and behavioral parameters and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Berlin, Germany. Our longitudinal study included 384 students from 24 randomly selected Berlin primary and secondary schools, assessing psychosocial wellbeing at four time points between June 2020 and March 2021. We analyzed temporal changes in the proportions of anxiety, fear of infection, reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical activity and social contacts, as well as sociodemographic and economic factors associated with anxiety, fear of infection and HRQoL. During the observation period, the presence of anxiety symptoms increased from 26.2% (96/367) to 34.6% (62/179), and fear of infection from 28.6% (108/377) to 40.6% (73/180). The proportion of children with limited social contacts (<1/week) increased from 16.4% (61/373) to 23.5% (42/179). Low physical activity (<3 times sports/week) was consistent over time. Low HRQoL was observed among 44% (77/174) of children. Factors associated with anxiety were female sex, increasing age, secondary school attendance, lower household income, and the presence of adults with anxiety symptoms in the student´s household. Fear of infection and low HRQoL were associated with anxiety. A substantial proportion of schoolchildren experienced unfavorable psychosocial conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021. Students from households with limited social and financial resilience require special attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Theuring
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-450-565767
| | - Welmoed van Loon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Hommes
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Norma Bethke
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus A. Mall
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Kurth
- Institute of Public Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank P. Mockenhaupt
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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19
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Cook EC. Perceived changes in peer relationships and behavioral health among college students during covid-19. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2022:1-8. [PMID: 35930457 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2106787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Covid-19 has resulted in changes to college students' daily lives due to recommendations to socially distance. Social distance is likely to affect youths' peer relationships at a time when these relationships remain important for development. Participants and Methods: The current study utilized survey data to examine perceived changes in peer relationships and the association with behavioral health among 275 college students (Mage = 18.69, SD =.72) during the fall/spring of 2020-2021. Results: Quantitative results indicated that participants reported significant perceived decreases in peer support but did not report significantly worse quality of closest friendships. Qualitative responses from an open-ended survey question supported these quantitative results suggesting that although many participants perceived decreases in quality of relationships, there was also the perception that friendships became closer. Participants who perceived decreased peer relationship support and quality were more likely to report depressive symptoms and loneliness when compared to participants who perceived no changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Cook
- Department of Psychology, Rhode Island College, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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20
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Moreno O, Williams CD, Muñoz G, Elias MDJ, Santana A, Fuentes L, Garcia-Rodriguez I, Hernandez C, Hood K, Johnson KF, Montemayor BN, Chartier K, Amstadter A, Dick DM, Lilley E, Gelzinis R, Morris A, Bountress K, Adkins AE, Thomas N, Neale Z, Pedersen K, Bannard T, Cho SB, Adkins AE, Pedersen K, Barr P, Byers H, Berenz EC, Caraway E, Cho SB, Clifford JS, Cooke M, Do E, Edwards AC, Goyal N, Hack LM, Halberstadt LJ, Hawn S, Kuo S, Lasko E, Lend J, Lind M, Long E, Martelli A, Meyers JL, Mitchell K, Moore A, Moscati A, Nasim A, Neale Z, Opalesky J, Overstreet C, Pais AC, Pedersen K, Raldiris T, Salvatore J, Savage J, Smith R, Sosnowski D, Su J, Thomas N, Walker C, Walsh M, Willoughby T, Woodroof M, Yan J, Sun C, Wormley B, Riley B, Aliev F, Peterson R, Webb BT, Vassileva J, Dick DM, Amstadter AB. Moderating Role of Healthcare Disruptions on Friend and Family Pandemic-Related Negative Life Events Predicting Latines’ Anxiety and Alcohol Use Over Time. Int J Ment Health Addict 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-022-00853-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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21
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Kanewischer E, Mueller C, Pylkkanen M, Tunks S. Hardships & Resilience: Families in a Pandemic. FAMILY JOURNAL (ALEXANDRIA, VA.) 2022; 30:366-375. [PMID: 35855734 PMCID: PMC9277313 DOI: 10.1177/10664807211054182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic created unique hardships for families with school-aged children. To better understand these hardships, we asked the question: How did family units of various racial and socioeconomic backgrounds experience the pandemic? Qualitative phenomenology was the methodological basis for this study, and the Double ABC-X Model of Family Behavior was applied to analyze how the pandemic and racial tensions that occurred in the past 18 months affected families. We specifically focused on including the voices of minoritized populations as they are less often represented in phenomenological research. Semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with families from Minnesota and Illinois. NViVo was used to code and analyze the interviews. Five themes were identified which demonstrated family strength and experience of hardship: resilience, boundaries, community support, fear, and communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Kanewischer
- Department of Social Work &
Family Studies, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, USA
| | - Claire Mueller
- Department of Social Work &
Family Studies, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, USA
| | - Mia Pylkkanen
- Department of Social Work &
Family Studies, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, USA
| | - Samirah Tunks
- Department of Social Work &
Family Studies, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, USA
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22
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Proulx K, Lenzi-Weisbecker R, Hatch R, Hackett K, Omoeva C, Cavallera V, Daelmans B, Dua T. Nurturing care during COVID-19: a rapid review of early evidence. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e050417. [PMID: 35680273 PMCID: PMC9184993 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to family life, society and essential health and other services. A rapid review of evidence was conducted to examine emerging evidence on the effects of the pandemic on three components of nurturing care, including responsive caregiving, early learning, and safety and security. DESIGN Two academic databases, organisational websites and reference lists were searched for original studies published between 1 January and 25 October 2020. A single reviewer completed the study selection and data extraction with verification by a second reviewer. INTERVENTIONS We included studies with a complete methodology and reporting on quantitative or qualitative evidence related to nurturing care during the pandemic. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Studies reporting on outcomes related to responsive caregiving, early learning, and safety and security were included. RESULTS The search yielded 4410 citations in total, and 112 studies from over 30 countries met our eligibility criteria. The early evidence base is weighted towards studies in high-income countries, studies related to caregiver mental health and those using quantitative survey designs. Studies reveal issues of concern related to increases in parent and caregiver stress and mental health difficulties during the pandemic, which was linked to harsher and less warm or responsive parenting in some studies. A relatively large number of studies examined child safety and security and indicate a reduction in maltreatment referrals. Lastly, studies suggest that fathers' engagement in caregiving increased during the early phase of the pandemic, children's outdoor play and physical activity decreased (while screen time increased), and emergency room visits for child injuries decreased. CONCLUSION The results highlight key evidence gaps (ie, breastfeeding support and opportunities for early learning) and suggest the need for increased support and evidence-based interventions to ensure young children and other caregivers are supported and protected during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrie Proulx
- Research and Evaluation, FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Alliance for Human Development, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Rachel Hatch
- Research and Evaluation, FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristy Hackett
- Research and Evaluation, FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Epidemiology Division, University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carina Omoeva
- Research and Evaluation, FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vanessa Cavallera
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Use, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bernadette Daelmans
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tarun Dua
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Use, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
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23
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Nsamenang SA, Gutierrez CA, Manayathu Jones J, Jenkins G, Tibelius SA, DiGravio AM, Chamas B, Ewusie JE, Geddie H, Punthakee Z, Samaan MC, Wahi G, Morrison KM. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the mental and physical health of children enrolled in a paediatric weight management clinic. Paediatr Child Health 2022; 27:S72-S77. [PMID: 35620561 PMCID: PMC9126271 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Obesity is a global public health concern. Given the widespread disruption caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it is important to evaluate its impact on children with chronic health conditions. This study examines the health of paediatric patients with obesity enrolled in a tertiary hospital weight management program, before and 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This is a retrospective chart review of patients aged 2 to 17 years enrolled in a paediatric weight management clinic. Mental health outcomes (i.e., new referrals to psychologist, social work, eating disorder program, incidence of dysregulated eating, suicidal ideation, and/or self-harm) and physical health (anthropometric measures) were compared before and 1 year into the pandemic. Results Among the 334 children seen in either period, there was an increase in referrals to psychologist (12.4% versus 26.5%; P=0.002) and the composite mental health outcome (17.2% versus 30.2%; P=0.005) during the pandemic compared with pre-pandemic. In a subset of children (n=30) with anthropometric measures in both periods, there was a lower rate of decline in BMIz score (-1.5 [2.00] versus -0.3 [0.73]/year; P=0.002) and an increase in adiposity (-0.8 [4.64] versus 2.7 [5.54]%/year; P=0.043) during the pandemic. Discussion The pandemic has impacted the mental and physical health of children with obesity engaged in a weight management clinic. While our study provides evidence of a negative impact on mental health outcomes and less improvement in anthropometric measures, future research when patients return to in-person care will enable further examination of our findings with additional objective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheri Agatha Nsamenang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carline Anne Gutierrez
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jane Manayathu Jones
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Glenn Jenkins
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephanie Anne Tibelius
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna Maria DiGravio
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Basma Chamas
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joycelyne Efua Ewusie
- The Research Institute Biostatistics Unit, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hannah Geddie
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zubin Punthakee
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Constantine Samaan
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gita Wahi
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katherine M Morrison
- Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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24
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Partington LC, Mashash M, Hastings PD. Family Thriving During COVID-19 and the Benefits for Children's Well-Being. Front Psychol 2022; 13:879195. [PMID: 35645847 PMCID: PMC9135131 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.879195] [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: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has raised deserved concern regarding adverse impacts on parents' and children's mental health, regulations like "sheltering-in-place" may have afforded parents novel opportunities to foster positive family connections, thereby bolstering well-being. Using latent profile analysis (LPA), we (a) distinguished family thriving during shelter-in-place (May-June 2020) from other patterns of family functioning, (b) tested potential predictors of family functioning profiles, and (c) examined if family thriving predicted subsequent child adjustment (September-October 2020). 449 parents in two-parent U.S. families with children aged 2-18 years completed online surveys assessing (a) parent-child relationship quality, parents' positive psychological adjustment, children's emotional well-being, and parenting efficacy and satisfaction as family functioning indicators, (b) financial, marital, parental psychosocial assets, and child (age, gender, and temperament) predictors of family functioning, and (c) child adjustment. LPA identified four family functioning profiles: Thriving, Managing, Struggling, and Distressed. Thriving families evinced higher scores on all functioning indicators. Logistic regressions revealed that parents in Thriving families reported significantly lower financial anxiety, less dissatisfaction with partner's help, less child emotionality, and greater use of cognitive reappraisal, as well as more positive child adjustment in Fall 2020. These findings underscore the multidimensional nature of coping and well-being during COVID-19. Utilizing these levers to promote mental health in families languishing during comparable future crises could promote resilience, thereby protecting children's well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey C. Partington
- Department of Human Ecology, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Center for Mind and Brain, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Meital Mashash
- Center for Mind and Brain, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Osher Center for Integrative Health, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Paul D. Hastings
- Center for Mind and Brain, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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25
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Being a Parent during COVID-19: Risk for Psychological Distress in the United States and Italy. SOCIAL SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/socsci11040173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant effects on people worldwide, yet the psychological impact of collective traumas may differ at the individual and societal level. Parents may be exposed to greater pandemic-related stressors, yet also are more likely than non-parents to have social interactions during social distancing mandates. Furthermore, varying degrees of pandemic severity in countries may alter the adverse outcomes of pandemic stressors on psychopathology across nations. The purpose of this investigation was to cross-nationally explore how COVID-19 stress exposure relates to psychological distress and whether the association differed by parental status and nationality. Individuals from the United States (n = 2449) and Italy (n = 579) completed assessments measuring traumatic stress, depressive symptoms, and COVID-19-related stressors. COVID-19-related stressors were positively associated with traumatic stress and depressive symptoms. The association between COVID-19-related stressors and psychological distress did not differ by parental status or nationality. We also found that being a young adult, having a lower educational status, not being a parent, and being Italian were related to exposure to COVID-19-related stressors. We discuss these findings and their implications for our understanding of unique contexts that may pose as risk or resiliency factors during a global collective trauma, particularly on parental psychological distress as a way of promoting whole-family wellness.
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26
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Peer Power! Secure Peer Attachment Mediates the Effect of Parental Attachment on Depressive Withdrawal of Teenagers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074068. [PMID: 35409754 PMCID: PMC8998754 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adolescents’ depressive social withdrawal is a relevant concern for mental health professionals, and it is widespread among community teenagers in form of subclinical symptoms. Different studies suggest that insecure attachment representations increase the adolescents’ likelihood to show symptoms of withdrawal (e.g., loneliness). This study explored the effect of the general attachment internal working model (IWM) and the independent and cumulative effects of the specific attachment representations of parents—in terms of secure base/safe haven—and peers on adolescents’ withdrawal. Additionally, the mediation of peer attachment on the effect of parental attachment on symptoms was explored. All analyses were conducted controlling for the difference between teenagers living with parents together or divorced/separated, as children of divorcees are considered more exposed to stressors. Ninety-one adolescents aged 12–17 years old were assessed online during the COVID pandemic period, employing the Youth Self-Report to assess withdrawal and the Friends and Family Interview to assess attachment-general IWM and attachment-specific representations. Results show no influence of parents together/separated or of the general IWM on withdrawal, but higher parent secure base/safe haven and peer attachment cumulatively predicted 10–21% less withdrawal. Moreover, more positive peer attachment mediated 61% of the effect of the parental secure attachment on withdrawal, revealing an indirect effect of parental attachment on withdrawal through peer attachment. In conclusion, both parents and peers are influential on adolescent mental health, and fostering positive peer relationships can buffer the effect of dysfunctional family relationships on teenagers’ withdrawal.
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27
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Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents: Cognitive and Emotional Representations. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9030359. [PMID: 35327734 PMCID: PMC8946934 DOI: 10.3390/children9030359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The present research investigated children and adolescents’ explicit and spontaneous representation of the COVID-19 pandemic and their related emotions, cognitions, and coping strategies. We explored the self-reported protective factors and coping mechanisms, in addition to similar attributional emotional experiences, i.e., the ways participants evaluated others’ pandemic experiences. Our sample consisted of 155 children and adolescents aged 10 to 13 (M = 10.70, SD = 0.85, 56.1% females). We designed a 12-item survey and analyzed our data using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Our findings suggested that most children and adolescents associated masks with the thought of the novel coronavirus, and the most frequently associated emotion was sadness (45.2%), followed by fear (17.4%). Generally, participants reported a medium level of perceived adverse effects of the pandemic, mainly because their regular physical school classes moved to the online setting. We also found a significant association between children’s self-reported levels of harmful effects of the pandemic and perceived adverse effects on their families. Most participants expressed their dissatisfaction concerning online school classes, primarily due to poor online interaction. In our sample, the children and adolescents reported positive thoughts and family relationships as their primary coping mechanisms during the pandemic, suggesting similar perceived coping mechanisms in the others around them. Finally, more than half of the participants considered that the COVID-19 pandemic had no positive effects, while 40% considered the increased time spent with their families the primary positive consequences following the COVID-19 health crisis. Results are discussed regarding their implications concerning healthcare, social, and educational policies.
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28
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Sledge H, Lawler M, Hourihane J, Franklin R, Boland F, Dunne S, McCallion N, O'Mahony L, Byrne S. Parenting a newborn baby during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative survey. BMJ Paediatr Open 2022; 6:10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001348. [PMID: 35984697 PMCID: PMC8905983 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001348] [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] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic caused long periods of lockdown, social isolation and intense challenges for parents. This study examines parenting in an infant cohort born at the pandemic onset. METHODS The CORAL study is a prospective longitudinal observational study looking at allergy, immune function and neurodevelopmental outcome in babies born between March and May 2020. Demographic information was collected, babies were reviewed at 6-monthly intervals, and serology for COVID-19 infection was recorded. When babies were 12 months old, parents were asked for 3-5 words to describe raising a baby during the pandemic. Frequency of word usage was compared between first time parents and parents with other children, and parents of babies with and without a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. RESULTS 354 babies were recruited to CORAL study. Social circles were small. At 6 months the median number of people (including parents) who had kissed the baby was 3, and by 12 months one-quarter of babies had never met another child of similar age. 304 parents completed the word choice. Commonly reported words were lonely (44.4%), isolating (31.9%) and strong bond (15.8%). 12 of those 304 babies had COVID-19 in their first year of life and there was no significant difference in reported negative or positive word number compared with parents of babies without a COVID-19 infection, or by first time parents or those who already had children. CONCLUSION The lockdowns and social restrictions made raising an infant challenging for all parents in Ireland. It is important parents know this was a shared experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey Sledge
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marguerite Lawler
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics, Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jonathan Hourihane
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Paediatrics, Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ruth Franklin
- Department of Paediatrics, Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona Boland
- Data Science Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sumi Dunne
- Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Naomi McCallion
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Maternity Hospital, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Liam O'Mahony
- Department of Medicine and School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Susan Byrne
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland .,Department of Paediatrics, Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,FutureNeuro, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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29
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COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown and Wellbeing: Experiences from Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042269. [PMID: 35206457 PMCID: PMC8871666 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In 2020, in the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Aotearoa New Zealand consistently maintained stringent public health measures including stay-at-home lockdowns and distancing responses. Considering the widespread disruption to social functioning caused by the pandemic, this paper aimed to explore environmental and social factors that influenced the wellbeing of individuals during the first lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our mixed-methods study involved a survey (n = 1010) and semi-structured interviews of a subset of surveyed individuals undertaken at the tail end of the first 2020 lockdown. Survey participants were recruited through social media-driven snowball sampling, less than 50% were aged under 45 years and 85% identified as female. Of those interviewed, 63% identified as female. Qualitative interview findings and open-ended survey results were analysed thematically. Participants described a variety of factors influencing wellbeing, largely related to the community and household; physical, behavioural, and lifestyle factors; access to health services; and social and economic foundations. While much of the focus of COVID-19 recovery was on reversing the economic and physical toll of the pandemic, our findings emphasise the need to empower individuals, families, and communities to mitigate the pandemic’s negative implications on wellbeing.
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30
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Schneiders ML, Mackworth-Young CR, Cheah PY. Between division and connection: a qualitative study of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on social relationships in the United Kingdom. Wellcome Open Res 2022; 7:6. [PMID: 35559361 PMCID: PMC9065928 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17452.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The first national COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom between March to July 2020 resulted in sudden and unprecedented disruptions to daily life. This study sought to understand the impact of COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as social distancing and quarantine, on people’s lived experiences, focusing on social connections and relationships. Methods: Data were generated through 20 in-depth online and telephone interviews, conducted between May and July 2020, and analysed using thematic analysis informed by an ecological framework. Results: Findings show that the use of NPIs impacted social relationships and sociality at every level, disrupting participant’s sense of self; relationships with their partners, household members, neighbours, and communities; and polarising social and political views. However, experiences of personal meaning-making and reflection, and greater social connectedness, solidarity, and compassion – despite physical distance – were also common. Conclusions: Participant’s lived experiences of the first UK lockdown underscore the interconnectedness of relationships at the individual, community and societal level and point towards the important role of trust, social cohesion, and connectedness in coping with pandemic stress and adversity. Where infectious disease prevention measures rupture sociality, support for social connection at every relational level is likely to help build resilience in light of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Leonie Schneiders
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Ethox Centre, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Phaik Yeong Cheah
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Ethox Centre, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The SoNAR-Global Network, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
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31
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Borbás R, Fehlbaum LV, Dimanova P, Negri A, Arudchelvam J, Schnider CB, Raschle NM. Mental well-being during the first months of Covid-19 in adults and children: behavioral evidence and neural precursors. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17595. [PMID: 34475457 PMCID: PMC8413346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96852-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pandemics such as the Covid-19 pandemic have shown to impact our physical and mental well-being, with particular challenges for children and families. We describe data from 43 adults (31♀, ages = 22-51; 21 mothers) and 26 children (10♀, ages = 7-17 years) including pre-pandemic brain function and seven assessment points during the first months of the pandemic. We investigated (1) changes in child and adult well-being, (2) mother-child associations of mental well-being, and (3) associations between pre-pandemic brain activation during mentalizing and later fears or burden. In adults the prevalence of clinically significant anxiety-levels was 34.88% and subthreshold depression 32.56%. Caregiver burden in parents was moderately elevated. Overall, scores of depression, anxiety, and caregiver burden decreased across the 11 weeks after Covid-19-onset. Children's behavioral and emotional problems during Covid-19 did not significantly differ from pre-pandemic levels and decreased during restrictions. Mothers' subjective burden of care was associated with children's emotional and behavioral problems, while depression levels in mothers were related to children's mood. Furthermore, meeting friends was a significant predictor of children's mood during early restrictions. Pre-pandemic neural correlates of mentalizing in prefrontal regions preceded later development of fear of illnesses and viruses in all participants, while temporoparietal activation preceded higher subjective burden in mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Réka Borbás
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lynn Valérie Fehlbaum
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Plamina Dimanova
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alessia Negri
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Janani Arudchelvam
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Nora Maria Raschle
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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