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Elran-Barak R, Grundman-Shem Tov R, Zubery E, Lewis YD. Therapeutic alliance with psychotherapist versus dietician: a pilot study of eating disorder treatment in a multidisciplinary team during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2024; 14:1267676. [PMID: 38348361 PMCID: PMC10860050 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1267676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the therapeutic alliance (TA) formed with different professionals in multidisciplinary eating disorder (ED) treatment, particularly in the context of online treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to conduct a pilot study during the COVID-19 pandemic examining characteristics of patients' TA with their dieticians and psychotherapists, associations between patients' and therapists' views of the TA, and relationships between psychological characteristics and TAs. Sixty-three patients with EDs and their treating psychotherapists and dieticians were surveyed during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI-S). Spearman correlation tests were used to examine associations between variables. Positive associations were found between the TAs examined. Concordance was stronger in patient-dietician dyads than in patient-psychotherapist dyads. Severe ED psychopathology was associated with weaker TA (bond subscale). General psychopathology was associated with weaker TA with the dietician (task subscale). Given that several differences were found between the TAs of treatment dyads, further longitudinal studies are needed to validate our pilot findings and to investigate multidisciplinary TAs and their impact on treatment outcomes in online ED treatment settings during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in other treatment settings (e.g., in-person settings). This study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of TAs in multidisciplinary ED treatment and inform the development of more effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rinat Grundman-Shem Tov
- Hadarim Eating Disorders Treatment Center, Shalvata Mental Health Center, Hod Hasharon, Israel
| | - Eynat Zubery
- Hadarim Eating Disorders Treatment Center, Shalvata Mental Health Center, Hod Hasharon, Israel
| | - Yael D. Lewis
- Hadarim Eating Disorders Treatment Center, Shalvata Mental Health Center, Hod Hasharon, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Shahrajabian F, Hasani J, Griffiths MD, Aruguete M, Javad Emadi Chashmi S. Effects of emotional working memory training on problematic internet use, inhibition, attention, and working memory among young problematic internet users: A randomized control study. Addict Behav 2023; 141:107659. [PMID: 36805812 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Problematic internet use (PIU) has been defined as an inability to control impulses to use the internet, and is associated with psychological, social, educational, and/or occupational problems. Considering the harmful effects of PIU, the present study evaluated a treatment intervention aimed at controlling PIU. A randomized control study investigated the effectiveness of emotional working memory training (eWMT) in improving inhibition, attention, and working memory among individuals with PIU in comparison with a placebo group. Young adults (N = 36) with PIU were either trained for 20 sessions in an n-back dual emotional task (eWMT; n = 18) or a feature matching task (placebo; n = 18). Results showed that 20 continuous sessions of eWMT significantly reduced the symptoms of PIU and improved participants' working memory, attention, and inhibition (compared to the placebo group). These preliminary findings suggest that eWMT can be considered a promising treatment to reduce PIU by improving individuals' cognitive and emotional functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jafar Hasani
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Cyberpsychology Research Group, NTU Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, UK
| | - Mara Aruguete
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO, USA
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Muazzam A, Naseem F, Shakil M, Visvizi A, Klemens J. Surviving COVID-19: Biopsychosocial Impacts, Death Anxiety, and Coping Strategies. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030705. [PMID: 36992289 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030705] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, attempts to contain the spread of the virus took two concurrent forms, including mobility restrictions (aka lockdowns) and the race to produce a vaccine. However, it is quite striking that, amidst both the lockdown and the race to produce a vaccine, the question of how COVID-19 survivors/patients coped with the disease has not received the degree of attention it deserved. To navigate this issue, we employed a sample consisting of 100 COVID-19 survivors; this paper explores the relationship between the biopsychosocial (BPS) impacts of COVID-19, death anxiety, and coping strategies. In this context, the mediating role of death anxiety is placed in the spotlight. The analysis reveals a significant positive association between the BPS impact of COVID-19 and death anxiety and a significant negative association between death anxiety and coping strategies among COVID-19 survivors. Thus, death anxiety mediates the relationship between the BPS impact and the coping strategies that COVID-19 survivors adopt. Given the general recognition of the validity of the BPS model in contemporary medical science and practice, a thorough examination of COVID-19 survivors and their experiences related to surviving is necessary to match the challenges of today, including the increased probability of pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Muazzam
- Department of Psychology, Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Faiqa Naseem
- Department of Psychology, Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muneeba Shakil
- Department of Humanities, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 1.5 KM Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Anna Visvizi
- Institute of International Studies (ISM), SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland
- Effat College of Business, Effat University, Jeddah 21551, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jolanta Klemens
- PSYCHOMedical, ul. W. Broniewskiego 39, 43-300 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
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Liu Y, Liu YF, Liu KX, Xie YJ, Li WG, Kong Y, Zhu HH, Zhu JM, Mi BB, Yang JQ, Huang Z, Du JW, He HG, Shen Q. Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and related factors among Chinese population during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e32336. [PMID: 36595752 PMCID: PMC9794280 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has deep and wide negative mental impacts on the public, and studies on the impact of COVID-19 on social and mental well-being are necessary. This study aimed to evaluate mental distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and its related risk factors in Chinese adults in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a large-scale cross-sectional design. A total of 2067 adult participants completed the online survey via REDcap from 1st to 15th of March 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and related risk factors, including self-efficacy, coping style, and social support, were measured using valid and reliable instruments. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. We found that 201 (9.7%) participants reported moderate-to-severe anxiety, 669 (33.8%) reported depression, and 368 (17.8%) reported symptoms of PTSD. Self-efficacy, coping style, and social support significantly affected anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. Participants' sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 pandemic-related factors, low self-efficacy, low social support, and negative coping were predictors of mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study will help healthcare professionals carry out early predictions and identification of high-risk groups and provide appropriate interventions to target groups during public health emergencies that plague the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yi-Fei Liu
- Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ke-Xian Liu
- Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yao-Jie Xie
- FG424, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wen-Gang Li
- Discipline of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yue Kong
- 900th Hospital of Joint Service Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hai-Hua Zhu
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jie-Min Zhu
- Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Bai-Bing Mi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Global Health Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
| | - Jin-Qiu Yang
- Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhuo Huang
- Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ji-Wei Du
- Nursing Department, The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hong-Gu He
- Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Qu Shen
- Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- * Correspondence: Qu Shen, Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 4221 Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen 361102, China (e-mail: )
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Brailovskaia J, Krasavtseva Y, Kochetkov Y, Tour P, Margraf J. Social media use, mental health, and suicide-related outcomes in Russian women: A cross-sectional comparison between two age groups. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 18:17455057221141292. [PMID: 36510444 PMCID: PMC9751176 DOI: 10.1177/17455057221141292] [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] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women who belong to the age group "emerging adulthood" (18 to 29 years) are vulnerable to mental health issues and suicide-related outcomes. OBJECTIVES This study investigated potential predictors of suicide-related outcomes in females emerging adulthood and compared them to older women. DESIGN AND METHODS Data of 2537 women from Russia (group "18 to 29 years": n = 1123; group "> 29 years": n = 1414) on lifetime suicide-related outcomes, (problematic) social media use, daily stress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and positive mental health were assessed via online cross-sectional surveys. RESULTS The younger group spent significantly more time on social media use than the older group. It had significantly higher levels of daily stress, problematic social media use, depression and anxiety symptoms, and suicide-related outcomes. The older group showed significantly higher levels of positive mental health. Only in the younger group, problematic social media use significantly mediated the relationship between daily stress and suicide-related outcomes in a moderated mediation analysis. Positive mental health significantly moderated the association between problematic social media use and suicide-related outcomes. Specifically, the higher the positive mental health level, the less close the link between both variables. CONCLUSION The current results reveal that young women in Russia could be at enhanced risk for daily stress, problematic social media use, and low levels of mental health. The interaction between these variables could foster suicide-related outcomes. Public governmental communication in Russia should call attention to potential negative impact of intensive social media use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Brailovskaia
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany,Julia Brailovskaia, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Massenbergstrasse 9-13, 44787 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Yulia Krasavtseva
- Department of Pedagogy and Medical Psychology, Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia,Department of Psychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia,Center for Cognitive Therapy, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Polina Tour
- Center for Cognitive Therapy, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jürgen Margraf
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Brailovskaia J, Margraf J. Positive mental health and mindfulness as protective factors against addictive social media use during the COVID-19 outbreak. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277631. [PMID: 36449483 PMCID: PMC9710776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 caused high psychological burden for many people. Some people tend to excessive social media use (SMU) to escape the negative emotions which can foster addictive tendencies. The present study investigated positive mental health (PMH) and mindfulness as protective factors that could reduce the risk for addictive SMU. Data of 1,049 participants from Germany were assessed via online surveys in autumn 2021. The current results reveal a positive relationship between COVID-19 burden and addictive SMU. Both were negatively linked to PMH and mindfulness. In a moderated mediation analysis, the relationship between COVID-19 burden and addictive SMU was mediated by PMH. Mindfulness moderated the association between PMH and addictive SMU. The COVID-19 situation can be burdensome and contribute to dysfunctional coping strategies such as addictive SMU. However, PMH and mindfulness serve as protective factors. The protective effect of mindfulness could be especially important for persons with low PMH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Brailovskaia
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jürgen Margraf
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Goldstein Ferber S, Shoval G, Zalsman G, Weller A. Does COVID-19 related symptomatology indicate a transdiagnostic neuropsychiatric disorder? - Multidisciplinary implications. World J Psychiatry 2022; 12:1004-1015. [PMID: 36158308 PMCID: PMC9476837 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i8.1004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical presentation that emerges from the extensive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mental health literature suggests high correlations among many conventional psychiatric diagnoses. Arguments against the use of multiple comorbidities for a single patient have been published long before the pandemic. Concurrently, diagnostic recommendations for use of transdiagnostic considerations for improved treatment have been also published in recent years. In this review, we pose the question of whether a transdiagnostic mental health disease, including psychiatric and neuropsychiatric symptomology, has emerged since the onset of the pandemic. There are many attempts to identify a syndrome related to the pandemic, but none of the validated scales is able to capture the entire psychiatric and neuropsychiatric clinical presentation in infected and non-infected individuals. These scales also only marginally touch the issue of etiology and prevalence. We suggest a working hypothesis termed Complex Stress Reaction Syndrome (CSRS) representing a global psychiatric reaction to the pandemic situation in the general population (Type A) and a neuropsychiatric reaction in infected individuals (Type B) which relates to neurocognitive and psychiatric features which are part (excluding systemic and metabolic dysfunctions) of the syndrome termed in the literature as long COVID. We base our propositions on multidisciplinary scientific data regarding mental health during the global pandemic situation and the effects of viral infection reviewed from Google Scholar and PubMed between February 1, 2022 and March 10, 2022. Search in-clusion criteria were “mental health”, “COVID-19” and “Long COVID”, English language and human studies only. We suggest that this more comprehensive way of understanding COVID-19 complex mental health reactions may promote better prevention and treatment and serve to guide implementation of recommended administrative regulations that were recently published by the World Psychiatric Association. This review may serve as a call for an international investigation of our working hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari Goldstein Ferber
- Department of Psychology and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5317000, Israel
| | - Gal Shoval
- Department of Psychiatry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Neuroscience, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - Gil Zalsman
- Department of Psychiatry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Aron Weller
- Department of Psychology and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5317000, Israel
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Brailovskaia J, Margraf J. Addictive social media use during Covid-19 outbreak: Validation of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and investigation of protective factors in nine countries. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022:1-19. [PMID: 35615694 PMCID: PMC9122809 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03182-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Since the Covid-19 outbreak, addictive social media use increased in many countries. To better understand this development, a universal instrument for the assessment of addictive social media use is required. Against this background, we examined the psychometric properties of the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) in representative population samples in nine countries (N = 9418, age range: "18 to 24 years" (youngest group), "55 years and older" (oldest group): China, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, U.K., U.S.). Furthermore, we investigated potential factors and mechanisms that could be associated with addictive social media use. Our cross-national findings show that the BSMAS is a unidimensional reliable and valid instrument. Moreover, they reveal that the negative association between positive mental health and addictive social media use is mediated by sense of control in seven of the nine countries (exception: China, Russia). Thus, it can be hypothesized that activities which increase positive mental health could indirectly contribute to the decrease of addictive social media use. We identified conscious engagement in physical activity and a regular sleep rhythm during the pandemic as such potential activities. The fostering of both by governmental programs could enhance positive mental health and reduce addictive social media use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Brailovskaia
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Massenbergstr. 9-13, 44787 Bochum, Germany
| | - Jürgen Margraf
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Massenbergstr. 9-13, 44787 Bochum, Germany
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Disordered gaming, loneliness, and family harmony in gamers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addict Behav Rep 2022; 15:100426. [PMID: 35434242 PMCID: PMC9001174 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
(Internet) Gaming Disorder scores increased significantly during the pandemic years. Loneliness and family harmony did not change significantly. Correlations between (I)GD and loneliness/poorer family harmony increased. The COVID-19 pandemic might have negatively affected the well-being of gamers.
The aim of this study was to investigate if and how disordered gaming, loneliness, and family relations have changed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (from 2019 to 2021), and whether there were any changes in the association between these variables across three samples of gamers (for each respective year). Samples from 2019, 2020, and 2021 were matched by using propensity score matching across socio-demographic characteristics. The total effective sample comprised 897 gamers (N = 299 per year). These samples were compared in terms of disordered gaming – separately as Gaming Disorder (GD; WHO framework) and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD; APA framework), loneliness, and family harmony scores with analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs), with age and gender as covariates. Steiger tests were used for correlation differences testing. ANCOVAs showed that while GD and IGD scores have increased significantly during the pandemic years, loneliness and family harmony did not change significantly. Furthermore, the correlation differences tests indicated that the correlations between both IGD and GD with loneliness as well as poorer family harmony have increased during the pandemic years. This study provides empirical evidence that the well-being of gamers might have been negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. While loneliness and family harmony did not increase, the stronger correlations between Gaming Disorder and other variables might suggest that gaming may have been used to cope with loneliness and poorer family harmony.
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Volpe U, Orsolini L, Salvi V, Albert U, Carmassi C, Carrà G, Cirulli F, Dell’Osso B, Luciano M, Menculini G, Nanni MG, Pompili M, Sani G, Sampogna G, Group W, Fiorillo A. COVID-19-Related Social Isolation Predispose to Problematic Internet and Online Video Gaming Use in Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031539. [PMID: 35162568 PMCID: PMC8835465 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic and its related containment measures have been associated with increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression in the general population. While the use of digital media has been greatly promoted by national governments and international authorities to maintain social contacts and healthy lifestyle behaviors, its increased access may also bear the risk of inappropriate or excessive use of internet-related resources. The present study, part of the COVID Mental hEalth Trial (COMET) study, aims at investigating the possible relationship between social isolation, the use of digital resources and the development of their problematic use. A cross sectional survey was carried out to explore the prevalence of internet addiction, excessive use of social media, problematic video gaming and binge watching, during Italian phase II (May-June 2020) and III (June-September 2020) of the pandemic in 1385 individuals (62.5% female, mean age 32.5 ± 12.9) mainly living in Central Italy (52.4%). Data were stratified according to phase II/III and three groups of Italian regions (northern, central and southern). Compared to the larger COMET study, most participants exhibited significant higher levels of severe-to-extremely-severe depressive symptoms (46.3% vs. 12.4%; p < 0.01) and extremely severe anxiety symptoms (77.8% vs. 7.5%; p < 0.01). We also observed a rise in problematic internet use and excessive gaming over time. Mediation analyses revealed that COVID-19-related general psychopathology, stress, anxiety, depression and social isolation play a significant role in the emergence of problematic internet use, social media addiction and problematic video gaming. Professional gamers and younger subjects emerged as sub-populations particularly at risk of developing digital addictions. If confirmed in larger and more homogenous samples, our findings may help in shedding light on possible preventive and treatment strategies for digital addictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Volpe
- Clinical Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (L.O.); (V.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-71-596-3301; Fax: +39-71-596-3540
| | - Laura Orsolini
- Clinical Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (L.O.); (V.S.)
| | - Virginio Salvi
- Clinical Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (L.O.); (V.S.)
| | - Umberto Albert
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste and Department of Mental Health, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina—ASUGI, 34148 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Carrà
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy;
| | | | - Bernardo Dell’Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, 20157 Milano, Italy;
| | - Mario Luciano
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.L.); (G.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Giulia Menculini
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Maria Giulia Nanni
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00100 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Sani
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00100 Rome, Italy;
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Sampogna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.L.); (G.S.); (A.F.)
| | | | - Andrea Fiorillo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.L.); (G.S.); (A.F.)
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11
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Sousa SS, Ferreira MM, Cruz S, Sampaio A, Silva-Fernandes A. A Structural Equation Model of Self-Regulation and Healthy Habits as an Individual Protective Tool in the Context of Epidemics-Evidence From COVID-19. Front Psychol 2021; 12:696813. [PMID: 34594265 PMCID: PMC8476840 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.696813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: The present study aims to explore the mediation role of self-regulation on health-related behaviors adoption or maintenance, mental health, and well-being during the COVID-19 confinement in a sample of adults in Portugal. Design: One-hundred fifty individuals (118 females, 32 males; Mage = 33.57 year; SD = 12.71) filled an online survey to assess self-regulation, healthy behaviors, mental health, and well-being perception, during the early months of the pandemic (June-August, 2020). Main Outcome Measures: Self-regulation capacity, adoption or maintenance of healthy habits, mental health, including stress management, and the perception of one's well-being were evaluated using a structural equation model (SEM). Results: Self-regulation had direct effects on healthy habits and mental health and indirect effects on well-being and mental health mediated by healthy habits. In specific, a positive direct effect on healthy habits (β = 0.497, p < 0.001) and a negative direct effect on mental health (β = -0.428, p < 0.001); and a positive indirect effect on well-being perception, mediated by healthy behaviors and mental health (β = 0.253, p = 0.003), and a negative indirect effect on mental health, mediated by healthy habits (β = -0.208, p = 0.003). Additionally, healthy habits exerted direct effects on well-being perception and mental health. A positive direct effect on well-being perception (β = 0.254, p = 0.012), and a negative direct effect on mental health (β = -0.418, p < 0.001) were further observed. No direct effect of mental health was observed in well-being perception (β = -0.199, p = 0.068). Finally, a negative correlation was observed between self-regulation and weeks of confinement (r = -0.208, p = 0.021). Conclusion: Self-regulation seems to be a good indicator of adopting a healthy lifestyle and better mental health and well-being in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future preventive actions and interventions to build long-term global preparedness for future health emergencies, such as COVID-19, should explore the importance of self-regulation as an important individual and collective protective factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia S Sousa
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Marisa M Ferreira
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sara Cruz
- The Psychology for Positive Development Research Center (CIPD), Lusíada University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Adriana Sampaio
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Anabela Silva-Fernandes
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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