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Lin CY, Choi M, Lee YH, Ki M, Hsu CY, Chang SS. Exploring possible causes of lower-than-expected suicide rates in Taiwan and South Korea during the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic: a time trend analysis by sex, age, and method. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 39354699 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Decreases in suicide rates during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were found in several countries, including Taiwan and South Korea. We investigated the pattern of the reduction in suicide by sex, age, method, and outbreak period in the two countries. METHODS Suicide data for Taiwan (2015-2021) and South Korea (2017-2021) stratified by sex, age, method, and month were extracted from national mortality data files in the two countries. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate suicide rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals across outbreak and inter-outbreak periods during the pandemic, relative to that expected based on pre-pandemic trends, and their associations with economic and outbreak control stringency indicators. RESULTS There were fewer-than-expected suicides in Taiwan (7%-16% fewer suicides over outbreaks and inter-outbreaks) and South Korea (17% fewer suicides in outbreaks III and IV). Fewer-than-expected suicides were found primarily in the working-age populations aged 25 to 64 years in Taiwan and those aged 45 to 64 years in South Korea. In both countries, fewer-than-expected suicides by charcoal burning during the pandemic were consistently found; the greatest reduction occurred when the outbreak control measures were most restricted. Increased time at residence was associated with decreased suicide rates in South Korea. CONCLUSION Taiwan and South Korea showed reduced suicide rates during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021. Potential reasons for the decrease in suicides may include reduced access to suicide means during outbreaks in the two countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yu Lin
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Centre for Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Minjae Choi
- Institute for Future Public Health, Graduate School of Public Health, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yo Han Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Myung Ki
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- BK21FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chia-Yueh Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Sen Chang
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Global Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Population Health Research Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Han CH, Lee S, Chung JH. Association of the COVID-19 lockdown with health risk behaviors in South Korean adolescents. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38453. [PMID: 39259085 PMCID: PMC11142770 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038453] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Since there is no certainty about when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown will be affected by health risk behaviors, so we investigate the effect of COVID-19-related health risk behavior changes using school-based self-reported data from a nationally representative South Korean adolescent population. We analyzed web-based self-reported data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey in 111,878 participants (57,069 in COVID-19 prepandemic); 54,809 in during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study included 12 to 18-year-olds. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess socioeconomic status, health risk behaviors, and psychological factors. Health risk behaviors such as alcohol consumption, substance use, and sexual experience significantly decreased in COVID-19 pandemic than in COVID-19 prepandemic. Psychosomatic changes such as stress levels, violence experience, depression, suicidal ideation, suicidal plans, and suicide attempts were significantly lower in COVID-19 pandemic compared to COVID-19 prepandemic (P < .001). After adjusting for multiple confounding variables, less alcohol consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.88-0.93), less exercise (OR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.89-0.94), less sexual experience (OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.77-0.86), less violence experience (OR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.55-0.67), less stress (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.84-0.88), less depression (OR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.83-0.88), less suicidal ideation (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.89-0.97), plans (OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.76-0.88), attempts (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.71-0.85) were significantly associated with the COVID-19 pandemic compared to COVID-19 prepandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with changes in health risk behaviors among Korean adolescents, resulting in alcohol drinking, sexual experience, drug use, violence experience, and suicidal behaviors (idea, plan, and attempts) being decreased during the lockdown period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Hoon Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Sujin Lee
- Department of Neurology, International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Chung
- Department of Internal Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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Mayr R, Iltchev A, Bonatti A, Forstner B, Fritz J, Gassner E, Arora R. [Trauma emergency room cases before and during the COVID-19 pandemic : Data from an alpine trauma center]. UNFALLCHIRURGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 126:960-966. [PMID: 36534361 PMCID: PMC9761024 DOI: 10.1007/s00113-022-01268-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic had a strong impact on the work of trauma medical teams. The aim of the study was to compare the trauma emergency room (TER) incidence and trauma mechanisms before and during the pandemic at a level I trauma center. OBJECTIVE The TER incidence before and during the pandemic should be assessed to be prepared for future pandemics or new COVID-19 outbreaks. MATERIAL AND METHODS Medical charts from all TER patients from March 2019 to February 2021 were analyzed. The incidence and trauma mechanisms of the 12 months before and the 12 months during the pandemic were compared. The trauma distribution and severity were described by the AIS and ISS, and the patients' country of residency was noted. RESULTS The TER cases decreased from 694 before the COVID-19 pandemic to 477 cases during the pandemic (Incidence rate 0.69). The strongest decrease in trauma cases was noted in sports injuries (0.55), followed by suicide attempts (0.63), traffic accidents (0.71) and leisure accidents (0.76). The rate of patients with severe injuries (ISS ≥ 16) was comparable with 40% before the pandemic and 44% during the pandemic. Foreign residency of TER patients shifted from 37% before the pandemic to 16% during the pandemic. The number of foreign patients was significantly reduced during the pandemic (257 vs. 77). DISCUSSION The TER incidence significantly decreased during the pandemic due to the imposed lockdowns during the peak winter tourism season. The rate of foreign TER patients changed during the pandemic, while the rate of severely injured patients remained stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Mayr
- Universitätsklinik für Orthopädie und Traumatologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich.
| | - A Iltchev
- Universitätsklinik für Orthopädie und Traumatologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - A Bonatti
- Universitätsklinik für Orthopädie und Traumatologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - B Forstner
- Universitätsklinik für Orthopädie und Traumatologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - J Fritz
- Department für Medizinische Statistik, Informatik und Gesundheitsökonomie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - E Gassner
- Universitätsklinik für Radiologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - R Arora
- Universitätsklinik für Orthopädie und Traumatologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
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Ramalle-Gómara E, Palacios-Castaño MI, Martínez-Ochoa E, Quiñones-Rubio C. Trends in suicide mortality in Spain from 1998 to 2021 and its relationship with the COVID-19 pandemic: A joinpoint regression analysis. Psychiatry Res 2023; 329:115520. [PMID: 37797441 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115520] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
In the European Union, a rate of 11.9 cases per 100,000 was estimated in 2019.In Spain, suicide is the leading cause of external death. Social crises can have an impact on suicide rates. We analyzed changes in suicide mortality trends in Spain following the COVID-19 pandemic. We used statistical data from the National Institute of Statistics of Spain (1998-2021). We calculated age-specific rates, age and sex-adjusted rates, and analyzed trends and changes using joinpoint-regression models. Rates decrease in both sexes at the ages of 65 and older. In women, they increase in the ages of 1-29 years and 45-59 years. In men, they decrease in the ages of 15-39 years. Among women, age-adjusted rates remained stable between 1998 and 2021, with a non-significant annual decrease of 0.4 %. Among men, there was a significant annual decrease of 0.7 %. The years 2020 and 2021 had 8 % higher mortality compared to the two years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicide mortality in Spain slightly decreased among men and remained stable among women between 1998 and 2021, but there seems to be an increase following the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Ramalle-Gómara
- Epidemiology and Health Promotion Department, Directorate General of Public Health, Vara de Rey, 8, 26071 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain.
| | - María-Isabel Palacios-Castaño
- Epidemiology and Health Promotion Department, Directorate General of Public Health, Vara de Rey, 8, 26071 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Eva Martínez-Ochoa
- Epidemiology and Health Promotion Department, Directorate General of Public Health, Vara de Rey, 8, 26071 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Carmen Quiñones-Rubio
- Epidemiology and Health Promotion Department, Directorate General of Public Health, Vara de Rey, 8, 26071 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
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Martínez-Alés G, Szmulewicz A, López-Cuadrado T, Morrison CN, Keyes KM, Susser ES. Suicide Following the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: Variation Across Place, Over Time, and Across Sociodemographic Groups. A Systematic Integrative Review. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2023; 25:283-300. [PMID: 37227647 PMCID: PMC10209574 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-023-01427-7] [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] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To systematically examine changes in suicide trends following the initial COVID-19 outbreak, focusing on geographical and temporal heterogeneity and on differences across sociodemographic subgroups. RECENT FINDINGS Of 46 studies, 26 had low risk of bias. In general, suicides remained stable or decreased following the initial outbreak - however, suicide increases were detected during spring 2020 in Mexico, Nepal, India, Spain, and Hungary; and after summer 2020 in Japan. Trends were heterogeneous across sociodemographic groups (i.e., there were increases among racially minoritized individuals in the US, young adults and females across ages in Japan, older males in Brazil and Germany, and older adults across sex in China and Taiwan). Variations may be explained by differences in risk of COVID-19 contagion and death and in socioeconomic vulnerability. Monitoring geographical, temporal, and sociodemographic differences in suicide trends during the COVID-19 pandemic is critical to guide suicide prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Martínez-Alés
- CAUSALab, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain.
| | | | | | | | - Katherine M Keyes
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ezra S Susser
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
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Balint L, Osvath P, Kapitany B, Rihmer Z, Nemeth A, Dome P. Suicide in Hungary during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: Subgroup investigations. J Affect Disord 2023; 325:453-458. [PMID: 36642307 PMCID: PMC9836994 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 may unfavourably affect the mental health of individuals in various ways. Accordingly, the concern has been raised that national suicide rates will increase in the wake of the outbreak of the pandemic. METHODS In the current study, we tested this conjecture in three age groups (<25; 25-64; ≥65) of the Hungarian total population and the male and female populations. In addition, we assessed whether the pandemic had different effects on counts of suicides committed by violent or non-violent methods. Finally, by comparing the monthly suicide rates in 2020 and the corresponding monthly rates in 2019, we also investigated the "pulling together" hypothesis that postulates that a temporary decrease in suicides may occur after large-scale catastrophic events. RESULTS With regard to the total population only the suicide counts of individuals aged 25-64 rose significantly (p < 0.05) during the COVID months of 2020. Similar patterns, but at lower levels of significance (0.05 < p < 0.1), were found in those members of the total population aged 65 or older and among males aged between 25 and 64. Furthermore, we found that the number of violent suicides increased significantly (p < 0.05) during the COVID months. Finally, our results have not confirmed the existence of a "pulling together" phenomenon in association with the COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary. LIMITATIONS We used non-individual level data and were therefore unable to control suicide risk factors at the level of individuals. DISCUSSION The number of suicides rose significantly in some subgroups of the Hungarian population during the COVID months of 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lajos Balint
- Demographic Research Institute of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Sociology, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Peter Osvath
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Balazs Kapitany
- Demographic Research Institute of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Rihmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Nemeth
- National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Peter Dome
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary.
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Ujihara M, Tachikawa H, Takahashi A, Gen T, Cho Y. Factors Related to Psychological Distress in Suicide Prevention Supporters during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4991. [PMID: 36981900 PMCID: PMC10049627 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064991] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Psychological distress and related factors in suicide prevention supporters during the COVID-19 pandemic were clarified. METHODS A web-based survey for supporters from helplines or psychiatric institutions was conducted from May to July 2021. It included items about profession, stress and anxiety, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. RESULTS 818 participants were analyzed. Psychological distress was significantly higher among healthcare workers in psychiatric institutions than among helpline volunteers. The factor most related to psychological distress in both professions was insufficient rest with overwork. Distress in helpline volunteers was related to their lack of ability to support people with suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, excessive media coverage related to COVID-19, and trouble dealing with complainers. Distress in healthcare workers was related to their lack of ability to provide sufficient support to their clients due to infection prevention measures. CONCLUSION Psychological distress among suicide prevention supporters during the pandemic has been affected by overwork, the fact that helpline volunteers cannot be trained in suicide prevention, and the fact that healthcare workers can only provide insufficient support to their clients due to infection prevention measures. To maintain suicide prevention during pandemics, it is necessary to implement measures that are tailored to the factors of psychological distress in supporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masana Ujihara
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
- College of Nursing and Nutrition, Shukutoku University, Chiba 260-8703, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tachikawa
- Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Asumi Takahashi
- School of Humanities, Hokusei Gakuen University, Sapporo 004-8631, Japan
| | - Towa Gen
- Department of Psychiatry, Nanao Hospital, Tokyo 191-0055, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Teikyo University, Tokyo 173-8606, Japan
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Kinjo A, Kuwabara Y, Fujii M, Imamoto A, Osaki Y. Did Depression, Schizophrenia, and Alcohol Use Increase During the COVID-19 Pandemic Even in Low-Risk Regions? An Analysis of the 2017-2020 National Health Insurance Data in Tottori Prefecture. Yonago Acta Med 2023; 66:87-94. [PMID: 36820289 PMCID: PMC9937967 DOI: 10.33160/yam.2023.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background This study aimed to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of medical consultations for depression, schizophrenia, and alcohol dependence in low-risk regions. Methods National Health Insurance enrolments from March 2017 to March 2021 in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, where there were minimal COVID-19 cases in 2020, were included in this study. The all-cause mortality and proportion of National Health Insurance members with depression, schizophrenia, and alcohol dependence in the financial years (FY) 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 were calculated. The proportion in FY 2020 was compared with the average proportion from FY2017 to FY2019 and the proportion in FY2019. Results The all-cause mortality for men aged 80-99 years and women aged 70-89 years decreased in FY2020. The proportion of men aged 20-29 years with depression increased to 4.1% in FY2020 compared with 3.0% in FY2019, while the proportion of women aged 20-29 years with depression was 4.4% in FY2017, 4.8% in FY2018, 4.8% in FY2019, and 5.5% in FY2020, confirming an increasing trend from before the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportion of men aged 30-39 years and 60-69 years with schizophrenia increased and that of women aged 40-49 years, 60-69 years, and 90-99 years with schizophrenia also increased, even before the pandemic. The proportion of people with alcohol use disorder has not changed significantly since FY2017. Conclusion The pandemic has led to an increased proportion of men aged 20-29 years with depression, even in low-risk regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Kinjo
- Division of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Yuki Kuwabara
- Division of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Maya Fujii
- Division of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Aya Imamoto
- Division of Pediatrics and Perinatology, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Yoneatsu Osaki
- Division of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
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Jo E, Seo K, Nam B, Shin D, Kim S, Jeong Y, Kim A, Kim Y. Deterioration of Mental Health in Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Soa Chongsonyon Chongsin Uihak 2023; 34:21-29. [PMID: 36636498 PMCID: PMC9816000 DOI: 10.5765/jkacap.220041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper reviews the global effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents in South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and China. We reviewed research on deteriorated mental health, including increased suicide, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. Various studies have shown that students' mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the number of students who committed suicide has significantly increased in the U.S. and Japan. Factors such as prior mental health status, change in daily routine, reduced physical activity, excessive screen time, overuse of electronic devices, and reduced social support have been reported to have a significant effect. The chain of deteriorating mental health among the youth began at the onset of COVID-19, social distancing, and school closure. As youths began to stay at home instead of going to school, they lost opportunities to connect with their friends or teachers, who could provide support outside of their homes. Young people spent less time on physical activity and more time online, which damaged their sleeping schedule and daily routine. In preparing for the post-pandemic phase, we should thoroughly analyze the long-term effects of the pandemic on youth mental health, while simultaneously tackling current imminent issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunkyung Jo
- Creative Mindful Leadership, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoil Seo
- Creative Mindful Leadership, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Boram Nam
- Creative Mindful Leadership, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Deokyong Shin
- Creative Mindful Leadership, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seohyun Kim
- Creative Mindful Leadership, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youngil Jeong
- Creative Mindful Leadership, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea,Dharma College, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Aeju Kim
- Creative Mindful Leadership, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea,Department of English Language and Literature, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeni Kim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Dongguk University International Hospital, Goyang, Korea,Institute of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Dongguk University School of Medicine, Goyang, Korea,Address for correspondence: Yeni Kim, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Dongguk University International Hospital, Institute of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Dongguk University School of Medicine, 27 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10326, Korea Tel: +82-31-961-7235, Fax: +82-31-961-7236, E-mail:
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Kastner U, Javaheripour N, Arand J, Schönherr D, Sobanski T, Fehler S, Walter M, Wagner G. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide attempts in a rural region in Germany, a 5-year observational study. J Affect Disord 2022; 318:393-399. [PMID: 36113687 PMCID: PMC9472680 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic and public life restrictions may have a negative impact on people's mental health. Therefore, we analyzed whether this condition affected the occurrence of suicide attempts (SA) over 20 months during the pandemic period. METHODS We included patient records according to DSM-5 criteria for suicidal behavior disorders (n = 825) between Jan 1, 2017, and Dec 31, 2021. We applied interrupted time-series Poisson regression models to investigate the effect of the pandemic on SA occurrence, time trends, and seasonal patterns in the whole group of patients as well as stratified by age and gender. RESULTS There was no significant effect of the pandemic on the occurrence of SA in the overall group. However, we observed a significant impact of the pandemic on the seasonal pattern of SA, also the variance differed significantly (pre-pandemic mean ± variance: 13.33 ± 15.75, pandemic: mean ± variance: 13.86 ± 7.26), indicating less periodic variation in SA during the pandemic. Male patients and young adults mainly contributed to this overall effect. Subgroup analysis revealed a significant difference in SA trends during the pandemic in older adults (>55 years) compared with younger adults (18-35 years); SA numbers increased in older adults and decreased in younger adults as the pandemic progressed. LIMITATIONS A few patients may have received initial care in an emergency department after SA without being referred to psychiatry. CONCLUSIONS In general, the COVID-19 pandemic and related measures did not significantly affect the occurrence of SA but did significantly affect the dynamics. In addition, the pandemic appeared to affect suicidal behavior differently across age groups as it progressed. Particularly for the older adult group, negative long-term effects of the pandemic on suicidal behavior can be derived from the present results, indicating the need to strengthen suicide prevention for the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- U.W. Kastner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Helios Fachkliniken Hildburghausen, Eisfelder Str.41, 98646 Hildburghausen, Germany,Correspondence to: U.W. Kastner, Helios Fachkliniken Hildburghausen, Eisfelder Str.41, 98646 Hildburghausen, Germany
| | - N. Javaheripour
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - J. Arand
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Helios Fachkliniken Hildburghausen, Eisfelder Str.41, 98646 Hildburghausen, Germany
| | - D. Schönherr
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Helios Fachkliniken Hildburghausen, Eisfelder Str.41, 98646 Hildburghausen, Germany
| | - T. Sobanski
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatic Medicine, Thueringen-Kliniken GmbH, 07318 Saalfeld, Germany
| | - S.W. Fehler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Helios Fachkliniken Hildburghausen, Eisfelder Str.41, 98646 Hildburghausen, Germany
| | - M. Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - G. Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany,Correspondence to: G. Wagner, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
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Rahimi-Ardabili H, Feng X, Nguyen PY, Astell-Burt T. Have Deaths of Despair Risen during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12835. [PMID: 36232135 PMCID: PMC9564909 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review synthesized literature on potential impacts of protracted isolation and other disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic on deaths of despair (suicide, overdoses, and drug-related liver diseases). Five electronic databases were searched yielding 70 eligible articles. Extant evidence mostly from high-income countries indicates COVID-19-related disruption may not have influenced suicide rates so far, but there have been reports of increased drug-related and liver disease mortality. Minority groups and women were more vulnerable, indicating the need for stronger equity focus on pandemic recovery and resilience strategies. Further high-quality studies with longer-term follow-up, especially from low-income countries, will inform these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hania Rahimi-Ardabili
- Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Wollongong 2522, Australia
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Wollongong 2522, Australia
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
- School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia
| | - Phi-Yen Nguyen
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Wollongong 2522, Australia
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Thomas Astell-Burt
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), Wollongong 2522, Australia
- School of Health and Society, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia
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Li J, Yang Y, Zhang Z, Yoshida N, Xanat VM, Ochiai Y. Psychological distance and user engagement in online exhibitions: Visualization of moiré patterns based on electroencephalography signals. Front Psychol 2022; 13:954803. [PMID: 36186357 PMCID: PMC9521631 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.954803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the exhibition of artworks in museums and galleries. Many have displayed their collection online. In this context, experiencing an online exhibition is essential for visitors to appreciate and understand the artwork. Compared with offline exhibitions, visitors to online exhibitions are often unable to communicate their experiences with other visitors. Therefore, in this study, by facilitating communication via Zoom call, we established a system that allows two people to visit the museum together through the Google Arts and Culture (GA&C) website. To reduce the psychological distance between online visitors and help increase user engagement, we designed and developed a media device based on moiré pattern visualization of electroencephalography (EEG) signals. The participants were divided into two groups to visit the online museum, communicating remotely through Zoom. The objective of this study was to test whether a real-time EEG signal visualization device could help close the psychological distance between participants and whether it could increase user engagement with the online exhibition. Participants were randomly assigned to either the normal online exhibition experience (NOEE) group or EEG signal visualization device (ESVD) group. Participants in the NOEE group experienced four online exhibitions (Task1, Task2, Task3, and Task4) together (two participants per test unit). The conditions for participants in the ESVD group remained the same, apart from adding a media device to enable them to visualize EEG signals. A total of 40 university students participated in this study. Independent samples t-tests revealed that participants in the ESVD group perceived a significantly closer psychological distance between themselves and the participants on the opposite side than those in the NOEE group (t = −2.699; p = 0.008 < 0.05). A one-way ANOVA revealed that participants experienced Task3 with significantly closer psychological distance assessments than Task1 (p = 0.002 < 0.05), Task2 (p = 0.000 < 0.05), and Task4 (p = 0.001 < 0.05). Repeated ANOVAs revealed that participants in the ESVD group had higher overall user engagement than those in the NOEE group, with marginal significance (p = 0.056 < 0.1). Thus, this study shows that EEG visualization media devices can reduce the psychological distance between two participants when experiencing an online exhibition. Moreover, it can increase user engagement to some extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- R&D Center for Digital Nature, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- *Correspondence: Jingjing Li,
| | - Ye Yang
- College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhexin Zhang
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- R&D Center for Digital Nature, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nozomu Yoshida
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- R&D Center for Digital Nature, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Vargas Meza Xanat
- R&D Center for Digital Nature, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Faculty of Library, Information and Media Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yoichi Ochiai
- R&D Center for Digital Nature, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Faculty of Library, Information and Media Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Yoichi Ochiai,
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Ryu S, Nam HJ, Jhon M, Lee JY, Kim JM, Kim SW. Trends in suicide deaths before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273637. [PMID: 36094911 PMCID: PMC9467344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the effect of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on suicide trends in Korea via a time-series analysis. We used Facebook Prophet to generate forecasting models based on the monthly numbers of suicide deaths in Korea between 1997 and 2018, validated the models by comparison with the 2019 numbers, and predicted the numbers of suicides in 2020. We compared the expected and observed numbers of suicides during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total numbers of suicides during the COVID-19 pandemic did not deviate from projections based on the pre-pandemic period. However, the number of suicides among women and those under the age of 34 years significantly exceeded the expected level. The COVID-19 pandemic did not increase the overall suicide rate significantly. However, suicides among women and young people increased, suggesting that the pandemic might drive more members of these groups to suicide. Further studies are needed to verify the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghyong Ryu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hee Jung Nam
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min Jhon
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Ju-Yeon Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
- Mindlink, Gwangju Bukgu Mental Health Center, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jae-Min Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Sung-Wan Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
- Mindlink, Gwangju Bukgu Mental Health Center, Gwangju, Korea
- * E-mail:
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Orui M. Suicide and Suicide Prevention Activities Following the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011: A Literature Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191710906. [PMID: 36078620 PMCID: PMC9518051 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), numerous studies have been conducted, but no comprehensive review study has been carried out. Thus, this literature review aimed to examine how the GEJE might affect suicide and suicidal behaviors from a long-term perspective. METHODS For the literature review, a search of electronic databases was carried out to find articles written in English and in Japanese that were related to suicide and its risk factors, as well as suicide prevention activities following the GEJE. Thirty-two articles were then selected for the review. RESULTS There were several findings, as follows: (1) gender differences in suicide rates in the affected area: nationwide, the suicide rates in men showed a delayed increase, whereas suicide rates in women increased temporarily immediately after the GEJE; (2) the suicide rates increased again in the recovery phase; (3) the background of the suicides was linked to both disaster-related experiences, and indirect reasons pertaining to the GEJE; and (4) intensive intervention combined with a high-risk and community-focused approach could prevent suicides following the disaster. CONCLUSIONS Although further accumulation of knowledge about suicide and suicide prevention is essential, these findings can contribute to response, recovery, and preparedness in relation to future disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatsugu Orui
- Sendai City Mental Health and Welfare Center, Sendai 980-0845, Japan; ; Tel.: +81-24-547-1180
- Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE Although the suicide rate in Japan increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, the reasons for suicide have yet to be comprehensively investigated. OBJECTIVE To assess which reasons for suicide had rates that exceeded the expected number of suicide deaths for that reason during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This national, population-based cross-sectional study of data on suicides gathered by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare from January 2020 to May 2021 used a times-series analysis on the numbers of reason-identified suicides. Data of decedents were recorded by the National Police Agency and compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. EXPOSURE For category analysis, we compared data from January 2020 to May 2021 with data from December 2014 to June 2020. For subcategory analysis, data from January 2020 to May 2021 were compared with data from January 2019 to June 2020. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The main outcome was the monthly excess suicide rate, ie, the difference between the observed number of monthly suicide deaths and the upper bound of the 1-sided 95% CI for the expected number of suicide deaths in that month. Reasons for suicide were categorized into family, health, economy, work, relationships, school, and others, which were further divided into 52 subcategories. A quasi-Poisson regression model was used to estimate the expected number of monthly suicides. Individual regression models were used for each of the 7 categories, 52 subcategories, men, women, and both genders. RESULTS From the 29 938 suicides (9984 [33.3%] women; 1093 [3.7%] aged <20 years; 3147 [10.5%] aged >80 years), there were 21 027 reason-identified suicides (7415 [35.3%] women). For both genders, all categories indicated monthly excess suicide rates, except for school in men. October 2020 had the highest excess suicide rates for all cases (observed, 1577; upper bound of 95% CI for expected number of suicides, 1254; 25.8% greater). In men, the highest monthly excess suicide rate was 24.3% for the other category in August 2020 (observed, 87; upper bound of 95% CI for expected number, 70); in women, it was 85.7% for school in August 2020 (observed, 26; upper bound of 95% CI for expected number, 14). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, observed suicides corresponding to all 7 categories of reasons exceeded the monthly estimates (based on data from before or during the COVID-19 pandemic), except for school-related reasons in men. This study can be used as a basis for developing intervention programs for suicide prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahide Koda
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Nahoko Harada
- Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Akifumi Eguchi
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shuhei Nomura
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ishida
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
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