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Nahidi M, Mirza Hoseinzadeh Moghaddam Z, Tabesh H, Afshari Saleh L, Rohani F, Shoib S. Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and their psychosocial correlates among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2024; 39:174-180. [PMID: 37556309 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate their association with related sociodemographic features and other psychological symptoms. In this cross-sectional study, students from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences with no major exam in the preceding or following month were surveyed during April to August 2021 through stratified available sampling. Data were collected by a structured online questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. OCS were assessed using Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) and COVID-related stress was evaluated using COVID Stress Scale (CSS). Overall, 347 students with a mean age of 22.67 ± 2.56 years were included in this study, of whom 30.3% had probable obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; OCI-R score ≥21). Mean CSS scores in students with and without probable OCD were 38.64 ± 19.82 and 26.72 ± 16.63, respectively ( P < 0.005). Total CSS score was significantly correlated with OCI-R score ( r = 0.38, P = 0.001). Around one-third of the medical students reported significant OCS during COVID-19 pandemic, which was associated with higher COVID-19-related stress. Further research provides insight into management of OCD and related disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Nahidi
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
| | | | - Hamed Tabesh
- Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
| | - Lahya Afshari Saleh
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Division of Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Sheikh Shoib
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital, Srinagar, Kashmir, India
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Byam LJ, Penney AM. COVID-19 anxiety and its relation to anxiety-related disorder symptoms and mechanisms. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2024; 244:104179. [PMID: 38364634 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mental health of individuals, particularly in the area of anxiety-related disorders. Anxiety regarding COVID-19 has been associated with health anxiety, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Additionally, COVID-19 anxiety has been associated with anxiety sensitivity, disgust, maladaptive metacognitions, and intolerance of uncertainty. While researchers have established that anxiety disorders and anxiety-related mechanisms were associated with COVID-19 anxiety, which specific anxiety-related symptoms and mechanisms are primarily associated with COVID-19 anxiety needs to be more extensively explored. The current study sought to further this area by examining which particular anxiety-related disorder symptoms and mechanisms were uniquely associated with COVID-19 anxiety. A non-clinical sample of 593 Canadian undergraduate participants (Mage = 21.13 years; 67.7 % female) completed this cross-sectional study between September 2020 and February 2021. Participants completed online questionaries assessing anxiety-related disorder symptoms and mechanisms in addition to multiple scales of COVID-19 anxiety. When examining symptoms, health anxiety (prs = 0.17-0.29) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (prs = 0.16-0.35) symptoms had the strongest unique associations with COVID-19 anxiety. Among the anxiety-related mechanisms, disgust sensitivity (prs = 0.14-0.16) and health anxiety-specific intolerance of uncertainty (prs = 0.12-0.30) had the strongest unique associations with COVID-19 anxiety. Individuals experiencing these disorders and anxiety-related mechanisms may be at a heightened vulnerability to experiencing heightened anxiety during future pandemics. Mental health professionals should discuss COVID-19 anxiety with individuals experiencing health anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Lastly, the study highlights the significance of considering a variety of specific anxiety-related disorder symptoms and mechanisms when working to understand pandemic anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layton J Byam
- MacEwan University, Department of Psychology, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Boehme BAE, Kinsman L, Taylor S, Asmundson GJG. Is there evidence for factorial invariance of the COVID Stress Scales? an analysis of North American and cross-cultural populations. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1381124. [PMID: 38596633 PMCID: PMC11002227 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1381124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the mental health of more citizens globally than any previous modern viral outbreak. In response to the psychological challenges associated with COVID-19, the COVID Stress Scales (CSS) were developed to assess the presence and severity of COVID-related distress. The initial North American validation study of the CSS identified that the scale comprised five factors: danger and contamination fears, fear of socioeconomic consequences, xenophobia, checking and reassurance seeking, and traumatic stress symptoms. The CSS have since been validated across a multitude of international populations. However, findings support a five- and six-factor model. Methodological issues make interpreting most studies supporting a five-factor model challenging. The purpose of this study was to re-evaluate the factor structure of the CSS using data from North American samples, to assess for potential factorial invariance, and compare these results to cross-cultural findings. Multiple confirmatory factor analyses (mCFA) were conducted across 28 different groups (e.g., age, ethnicity/race, sex) from two large independent North American samples from 2020 (n = 6827) and 2021 (n = 5787), assessing the fit indices of the five-, six-, and alternative-factor model of the CSS. The current results provide evidence for factorial invariance of the six-factor model of the CSS across different North American demographics and highlight potential challenges in interpreting the results of studies that have supported a five-factor model of the CSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake A. E. Boehme
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Laura Kinsman
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Steven Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gordon J. G. Asmundson
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
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Adamis AM, Cole DA, Olatunji BO. Intolerance of Uncertainty and Worry Prospectively Predict COVID-19 Anxiety and Distress: A 4-Year Longitudinal Study. Behav Ther 2024; 55:320-330. [PMID: 38418043 PMCID: PMC10902602 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated an uptick in poor mental health outcomes, including coronavirus-related anxiety and distress. Preliminary research has shown that intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and worry proneness, two transdiagnostic risk factors for anxiety and related disorders, are associated cross-sectionally with pandemic-related fear and distress. However, the extent to which IU and worry proneness prospectively predict coronavirus-related anxiety and distress is unclear. Whether IU and worry may also interact in prospectively predicting coronavirus-related anxiety and distress is also unknown. To address this knowledge gap, the present study examined IU and trait worry as prospective predictors of the level and trajectory of coronavirus anxiety and COVID stress syndrome over time, as well as the extent to which worry moderated the relation between IU and pandemic-related outcomes. Participants (n = 310) who completed self-report measures of IU and trait worry in 2016 were contacted following the onset of COVID-19 in 2020 and completed biweekly measures of coronavirus anxiety and COVID stress syndrome for 30 weeks. Multilevel models revealed that IU assessed in 2016 significantly predicted the severity of both coronavirus anxiety and COVID stress syndrome throughout the study period in 2020. Worry also moderated the link between IU and coronavirus anxiety, such that individuals with high levels of trait worry and high IU in 2016 experienced the most coronavirus anxiety in 2020. Results suggest that IU and worry functioned as independent and interactive vulnerability factors for subsequent adverse psychological reactions to COVID-19. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
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Wickens CM, Popal V, Fecteau V, Amoroso C, Stoduto G, Rodak T, Li LY, Hartford A, Wells S, Elton-Marshall T, Hamilton HA, Taylor GW, Kupferschmidt KL, Agic B. The mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with depressive, anxiety, and stressor-related disorders: A scoping review. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295496. [PMID: 38096173 PMCID: PMC10721054 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295496] [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] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A scoping review of studies published in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic focused on individuals with pre-existing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and specified stressor-related disorders, with the objective of mapping the research conducted. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (1) direct study of individuals with pre-existing depressive, anxiety, and/or specified stressor-related (i.e., posttraumatic stress, acute stress) disorders/issues; (2) focus on mental health-related pandemic effects, and; (3) direct study of mental health symptoms related to depression, anxiety, or psychological distress. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE Database-specific subject headings and natural language keywords were searched in Medline, Embase, APA PsycInfo, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) up to March 3, 2021. Review of potentially relevant studies was conducted by two independent reviewers and proceeded in two stages: (1) title and abstract review, and; (2) full paper review. DATA CHARTING Study details (i.e., location, design and methodology, sample or population, outcome measures, and key findings) were extracted from included studies by one reviewer and confirmed by the Principal Investigator. RESULTS 66 relevant articles from 26 countries were identified. Most studies adopted a cross-sectional design and were conducted via online survey. About half relied on general population samples, with the remainder assessing special populations, primarily mental health patients. The most commonly reported pre-existing category of disorders or symptoms was depression, followed closely by anxiety. Most studies included depressive and anxiety symptoms as outcome measures and demonstrated increased vulnerability to mental health symptoms among individuals with a pre-existing mental health issue. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that improved mental health supports are needed during the pandemic and point to future research needs, including reviews of other diagnostic categories and reviews of research published in subsequent years of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine M. Wickens
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Veda Popal
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Humber College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Venesa Fecteau
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Humber College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Courtney Amoroso
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Humber College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gina Stoduto
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Terri Rodak
- Department of Education, CAMH Library, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lily Y. Li
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda Hartford
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samantha Wells
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tara Elton-Marshall
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Hayley A. Hamilton
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graham W. Taylor
- School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Canada CIFAR AI Chair, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristina L. Kupferschmidt
- School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Branka Agic
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Gaynor N, Fitzgerald L. Mind-Wandering and Its Relationship With Psychological Wellbeing and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptomatology in the Context of Covid-19. Psychol Rep 2023:332941231203563. [PMID: 37787173 DOI: 10.1177/00332941231203563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Mind-wandering (MW) as a research topic has received considerable attention over the last several decades. The recent differentiation between spontaneous and deliberate MW has suggested a particular effect of the former on psychopathology; in that increased spontaneous MW may precede mental illness. The present study sought to explore MW as a potential contributing factor to poor mental health in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. More specifically, we sought to determine firstly, whether the effects of MW frequency, type and content on subjective psychological wellbeing was consistent with previous findings after controlling for the impacts of Covid-related stress. Secondly, previous research has demonstrated an effect of both Covid-stress and spontaneous MW on the experience of obsessive-compulsive symptomatology (OCS), and so the present study explored this relationship further by assessing whether Covid-stress mediated the relationship between spontaneous MW and OCS. Participants completed measures of MW, OCS and psychological wellbeing through an online questionnaire. The results indicated that increased spontaneous MW was indicative of both poorer subjective psychological wellbeing and OCS, with Covid-stress partially mediating the relationship between spontaneous MW and OCS. Our findings provide further support for the adverse effect of unintentional MW on psychological wellbeing, as well as for the differentiation between both forms of the cognitive phenomenon. Additionally, they provide an important insight into one of the factors that may have preceded poor mental health among the Irish population during Covid-19. Future research may build upon the present study by exploring similar relationships among clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Gaynor
- School of Psychology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lisa Fitzgerald
- School of Psychology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
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McCormick KM, Sethi S, Haag D, Macedo DM, Hedges J, Quintero A, Smithers L, Roberts R, Zimet G, Jamieson L, Ribeiro Santiago PH. Development and validation of the COVID-19 Impact Scale in Australia. Curr Med Res Opin 2023; 39:1341-1354. [PMID: 37656161 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2023.2247323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted and continues to impact the health and well-being of Australian adults. However, there has been no instrument validated to comprehensively measure how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted adults in Australia across several domains (e.g. fear of COVID-19, attitudes towards vaccination, psychosocial impact of lockdowns).The current study conducted a rigorous psychometric process to develop and validate an instrument to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, the COVID-19 Impact Scale (CIS). METHOD Data was obtained from the Australian population. Participants (N = 563) aged between 19 and 91 years (M = 54.50, SD = 16.16) provided online responses between June, 2021 and May, 2022. The majority of participants were female (60.9%), employed either full-time (37.7%) or part-time (22.0%), and had completed an undergraduate degree or higher (70.1%). An initial pool of 30 items was developed based on a review of the literature and input from a panel of experts including psychologists, epidemiologists, and public health experts, among others. The study used network psychometrics to examine the psychometric properties of: (1) item score distributions; (2) item redundancy; (3) dimensionality; (4) model fit; (5) measurement invariance; (6) reliability; and (7) criterion validity. RESULTS Following an evaluation of items for ceiling/floor effects and redundancy, the final CIS network model included eighteen nodes and displayed a three-dimensional structure. The three communities of "Fear" (consisting of three nodes; ω = 0.82), "Attitudes" (consisting of ten nodes; ω = 0.89), and "Ill-being" (consisting of five nodes; ω = 0.79) displayed adequate reliability. The evaluation of model fit indicated a good fit of the network model (RMSEA = 0.047; CFI =0.98). CONCLUSION The instrument is available to be used by Australian researchers and implemented to evaluate public policies, adapted for future pandemics, or used internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kym Michelle McCormick
- Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Sneha Sethi
- Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Dandara Haag
- Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Australia
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Davi Manzini Macedo
- Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Joanne Hedges
- Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Adrian Quintero
- Icfes - Colombian Institute for Educational Evaluation, Colombia
| | - Lisa Smithers
- School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Rachel Roberts
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Lisa Jamieson
- Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Australia
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Reigada LC, Kaighobadi F, Niwa EY, Ahmed T, Carlson DJ, Shane J. An intersectional examination of the impact of COVID-stress and discrimination on college students' resilience and mental health. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37722811 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2249104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the impact of COVID-stress and discrimination on mental health among a group of diverse college students using an intersectional framework. Participants: One thousand six hundred seventy-one undergraduate students (Mage = 20.42, SD = 2.74) were recruited from nine college campuses. Methods: Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing mental health symptoms, COVID-stress, and in-school discrimination. Hierarchical regressions and multi-group SEM path analysis were conducted to examine differences across intersectional identities. Results: Female-identifying students reported higher COVID-stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and lower resilience compared to males. COVID-stress and discrimination were highest among certain minoritized student groups. Using an intersectional framework, more COVID-stress and discrimination were associated with increased anxiety for almost all women of color. Unexpectedly, COVID-stress predicted anxiety symptoms for almost all male intersectional groups. Conclusions: Findings reaffirm the intersectional framework and highlight significant disparities in how students experience COVID-stress, discrimination, and mental health outcomes along dimensions of gender and race/ethnicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Reigada
- Department of Psychology, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Department of Psychology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Farnaz Kaighobadi
- Department of Psychology, Bronx Community College, City University of New York, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Erika Y Niwa
- Department of Psychology, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Department of Psychology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Tanzina Ahmed
- Department of Psychology, Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Daniel J Carlson
- Department of Psychology, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Jacob Shane
- Department of Psychology, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Department of Psychology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
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Del Casale A, Modesti MN, Lai C, Carola V, Mimun S, Bruzzese A, Speranza AM, Drakes DH, Asmundson GJG, Nicolais G. Anxiety Symptoms, COVID-19-Related Stress Reactions in the Italian General Population, and Validation of the Italian COVID Stress Scales (CSS-I). J Clin Med 2023; 12:5680. [PMID: 37685747 PMCID: PMC10488780 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175680] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. The COVID Stress Scales (CSS) assess COVID-related stress experienced in the past week related to danger and contamination fears, socioeconomic consequences, xenophobia, compulsive checking, and reassurance seeking, and traumatic stress symptoms. Our objective was to provide a translation into Italian, replication, and psychometric validation of the CSS in the general population. Moreover, we aimed to test the convergent and discriminant validity of the Italian CSS (CSS-I) with respect to anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms in the general Italian population. Method. Adult participants (n = 935) over the age of 18 years were recruited from the general population in Italy. Psychological status was assessed using multiple validated measures, including the CSS, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), and the Prejudice Against Immigrants Scale (PAIS). Results. Our confirmatory factor analysis supported a 6-factor model, including danger fears (DAN), socioeconomic consequences (SEC), xenophobia (XEN), compulsive checking and reassurance seeking (CHE), contamination fears (CON), and traumatic stress symptoms (TSS). Strong reliability of the CSS-I (Cronbach's α = 0.863-0.936) and convergent validity with the DASS-21 and PAI were established with positive correlations between total and scale scores across measures. Conclusions. The CSS-I is a valid and reliable instrument to measure COVID-19-related distress in the Italian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Del Casale
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy (V.C.)
| | - Martina Nicole Modesti
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Lai
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy (V.C.)
| | - Valeria Carola
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy (V.C.)
| | - Simone Mimun
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Alba Bruzzese
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Speranza
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy (V.C.)
| | - Dalainey H. Drakes
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Gordon J. G. Asmundson
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Giampaolo Nicolais
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy (V.C.)
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Zhang S, Yong S, Tang Y, Feng H, Chen L, Zhang L, Deng Y, Chen J. Intolerance of uncertainty fuels preservice teachers' smartphone dependence through rumination and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17798. [PMID: 37539216 PMCID: PMC10395120 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives We aimed to explore the relationship among intolerance of uncertainty (IU), rumination, anxiety, and smartphone dependence (SPD) in preservice teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Two cross-sectional studies were conducted with Chinese preservice teachers, using questionnaires on IU, rumination, anxiety, and SPD. Data were analyzed using AMOS 24.0 and SPSS 25.0, and the mediating mechanism was tested using the macro program Model 6. Study 1 recruited participants who were forcibly sequestered in a university due to an anti-epidemic policy during the COVID-19 crisis. Study 2 was surveyed online from different universities to replicate and enhance the reliability of Study 1 finding. Results Study 1 (N = 553, Mage = 20.8 ± 2.3, 30.0% female) and Study 2 (N = 1610, Mage = 21.1 ± 2.1, 51.4% female) both found that IU affected SPD through the independent mediators of rumination and anxiety, as well as the chain mediation of rumination→ anxiety. In Study 1, the indirect effect of IU on SPD was significant through rumination (β = 0.16, 95% CI [0.03, 0.06]), anxiety (β = 0.11, 95% CI [0.03, 0.06]), and the chain mediation (β = 0.02, 95% CI [0.01, 0.04]); in Study 2, the indirect effect of IU on SPD was significant through rumination (β = 0.08, 95% CI [0.05, 0.11]), anxiety (β = 0.10, 95% CI [0.08, 0.13]), and the chain mediation (β = 0.02, 95% CI [0.02, 0.03]). Conclusion Two cross-sectional studies found that preservice teachers' SPD is indirectly connected to IU, mediated by rumination and anxiety, and weakly mediated by the chain mediation of rumination and anxiety. Our findings may help educators understand the impact of anti-epidemic policies on preservice teachers and possible inclusive later interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sensen Zhang
- Institute of Education, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Shaohong Yong
- Institute of Education, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yulun Tang
- Institute of Education, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - He Feng
- Guangxi Vocational College of Safety Engineering, Nanning, China
| | - Luan Chen
- Ningxia Preschool Education College, Yinchuan, China
| | | | | | - Jiatai Chen
- Business School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Khaleghparast S, Bagheri Faradonbeh S, Maleki M, Hasani Z, Kharaghani M, Goudarzi M, Rouhani B, Baniasadi F, Mazloomzadeh S, Ghanbari B. Association of Emotional Response Indicators with the Risk of Recurrence and Hospitalization in Coronavirus Patients. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2023; 48:209-213. [PMID: 36895457 PMCID: PMC9989243 DOI: 10.30476/ijms.2022.94432.2573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety, stress, and fear can adversely affect the mental and physical health of people. The present study aimed to examine the association of these emotional response indicators with outcomes (recurrence, hospitalization, and mortality) in coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) patients. A prospective cohort study was conducted between February 2020 and July 2021 in three hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The included patients (n=350) completed three questionnaires on COVID-19-related anxiety, stress, and fear. Patients with at least one emotional response indicator were assigned to the exposed group (n=157) and those without to the unexposed group (n=193). After one month of follow-up, the medical condition of all participants was determined through phone calls. Data were analyzed with logistic and multivariate regression models using STATA 9 software. The number of patients with COVID-19 recurrence in the exposed and unexposed groups was 71 (45%) and 16 (8%), respectively, and for hospitalization 79 (50%) and 16 (8%), respectively. The relative risk of recurrence and hospitalization due to COVID-19 in the exposed group was 5.62 and 6.25 higher than in the unexposed group, respectively (P<0.001 for both). The results of regression analysis showed that underlying diseases were not significantly associated with recurrence and hospitalization. The total number of deaths was six, all of which were in the exposed group. Given the greater risk of recurrence and hospitalization in COVID-19 patients with anxiety, stress, or fear, there is a need to devise and implement appropriate strategies to prevent and manage mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Khaleghparast
- Cardiovascular Nursing Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Bagheri Faradonbeh
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Majid Maleki
- Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Hasani
- Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maedeh Kharaghani
- Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahshid Goudarzi
- Firoozgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Farzad Baniasadi
- Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeideh Mazloomzadeh
- Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behrooz Ghanbari
- Trauma and Injury Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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12
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COVID-19 stress syndrome in the German general population: Validation of a German version of the COVID Stress Scales. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279319. [PMID: 36730324 PMCID: PMC9894493 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID Stress Scales (CSS) are a new self-report instrument for multidimensional assessment of psychological stress in the context of the pandemic. The CSS have now been translated and validated in over 20 languages, but a validated German version has not yet been available. Therefore, the aim was to develop a German version of the CSS, to test its factor structure, reliability, and validity, and to compare it with international studies. In an online survey (08/2020-06/2021), N = 1774 individuals from the German general population (71.5% female; Mage = 41.2 years, SD = 14.2) completed the CSS as well as questionnaires on related constructs and psychopathology. After eight weeks, participants were asked to participate again for the purpose of calculating retest reliability (N = 806). For the German version, the 6-factor structure with good model fit (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, RMSEA = 0.06) was confirmed, with the six subscales: Danger, Socio-Economic Consequences, Xenophobia, Contamination, Traumatic Stress, and Compulsive Checking. Internal consistencies ranged from ω = .82-.94 (except Compulsive Checking ω = .70), and retest reliability from rtt = .62-.82. Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed for the German version. Related constructs such as health anxiety, general xenophobia, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms correlated moderately with the respective subscale and lower with the other scales. With anxiety and depression, Traumatic Stress showed the strongest correlation. Overall, there was a high degree of agreement in an international comparison. The CSS can help to identify pandemic-related psychological stress and to derive appropriate interventions.
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Thibault T, Thompson K, Keough M, Krank M, Conrod P, Moore M, Stewart SH. Psychometric properties of a brief version of the COVID‐19 Stress Scales (CSS‐B) in young adult undergraduates. Stress Health 2023; 39:154-161. [PMID: 35689645 PMCID: PMC9350156 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We extracted items to create a brief version of the COVID-19 Stress Scale (i.e., CSS-B) and examined its psychometric properties in young adults. A sample of 1318 first- and second-year undergraduates from five Canadian universities (mean [SD] age = 19.27 [1.35] years; 77.6% women) completed an online cross-sectional survey that included the CSS-B as well as validated measures of anxiety and depression. The 18-item CSS-B fit well on both a 5-factor and a hierarchical model indicating that the five CSS-B dimensions may be factors of the same over-arching construct. The CSS-B factor structure displayed lower-order and higher-order configural and metric invariance across sites but not scalar invariance indicating that the intercepts/means were not consistent across sites. The CSS dimensions were positively related to measures of general anxiety and depression but not so strongly as to indicate that they are measuring the same construct. The CSS-B scale is a valid measure of COVID-19 stress among young adults. It is recommended that this shorter version of the scale be considered for use in longer surveys to avoid participant fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabatha Thibault
- Department of PsychologySt. Francis Xavier UniversityAntiigonishNova ScotiaCanada
| | - Kara Thompson
- Department of PsychologySt. Francis Xavier UniversityAntiigonishNova ScotiaCanada
| | - Matthew Keough
- Department of PsychologyYork UniversityTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Marvin Krank
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of British ColumbiaOkanagan CampusKelownaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Patricia Conrod
- Département de psychiatrie et d'addictologieUniversité de MontréalMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Mackenzie Moore
- Department of Psychology and NeurosciencesDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - Sherry H. Stewart
- Department of Psychology and NeurosciencesDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada,Department of PsychiatryDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
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14
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Bandari R, Heravi-Karimooi M, Khosravi S, Yosefi P, Omidian M, Montazeri A. Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S). BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:8. [PMID: 36600210 PMCID: PMC9811708 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04507-9] [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: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During various infectious pandemics, phobia or panic has been suggested as one of the most common mental disorders. The current study reports on the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S) in Iran. METHODS The forward-backward translation procedure was applied to translate the English version of the C19P-S into Persian. Then, content and face validity, structural validity (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses), convergent and discriminant validity, concurrent validity, reliability, and stability were performed to evaluate the Persian version. RESULTS In all, 660 people participated in the study. The mean age of patients was 35.55 (SD = 12.24) years. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a four-factor structure for the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that almost all fitness indices for the model were satisfactory (RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.96, IFI = 0.97). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the questionnaire were 0.95 and 0.96, respectively. CONCLUSION The Persian version of C19P-S showed good psychometric properties and a good fit for the four-factor structure. It can now be used to assess panic disorder in therapeutic settings and identify candidates needing clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razieh Bandari
- grid.486769.20000 0004 0384 8779Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Majideh Heravi-Karimooi
- Elderly Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shaahin Khosravi
- grid.486769.20000 0004 0384 8779Kowsar Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Peghahsadat Yosefi
- grid.486769.20000 0004 0384 8779Department of Operation Room and Anesthesiology, Sorkheh School of Allied Medical Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mehri Omidian
- grid.486769.20000 0004 0384 8779Kowsar Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Montazeri
- Population Health Research Group, Health Metrics Research Centre, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. .,Faculty of Humanity Sciences, University of Science &Culture, Tehran, Iran.
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15
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Nin VMEL, Willmund GD, Jungmann SM, Asmundson GJG, Piefke M. Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Stress and strain profiles in the German population. Front Public Health 2023; 11:990407. [PMID: 37113182 PMCID: PMC10128881 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.990407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical observations indicate that people frequently display stress-related behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although numerous studies have been published concerning pandemic-related psychological distress, systematic data on the interrelationships between stress sensitivity, personality, and behavioral characteristics of people are still lacking. In the present cross-sectional online survey study, we applied a German version of the COVID Stress Scales (CSS) and standard psychological questionnaires to systematically identify the complex interplay between stress sensitivity, gender, and personality in the modulation of quality of life and mental health in the German population (N = 1774; age ≥ 16 years). A CSS-based cluster analysis revealed two clusters characterized by higher and lower stress levels. Study participants in each cluster differed significantly with respect to neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, quality of life, depression, and anxiety. Females were significantly overrepresented in the higher stress cluster, while there was an overrepresentation of males in the lower stress cluster. Neuroticism was identified as a risk factor and extraversion as a protective factor for enhanced pandemic-related stress responses. For the first time our data show a taxonomy of factors, which modulate pandemic-related stress sensitivity and warrant consideration as key indicators of quality of life and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. We suggest that our data may advise governmental regulation of pandemic-related public health measures, to optimize quality of life and psychological health in different groups of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent M. E. L. Nin
- Neurobiology and Genetics of Behavior, Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
- *Correspondence: Vincent M. E. L. Nin,
| | - Gerd-Dieter Willmund
- German Center for Military Mental Health, Military Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie M. Jungmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Martina Piefke
- Neurobiology and Genetics of Behavior, Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
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16
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Ng TK, Chan W, Wang KWC. Psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of the COVID Stress Scales in Hong Kong. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1149221. [PMID: 37033053 PMCID: PMC10080101 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1149221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID Stress Scales (CSS) assess six domains of COVID-19-related stress, including (a) COVID danger, (b) COVID socioeconomic consequences, (c) COVID xenophobia, (d) COVID contamination, (e) COVID traumatic stress symptoms, and (f) COVID compulsive checking. Although the CSS have been validated in various cultural contexts, their psychometric properties in Hong Kong have not been examined. This study endeavors to validate the traditional Chinese version of the 36-item CSS (CSS-36) and the 18-item CSS (CSS-18) in Hong Kong. Method Participants were 521 Hong Kong undergraduate students (61% female) aged from 18 to 26 years (M = 20.65, SD = 1.56). An online questionnaire was used for data collection. Results The results of confirmatory factor analyses supported a six-factor structure for both the CSS-36 and the CSS-18. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses established the gender invariance of the six-factor model for both the CSS-36 and the CSS-18. The CSS-36 and the CSS-18 exhibited good internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity with fear of COVID-19 and negative emotional states. Discussion The findings offer evidence for the psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of the CSS-36 and the CSS-18 in the Hong Kong context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Kin Ng
- Department of Psychology, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Ting Kin Ng
| | - Wai Chan
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kitty Wan Ching Wang
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Pálvölgyi Á, Morvay-Sey K, Ács P, Paár D. Validation of the Hungarian Version of the COVID Stress Scale (CSS-H). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12602. [PMID: 36231901 PMCID: PMC9566199 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and has affected every social class. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe stress and anxiety levels in the general population was reported to be 25%. This study aimed to describe the validation of the Hungarian version of the COVID Stress Scale. (2) Methods: The research study was a cross-section validation study with a representative sample (N = 1200) and a non-representative student sample (N = 350). The translation procedure was a four-step procedure. The interviewers conducted the data collection. (3) Results: The reliability of the Hungarian CSS was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Convergent validity was evaluated by correlating the CSS with the PSS and WHO-WBI5. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the CSS-H factors was between 0.844 and 0.907 (representative sample) and between 0.878 and 0.936 (student sample), which qualified as very good. The reliability of the internal consistency was good for all six factors in both samples. The CSS-H total and all-domain scores significantly and positively correlated with the PSS total score and negatively correlated with well-being. (4) Conclusions: The Hungarian COVID Stress Scale is a valid, reliable instrument to measure COVID-19-related distress in the Hungarian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ágnes Pálvölgyi
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty u.4., 7621 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Kata Morvay-Sey
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty u.3., 7621 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Pongrác Ács
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty u.3., 7621 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dávid Paár
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty u.3., 7621 Pécs, Hungary
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18
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Grøtte T, Hagen K, Eid J, Kvale G, le Hellard S, Solem S. Changes in contamination-related obsessions and compulsions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Norwegian longitudinal study. J Obsessive Compuls Relat Disord 2022; 35:100758. [PMID: 36276590 PMCID: PMC9578966 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2022.100758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic have been associated with increasing obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS), but less is known regarding these symptoms' long-term trajectories. The aim of this study was to examine changes in contamination-related OCS in the Norwegian public during early and late stages of the pandemic, as well as characteristics that might be associated with these changes. METHODS In a longitudinal online survey, 12 580 participants completed self-report questionnaires in April 2020, including a retrospective assessment of contamination-related OCS severity (DOCS-SF) prior to COVID-19. In December 2020, 3405 (27.1%) of the participants completed the survey again. RESULTS In April, participants retrospectively recalled that their contamination-related OCS were lower prior to COVID-19 (d = 1.09). From April to December, symptoms slightly decreased (d = -0.16). The proportion of participants scoring above the clinical cut-off on DOCS-SF (≥16) changed accordingly from 2.4% pre-COVID to 27.8% in April and 24.0% in December. Previous severity of contamination-related OCS and symptoms of distress related to COVID-19 were the most powerful predictors of contamination-related OCS severity during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Elevated levels of contamination-related OCS were detected at both early and late stages of the pandemic, but the long-term symptom trend seems to be slightly declining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torun Grøtte
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
| | - Kristen Hagen
- Bergen Center for Brain Plasticity, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
- Molde Hospital, Møre og Romsdal Hospital Trust, Norway
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
| | - Jarle Eid
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
- Center for Crisis Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Gerd Kvale
- Bergen Center for Brain Plasticity, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Stephanie le Hellard
- Bergen Center for Brain Plasticity, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
- NORMENT, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
| | - Stian Solem
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
- Bergen Center for Brain Plasticity, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
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19
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Lian Q, Xia L, Wu D. Assessing anxiety during the COVID-19 delta epidemic: Validation of the Chinese coronavirus anxiety scale. Front Psychol 2022; 13:981121. [PMID: 36186384 PMCID: PMC9517585 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.981121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) delta epidemic. A total of 2,116 participants on the Chinese mainland completed the online survey. We employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to investigate the factor structure. The findings showed that the one-factor model of the CAS Chinese version fitted perfectly with the data. The multigroup CFAs showed the measurement invariance across gender and age groups (18–29 and 30–68). We also examined the CAS’s internal consistency and convergent and concurrent validity. The results demonstrated that the one-factor model had good reliability and convergent and concurrent validity. Overall, according to our findings, the CAS Chinese version was reliable for measuring coronavirus anxiety during the COVID-19 delta outbreak.
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20
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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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21
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Xia L, Lian Q, Yang H, Wu D. The adaption of the Chinese version of the COVID Stress Scales as a screening instrument of stress: Psychometric properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2022; 10:962304. [PMID: 36062123 PMCID: PMC9429793 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.962304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID Stress Scales (CSS) was used to access related distress concerning Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on China's epidemic prevention and control policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the adaption of the Chinese version of the CSS was developed. Our study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Chinese adapted version of the CSS during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was employed to construct a national sample of 2,116 participants in Chinese mainland. We examined the factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and concurrent validity. The results demonstrated that the six-factor solution for the Chinese adaptation of the CSS proved a good fit with the data after comparing the factor structure with the five-factor model. The six-factor model had good reliability and supported good convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity of the CSS Chinese adaption. Overall, our findings supported the Chinese adapted version of the CSS as a psychometrically sound measure of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Xia
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiaoping Lian
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Haibo Yang
- Tianjin Normal University, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin, China
| | - Daxing Wu
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, Changsha, China
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22
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Kalenik AM, Topolski M, Górnik J, Wolańczyk T. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children with psychiatric diagnoses - multidimensional CCPCA Model. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:495. [PMID: 35870970 PMCID: PMC9308485 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04144-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study aimed to assess the severity of symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with previously diagnosed psychiatric disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. METHODS Online questionnaires were used to investigate three groups of subjects: patients with a psychiatric diagnosis, primary school pupils, and children from children's homes. A total of 167 children with their parents or guardians participated in the study. In addition to basic statistics, a multidimensional Centroid Class Principal Component Analysis (CCPCA) model was used. RESULTS It was found that the strongest fear of the coronavirus was experienced by children from children's homes, while the most severe depressive symptoms and state anxiety were observed among patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. Parental care by assisting with school education and lack of close contact with other people (less than two metres) at parents/guardians' work had the most potent protective effect in reducing the fear of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS There is a need for further research in children and adolescents to develop effective strategies for protecting their mental well-being when faced with social isolation or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Kalenik
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 63A, 02-191, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Mariusz Topolski
- grid.7005.20000 0000 9805 3178Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Justyna Górnik
- grid.13339.3b0000000113287408Department of Child Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 63A, 02-191 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wolańczyk
- grid.13339.3b0000000113287408Department of Child Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 63A, 02-191 Warsaw, Poland
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Demaria F, Pontillo M, Di Vincenzo C, Di Luzio M, Vicari S. Hand Washing: When Ritual Behavior Protects! Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Young People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11113191. [PMID: 35683574 PMCID: PMC9181440 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11113191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on the lifestyles and mental health of young people. It has been hypothesized that the focus on hygiene and the fear of contamination/infection during the pandemic may have exacerbated obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms in this population. OC symptoms are widespread in the general population, with varying degrees of intensity. At their most extreme, they manifest in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), which is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. The present narrative review aimed at evaluating the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and OCD and OC symptoms in young people, especially children and adolescents with and without OCD, focusing on vulnerability and risk factors and the impact of lockdown measures. Of the six studies identified, four examined clinical samples diagnosed with OCD and two looked at community-based adolescent samples. Five of the six studies found that OC symptoms increased during the pandemic. Additionally, vulnerability to anxiety may constitute a risk condition and the lockdown measures and personal stressful life events can constitute potential triggers of OC symptoms, while ongoing treatment for OCD had a protective effect. The results suggest that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, obsessive and compulsive behavior (e.g., hand washing) in young people at the greatest risk should be monitored, and the intervention of mental health services should be maintained. More research is needed in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Demaria
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.V.); (M.D.L.); (S.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-6859-2735; Fax: +39-06-6859-2450
| | - Maria Pontillo
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.V.); (M.D.L.); (S.V.)
| | - Cristina Di Vincenzo
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.V.); (M.D.L.); (S.V.)
| | - Michelangelo Di Luzio
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.V.); (M.D.L.); (S.V.)
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.V.); (M.D.L.); (S.V.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Carvalho S, Coelho CG, Kluwe-Schiavon B, Magalhães J, Leite J. The Acute Impact of the Early Stages of COVID-19 Pandemic in People with Pre-Existing Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095140. [PMID: 35564538 PMCID: PMC9104538 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
People with pre-pandemic health conditions are more vulnerable and more likely to suffer greater psychosocial impact due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures. Thus, the objective of this work was to systematically review the impact of the early stages COVID-19 pandemic on people with pre-existing psychiatric disorders. The search was performed between 23 January and 2 September 2021 in PubMed, PsycINFO, and EMBASE. A total of 4167 published results were identified; however, only 49 were included in this review. Results show that there was considerable heterogeneity among studies, which resulted in a low consensus. However, it seems that the impact of the first stage of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatric disorders was two-fold: (1) an overall effect, in which people suffering from psychiatric disorders in general experienced more psychological distress and anxiety when compared to people who had no psychiatric diagnosis, and (2) a condition-specific effect, namely in people suffering from eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders. Moreover, the current work highlights that there were also some external factors that were related to worsening symptoms. For instance, unemployment or experiencing work and financial difficulties can be a trigger for greater distress during the pandemic for people with mood disorders, and being alone and in social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic may actually increase substance use and relapse rates. Further studies are needed to prospectively investigate the long-term effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic on people with (pre)-existing psychiatric conditions and on the onset or deterioration of psychiatric-related symptoms in a larger number of participants, as well as exploring the long-term effects of the current pandemic on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Carvalho
- Translational Neuropsychology Laboratory, William James Center for Research, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Catarina G. Coelho
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.G.C.); (B.K.-S.); (J.M.)
| | - Bruno Kluwe-Schiavon
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.G.C.); (B.K.-S.); (J.M.)
| | - Juliana Magalhães
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.G.C.); (B.K.-S.); (J.M.)
| | - Jorge Leite
- Portucalense Institute for Human Development (INPP), Portucalense University, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
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25
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Trak E, İnözü M. Obsessive beliefs prospectively predict adherence to safety behaviours related to COVID-19 through obsessive-compulsive symptoms and COVID-19 distress: A serial multiple mediator analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 57:559-566. [PMID: 35365880 PMCID: PMC9087675 DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive–compulsive tendencies may render individuals vulnerable to elevated distress and over‐adherence to safety behaviours during illness outbreaks. The present study investigated obsessive beliefs as a predictor of obsessive–compulsive symptoms, COVID‐19 distress and the exercise of safety behaviours related to COVID‐19 in a community sample. Four hundred seventy‐nine participants responded to a questionnaire battery in March 2020 and 218 individuals participated in a follow‐up assessment in September 2020. Results indicated that baseline obsessive beliefs predicted the exercise of baseline safety behaviours through obsessive–compulsive symptoms and COVID‐19 distress. In addition, the relationship between baseline obsessive beliefs and safety behaviour adoption 6 months later was mediated by later obsessive–compulsive symptoms and COVID‐19 distress. Findings extended prior research on the association between obsessive–compulsive phenomena and psychological changes related to illness outbreaks. The implications for prevention and treatment strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Trak
- Psychology Department, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Müjgan İnözü
- Psychology Department, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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26
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Asmundson GJ, Rachor G, Drakes DH, Boehme BA, Paluszek MM, Taylor S. How does COVID stress vary across the anxiety-related disorders? Assessing factorial invariance and changes in COVID Stress Scale scores during the pandemic. J Anxiety Disord 2022; 87:102554. [PMID: 35278802 PMCID: PMC8893927 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2022.102554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No studies have examined whether levels of COVID stress vary across anxiety-related disorders. Likewise, no studies have assessed structural invariance of the COVID Stress Scales (CSS) across clinical diagnoses. We sought to address these issues in the present study. Given the dynamic nature of pandemics, we also assessed whether COVID stress changed from the first to third wave in those with clinical diagnoses and those with no mental health conditions. METHOD Data were collected during COVID-19 from two independent samples of adults assessed about a year apart (early-mid in 2020, N = 6854; and early-mid 2021, N = 5812) recruited from Canada and the United States through an online survey. Participants provided demographic information, indicated the presence of current (i.e., past-year) anxiety-related or mood disorder, and completed the CSS. RESULTS The five CSS were reliable (internally consistent), and the five-factor structure was stable across samples. Scores tended to be highest in people with anxiety-related or mood disorders, particularly panic disorder. As expected, scores fluctuated over time, being higher during the early phases of the pandemic when threat was greatest and lower during the later phases, when vaccines were deployed and the COVID-19 threat was reduced. CONCLUSION The findings add to the growing number of studies supporting the psychometric properties of the CSS. The results encourage further investigations into the utility of the scales, such as their ability to detect treatment-related changes in COVID-19-related distress. The scales also show promise for studies of future pandemics or outbreaks because the CSS can be modified, with minor wording changes, to assess distress associated with all kinds of disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon J.G. Asmundson
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina, SK, Canada,Correspondence to: Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Steven Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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27
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Noe-Grijalva M, Polo-Ambrocio A, Gómez-Bedia K, Caycho-Rodríguez T. Spanish Translation and Validation of the COVID Stress Scales in Peru. Front Psychol 2022; 13:840302. [PMID: 35418905 PMCID: PMC8995497 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.840302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the study was to translate and validate the COVID Stress Scales (CSS-36) into Spanish in Peru. Around 1,424 people, selected through a non-probabilistic sampling, participated in the study. Factor analysis confirmed an initial six-dimensional factorial structure of the CSS-36. Reliability by internal consistency was good for the dimensions of fear of danger, socioeconomic consequences, xenophobia, fear of contamination, traumatic stress, and compulsive control. In addition, the factorial structure of scale has been shown be strictly invariant for both males and females. The Spanish version of the CSS-36 has evidence of validity, reliability, and invariance to measure COVID-19 stress in a Peruvian sample.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karla Gómez-Bedia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad César Vallejo, Trujillo, Peru
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28
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Carlander A, Lekander M, Asmundson GJG, Taylor S, Olofsson Bagge R, Lindqvist Bagge AS. COVID-19 related distress in the Swedish population: Validation of the Swedish version of the COVID Stress Scales (CSS). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263888. [PMID: 35157739 PMCID: PMC8843112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID Stress Scales (CSS) assess health- and contamination-related distress in the face of a medical outbreak like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Though the CSS is translated into 21 languages, it has not been validated in a Swedish national sample. AIM Our general objective is to provide a translation, replication, and validation of the CSS and test its convergent- and discriminant validity in relation to anxiety, health anxiety, depression, and stress in the general Swedish population. We also present latent psychometric properties by modelling based on item response theory. METHODS Participants consisted of 3044 Swedish adults (> 18 years) from a pre-stratified (gender, age, and education) sample from The Swedish Citizen Panel. Mental health status was assessed by validated instruments, including the CSS, PHQ-4, SHAI-14, and PSS-10. RESULTS Results indicate that our Swedish translation of CSS has good psychometric properties and consists of 5 correlated factors. DISCUSSION The CSS is useful either as a unidimensional or multidimensional construct using the CSS scales to measure key facets of pandemic-related stress. CONCLUSIONS The findings support the cross-cultural validity of the CSS and its potential utility in understanding many of the emotional challenges posed by the current and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Carlander
- SOM Institute, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Mats Lekander
- Department of Psychology, Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Steven Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Roger Olofsson Bagge
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ann-Sophie Lindqvist Bagge
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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29
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Linde ES, Varga TV, Clotworthy A. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:806872. [PMID: 35401266 PMCID: PMC8989845 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.806872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions may contribute to a deterioration in mental health; individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may be particularly affected. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of the current pandemic on people diagnosed with OCD, and whether pandemics may affect the development of OCD symptoms. METHODS We conducted a systematic search using NCBI PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar on February 9, 2021. Research articles related to OCD and COVID-19 or other pandemics were attempted to be identified using pre-defined search terms. Case reports, clinical guidelines, letters, and clinical research articles including ≥100 participants were included; reviews were excluded. The systematic review adheres to PRISMA guidelines and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the included clinical research articles. RESULTS A total of 79 articles were included in the full-text assessment. Of these, 59 were clinical research articles, two were clinical guidelines, six were case reports, and 12 were letters. The research articles examined OCD symptoms in adult patients with diagnosed OCD, the general population, pregnant women, healthcare workers, students, and young adults, children, and adolescents. Only one study on OCD in previous pandemics was identified. CONCLUSION This systematic review found that people both with and without diagnosed OCD prior to the pandemic generally experienced a worsened landscape of symptoms of OCD during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the responses are heterogeneous and many factors other than the pandemic seemed to affect the development of OCD symptoms. To prevent the impairment of symptoms and the development of new cases, close monitoring of patients with OCD and education of the general public is essential. Literature is still limited; thus, multinational and cross-cultural, longitudinal studies are warranted to gain further insights on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth S Linde
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tibor V Varga
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amy Clotworthy
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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30
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Tandt HL, Debruyckere I, Leyman L, Colman R, De Jaeghere EA, Van Parys H, Baeken C, Purdon C, Lemmens GM. How are OCD Patients and Family Members Dealing with the Waxing and Waning Pattern of the COVID-19 Pandemic? Results of a Longitudinal Observational Study. Psychiatr Q 2021; 92:1549-1563. [PMID: 34097247 PMCID: PMC8182341 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-021-09932-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of people with OCD and the degree of family accommodation (FA) by live-in family members across phases of the lockdown measures imposed by the Belgian government. Forty-nine OCD patients and 26 live-in family members participated in the study. We assessed OCD symptom severity and FA of the live-in family members, as well as depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress levels and COVID-19 related psychological distress of patients and family members at four different timepoints: one month after the start of the lockdown (T1), during the gradual relaxation (T2), between the two waves (T3) and during the second wave (T4). Results showed that although COVID-19 related stress increased and decreased in accordance with the waxing and waning pattern of the pandemic, OCD symptoms showed an initial slight increase followed by a decrease at T3 and again at T4. Changes in family members' accommodation of symptoms followed the same course as the OCD symptoms. Furthermore, OCD symptoms correlated with depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress levels and COVID-19 related distress at all timepoints. It is important to involve family members in the treatment of OCD even during a pandemic. Clinicians should also pay attention to symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress during OCD treatment. Further research is necessary to entangle the causal relationship between OCD symptoms, FA and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Inge Debruyckere
- Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lemke Leyman
- Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Roos Colman
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emiel A De Jaeghere
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Medical Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Human Structure and repair, Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hanna Van Parys
- Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chris Baeken
- Department of Head and Skin, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Psychiatry, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Gilbert Md Lemmens
- Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Head and Skin, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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31
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Samuels J, Holingue C, Nestadt PS, Bienvenu OJ, Phan P, Nestadt G. An investigation of COVID-19 related worry in a United States population sample. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 144:360-368. [PMID: 34735840 PMCID: PMC8531673 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although general anxiety has increased markedly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, little has been reported about the demographic distribution of COVID-19 related worry, its relationship with psychological features, and its association with depression symptoms in the United States (US). METHODS 2117 participants, selected to represent the age, gender, and race/ethnic distributions of the US population, completed an online survey. Analysis of variance and correlation analyses were used to assess relationships between the COVID-19 related worry score and demographic characteristics, past psychiatric diagnoses, personality dimensions, and current psychological symptoms. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between the COVID-19 worry score and depression symptoms. RESULTS The COVID-19 worry score was markedly higher in younger (18-49 year-olds) than older participants, and moderately higher in men, those who were married or cohabiting, with post-college education, and/or living in large urban areas. The COVID-19 worry score also was markedly higher in those who reported having been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. The COVID-19 worry score correlated with neuroticism, current psychological symptoms, and COVID-19 risk and COVID-19 behavior scores. The COVID-19 worry score was associated with current depression symptoms (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.09-1.11; p < 0.001) in univariable models and remained significant after adjustment for other correlates of depression, including COVID-19 risk. CONCLUSIONS In this US sample, the COVID-19 worry score was inversely related to age, strongly related to psychological symptoms, and independently associated with depression symptoms. These findings have implications for the community mental health response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Samuels
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Calliope Holingue
- Department of Mental Health, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Paul S. Nestadt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - O. Joseph Bienvenu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Phillip Phan
- The Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA,Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Gerald Nestadt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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32
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Adamczyk K, Clark DA, Pradelok J. The Polish COVID Stress Scales: Considerations of psychometric functioning, measurement invariance, and validity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260459. [PMID: 34851971 PMCID: PMC8635383 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID Stress Scales (CSS) were developed to measure stress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To further investigate the psychometric properties of the CSS, we used data collected in Poland across two waves of assessment (N = 556 at T1 and N = 264 at T2) to evaluate the factor structure, reliability (at the item and scale level), measurement invariance (across the Polish and Dutch translations of the CSS, and time), over time stability, and external associations of the Polish-language version of the CSS (CSS-PL). Overall, results suggest that the CSS-PL is psychometrically robust, largely invariant across the countries and time-lags considered. The CSS-PL was also positively related to other measures of COVID-19 fear, health anxiety, obsessive compulsive symptoms, anxiety, depression, and intent to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This study thus provides considerable information about the CSS's items and scales, and lays the foundation for future investigations into COVID stress across time and different populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Adamczyk
- Faculty of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - D. Angus Clark
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Julia Pradelok
- Faculty of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
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Khosravani V, Samimi Ardestani SM, Sharifi Bastan F, McKay D, Asmundson GJG. The associations of obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions and general severity with suicidal ideation in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: The role of specific stress responses to COVID-19. Clin Psychol Psychother 2021; 28:1391-1402. [PMID: 33881790 PMCID: PMC8250844 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Suicidal ideation is prevalent in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); but, during COVID-19, it may be increased. The present study aimed to examine the effects of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptom dimensions and OCD severity on suicidal ideation by considering the role of stress responses in reaction to COVID-19 in a clinical sample of patients with OCD. In a cross-sectional study, 304 patients with OCD completed measures of OC symptom dimensions, OCD severity, general mental health (depression and anxiety), and COVID-19-related stress. Results showed that after controlling for depression, anxiety, comorbidity, and lifetime suicide attempts, the OC symptom dimensions of responsibility for harm and unacceptable obsessional thoughts as well as general severity had indirect effects on suicidal ideation through the specific stress responses to COVID-19, including traumatic stress and compulsive checking. The study shows that OCD patients with specific OC symptom dimensions and severe OCD are more likely to have suicidal ideation during the pandemic. Further, the specific stress responses to COVID-19 may be an underlying mechanism. Clinicians should carefully assess suicidal ideation in patients with OCD who experience responsibility for harm and unacceptable thoughts, particularly during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Khosravani
- Behavioral Sciences Research CenterShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Samimi Ardestani
- Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Imam Hossein HospitalShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | | | - Dean McKay
- Department of PsychologyFordham UniversityNew YorkUSA
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34
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Milic M, Dotlic J, Rachor GS, Asmundson GJG, Joksimovic B, Stevanovic J, Lazic D, Stanojevic Ristic Z, Subaric Filimonovic J, Radenkovic N, Cakic M, Gazibara T. Validity and reliability of the Serbian COVID Stress Scales. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259062. [PMID: 34705857 PMCID: PMC8550439 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to generate a linguistic equivalent of the COVID Stress Scales (CSS) in the Serbian language and examine its psychometric characteristics. Data were collected from September to December 2020 among the general population of three cities in Republic of Serbia and Republic of Srpska, countries where the Serbian language is spoken. Participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, followed by the CSS and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The CSS was validated using the standard methodology (i.e., forward and backward translations, pilot testing). The reliability of the Serbian CSS was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients and convergent validity was evaluated by correlating the CSS with PSS. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to examine the construct validity of the Serbian CSS. This study included 961 persons (52.8% males and 47.2% females). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the Serbian CSS was 0.964 and McDonald's omega was 0.964. The Serbian CSS with 36 items and a six-factorial structure showed a measurement model with a satisfactory fit for our population (CMIN/DF = 4.391; GFI = 0.991; RMSEA = 0.025). The CSS total and all domain scores significantly positively correlated with PSS total score. The Serbian version of the CSS is a valid and reliable questionnaire that can be used in assessing COVID-19-related distress experienced by Serbian speaking people during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as future epidemics and pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Milic
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina Temporarily Seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, Serbia
| | - Jelena Dotlic
- Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | | | - Bojan Joksimovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of East Sarajevo, Foca, Republic of Srpska Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Jasmina Stevanovic
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina Temporarily Seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, Serbia
| | - Dragoslav Lazic
- Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina Temporarily Seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, Serbia
| | - Zorica Stanojevic Ristic
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina Temporarily Seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, Serbia
| | - Jelena Subaric Filimonovic
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina Temporarily Seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, Serbia
| | - Nikoleta Radenkovic
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina Temporarily Seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, Serbia
| | - Milica Cakic
- Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Gazibara
- Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Guzick AG, Candelari A, Wiese AD, Schneider SC, Goodman WK, Storch EA. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Systematic Review. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2021; 23:71. [PMID: 34613498 PMCID: PMC8493778 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-021-01284-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This systematic review evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on obsessive-compulsive symptoms. RECENT FINDINGS Most studies showed that obsessive-compulsive symptoms worsened during the early stages of the pandemic, particularly for individuals with contamination-related obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), though other symptoms dimensions were found to worsen as well. Many patients and individuals in the general population experienced new obsessive-compulsive-like symptoms centered on COVID-19. Self-reported rates of symptom exacerbation and COVID-19-focused symptoms were consistently lower in studies that recruited patients from specialty clinics (compared to online samples). Most studies were conducted in Spring/Summer, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an enormous stressor for individuals with OCD, especially for those with contamination symptoms. Regardless, there is strong reason to believe gold standard treatment approaches for OCD have maintained strong efficacy. Disseminating and effectively delivering evidence-based treatments for OCD is an urgent public health priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Guzick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd., Suite 4-100 Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Abigail Candelari
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd., Suite 4-100 Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Andrew D Wiese
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd., Suite 4-100 Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sophie C Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd., Suite 4-100 Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Wayne K Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd., Suite 4-100 Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Eric A Storch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd., Suite 4-100 Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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Ojalehto HJ, Abramowitz JS, Hellberg SN, Butcher MW, Buchholz JL. Predicting COVID-19-related anxiety: The role of obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions, anxiety sensitivity, and body vigilance. J Anxiety Disord 2021; 83:102460. [PMID: 34352520 PMCID: PMC8318675 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), first detected in December of 2019 and declared a global pandemic in March of 2020, continues to pose a serious threat to public health and safety worldwide. Many individuals report anxiety in response to this threat, and at high levels, such anxiety can result in adverse mental health outcomes and maladaptive behavioral responses that have consequences for the health of communities more broadly. Predictors of excessive anxiety in response to COVID-19 are understudied. Accordingly, the present study examined psychological factors that predict more intense COVID-19-related anxiety. 438 community members completed measures assessing COVID-19-related anxiety as well as psychological variables hypothesized to predict anxious responding to the threat of COVID-19. As expected, obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to contamination, the fear of arousal-related body sensations (i.e., anxiety sensitivity), and body vigilance each predicted more severe anxiety related to the pandemic. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to responsibility for causing harm also emerged as a predictor. Study limitations and implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan S. Abramowitz
- Corresponding author at: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 3270 (Davie Hall), Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
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Psychometric Properties of the Coronavirus Stress Measure with Malaysian Young Adults: Association with Psychological Inflexibility and Psychological Distress. Int J Ment Health Addict 2021; 21:819-835. [PMID: 34466131 PMCID: PMC8390072 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-021-00622-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in multiple physical and psychological stressors, which require quantification and establishment of association with other psychological process variables. The Coronavirus Stress Measure (CSM) is a validated instrument with acceptable validity and reliability. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the CSM in a Malaysian population. University participants were recruited via convenience sampling using snowball methods. The reliability and validity of the Malay CSM (CSM-M) were rigorously evaluated, utilising both confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis, in relation to sociodemographic variables and response to the depression, anxiety, and stress subscales of the Malay validation of the DASS-21, and also perceived stress (measured by the PSS) and psychological flexibility (AAQ-II). The sample comprised of 247 Malaysian participants. The McDonald’s omega value for the Malay CSM was 0.935 indicating very good internal reliability. The CSM was significantly correlated with stress, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and psychological flexibility. The Malay CSM properties were examined also with Rasch analysis, with satisfactory outcomes. There was positive correlated error between items 1 and 3, as well as negative correlated error between items 1 and 4. Hence, item 1 was excluded, leaving with 4 items. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good data-model fit, and model fit statistics confirmed that Malay CSM showed a single-factor model. The Malay CSM hence demonstrates good validity and reliability, with both classical and modern psychometric methods demonstrating robust outcomes. It is therefore crucial in operational and research settings in establishing the true extent of stress levels as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Samuels J, Holingue C, Nestadt PS, Bienvenu OJ, Phan P, Nestadt G. Contamination-related behaviors, obsessions, and compulsions during the COVID-19 pandemic in a United States population sample. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 138:155-162. [PMID: 33857786 PMCID: PMC8016179 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.03.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contamination-prevention behaviors such as mask wearing and physical distancing are crucial to reduce coronavirus transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that engagement in these behaviors could provoke obsessions and phobias in vulnerable individuals in the community. METHODS A total of 2117 participants, systematically selected to represent the age, gender, and race distributions of the US population, completed an online survey that assessed demographic characteristics, clinical features, COVID-19 risks, and COVID-19 contamination-prevention behaviors. Logistic regression was used to estimate the magnitude of the relationships between the COVID-19 behavior score and clinically significant contamination obsessions, contamination compulsions, and pre-COVID-19 to current change in obsessive-compulsive symptom scores. RESULTS The COVID-19 behavior score was significantly associated with contamination obsessions (odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.12-1.16; p < 0.001) and contamination phobias (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.12-1.16; p < 0.001). The COVID-19 behavior score also was associated with pre-pandemic to current increase in the overall obsessive-compulsive symptom score (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.09-1.23; p < 0.001), as well as increase in obsessive-compulsive symptom score excluding washing items (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.07-1.19; p < 0.001). The magnitude of these relationships did not appreciably change, after adjustment for other variables associated with the outcomes. Moreover, the relationship was significant in those with or without OCD, and in individuals with different levels of doubt and COVID-19 risk. CONCLUSIONS Contamination safety measures are critical for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the community. However, they may be related to the development of contamination-related symptoms and OCD in vulnerable individuals, complicating the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders during this period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Samuels
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Calliope Holingue
- Department of Mental Health, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Paul S. Nestadt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - O. Joseph Bienvenu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Phillip Phan
- The Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA,Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Gerald Nestadt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Zaccari V, D'Arienzo MC, Caiazzo T, Magno A, Amico G, Mancini F. Narrative Review of COVID-19 Impact on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Child, Adolescent and Adult Clinical Populations. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:673161. [PMID: 34054624 PMCID: PMC8158808 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.673161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine had a significant impact on mental health which resulted in an increase of anxiety and depression in adult, child and adolescent clinical populations. Less is known about the potential effect of pandemic on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) so there is a lack of review work to illustrate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on OCD. Purpose: The main objective is to review all the empirical contributions published after March 2020 that dealt with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on OCD in adults, children and adolescents, investigating the state-of-the-art literature concerning the impact on OCD and detailing limitations. Methods: The literature search was conducted using PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. This review analyzed all studies from January 2020 to 8 January 2021, focusing on clinical populations of children, adolescents, and adults with OCD. Results: A total of 102 articles were screened, resulting in the identification of 64 full-text articles to be further scrutinized. Upon closer examination, there was consensus that 39 articles met the study inclusion criteria and 14 of these were selected for study. Analysis of the results revealed that COVID-19 had an impact on OCD in both adults and young people and seems to have caused exacerbation of symptoms, especially of the contamination/washing subtypes. Eight studies in adult samples showed an increase in the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms; two studies underlined a minimal impact of COVID-19 on OCD patients and one study showed a slight improvement in symptoms. Two out of three studies on children and adolescents showed an exacerbation of OCD and a worsening even in the presence of an ongoing treatment. Conclusions: The studies reviewed are few. There are more studies on adult OCD than on children and adolescents. The results are controversial: few studies examined OCD subtypes; in most studies the typology of treatment was not clear and the samples covered a wide age range; a large number of studies did not use the same monitoring period or quantitative measures, both of which make it difficult to compare or rely on the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Zaccari
- School of Cognitive Psychotherapy, Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences, Marconi University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Mancini
- School of Cognitive Psychotherapy, Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences, Marconi University, Rome, Italy
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Samimi Ardestani SM, Khosravani V, Sharifi Bastan F, Baloğlu M. The Persian Version of the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (Persian-C19P-S) and the Differences in COVID-19-Related Phobic Reactions in Patients with Anxiety Disorders. Int J Ment Health Addict 2021; 20:2419-2435. [PMID: 33841053 PMCID: PMC8025735 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-021-00523-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic outbreak increasing several psychological distress, such as anxiety and phobia, and may affect patients with anxiety disorders. A scale has been recently designed to assess COVID-19-related phobic reactions named the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S). The present study aimed to evaluate factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Persian version of the C19P-S (Persian-C19P-S) in patients with anxiety disorders and to compare COVID-19-related phobia among these patients. Three hundred patients with anxiety disorders completed the Persian-C19P-S and other scales assessing anxiety traits (e.g., the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), the Health Concerns Questionnaire-54 (HCQ-54), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4)) and COVID-19-related distress (e.g., the COVID Stress Scales (CSS) and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19)). The results showed that the Persian-C19P-S replicated the four-factor structure of the original C19P-S. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability coefficients evidenced the reliability of the scale. The validity of the scale (convergent and discriminant validity) was confirmed. Patients who had generalized anxiety and panic disorders showed higher phobic reactions related to COVID-19 than those with social anxiety disorder and specific phobia. This study indicates that the Persian version of the C19P-S is a valid scale to be used in Iranian patients with anxiety disorders to evaluate COVID-19-related phobia. Moreover, COVID-19-related phobic reactions are higher in some specific types of anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mehdi Samimi Ardestani
- Departments of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Khosravani
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Khosravani V, Aardema F, Samimi Ardestani SM, Sharifi Bastan F. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on specific symptom dimensions and severity in OCD: A comparison before and during COVID-19 in the context of stress responses. J Obsessive Compuls Relat Disord 2021; 29:100626. [PMID: 33520614 PMCID: PMC7834974 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2021.100626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to compare a group of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; N = 270) before and during COVID-19 on specific obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptom dimensions and symptom severity. In addition, the study aimed to evaluate the associations of COVID-19-related stress responses with change in OC symptom dimensions and severity of symptoms as the result of the pandemic. Results showed that patients with OCD had higher scores on all OC symptom dimensions and symptom severity during the pandemic as compared to their scores from before the pandemic. Thus, the effect of COVID-19 is not limited to an increase in fears of contamination alone, but occurs across other symptom dimensions, including responsibility for harm, unacceptable thoughts, and symmetry. In addition, regression analyses indicated that COVID-19-related stress responses significantly predicted the observed increase in specific OC symptom dimensions and general severity, after controlling for pre-COVID-19 scores of symptoms and severity. The increase of symptoms as the result of COVID-19 might be best understood in the context of a non-specific stress-related response similar to the effects observed in non-clinical and other clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Khosravani
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Frederick Aardema
- Montreal Mental Health University Institute Research Center, University of Montreal, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, 7331 Hochelaga Street, Montreal, QC, H1N 3V2, Canada
| | - Seyed Mehdi Samimi Ardestani
- Departments of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Rajabi Khamesi S, Najafi M, Khosravani V. The effect of childhood maltreatment on suicidal ideation through cognitive emotion regulation strategies and specific obsessive-compulsive symptoms in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clin Psychol Psychother 2021; 28:1435-1444. [PMID: 33687749 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment is thought to be associated with suicidality in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Although the underlying mechanism of this relationship is not clear, cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERSs) and the specific OC symptoms including unacceptable obsessional thoughts (UOTs) and responsibility for harm (RFH) may underlie this link. Accordingly, the study aimed to assess the effect of childhood maltreatment on suicidal ideation through UOTs, RFH and adaptive and maladaptive CERSs in OCD patients. Three hundred patients meeting a DSM-5 diagnosis of OCD were selected and completed the scales measuring childhood maltreatment, OCD, suicidality and depressive symptoms. After controlling for depressive symptoms and OCD severity, childhood maltreatment was shown to affect suicidal ideation directly. Also, the indirect effect of childhood maltreatment on suicidal ideation was mediated by adaptive CERSs, UOTs and RFH. The findings show that OCD patients with a history of childhood maltreatment, less use of adaptive CERSs and the experiences of UOTs and RFH should be carefully considered regarding suicidal risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Rajabi Khamesi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Najafi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
| | - Vahid Khosravani
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the current state of knowledge on the newly proposed COVID Stress Syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS The syndrome consists of five inter-correlated elements: (a) fear of SARSCoV2 infection and fear of coming into contact with objects or surfaces contaminated with the coronavirus; (b) fear of socio-economic impacts of the pandemic; (c) fear of foreigners for fear that they are infected; (d) pandemic-related compulsive checking and reassurance-seeking; and (e) pandemic-related traumatic stress symptoms. A severe form of the syndrome, characterized by clinically significant distress and impairment in functioning, is the COVID Stress Disorder, which is regarded as a pandemic-related adjustment disorder. Several treatment options exist but further research is needed. Research during the COVID-19 pandemic has identified a pandemic-related adjustment disorder. The diagnosis of COVID Stress Syndrome should be made only after ruling out other disorders that could potentially account for the pattern of symptoms, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term course of the syndrome. Similar adjustment disorders may arise in future pandemics. Accordingly, understanding the COVID Stress Syndrome may facilitate efforts to understand and treat psychopathology in future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2A1, Canada.
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Sica C, Caudek C, Cerea S, Colpizzi I, Caruso M, Giulini P, Bottesi G. Health Anxiety Predicts the Perceived Dangerousness of COVID-19 over and above Intrusive Illness-Related Thoughts, Contamination Symptoms, and State and Trait Negative Affect. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:1933. [PMID: 33671223 PMCID: PMC7922316 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This study sought to evaluate the specificity of health anxiety, relative to other forms of psychopathology, in perceptions of COVID-19 as dangerous. Measures of health anxiety, COVID-19 perceived dangerousness, negative affect, anxiety, depression, stress, contamination-related obsessions and compulsions, and intrusive illness-related thoughts were administered online to 742 community individuals during the Italian national lockdown. Results showed that, after controlling for demographic variables and other internalizing problems, health anxiety was the single most important factor associated with the perceived dangerousness of COVID-19. Moreover, a comparison between the current sample's scores on various symptom measures and scores from prepandemic Italian samples revealed that, whereas other internalizing symptoms increased by a large or very large magnitude during the pandemic, levels of health anxiety and negative affect increased by a medium amount. This result may indicate that health anxiety is relatively trait-like, increasing the likelihood that our correlational data support the model of health anxiety as a vulnerability rather than an outcome. Together, these results indicate that health anxiety may be a specific risk factor for COVID-related maladjustment and support the distinction of health anxiety from other psychological problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Sica
- Department of Health Sciences, Psychology Section, University of Firenze, Via San Salvi, 12, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (C.S.); (I.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Corrado Caudek
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health, University of Firenze, Via San Salvi, 12, 50135 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Silvia Cerea
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia, 8, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Colpizzi
- Department of Health Sciences, Psychology Section, University of Firenze, Via San Salvi, 12, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (C.S.); (I.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Maria Caruso
- Department of Health Sciences, Psychology Section, University of Firenze, Via San Salvi, 12, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (C.S.); (I.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Paolo Giulini
- Department of Health Sciences, Psychology Section, University of Firenze, Via San Salvi, 12, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (C.S.); (I.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.)
| | - Gioia Bottesi
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia, 8, 35131 Padova, Italy;
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