Psychological inflexibility and intolerance of uncertainty moderate the relationship between social isolation and mental health outcomes during COVID-19

Antidepressants and COVID-19: Increased use, occurrence in water and effects and consequences on aquatic environment. A review

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the consumption of many drugs, among which antidepressants stand out. This review evaluated the frequency of antidepressant use before and after COVID-19. Once the most consumed antidepressants were identified, detecting a variation in the frequency of consumption on the different continents, an overview of their life cycle was carried out, specifying which antidepressants are mostly detected and the places where there is a greater concentration. In addition, the main metabolites of the most used antidepressants were also investigated. A correlation between the most consumed drugs and the most detected was made, emphasizing the lack of information on the occurrence of some of the most consumed antidepressants. Subsequently, studies on the effects on aquatic life were also reviewed, evaluated through different living beings (fish, crustaceans, molluscs, planktonic crustaceans and algae). Likewise, many of the most used antidepressants lack studies on potential adverse effects on aquatic living beings. This review underscores the need for further research, particularly focusing on the life cycle of the most prescribed antidepressants. In particular, it is a priority to know the occurrence and adverse effects in the aquatic environment of the most used antidepressants after the pandemic.

Learning outcomes for participants in citizen science mosquito surveillance

Although citizen science initiatives have been increasing globally, there is still a gap in understanding how they can result in sustainable benefits for citizen scientists. This article addresses dual goals of (i) collecting relevant data on potential vector mosquitoes and (ii) delivering learning outcomes among participants in a citizen science mosquito surveillance program. Mozzie Monitors uses an e-entomology approach to collect and identify mosquitoes of medical importance. This study used quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches, comprised of before and after longitudinal surveys, in-depth interviews and descriptive assessment of mosquito attributes to assess participants' educational gains and data collection scalability. Results showed that mosquito abundance and diversity differed in each study location, with Aedes notoscriptus (Skuse) being the most common mosquito reported in all areas. Citizen scientists were predominantly women over 50 and highly educated. The before-and-after analysis showed that participants learned how to identify the most common mosquito species after participating in the program. They also improved their technical skills in mosquito photography, increasing the rates of identifiable photos. Finally, participating in this citizen science program resulted in behavior changes, with participants starting to look for mosquito eggs and larvae in their backyards to manage mosquito populations. The mixed methods used in this research showed increased participants' confidence, self-efficacy, and engagement throughout the trial. Overall, this study demonstrated the potential of Mozzie Monitors to contribute to the dual goals of mosquito data contribution and citizen scientists' educational outcomes for improved public health.

Psychological correlates of the good old days bias in mild traumatic brain injury

Non-neurological factors such as the "expectation as etiology" or the "good old days" bias (EE/GOD bias) may partially explain persistent symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). What is less clear from existing research is the degree to which EE/GOD bias is related to other psychological correlates of persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS). We examined whether the EE/GOD bias was related to illness perception beliefs, intolerance of uncertainty, suggestibility, and domain identification. Participants with MTBI history and without (controls) reported frequency and severity of current PPCS; the MTBI group additionally reported premorbid PPCS. Participants also completed measures of psychological factors potentially associated with PPCS. Consistent with previous studies of the EE/GOD bias, the MTBI group endorsed less premorbid PPCS than current PPCS and when compared to the current symptom report of the control group. The MTBI group also endorsed more current PPCS than the control group. Higher EE/GOD bias was associated with several aspects of illness identity, including belief that symptoms would be more chronic, greater illness-related psychological distress, and greater cogniphobia. Higher EE/GOD bias was also related to higher intolerance of uncertainty and stronger personal identification with memory abilities. Regression showed that perceived symptom timeline, cogniphobia, and domain identification were unique predictors of EE/GOD bias. Findings confirm that the EE/GOD bias is seen in individuals with self-reported history of MTBI and corresponds to other psychological processes that potentially explain ongoing MTBI symptoms, providing greater insight into the potential mechanisms of PPCS. Future studies should examine the EE/GOD bias and associated psychological correlates in a clinical population and also assess for potential neuropsychological correlates. Findings suggest that psychological factors and premorbid symptom report should be considered in clinical assessment and also suggest potential mechanisms of treatment of individuals with acute MTBI or prolonged MTBI symptoms.

The interplay among burnout, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in Chinese clinical therapists

Burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress negatively impact the well-being and retention of healthcare professionals. The interplay of these symptoms is understudied. Utilizing network analysis, this study examined the interrelationships among these symptom clusters in clinical therapists in China. An anonymous survey was conducted among clinical therapists from 41 tertiary psychiatric hospitals in China. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey (MBI-HSS), while symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed via the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Analyses were performed to identify central symptoms and bridge symptoms of this network. A total of 419 participants were included in this survey. The prevalence rate for burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress was 19.8%, 22.2%, 17.9%, and 8.6%, respectively. Network analysis indicated that stress symptoms had the highest expected influence values, closely followed by emotional exhaustion from MBI-HSS. Notably, emotional exhaustion emerged as the strongest bridge of expected influence. The stability of the expected influence and bridge expected influence was robust, with coefficients at 0.75. The study's findings underscore the importance of recognizing the central symptoms and bridge symptoms, which could lead to more effective early detection and intervention for burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress among clinical therapists.

The association between intolerance of uncertainty and academic burnout among university students: the role of self-regulatory fatigue and self-compassion

Introduction

Increased uncertainty is a major feature of the current society that poses significant challenges to university students' mental health and academics. However, current research has not paid sufficient attention to this issue, and no study has explored the underlying mechanisms between intolerance of uncertainty and academic burnout among university students.

Methods

This study examined the association between uncertainty intolerance and academic burnout among university students and the role of self-regulatory fatigue and self-compassion in light of the theory of limited resources. Convenience sampling was used to survey 1,022 Chinese university students.

Results

The findings demonstrated that intolerance of uncertainty significantly influenced university students' academic burnout with self-regulatory fatigue serving as a key mediator. Additionally, self-compassion can effectively moderate the effects of intolerance of uncertainty on self-regulatory fatigue and academic burnout.

Discussion

These results indicated that the depletion of cognitive resources brought about by uncertainty in the current highly uncertain social environment may be one of the key pathways to academic burnout among university students. Furthermore, current research provides insights into how to mitigate the negative effects of uncertainty on university students.

Comparative Analysis of Academic, Behavioral, and Psychophysiological Variables in Male and Female Vocational Training Students

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not there are notable differences between male and female vocational training students in terms of academic, behavioral, and psychophysiological characteristics.

METHODS

A total of 411 vocational training students, 210 of whom were male and 201 of whom were female, participated in an online survey that assessed academic, behavioral, and psychophysiological patterns.

RESULTS

In terms of extraversion and openness to experience, our research revealed that no statistically significant differences were noticed. When it came to agreeableness, however, significant differences were seen, with female students getting higher marks than male students. Furthermore, we found that there were significant gender differences in terms of neuroticism and conscientiousness, with female students achieving higher scores than male students. When compared to their male counterparts, females displayed higher performance in terms of academic success. They also demonstrated superior values in terms of reported stress, anxiety, and cognitive inflexibility.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study provide a more in-depth understanding of the numerous factors that have an impact on students engaging in vocational training. This will serve as a foundation for the development of individualized instructional and support programs.

The moderating effects of intolerance of uncertainty and social connectedness on college students' addictive behaviors and mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: This study aimed to understand COVID-19 pandemic impacts on anxiety, depression, and addictive/excessive behaviors, with exploration of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and social connectedness as potential moderators. Participants: Adult college students participated. Method: Our online survey assessed symptoms and behaviors prior to COVID-19, during the initial outbreak (Wave 1), and during early 2021 (Wave 2). Results: Significant increases were found in anxiety, depression, binge eating, sexual behaviors, video game playing, internet/social media usage, and compulsive exercise in both waves. IU moderated the relationship between both depression/anxiety and certain excessive behaviors; social connectedness moderated the relationship between anxiety and smoking. Conclusions: This study replicated prior work and highlights new impacts on addictive/excessive behaviors, as well as moderating effects from social connectedness and IU. Future research is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of treatments targeting IU and social connectedness as the pandemic continues to unfold.

Intolerance of Uncertainty, Job Satisfaction and Work Performance in Turkish Healthcare Professionals: Mediating Role of Psychological Capital

Objective: Psychological capital refers to internal resources including self-efficacy, hope, optimism and resilience to overcome adverse life events. The current study sought to examine the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and job satisfaction and work performance in healthcare professionals. Methods: Participants were 302 healthcare professionals [48% females; M(SD) age = 34.0 (7.5)] and completed measures of intolerance of uncertainty, psychological capital, work performance, and job satisfaction. Results: The findings indicated that intolerance of uncertainty was negatively correlated with psychological capital, work performance, and job satisfaction, whereas psychological capital was positively correlated with job satisfaction and work performance. More importantly, the findings revealed that these relationships were mediated by psychological capital. Conclusion: The results provide several contributions that help to understand the role of psychological capital in the relationship between intolerance to uncertainty and job satisfaction and work performance.

A Prospective, Longitudinal Comparison of Sexual Distress Across Relationship Status During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Numerous studies have described declines in sexual well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, although experiences of sexual distress during this time appear to be mixed. Previous research has relied on cross-sectional methodology and focused on individuals in relationships. Furthermore, little is known about the frequency of "COVID-safe" sexual behaviors, such as online sexual activities. These gaps in the literature were addressed using a prospective, longitudinal online study examining sexual distress, predictors of sexual distress (i.e., perceived stress), and online sexual activities over time in single and partnered individuals. Participants were single (N = 64) and partnered (N = 60) individuals who completed surveys at three timepoints over a 6-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mean age across the two groups was 29 years, and approximately half were women (51.6% and 50%, respectively). Results indicated that single individuals reported significantly higher sexual distress than partnered individuals at Times 1 and 2, but not at Time 3. Sexual distress significantly decreased over time for individuals in the single group but remained stable for partnered individuals. At each timepoint, there was a conditional effect of perceived stress on sexual distress depending on one's relationship status, and the nature of these conditional effects changed throughout the course of the study. Results suggested that single individuals demonstrated improvements in sexual distress over time. Perceived stress is an important predictor of sexual distress but may operate differently depending on relationship status. Results highlight the resiliency of both single and partnered individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Effect of Psychological Inflexibility on Social-Distancing Phobia Mediated by Preoccupation With Sleep and Intolerance of Uncertainty in the Elderly Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore whether psychological inflexibility in the elderly population is related to social-distancing phobia, and examine whether their viral anxiety, preoccupation with sleep, or intolerance of uncertainty may mediate the relationship.

METHODS

Among the elderly population aged ≥65 in Korea, we conducted an anonymous online survey during January and February 2023. We collected the responses of 300 participants, collected demographic information, and symptoms using rating scales such as the Social-Distancing Phobia scale, Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 items (SAVE-6), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 (IUS-12), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale (GSES).

RESULTS

Social-distancing phobia was expected by the SAVE-6 (β=0.34, p<0.001), IUS-12 (β=0.18, p=0.003), and GSES (β=0.18, p= 0.001) in the linear regression analysis. In the mediation analysis, psychological inflexibility did not directly influence social-distancing phobia. However, viral anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, or preoccupation with sleep completely mediated the influence of psychological inflexibility on social-distancing phobia among elderly population.

CONCLUSION

The management of psychological inflexibility, intolerance of uncertainty, or preoccupation with sleep needs to be considered when designing interventions to address social-distancing phobia in elderly populations in future pandemics.

Associations Among Online Social Reactions to Disclosure of Sexual Victimization, Coping and Social Isolation

Social reactions to the disclosure of sexual victimization are critical to post-assault recovery. The popular social media hashtag "#MeToo" resulted in numerous survivors of sexual victimization disclosing their experience online. Whereas previous research has examined the association between social reactions to in-person disclosure of sexual victimization and factors commonly associated with adjustment among survivors - such as coping and social support - research is needed to examine correlates of social reactions to online disclosure of sexual victimization. Accordingly, the current study investigated the relationship between online social reactions to the disclosure of sexual victimization via #MeToo and engagement in various coping strategies (problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping) and social isolation among a sample of 195 adults with a history of sexual victimization. Results indicated that the provision of online resources was associated with lower use of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. Receipt of online emotional and informational support was associated with increased use of emotion-focused coping strategies. Further, receipt of online social reactions that turned against the survivor and receipt of online social reactions that "made fun of you, insulted you, or said something to hurt you" were associated with higher levels of social isolation. Lastly, online unsupportive acknowledgment and "sharing your tweet with other people" were associated with lower levels of social isolation. Results highlight how online social reactions to disclosure of sexual victimization via #MeToo intersect with coping and social support among survivors of sexual victimization and help to give context to the experience of online disclosure of sexual victimization.

Fear, Perceived Threat, and Anxiety During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Control/Flexibility and Intolerance of Uncertainty

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between fear of COVID-19, perceived threat of COVID-19, anxiety, cognitive control/flexibility, and intolerance to uncertainty. In addition, the mediating role of cognitive control/flexibility and intolerance to uncertainty were investigated.

METHOD

224 volunteers aged between 18-55 years were included in the study. Cognitive Control and Felxibility Scale, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Perceived COVID-19 Threat Form and Beck Anxiety Scales were administered to all participants via an online environment. In this context, Pearson correlation, linear regression, and mediation analyzes were performed.

RESULTS

There were significant relationships among Cognitive Control and Flexibility, Intolerance of Uncertainty, Beck Anxiety, fear of COVID-19, perceived COVID-19 threat (p<0,01). Linear regression analysis showed that the Beck Anxiety Scale, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Cognitive Control/ Flexibility Scale scores significantly predicted fear of COVID-19 and the perceived threat of COVID-19 (p<0,001). In addition, mediation analysis revealed that intolerance to uncertainty and cognitive control/flexibility are mediating factors between anxiety and the perceived threat of COVID-19 (p<0,01).

CONCLUSION

There is a relationship between fear of COVID-19 and perception of threat, anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and cognitive control mechanisms. In accordance with these findings, psychosocial support and therapy programs can be created based on cognitive control/flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty in order to increase the mental health well-being of individuals.

Friendship attachment style, intolerance of uncertainty, and psychological distress among unaccompanied immigrant minors in times of COVID-19

INTRODUCTION

This cross-sectional study used a convergent parallel mixed-method design to investigate friendship attachment style, intolerance of uncertainty, and psychological distress among unaccompanied immigrant minors (UIMs) during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.

METHOD

Participants were 80 male UIMs (Mage  = 17 years, standard deviation = 0.84) hosted in residential care communities. Individual interviews comprising questionnaires and open-ended questions assessed the constructs of interest. Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic content analysis, whereas descriptive statistics and regression analysis were computed on quantitative data.

RESULTS

Several UIMs mentioned positive relationships with peers, but more than half also felt reluctant to trust others and build new friendships due to events experienced before and during migration. However, in quantitative data, 69% identified themselves with the secure friendship attachment style. Regarding intolerance of uncertainty, participants expressed feelings of worry about the pandemic, but also emphasized their resources in terms of confidence, optimism, and planning skills, as well as being accustomed to uncertainty; indeed, levels of this variable were low-to-medium. In regression analysis, insecure attachment and higher intolerance of uncertainty were each associated with greater psychological distress. Moreover, psychological distress was lower among securely attached UIMs with low (vs. high) levels of intolerance of uncertainty.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that, even in conditions of societal insecurity, UIMs display resilience and employ effective coping strategies; however, a lack of trust in peer relationships and the inability to tolerate uncertainty may undermine their psychological adjustment. Implications for developmental theory and practice are discussed.

The relationship between tolerance for uncertainty and academic adjustment: the mediating role of students' psychological flexibility during COVID-19

Introduction

University students are among the groups most adversely affected by COVID-19 in terms of their psychological and academic wellbeing, particularly given the pandemic's uncertainty. However, little is known about their psychological flexibility to deal with this uncertain nature of pandemic. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of psychological flexibility (PF) in the relationship between university students' intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and their academic adjustment to the online learning process during COVID-19.

Methods

Data was collected from 388 university students from Türkiye (18-34 (Mage = 21.43, SD = 2.04) who completed five questionnaires - Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, Academic Self Efficacy Scale, Educational Stress Scale, and Online Self-Regulatory Learning Scale. Additionally, as indicators of students' academic adjustment, perceived academic performance - ranging 1 to 10, and their last academic grade point average before and during the pandemic were also collected.

Results

The results indicated that PF and IU had a significant effect on the academic adjustment of students during the pandemic. PF had a complete mediating role between the IU and academic adjustment. Results also revealed that online self-regulation, a sub-dimension of academic adjustment, did not show a significant relationship with any other variable in the model.

Discussion

Research findings showed that psychological flexibility is a very important strength for university students to maintain their academic adjustment in stressful times. The results were discussed in light of the relevant research, and recommendations for further research and implications were provided.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 and determinants among Spanish university students

Background

University students are a vulnerable population and faced a significant psychological impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of fear of COVID-19 among university students and to evaluate the possible relationship between fear of COVID-19 and socio-demographic, health-related determinants, variables related to the COVID-19 and variables related to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study between December 2020 and December 2021 on a sample of 950 university students from two universities in southern Spain. Participants completed a form that collected socio-demographic, health-related and COVID-related variables, a validated questionnaire related to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear of COVID Scale (FCV-19S). Descriptive, inferential, and multivariable linear regression analyzes were conducted.

Results

The mean FCV-19S score was 14.86 ± 5.16 points. The factors identified as predictors of FCV-19S were being female (p < 0.001), holding religious beliefs (p = 0.04), living in towns with over 10,000 inhabitants (p < 0.01), living with someone vulnerable to COVID-19 (p = 0.02), watching TV to keep informed about COVID-19 (p < 0.01), believing in a low probability of surviving if infected with COVID-19 (p < 0.001), having a higher level of death anxiety (p < 0.001) and suffering from insomnia (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

An average fear of COVID-19 score of 14.86 ± 5.16 points has been found among university students in Spain. These findings can aid in identifying specific factors contributing to fear of COVID-19 and in developing coping strategies to alleviate the stress of the pandemic.

The role of psychological flexibility in the relationships between burnout, job satisfaction, and mental health among nurses in combatting COVID-19: A two-region survey

BACKGROUND

A growing body of evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic is adversely impacting the mental health and well-being of frontline nurses worldwide. It is therefore important to understand how such impact can be mitigated, including by studying psychological capacities that could help the nurses regulate and minimize the impact.

AIM

To examine the role of psychological flexibility in mitigating the adverse impacts of burnout and low job satisfaction on mental health problems (i.e., anxiety, depression, and stress) and well-being among the frontline nurses in Hong Kong and Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, two-region survey study.

METHOD

Four hundred fifty-two nurses from Hong Kong (n = 158) and Switzerland (n = 294) completed an online survey. An adjusted structured equation model was used to examine the interrelationship of the constructs.

RESULTS

Psychological flexibility was found to partially mediate the effects of job satisfaction on mental well-being (β = 0.32, 95% CI [0.19, 0.57], p = 0.001) and mental health problems (β = -0.79, 95% CI [-1.57, -0.44], p = 0.001), respectively. Similarly, this partial mediation was found in the effects of burnout on mental well-being (β = -0.35, 95% CI [-0.89, -0.15], p = 0.002) and mental health problems (β = 0.89, 95% CI [0.48, 3.65], p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Psychological flexibility could be a crucial psychological resilience factor against the adverse impact of nurses' burnout on their mental health problems and well-being during COVID-19.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Organizational measures should focus on fostering psychological flexibility in nurses through highly accessible, brief psychotherapeutic interventions, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, to reduce the impact on mental health.

Early impact of COVID-19 social distancing on social determinants of health and their effects on mental health and quality of life of Korean undergraduate students

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the association between social determinants of health and perception of COVID-19 social distancing/mental health/quality of life during COVID-19 social distancing in Korean undergraduate students using online survey data augmented with natural language processing.

Methods

An online cross-sectional survey including sociodemographic characteristics, students' perceptions of COVID-19 social distancing, and social determinants of health was conducted between July and November in 2020. We conducted logistic regression analysis to investigate the relationship between social determinants of health (independent variables) and perceptions of COVID-19 social distancing, mental health, and quality of life (dependent variables). This association was augmented using sentiment analysis and word clouds by visualizing open-ended comments on COVID-19 social-distancing policies.

Results

Data were collected from 1,276 undergraduate students. Participants who experienced negative impacts on their social-networking activities due to COVID-19 social distancing were at significantly higher odds to perceive COVID-19 social distancing as not being beneficial [odds ratio (OR) = 1.948, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.254-3.027], to have increased stress levels (OR = 1.619, 95% CI 1.051-2.496), and to experience decreased quality of life over 5 weeks (OR = 2.230, 95% CI 1.448-3.434) against those who answered neutrally. In contrast, Participants who reported positive perceptions of social-networking activities during the COVID-19 pandemic had lower odds of feeling depressed or anxious (OR = 0.498, 95% CI 0.278-0.894) and reporting a low quality of life over 5 weeks (OR = 0.461, 95% CI 0.252-0.842) compared to those who reported neutral perceptions. Furthermore, the results of the word cloud and sentiment analyses showed that most students perceived social distancing negatively.

Conclusions

The government's social-distancing policy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may have had a negative impact, particularly on undergraduate students' social-networking activities. This highlights the need for greater social support for this population, including access to psychotherapeutic resources, and improvements in policies to prevent infectious diseases while still maintaining social connections.

Emotion regulation moderates the association between COVID-19 stress and mental distress: findings on buffering, exacerbation, and gender differences in a cross-sectional study from Norway

Background

Maintaining good mental health is important during a crisis. However, little attention has been given to how people achieve this, or how they evaluate emotions associated with stressors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to (1) investigate whether emotion regulation, in particular cognitive reappraisal and suppression, moderates the relationship between COVID-19 stress and general mental distress and (2) examine gender differences in the interrelations between COVID-19 stress, emotion regulation, and mental distress.

Methods

Data from a population in Norway (n = 1.225) were collected using a cross-sectional survey during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emotion regulation was measured using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire Scale (ERQ), COVID-19 stress with the COVID-19 Stress Scale, and mental distress with the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4). Moderation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS.

Results

There was a strong association between COVID-19 stress and general mental distress (r = 0.61). The moderation analyses showed substantial moderation effects of cognitive reappraisal and suppression on the relationship between COVID-19 stress and mental distress. Cognitive reappraisal served as a buffer (p = 0.001) and suppression (p = 0.002) exacerbated the relation between COVID-19 stress and mental distress. Men had higher scores of suppression (p < 0.001), and women had higher scores of cognitive reappraisal (p = 0.025). The buffering effect of cognitive reappraisal presented itself only in women (p < 0.001), while the exacerbation effect of suppression appeared only in men (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The current study suggests that COVID-19 pandemic-related stress is easier to deal with for those who have the tendency to cognitively reappraise. In contrast, suppression is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. The prevention of mental distress can be supported by guiding people about the importance of using healthy emotion regulation strategies, as well as helping them to become more aware of the way they interpret and regulate their emotions. Gender differences in emotion regulation suggest gender awareness, e.g., tailored programs for men and women.

Interplay between uncertainty intolerance, emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, and psychopathology during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-wave study

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a significant mental health burden on the global population. Studies during the pandemic have shown that risk factors such as intolerance of uncertainty and maladaptive emotion regulation are associated with increased psychopathology. Meanwhile, protective factors such as cognitive control and cognitive flexibility have been shown to protect mental health during the pandemic. However, the potential pathways through which these risk and protective factors function to impact mental health during the pandemic remain unclear. In the present multi-wave study, 304 individuals (18 years or older, 191 Males), residing in the USA during data collection, completed weekly online assessments of validated questionnaires across a period of five weeks (27th March 2020-1st May 2020). Mediation analyses revealed that longitudinal changes in emotion regulation difficulties mediated the effect of increases in intolerance of uncertainty on increases in stress, depression, and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, individual differences in cognitive control and flexibility moderated the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation difficulties. While intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation difficulties emerged as risk factors for mental health, cognitive control and flexibility seems to protect against the negative effects of the pandemic and promote stress resilience. Interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive control and flexibility might promote the protection of mental health in similar global crises in the future.

Associations of psychological inflexibility with posttraumatic stress disorder and adherence to COVID-19 control measures among refugees in Uganda: The moderating role of coping strategies

Refugees are vulnerable to developing mental health problems. The unprecedented appearance and rapid spread of COVID-19 exacerbated this vulnerability, especially in low-income countries where refugees survive on humanitarian aid and live in congested settlements. These appalling living conditions are a stressor, making adherence to COVID-19 control measures impractical and an additional psychological strain for refugees. The present study examined how psychological inflexibility is associated with adherence to COVID-19 control measures. A sample of 352 refugees from Kampala City and Bidibidi settlements were recruited. Refugees with high levels of psychological inflexibility reported higher PTSD symptom severity and low adherence to COVID-19 control measures. Moreover, PTSD severity mediated the association between psychological inflexibility and adherence, while avoidance coping moderated both direct and indirect effects. Interventions for reducing psychological inflexibility and avoidance coping may be essential in boosting adherence to measures relevant to the current and future status of the pandemic, along with other crises that refugees face.

The Effect of Intolerance of Uncertainty on State Anxiety in the Regular Epidemic Prevention and Control Phase in the Context of Informatization: A Moderated Chain Mediation Model

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a generally high level of state anxiety resulting from the high contagiousness of the disease and strict prevention and control policies. The present study mainly focused on the relationship between the individual intolerance of uncertainty and state anxiety in the regular epidemic prevention and control phase in China, and aimed to investigate the mediating role of information overload and rumination, as well as the moderating role of self-compassion. A total of 992 Chinese residents from 31 provinces participated in this study, and completed questionnaires regarding intolerance of uncertainty, information overload, self-compassion, rumination, and state anxiety. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses, as well as tests for mediating effects and moderated chain mediating effects, were performed on the data using SPSS 26.0 and Process 3.5 macro program. The findings indicated that intolerance of uncertainty significantly predicted individual state anxiety. Information overload mediates the effects of intolerance of uncertainty and state anxiety. Rumination also mediates the effect of uncertainty intolerance on state anxiety. Information overload and rumination have a chain mediation effect on the link between intolerance of uncertainty and state anxiety. Self-compassion mediates the effect of information overload on rumination. The results illuminate theoretical and practical implications in the regular epidemic prevention and control phases and reveal the protective role of self-compassion.

The Moderating Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty in the Relationship Between Health Anxiety and Pandemic-Related Stress

Background and Objectives

Global pandemics, including COVID-19, have a significant effect on mental health, and this may be especially true for individuals with health anxiety. Although health anxiety is related to both pandemic-related fears and perceptions of health risks, there is a paucity of research on individual difference variables that might exert an influence on these relationships. The present study examined intolerance of uncertainty (IU) as a potential moderator of the relationship between health anxiety and COVID-related stress, and the relationship between health anxiety and perceived risk of contracting COVID.

Design and Methods

A nationally representative sample of North American adults (N = 204) completed self-report measures of health anxiety, IU, COVID-related stress, and perceived risk of contracting COVID.

Results

Prospective IU moderated the positive relationship between health anxiety and COVID-related stress, as the relationship was strengthened at average and higher levels of prospective IU. Neither IU subscale moderated the relationship between health anxiety and perceived risk.

Conclusion

These results suggest that individuals with elevated health anxiety and high prospective IU may be at higher risk of experiencing COVID-related stress, illuminating the interplay of risk factors that place anxious populations at an increased risk of experiencing stress during acute health risks.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10608-023-10365-w.

Relationships between stress appraisals and intolerance of uncertainty with psychological health during early COVID-19 in the USA

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased psychological distress and decreased quality of life (QoL), but limited research has evaluated cognitive appraisals of COVID-19. This study aimed to examine the role of three stress appraisals of the COVID-19 pandemic - threat appraisal, harm/loss appraisal, and challenge appraisal - and the interaction between these appraisals and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) on psychological distress and QoL.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional survey study using Amazon's Mechanical Turk.

METHODS

A sample of 327 adults living in the U.S. completed a series of questionnaires investigating IU, appraisal of the pandemic, psychological distress, and QoL in May 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

Controlling for demographic variables, IU and harm/loss appraisal positively related to psychological distress and negatively related to QoL. Challenge appraisals negatively related to distress and positively related to QoL. Moderation analyses revealed that higher levels of IU led to stronger positive relationships between threat appraisal and psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive appraisals of COVID-19 are associated with psychological health, though the relationship between threat appraisal and psychological distress are strongest for those with difficulty tolerating uncertainty. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety sensitivity, and health anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring temporal relationships using cross-lag analysis

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and anxiety sensitivity (AS) have been widely discussed and explored as factors that may contribute to health anxiety. We propose that IU and AS are salient issues for many during the COVID-19 pandemic, and may play a role in the development or exacerbation of health anxiety during the pandemic. Studies have examined links between IU and AS with health anxiety during the pandemic, but these relationships have not been tested together using a longitudinal study design. In the present study, measures of IU, AS, and health anxiety were collected from 301 adults at two time points 6 months apart during (early stages of) the COVID-19 pandemic using an online survey platform. Cross-lagged analysis was utilized to simultaneously estimate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between these three variables. Robust cross-sectional associations were observed, and IU prospectively predicted changes in both health anxiety and AS. No other statistically significant prospective associations emerged. Present findings support the putative role of IU in health anxiety, suggesting that some observed links between AS and health anxiety could be driven by shared variance with IU. IU may be an important factor to monitor and target in health anxiety interventions during the pandemic.

Associations between psychological inflexibility and mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: A three-level meta-analytic review

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of research has documented the positive associations between psychological inflexibility (PI) and mental health problems (i.e., depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms) during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the documented associations have been inconsistent. This review thus aimed to quantitatively summarize primary research to gain better estimates of these associations.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted in six databases and three-level meta-analytic models were used to statistically synthesize effect sizes and to examine moderators of the associations between PI and depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 22 studies yielded 63 effect sizes on associations between PI and depressive, anxiety, or stress symptoms. The results of three separate meta-analyses revealed a large and significant association between PI and depressive (r = 0.580, 95 % CI [0.549; 0.775]), anxiety (r = 0.548, 95 % CI [0.468; 0.761]), and stress symptoms (r = 0.548, 95 % CI [0.506; 0.725]). The association between PI and depressive symptoms is stronger for males than for females, and the association between PI and stress symptoms varies by type of measure that primary studies use to assess PI and stress symptoms.

LIMITATIONS

Temporal or causal conclusions are not allowed due to cross-sectional nature of the associations included in meta-analyses. Clinical samples with high levels of stress were underrepresented.

CONCLUSIONS

PI seems an important risk factor for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, and should therefore be targeted in interventions addressing mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

In the shadow of COVID-19: A randomized controlled online ACT trial promoting adolescent psychological flexibility and self-compassion

Background

Although some adolescents managed to cope well with the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the well-being of many was adversely affected due to school closures, distance education, restrictions on gathering with friends, and limited access to mental health services. Many adolescents reported increased anxiety and depression as well as decreased psychological wellbeing due to the pandemic. Consequently, there is a need for psychological support that exceeds the strained resources available to schools to support young people during times of crisis and societal pressure.

Objective

The present study aimed to explore the effects of an online-delivered ACT intervention to promote adolescent psychological flexibility and self-compassion and decrease psychological distress during the second wave of COVID-19 in the fall of 2020.

Methods

A total of 348 adolescents aged 15-16 were randomly divided into three equal groups: 1) the iACT student coach + virtual coach group, n = 116; 2) the iACT virtual coach group, n = 116; and 3) the control group with no intervention, n = 116). Among these adolescents, 234 participated in a pre-measurement (iACT, n = 154; control, n = 80; intent-to-treat) and completed measures of psychological flexibility, self-compassion, anxiety, and depression.

Results

An investigation of all the adolescents who participated in the pre-measurement (intent-to-treat analysis, n = 234) revealed no significant differences between the three groups with regard to psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, upon combining the two intervention groups and examining the adolescents who completed at least 30% of the Youth Compass program (per-protocol analysis, n = 137), small but significant differences between the iACT intervention and control groups were found regarding the psychological flexibility subscale valued action, self-compassion, and anxiety in favor of the intervention group.

Conclusions

Active use of an ACT-based online intervention under adverse circumstances may decrease symptoms of anxiety and increase psychological flexibility skills in adolescents.

The psychometric properties and gender invariance of the Italian version of the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire (I-PVDQ) during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire (PVDQ) measures beliefs associated with personal susceptibility to infectious diseases and behaviors or perceptions in the presence of potential risk of pathogen transmission. Given the onset of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 global pandemic, otherwise known as the COVID-19 pandemic, the construct being measured may function differently based on affective, behavioral, and cognitive changes along with the need to change norms and lifestyles in a global context. The present study aims to test the psychometric properties and the gender invariance of the Italian adaptation of the PVDQ to confirm that the scale can be used with Italian-speaking people, and that it functions effectively during a pandemic.

METHODS

A total of 509 participants filled out an online questionnaire including the Italian version of the I-PVDQ (I-PVDQ) and several measures of psychological constructs. Reliability and factor analyses (single and multigroup) were conducted. Bayesian correlation tests and Bayesian independent sample t-tests were used to assess the validity of I-PVDQ.

RESULTS

Exploratory factor analysis supported the two-factor structure of the I-PVDQ, and factor loadings loaded appropriately onto perceived infectability (PI) and germ aversion (GA). In terms of invariance, the scale showed configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance across genders. Decisive evidence in favor of correlation with the measure of COVID-19 related fears for both PI and GA was found. There was strong evidence for observed correlations with COVID-19 related constructs such as intolerance to uncertainty, psychological inflexibility, resilience, stress, and anxiety. Women showed higher GA than men, while there were no gender differences in PI.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these results suggest that the I-PVDQ confirms the psychometric properties of the original version and that can be used to detect PVD when it is affected by environmental circumstances since its functioning is preserved during a pandemic.

The association between COVID-19-related stressors and mental health outcomes for survivors of past interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma

The mental health difficulties of trauma survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic have been under-reported. This study explored the moderating role of trauma history and trauma type (interpersonal and non-interpersonal) in the association between COVID-19-related stressors and depression, anxiety, and stress. A sample of n = 321 participants ages 19 to 71 (M = 36.63, SD = 10.36) was recruited from across the United States through MTurk. Participants reported the number of COVID-19-related stressors, trauma history and psychological symptoms. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses, controlling for age, race, ethnicity, gender, education, and income levels, were used to determine (a) whether COVID-19-related stressors are associated with adverse mental health outcomes; (b) whether trauma history and (c) trauma type moderated this association. Results revealed significant interactions; for those with a trauma history, exposure to COVID-19-related stressors was associated with higher levels of depression (β = .21, p < .05) and anxiety (β = .19, p < .05). For those with a history of interpersonal trauma specifically, COVID-19-related stressors were associated with depression (β = .16, p < .05) more so than for those without a trauma history. These findings highlight the vulnerability of trauma survivors to the unprecedented COVID-19-related stress.

The effects of loneliness and psychological flexibility on veterans' substance use and physical and mental health functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation was a common experience as people were trying to keep themselves and others safe from infection. Veterans with problematic substance use are at particular risk of the consequences of social isolation. This study evaluated the nature of social interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of loneliness and psychological flexibility on self-reported substance use and physical and mental health functioning among U.S. veterans who reported problematic substance use. Data from 409 veterans with self-reported substance use concerns were obtained via a cross-sectional online survey. Results showed that many veterans who engaged in problematic substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic reported a number of social supports during this period and frequent communication with others, but still felt lonelier during the pandemic. In regression analyses, higher levels of loneliness were associated with more negative impacts of the pandemic, greater substance use, and poorer physical and mental health functioning. Psychological flexibility demonstrated significant unique variance in explaining mental health functioning during the pandemic after accounting for loneliness, but not for substance use or physical functioning. For veterans with high levels of loneliness, high levels of psychological flexibility were associated with a lower negative impact on quality of life due to the pandemic, but for veterans with low levels of loneliness, differing levels of psychological flexibility were not significantly associated with the negative impact of COVID-19. Overall, loneliness and psychological flexibility appear to be highly associated with the negative impact of COVID-19 on veterans with problematic substance use.

Health, well-being, and persisting symptoms in the pandemic: What is the role of psychological flexibility?

Finding psychological factors that can reduce the substantial impact of COVID-19 on mental and physical health is important. Here we replicate and expand a previous study regarding the role of psychological flexibility (PF) in this context. We employed a comprehensive and well validated measure of PF and examined its role in relation to health outcomes and persistent post COVID-19 symptoms. 1174 participants completed standardized measures of depression, anxiety, insomnia and the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI), and reported the presence of persistent symptoms associated with "long COVID." All PF and psychological inflexibility (PI) facets, except for acceptance, correlated with the three mental health outcomes and with persistent symptoms. PF and PI accounted for significant variance in depression, anxiety, and insomnia after adjusting for background and health status variables. A notable finding was the particularly stronger correlations obtained for the PI facets. Our findings emphasize the potentially mitigating effects of PF on mental ill health, as well as the particularly aggravating effects of PI, in the pandemic context. A novel finding is the significant association of PI with persisting symptoms of COVID.

Safety behaviors and job satisfaction during the pandemic: The mediating roles of uncertainty and managerial commitment

INTRODUCTION

As the Covid-19 pandemic affects the world, disruptions to work routines impose a psychological burden on people, and thus can affect their job performance and well-being. We conducted an empirical study to explore the links between the experience of Covid-19 and workers' safety behaviors and well-being outcome of job satisfaction.

METHOD

Structural equation modelling (SEM) with a sample of 515 safety workers was conducted to simultaneously test the links among these constructs.

RESULTS

Experience of Covid-19 was associated with lower employee job satisfaction, explained by higher psychological uncertainty and decreased perception of managerial commitment to safety. Notably, contrasting pathways from experience of Covid-19 to safety behaviors were found. On the one hand, higher psychological uncertainty caused by the pandemic was associated with lower perceptions of managerial safety commitment; and lower perceived managerial safety commitment was linked to reduced safety compliance and safety participation. On the other hand, experience of Covid-19 in this study showed unexpected positive direct links with safety behaviors, which might be explained by workers' enhanced safety knowledge, motivation, and status of mindfulness due to Covid-19 related safety instructions and communications.

CONCLUSIONS

This exploratory study helps to deepen the understanding of workplace safety and well-being in the context of pandemic and in times of uncertainty.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The practical insights are useful for applying appropriate strategies for managing the Covid-19 crisis, coping with uncertainties, and building a healthier and safer workplace in the long run.

College students' cyberloafing and the sense of meaning of life: The mediating role of state anxiety and the moderating role of psychological flexibility

Background

With the gradual penetration of network media into various fields of people's life, the relationship between network behavior and the sense of meaning of life is bound to be closer and closer. The purpose of this study is to explore the mediating role of state anxiety between cyber loafing and the sense of meaning of life, and the moderating role of psychological flexibility in this mediating relationship.

Methodology

With 964 undergraduates recruited as subjects three-wave-time-lagged quantitative research design was conducted in China. All participants were required to complete a self-reported electronic questionnaire. Then, the mediating mechanism and moderating effect were explored with utilization of SPSS25.0.

Results

The results showed that cyberloafing had significant negative correlation with the sense of meaning of life. Our analysis testing the mediating effect showed that state anxiety partially mediated the relationship between cyberloafing and the sense of meaning of life (indirect effect = −0.05, p < 0.01,), while the mediating effect was 31.25% of the total effect. Our analysis testing the moderating effect showed that psychological flexibility significantly moderated the relationship between cyberloafing and state anxiety (interaction effect = −0.26, p < 0.01). And our analysis testing the moderated mediating effect showed that psychological flexibility played a moderating role in the mediating effect of state anxiety.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, college students' cyberloafing negatively affects their sense of meaning of life. Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to supervise and restrict college students' Internet use and provide them with corresponding guidance; certain psychological adjustment measures should also be taken when necessary to help college students with low psychological flexibility in reducing their state anxiety and improving their sense of meaning of life.

One-year into COVID-19 pandemic: Decision-making and mental-health outcomes and their risk factors

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented worldwide crisis with serious socioeconomic, physical and mental health consequences. However, its long-lasting effects on both mental health and decision-making difficulties remain unexplored. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of psychological disorders in Italy's populace one-year after the outbreak; further, we investigated potential risks impacting mental health and decision-making.

METHODS

In March 2021, 586 individuals (18-73 years) completed an online-survey plus a computerized delay discounting task for hypothetical money rewards.

RESULTS

Psychological symptoms prevalence exceeded the Italy's lockdown rates, with about one-third reporting moderate-to-extremely severe depression, another third anxiety, and the rest stress; mirrored by an increase of symptoms at clinically significant severity levels. One year into the pandemic, half of our sample presented at least one psychological problem, and one-third was at risk of developing a more clinically severe psychological outcome. Fear of job loss, loneliness and intolerance of uncertainty were among the major risk factors to mental health. Plus, social-relationships and financial uncertainty were key determinants of depression, while fear of COVID-19 infection predicted anxiety symptoms. For decision-making tendencies, elevated delay discounting rates, implying less future-oriented behaviors, were mostly predicted by increased job loss fear and older age (>35 years).

LIMITATIONS

This study provides cross-sectional evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Depression, anxiety and stress levels were still alarming one-year into COVID-19. Individuals experiencing financial insecurity, loneliness and intolerance of uncertainty perhaps benefit most from early interventions. Governments need to implement timely recovery plans to reduce financial insecurity, given its significant mental health impact and decision-making outcomes.

The trajectories of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic and the protective role of psychological flexibility: A four-wave longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Published reports on the adverse mental health impacts of the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic suggest an emerging global mental health crisis. However, the trajectories of these mental health impacts over multiple COVID-19 peaks and corresponding lockdowns are unknown. This study explored the trajectories of anxiety and depression over two consecutive lockdowns during the first nine months of the pandemic in Europe (April 2020-January 2021) and examined whether they varied as a function of different psychological flexibility and inflexibility profiles.

METHODS

A total of 569 Italians completed online surveys at four assessment points. Trajectories of anxiety and depression were examined with latent growth modeling and according to different psychological flexibility and inflexibility profiles.

RESULTS

Anxiety increased linearly throughout the study period, whereas depression displayed a quadratic trajectory evidencing a decrease with the easing of the first lockdown followed by an increase during the second lockdown. Furthermore, two profiles were identified that displayed different anxiety and depression trajectories. Compared to the psychologically flexible profile, the psychologically inflexible profile reported significantly higher anxiety and depression which remained higher across the study period.

LIMITATIONS

A reliance on self-report measures and convenience sampling constitute key study limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that high psychological inflexibility is a risk factor for prolonged elevated anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas high psychological flexibility is a protective factor. Psychological flexibility and inflexibility should be targeted by preventive public health interventions that harness evidence-based strategies shown to effectively target these factors.

Self-Compassion as a Moderator of the Association Between COVID-19 Stressors and Psychological Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in adverse psychological outcomes for many around the globe. Less is known however regarding dispositional traits that may protect against negative psychological outcomes. This study examined the prospective association between COVID-19 stressors and psychological symptoms, and whether self-compassion (referring to a dispositional tendency of relating to oneself kindly) would moderate this association. A convenience sample of 212 university students and working adults (60.4% female; Mage = 20.92 years) based in Singapore completed measures assessing COVID-19 stressors (perceived COVID-19 health risk, economic impact, and impact on daily life), psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms), and self-compassion 2 months apart. Results indicated that perceived COVID-19 health risk at baseline predicted anxiety symptoms 2 months later, above and beyond baseline anxiety symptoms. Self-compassion moderated the association between perceived COVID-19 health risk and depressive symptoms, and the relationship between perceived impact on daily life and anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of self-compassion in alleviating psychological symptoms in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increased Risk Perception, Distress Intolerance and Health Anxiety in Stricter Lockdowns: Self-Control as a Key Protective Factor in Early Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Studies provide evidence that distress, (health) anxiety, and depressive symptoms were high during the first weeks of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, decreasing over time (possibly due to individuals’ protective psychological factors). Relations between different lockdown restrictions, mental health issues, and protective factors need to be explored, since even small lockdown effects might increase the risk of future mental health issues. We merged objective lockdown stringency data with individual data (N = 1001) to examine differences in lockdown effects in strict lockdown (Romania) and mild lockdown (Hungary) conditions between March and May 2020 on stressors and mental health symptoms, taking protective factors into account. The stricter lockdown in Romania revealed higher levels of perceived risk of infection, distress intolerance, and COVID-19 health anxiety. Protective psychological factors were not affected by the lockdown measures. Surpassing psychological flexibility and resilient coping, self-control proved to be the most promising protective factor. It is recommended that future research merge objective data with study data to investigate the effects of different COVID-19 lockdown measures on mental health and protective factors. Policy decisions should consider lockdown-dependent consequences of mental health issues. Intervention programs are suggested to mitigate mental health issues and to strengthen peoples’ protective psychological factors.

Meaningfulness protects from and crisis of meaning exacerbates general mental distress longitudinally

BACKGROUND

Reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic are diverse, and both mental distress and existential crises can arise. The identification of protective and exacerbating factors and their progress over time is therefore highly relevant. The current study examined longitudinal protective effects of meaningfulness and exacerbating effects of crisis of meaning on general mental distress.

METHODS

N = 431 participants from Germany and Austria (mean age: 42 years) completed an online survey in both April/May (T1) and July/August 2020 (T2). After determining temporal stability or changes in meaningfulness, crisis of meaning, and general mental distress (PHQ-4), we examined whether (i) meaningfulness and (ii) crisis of meaning, measured at T1, incrementally predicted PHQ-4 at T2, beyond baseline levels of PHQ-4. We further tested (iii) a within-subject mediation of temporal changes in PHQ-4 by changes in crisis of meaning.

RESULTS

Meaningfulness prospectively predicted lower PHQ-4, and crisis of meaning predicted higher PHQ-4. From the first wave of the pandemic until a slowdown three months later, meaningfulness was stable, and crisis of meaning and PHQ-4 decreased. Changes in crisis of meaning mediated the changes in PHQ-4.

CONCLUSIONS

Meaningfulness appears to have a protective, and crisis of meaning an exacerbating effect on psychological distress, as shown here for the time of the first pandemic wave until three months later. Attention to existential experiences of meaningfulness and loss of meaning thus proves relevant to the clinical and public health context. Measures that support meaningfulness will help coping with crises of meaning, which in turn supports overcoming general mental distress.

Work from Home Success: Agile work characteristics and the Mediating Effect of supportive HRM

Work from home or teleworking, continues to expand not least due to the COVID-19-crisis and poses challenges for employees and companies. In uncertain and dynamic times, organisations wonder what skills make employees successful when working from home and which measures support employees. By performing in-depth research that addresses employee agility as skills and capabilities, a research framework is proposed. Based on an international survey of employees working from home during the COVID-19-crisis (N = 1,016), the impact of agile work characteristics on work from home success and the mediating effect (accounting for 48% of the total effect) of tailored support measures by HRM were investigated. The results of the mediation analysis show that agile work characteristics have a direct, positive and significant effect on the success of working from home. Part of the effect is explained by HRM measures as a mediator. The findings contribute to the research stream of dynamic capabilities by applying the theory to working from home. The comparatively simple research model provides companies with information on how they can best support employees in the dynamics of a crisis and the expansion of work from home and, therefore, has high relevance for practitioners.

The role of covid‐19 anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty in predicting resilience

Resilience is one of the protective factors for mental health. The aim of this study is to reveal the role of COVID‐19 anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty in predicting resilience in adulthood. To this end, data were collected from 533 adults (359 women‐174 men). A hierarchical regression analysis was performed, controlling for the effects of gender and presence of a chronic disease on the prediction of resilience. Results showed that intolerance of uncertainty and COVID‐19 anxiety were statistically significant predictors of resilience. Gender and presence of a chronic disease were not statistically significant in predicting resilience. These results indicate that intolerance of uncertainty plays an important role in explaining resilience.

Intolerance of COVID-19-related uncertainty and depressive and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic: A longitudinal study in Argentina

The current COVID-19 pandemic is a novel, unprecedented situation that has created considerable uncertainty due in part to the unpredictability of the future situation. Intolerance of Uncertainty is the inability to withstand negative uncertain situations, and predisposes people to overestimate threats and to develop psychopathological symptoms. The aim of this study was to longitudinally analyze the relationship between intolerance of COVID-19-related uncertainty and anxiety and depression symptoms. A non-probabilistic online snowball sampling method was used. For the study, 1230 Argentine adults (216 men; 1005 women; 9 other genders; mean age = 41.62; SD = 13.81) were recruited to complete three open-access surveys at three different time points: (1) between May 6 and June 1, 2020, (2) between August 8 and 13, 2020, and (3) between April 17 and 23, 2021. The results suggest that anxiety and depressive symptoms increase over time, and that intolerance of uncertainty is a predictor of this variability even up to eleven months after the initial assessment. Gender- and age- related effects were also observed (women and young people reported more psychopathological symptoms). The findings suggest the importance of intolerance of uncertainty for mental health and the importance of this type of study for understanding the psychological impact of the pandemic.

Social Disconnection and Psychological Distress in Canadian Men During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly challenged many men’s mental health. Efforts to control the spread of the virus have led to increasing social disconnection, fueling concerns about its long-term effects on men’s mental health, and more specifically their experience of psychological distress. Social disconnection, psychological distress, and the relationship between them have yet to be formally explored in a Canadian male sample during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study examined whether reduced social connection among men was associated with increased anxiety and depressive symptoms (psychological distress) and whether this association was moderated by living alone. The sample consisted of 434 help-seeking Canadian men who completed standardized measures. Analyses controlled for the potentially confounding effects of age and fear of COVID-19. Findings revealed that less social connection was associated with increased psychological distress. This association was not moderated by living alone, nor was living alone directly associated with psychological distress. Younger age and fear of COVID-19 were each independently associated with psychological distress. Socially disconnected men were more likely to experience anxiety and depressive symptoms, suggesting the need for interventions focussed on men’s social connectedness, social support, and belongingness to help reduce some COVID-19-induced mental health risks.

Gender Differences in Psychological Stress Factors of Physical Therapy Degree Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the mental health and quality of life of male and female physical therapy students at the European University of Madrid. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted including a range of tests capturing different domains: 36-item Short Form Health Survey, six-item state version of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Three Items Loneliness Scale, four-item version of the Perceived Stress Scale, Beck Depression Inventory revised version, and Sleep Quality Numeric Rating Scale. (3) Results: A total of 151 students completed the study, consisting of 78 females and 73 males. Gender differences were observed on most of the domains evaluated. Female participants showed worse levels of general health perception, quality of life, depression symptoms, anxiety, stress, experiential avoidance and psychological inflexibility, sleep quality and loneliness compared to male physical therapy students. (4) Conclusions: The results of this study support the need of psychological interventions as preventive programs in situations such as COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of this study comprise of improving knowledge, awareness, and self-coping strategies or other psychological domains oriented to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on mental health and health-related quality of life in university students, especially among female ones.

Does cognitive flexibility change the nature of the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and psychological symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey?

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the mental health of the general population worldwide. The study aimed to determine the associations of the intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and cognitive flexibility (CF) with a variety of psychological symptoms and to examine the impact of IU on psychological symptoms through the moderating role of CF. The Brief Symptom Inventory, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12, and Cognitive Control and Flexibility Questionnaire were applied to a sample of 3004 adults living in Turkey. The results of the analysis indicated that CF moderated the effect of IU on psychology symptoms. The slope analysis revealed a weakening association between IU and psychological symptoms with the introduction of a high CF level introduced to the model. The findings highlighted the importance of IU as a potential risk factor for developing psychological symptoms while CF appears as a potential protective factor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Do social isolation and neighborhood walkability influence relationships between COVID-19 experiences and wellbeing in predominantly Black urban areas?

Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) pandemic. Since the pandemic's start, we have observed compounded health, social, and economic impacts for communities of color, fueled in part by profound residential segregation in the United States that, for centuries prior to the pandemic, created differences in access to opportunity and resources. Based on a longitudinal cohort of Black residents living in two racially isolated Pittsburgh neighborhoods, we sought to: 1) describe the experiences of behavioral responses to COVID-19 conditions (e.g., closures of businesses, schools, government offices) and illness experiences reported by residents within these disinvested, urban areas and 2) determine if these experiences were associated with perceptions of risk, negative mental health outcomes, and food insecurity; and 3) examine whether any of the associations were explained by social isolation or modified by neighborhood walkability. We found direct associations between residents' experience with COVID-19-related closures and with the illness, with perceived risk, and change in psychological distress, sleep quality, and food insecurity from pre-COVID-19 levels. Social isolation was a statistically significant mediator of all of these associations, most strongly mediating the pathway to psychological distress. We found neighborhood walkability to be a significant moderator of the association between closure experiences and sleep quality. The results suggest that experiences of COVID-19 closures and illness were associated with serious threats to public health in Black, disinvested, urban neighborhoods, beyond those caused directly by the virus. Outcomes of the pandemic appear very much dependent on the extent to which social and physical resources are available to meet the demands of stress.

The role of uncertainty tolerance and meaning in life on depression and anxiety throughout Covid-19 pandemic

The aim of the current study was to investigate the predictive role of intolerance to uncertainty, meaning in life, gender, marital status, having a child, chronic illness, living with a relative over the age of 65, having health care worker relative, the presence of someone infected with Covid-19 around, and frequency of hand washing on depression and anxiety throughout Covid-19 pandemic. 426 adults (263 women, 163 men) participated to the study. The range of age was between 18 and 74, with the mean of 37.40. Intolerance to Uncertainty Scale, Meaning in Life Scale, Beck Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Scale were used to collect data. The results indicated that 13.8% (59) of participants had depression, 7% had moderate, 7.5% severe anxiety. Findings yielded that meaning in life and intolerance of uncertainty were significant predictors of depression and anxiety. Chronic illness significantly predicted anxiety, the frequency of washing hand significantly predicted depression. It was concluded that the most important variables predicting both depression and anxiety was intolerance to uncertainty and meaning in life.