Effects of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Family Functioning

A home environment-moderated model of the influence of ergonomics on individual work performance among Filipino nurse educators working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic: An interaction moderation analysis using structural equation model

AIM

To determine the influence of ergonomics on individual work performance of nurse educators working at home during the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop a model of the moderating effect of home environment.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, predictive-correlational design.

METHODS

Utilizing interaction moderation and structural equation modeling, 214 consecutively-selected educators from nursing schools in the Greater Manila Area, Philippines completed a four-part online survey.

RESULTS

Physical, cognitive, and organizational ergonomics positively influenced individual work performance. Home environment had a linear, positive moderation on the effects of physical and cognitive ergonomics on individual work performance but had a negative moderating effect with organizational ergonomics.

CONCLUSION

The moderated model underscored the positive effects of ergonomics and the moderating effect of home environment on the individual work performance of nurse educators working at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this knowledge can be used in developing appropriate programs, strategies, and policies.

IMPACT

The moderated model highlights the need for policies and programs, training and education, and organizational evaluation geared towards promoting healthy workplace and work-life balance among nurse educators transitioning to remote work and online teaching.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Eligible participants contributed in the data collection with the survey responses.

Marital conflict of a nurse family following COVID-19 vaccinations: A case studying

Vaccination is one of the best strategies to control a pandemic. Although there is much research evidence of its effectiveness, a small percentage of people would not incubate the vaccine. After starting vaccination of healthcare workers as the first group in Iran, there were many debates and concerns regarding the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine and its long-term side effects among them. In this investigation, the impact of these disagreements on the relationship of a nurse couple has been presented. The wife believed that people should incubate the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible and the man was anti-vaxxer and he believed that COVID-19 vaccines are not safe and it should be refused. After that, the wife got the COVID-19 vaccine, and their difference in views led to marital conflicts and disturbance in the function of the family. This case study was approved by the Research Council and Ethics Committee of Semnan University of Medical Science. Vaccine refusing could have complicated effects on a community and family. There should be a plan to assess families' function and apply it in the case of disturbance in families' function. Moreover, several strategies should be implemented to persuade anti-vaxxers.

Changes in, and factors associated with family functioning: results of four cross-sectional household surveys from 2011 to 2017 in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND

Previous research has well-documented that family functioning is an important predictor of individuals' physical and mental health. However, relatively little research has explored family functioning at the family and population levels, such as changes in family functioning across years and whether predictors of family functioning differ across different family structures. Understanding of the changes in family functioning across years and factors promoting family functioning will inform the development of preventive measures to enhance family health and resilience. Objectives of the study were: (1) to examine the changes in family functioning across a 6-year study period and (2) to study protective factors associated with family functioning and the extent to which the factors are the same or different across different family structures.

METHOD

The study involved secondary data analysis of the biannual Family Survey carried out by the Family Council, an advisory body to the Hong Kong government. A series of ANOVA and regression analyses were conducted using data of four population-based cross-sectional household surveys conducted in Hong Kong in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017.

RESULTS

There were some fluctuations in overall family functioning scores across the study period, but no significant difference was found between the scores in 2011 and 2017. Different predictors of family functioning were found for different family types, and frequent family communication was a common protective factor for most family types, including never married, married/cohabiting with children, and married/cohabiting with no children.

CONCLUSION

The study is among the first to examine changes in family functioning at the population level. Monitoring and addressing family functioning may help tackle various social problems and future public health crises. Interventions to promote family functioning should address both common and different protective factors of different family types.

A longitudinal study on college students' depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: The trajectories, antecedents, and outcomes

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is not only an immediate hazard but also a long-term risk to the development of depressive symptoms. However, it remains unclear how people's depressive symptoms change with the process of COVID-19. Further, there is also a paucity of research on the underlying antecedents and outcomes of depressive symptoms during this global health crisis. In this study, a longitudinal study was conducted in China and the data of 559 participants were collected from the outbreak period to the normalization period of the pandemic through self-report questionnaires. Depressive symptoms were longitudinally analyzed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Core variables involving society, family, individual cognition, and behaviors were studied as determinants or consequences. Latent growth curve model analyses indicated that college students had mild depressive symptoms at the initial stage of COVID-19 with a subsequent decreasing linear slope. Depressive symptoms were significantly predicted by college students' risk perception of COVID-19, social support, family functioning, and smartphone addiction tendency. Further, their depressive symptoms predicted the changes in smartphone addiction tendency and levels of hope. In conclusion, current findings can provide implications for future prevention and intervention of mental disorders to assist college students through such challenging times.