Sleep problems among Chinese adolescents and young adults during the coronavirus-2019 pandemic

Mediation effect of perceived social support and psychological distress between psychological resilience and sleep quality among Chinese medical staff

Sleep quality is crucial for the personal well-being of healthcare professionals and the health outcomes of their patients. This study aims to explore the relationship between psychological resilience (PR), perceived social support (PSS), psychological distress (comprising anxiety,depression,and stress), and sleep quality. It also examines whether PSS and psychological distress function as chain mediators between PR and sleep quality. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using a convenient sampling method, with 454 participants included. The survey instruments included the Connor and Davidson Resilience Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Structural equation modeling revealed that PR significantly predicted sleep quality of Chinese medical staff. Psychological distress was identified as a mediating factor between PR and sleep quality. However, PSS did not directly mediate the relationship between PR and sleep quality. Instead, PSS and psychological distress were found to play a chain mediating role in the relationship between PR and sleep quality. This study provides new insights into the impact of PR on sleep quality, highlights the importance of PSS and psychological distress, and suggests practical implications for enhancing sleep quality among medical staff.

Self-control and bed procrastination as mediators between mindfulness and sleep quality among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

In recent years, sleep problems among college students have become increasingly prominent, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their sleep quality has deteriorated dramatically, severely affecting their physical and mental health. Numerous research studies have investigated the relationship between mindfulness and sleep quality; however, it is still unclear what psychological process underlies this relationship. In the current study, college students' bed procrastination and self-control as mediating factors in the association between mindfulness and sleep quality were investigated. Using the convenience sampling method, 763 Chinese college students (mean age = 19.48 years, SD = 2.06) were recruited to complete self-reported questionnaires that included the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Self-Control Scale, Bed Procrastination Scale, and Sleep Quality Scale. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 23.0 software. Results showed that (a) mindfulness was positively associated with sleep quality; (b) both self-control and bed procrastination mediated the relationship between mindfulness and sleep quality, and (c) self-control and bed procrastination sequentially mediated the relationship between mindfulness and sleep quality. These findings collectively suggest a potential mechanism for how mindfulness influences sleep quality, providing a therapeutic target for mindfulness-based interventions aimed at helping college students improve sleep quality.

Associations of 24-hour movement guidelines adherence with fruit and vegetable intake in university students

Background

Unhealthy eating habits, such as low vegetable and fruit intake, are associated with many health problems. 24-h movement behaviors have been reported to be positively associated with numerous health-related outcomes. Despite the importance of these two modifiable lifestyle behaviors in building healthy habits in university students, there is a paucity of relevant research in this population. Therefore, this study aims to examine the correlation between compliance with 24-h movement guideline (24-h MG) and intake of fruits and vegetables (IFV) in Chinese university students.

Methods

This study investigated the relationship between the compliance with 24-h MG and IFV in 1,793 Chinese university students using a convenience sampling method online. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) were assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, while sleep was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The Chinese version of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II was used to measure IFV. Generalized linear models were applied to examine the correlation between compliance with the 24-h MG and eating habits.

Results

The proportion of participants who routinely consumed vegetables and fruits was 24.6% and 43.1%, respectively, while the proportion of meeting the three 24-h MG and a combination of any two guidelines was 27.8% and 40.1%, respectively. Meeting all three guidelines was associated with a greater IFV intake compared to not meeting either guideline. Meeting all three guidelines (OR = 2.42 [1.63, 3.58]) and the combination of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and sleep (OR = 2.06 [1.37, 3.10]) were positively associated with the frequency of vegetable consumption (p < 0.05). As well, meeting all three guidelines (OR = 2.06 [1.37, 3.10]), the combination of MVPA and sleep (OR = 1.72 [1.04, 2.84]), and sleep only (OR = 1.88 [1.21, 2.92]) were positively associated with fruits consumption (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Almost a third of the university students met the three 24-h MG, and compliance with all three guidelines was associated with a higher frequency of IFV. Furthermore, meeting the sleep guideline alone or in conjunction with the PA, and meeting the entire 24-h MG was associated with greater consumption of fruits.

Sleep disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from the second phase of web-based EPICOVID19 study

The COVID-19 pandemic has induced significant impairments, including sleep disturbances. The present study aimed to explore the impact of fear in relation to stress on sleep disorders among Italian adults and older participants in the second phase of the EPICOVID19 web-based survey (January-February 2021). Sleep disturbances during the pandemic were evaluated using the Jenkins Sleep Scale, perceived stress through the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale and fear of contagion and about economic and job situation with four ad hoc items. The strength of the pathways between stress, sleep disturbances and fear was explored using structural equation modelling, hypothesising that stress was related to sleep disturbances and that fear was associated with both stress and sleep problems. Out of 41,473 participants (74.7% women; mean age 49.7 ± 13.1 years), 8.1% reported sleep disturbances and were more frequently women, employed in a work category at risk of infection or unemployed, and showed higher deprivation scores. Considering an a priori hypotheses model defining sleep and stress scores as endogenous variables and fear as an exogenous variable, we found that fear was associated with sleep problems and stress, and stress was associated with sleep problems; almost half of the total impact of fear on sleep quality was mediated by stress. The impact of stress on sleep quality was more evident in the younger age group, among individuals with a lower socioeconomic status and healthcare workers. Fear related to COVID-19 seem to be associated with sleep disturbances directly and indirectly through stress.

Social support and sleep quality in people with schizophrenia living in the community: the mediating roles of anxiety and depression symptoms

Introduction

Research has demonstrated that higher social support is associated with better psychological health, quality of life, cognition, activities of daily living, and social participation, but the relationship between social support and sleep quality remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the mediating effects of anxiety and depression in the relationship between social support and sleep among community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia.

Method

Purposive sampling was used to collect face-to-face data from 1,107 community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, between April and July 2023. The Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) was used to assess sleep quality; the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) was utilized to evaluate anxiety symptoms; and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was employed to assess depressive symptoms. The mediating effect of anxiety and depression symptoms was assessed using the bootstrap method via Model 6 (Serial multiple mediator model) of the SPSS PROCESS macro.

Results

Among the 1,107 participants, the proportions of people with schizophrenia experiencing anxiety, depressive symptoms, and poor sleep quality were 22.8, 37.7, and 42.1%, respectively. Mediation analyses indicated that although social support had no direct effect on sleep quality, anxiety and depressive symptoms fully mediated the relationship between social support and sleep quality.

Conclusion

Patients with schizophrenia experience low levels of social support and poor sleep quality. To enhance the sleep quality of individuals with schizophrenia, all levels of society (government, medical institutions, and communities) must pay more attention to mental health. Implementing diverse intervention measures to strengthen social support and improve symptoms of anxiety and depression should be considered. This approach may potentially lead to an improvement in sleep quality among individuals with schizophrenia.

Life changes and symptoms of depression and anxiety among Chinese children and adolescents before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: a combination of cross-sectional, longitudinal, and clustering studies

The measures to prevent COVID-19 pandemic had caused significant life changes, which may have caused stress on the mental health of children and adolescents. We aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of life changes on children's mental health in a large Chinese cohort. Survey-based life changes during COVID-19 lockdown were measured among 7,829 Chinese students at Grade 1-9, including social contacts, lifestyles and family financial status. Clustering analysis was applied to identify potential patterns of these changes. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations between these changes, their patterns and the presence of depression/anxiety symptoms using both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. We found that the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms decreased during pandemic (34.6-32.6%). However, during and shortly after lockdown, students who reported negative impacts on their study, social and outside activities, and diet had increased risks of depressive/anxiety symptoms. Decreased electronic time and sugar-sweetened consumption, as well as family income decline and unemployment, were also associated with higher risks of these symptoms. Additionally, students with changed sleep time had increased depressive symptoms. These associations attenuated or disappeared one year later. Similar patterns were observed in clustering analysis, while only the group with severe impact on family financial status showed a sustained increase in depression symptoms. In summary, restrictive measures that changed children and adolescents' daily life during COVID-19 lockdown showed negative effects on their mental health, with some commonalities and distinctions patterns in the manifestation of depression and anxiety symptoms.

Is decreasing problematic mobile phone use a pathway for alleviating adolescent depression and sleep disorders? A randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of an eight-session mindfulness-based intervention

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) intervention in reducing problematic mobile phone use, depression, and sleep disorders among adolescents. Additionally, it sought to investigate whether the decrease in problematic mobile phone use acted as a mediator in the relationship between the MBCT intervention and adolescent depression and sleep disorders.

Methods

In a randomized controlled trial, a total of 104 adolescents were randomly assigned to the mindfulness group (n = 52) or the wait-list control group (n = 52). The mindfulness group students completed eight 45-min sessions of mindfulness training in four weeks. The outcomes were measured at baseline, postintervention, and at the 2-month follow-up.

Results

Compared with the control group, the mindfulness group had significantly greater levels of mindfulness and lower levels of problematic mobile phone use, depression, and sleep disorders postintervention. The intervention effects were maintained at the 2-month follow-up. In addition, decreased problematic mobile phone use significantly mediated the association between the MBCT intervention and decreased depression and decreased sleep disorders.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that MBCT could improve adolescent depression and sleep disorders and that decreasing problematic mobile phone use is an effective pathway accounting for the MBCT intervention effect on adolescent depression and sleep disorders.

Differentiating the relationships between traditional and new media use and sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic: roles of psychological distress and age

Background

Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated a decline in sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of this study is to explore the impact of engaging with pertinent epidemic information through the media amid the COVID-19 crisis on individuals' sleep quality and the underlying mechanisms through which this influence operates.

Methods

An online cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 1,063 British adults (36.2% males; M age = 38.85, SD age = 13.36, ranging from 18 to 77 years old) participated in the study and completed our questionnaires, which included media usage frequency during the pandemic, the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Ten-item Personality Inventory (TIPI).

Results

Pearson's correlation analyses indicated that there was no significant correlation between COVID-19-related traditional media use (television, radio, newspaper) and psychological distress or sleep quality. However, exposure to information related to COVID-19 through new media use (Facebook, Tik Tok, Twitter) was correlated with greater psychological distress and poorer sleep quality. A moderated mediation analysis showed that psychological distress fully mediated the relationship between new media use and poor sleep, which was moderated by age, with the association between psychological distress and poor sleep quality being stronger among older adults.

Conclusion

Exposure to information of COVID-19 via new (but not traditional) media use deteriorated sleep quality through greater psychological distress, and this relationship was stronger among older adults.

Early life adversity and adolescent sleep problems during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a reorganization of adolescents' routines, especially their sleep schedules. Utilising 175 caregiver-adolescent dyads, the current study examined associations of biological (e.g., prenatal substance use), environmental (e.g., poverty), and relational (e.g., child maltreatment) subtypes of early life adversity (ELA) with various components of adolescents' sleep across the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Relational ELA explained unique variance in adolescents' sleep disturbances, but not other sleep components, following short- and longer-term exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the direction of this association switched such that relational ELA predicted decreased sleep disturbances during the initial phase of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020 beyond pre-pandemic levels, but, over time, contributed to increased sleep disturbances beyond early-pandemic levels as the pandemic extended into the winter of 2020.

Cardiorespiratory effects of indoor ozone exposure during sleep and the influencing factors: A prospective study among adults in China

Ambient ozone (O3) is recognized as a significant air pollutant with implications for cardiorespiratory health, yet the effects of indoor O3 exposure have received less consideration. Furthermore, while sleep occupies one-third of life, research on the health consequences of O3 exposure during this crucial period is scarce. This study aimed to investigate associations of indoor O3 during sleep with cardiorespiratory function and potential predisposing factors. A prospective study among 81 adults was conducted in Beijing, China. Repeated measurements of cardiorespiratory indices reflecting lung function, airway inflammation, cardiac autonomic function, blood pressure, systemic inflammation, platelet and glucose were performed on each subject. Real-time concentrations of indoor O3 during sleep were monitored. Associations of O3 with cardiorespiratory indices were evaluated using linear mixed-effect model. Effect modification by baseline lifestyles (diet, physical activity, sleep-related factors) and psychological status (stress and depression) were investigated through interaction analysis. The average indoor O3 concentration during sleep was 20.3 μg/m3, which was well below current Chinese indoor air quality standard of 160 μg/m3. O3 was associated with most respiratory indicators of decreased airway function except airway inflammation; whereas the cardiovascular effects were only manifested in autonomic dysfunction and not in others. An interquartile range increases in O3 at 6-h average was associated with changes of -3.60 % (95 % CI: -6.19 %, -0.93 %) and -9.60 % (95 % CI: -14.53 %, -4.39 %) in FVC and FEF25-75, respectively. Further, stronger effects were noted among participants with specific dietary patterns, poorer sleep and higher level of depression. This study provides the first general population-based evidence that low-level exposure to indoor O3 during sleep has greater effects on the respiratory system than on the cardiovascular system. Our findings identify the respiratory system as an important target for indoor O3 exposure, and particularly highlight the need for greater awareness of indoor air quality, especially during sleep.

The effect of a training program on adolescents' stress levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors during the Covid-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled study

TOPIC

Adolescence is the period when people adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors and turn them into habits. Healthy lifestyle behaviors are a significant step toward a long and healthy life.

PURPOSE

This study investigated the effect of a training program on adolescents' stress levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This randomized controlled study was conducted between May and July 2021. The sample consisted of 100 adolescents living in a city in the south of Turkey. Participants were randomized into intervention and control groups using block randomization. The intervention group participated in an online (Zoom) training program consisting of two 45 min sessions once a week for 8 weeks. Data were collected using the adolescent stress questionnaire (ASQ) and the adolescent lifestyle profile (ALP).

RESULTS

The results showed that 73% (n: 73) of the participants had developed hygiene habits since the onset of the pandemic. However, the pandemic negatively affected participants' dietary habits (45%, n: 45), physical activity (70%, n: 70), coping mechanisms (68%, n: 68), sleep patterns (54%, n: 54), Internet/social media/video game addiction (64%, n: 64), and interpersonal relationships (57%, n: 57). The intervention group had a lower mean ASQ posttest score and a higher mean ALP posttest score than the control group. The intervention group had a lower mean ASQ posttest score than their pretest score. The intervention group also had a higher mean ALP posttest score than their pretest score.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The training program helped adolescents feel less stress and adopt more healthy lifestyle behaviors. Pediatric nurses should identify risk factors and design and implement appropriate plans to help adolescents go through future pandemics with as little damage as possible. Parents and educators should support adolescents against the adverse impacts of events such as the COVID 19 pandemic.

Sleep health and associated factors among undergraduates during the COVID-19 in China: A two-wave network analysis

Using network analysis, the current study investigated the pathways that underlie selected components of sleep health and their changes over time. Undergraduates (N = 1423; 80.60% female) completed a two-wave survey, sleep health (i.e. chronotypologies (CTs), sleep procrastination (SP), sleep quality (SQ)), psychological distress (PD), emotion regulation (ER), self-control (SC), problematic smartphone use (PSU) were measured. CTs, SP, and SQ formed a spatially contiguous pattern that remained unchanged in both waves. ER and PD node increased its strength, betweenness, and closeness in the network, while the link between the two was strengthened at T2. PSU was connected to SP, but not to CTs and SQ during both waves. In the context of the network approach, SP had the highest strength, and its associations with other dimensions of individual sleep may represent key factors in understanding the influence of exposure to the COVID-19 outbreak on sleep health.

Demographic, lifestyle, social, and psychological factors associated with worry-related sleep problems among school-going adolescents in Timor-Leste

OBJECTIVE

Adolescent sleep problems are a worldwide public health issue. The present study examines factors associated with worry-related sleep problems among school-going adolescents. The country of interest is Timor-Leste, a low-income country, where studies pertaining to adolescent sleep problems are lacking.

DESIGN AND MEASURES

Data were analysed from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey Timor-Leste (n = 3455). An ordered probit model was used to assess the effects of demographic, lifestyle, social, and psychological factors on different levels of worry-related sleep problems (i.e., no, mild and severe sleep problems).

RESULTS

School-going adolescents were more likely to face mild or severe worry-related sleep problems if they were older, passive smokers, alcohol drinkers and moderately active. School-going adolescents who sometimes or always went hungry were more likely to experience worry-related sleep problems than those who did not. Involvement in physical fights, being bullied, and loneliness were positively associated with the probability of having modest or severe worry-related sleep problems.

CONCLUSION

Age, exposure to second-hand smoke, alcohol consumption, physical activity, going hungry, physical fights, being bullied and loneliness are the important determining factors of adolescent worry-related sleep problems. Policymakers should pay special attention to these factors when formulating intervention measures.

The interrelationship between sleep disturbance symptoms and aggression before and after the campus closure of the COVID-19 pandemic: insight from a cross-lagged panel network model

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is detrimental to sleep quality and increases aggression among college students. Nevertheless, relevant studies were rare. Hence, we collected longitudinal data during and post-campus closure in the current study to investigate the relationship between sleep disturbance and aggression.

Methods

Data from 665 college students (59.2% females, Meanage = 19.01, SD age = 1.25) were collected before (wave 1) and after (wave 2) the campus closure of COVID-19. All participants were asked to fill out the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and the Youth Self-Rating Insomnia Scale. Two symptom networks and a cross-lagged panel network were formed and tested.

Results

Hostility has the highest centrality in the symptom network both in waves 1 and 2, and it bridges sleep disturbance and aggression. "Easily be woken" - "wake up too early" and "wake up with tired" - "function hindrance" are two important symptom associations in networks of waves 1 and 2. All symptoms except "difficulty in falling asleep" and "easily be woken" ameliorated after closure. Moreover, "physical aggression" and "hostility" can trigger other symptoms in wave 2.

Conclusion

As the first study about aggression and sleep disturbance in the background of COVID-19, we provide valuable information about the relationship between sleep disturbance and aggression on the symptom dimension.

Anxiety and depression among patients with insomnia during the first wave and the release of the COVID-19 in Northeast China: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic seriously affected people's lives. We evaluated anxiety and depression among patients with insomnia in northeast China during the first wave and release of COVID-19, providing a basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of insomnia.

METHODS

We enrolled 4211 patients with insomnia from January 2016 to February 2020, August 2020 to February 2022, August 2022 to December 2022, and January 2023 to February 2023, from our institution. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Athens Insomnia Scale, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), while mood disorder and fatigue were evaluated using the Hhospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14).

RESULTS

Insomnia with depression increased in prevalence after COVID-19 compared with before (12.8 % vs. 15.3 %, P < 0.05), while the age of patients decreased [(50.2 ± 15.2) vs. (47.5 ± 16.8), P < 0.05]. The number of patients with insomnia and severe depression increased compared with before COVID-19 (20.3 % vs. 25.3 %, P < 0.05). A higher proportion of patients with insomnia for >2 years had depression (P < 0.05). As the epidemic subsided, insomnia increased among young and male patients (young patients: 55.2 % vs. 37.0 %; male patients: 41 % vs. 27.4 %, respectively; P < 0.05). The proportion of patients with insomnia with anxiety and depression increased (53.8 % vs. 51.8 %，P < 0.05), the proportion with moderate to severe anxiety increased (7.6 % vs. 13.5 %, P < 0.05), and moderate and severe depression decreased (moderate: 25.6 % vs. 19.1 %, severe: 25.8 % vs. 20.3 %, P < 0.05, respectively). Middle-aged and elderly patients had higher PQSI scores in sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, subjective sleep quality, and use of sleep medications than young patients (P < 0.05). The PSQI score was positively correlated with the PHQ-9 score (r = 0.526), GAD-7 score (r = 0.563), and FS-14 score (r = 0.316) (P < 0.05).

LIMITATIONS

The study was single-center, the sample size was small, and assessment data were lacking from early in the epidemic. The scale is subjective, which may affect the accuracy.

CONCLUSION

Insomnia with depression increased during COVID-19. The patients were younger than before the epidemic, and a higher proportion with insomnia for >2 years had depression. The proportion of patients with insomnia with anxiety and depression was higher after the epidemic period, and the degree worsened. The proportion of insomnia with depression decreased after the epidemic period, and the degree alleviated. The proportion of young male patients with insomnia increased. Middle aged and elderly patients with insomnia had poor sleep quality, which was positively correlated with anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

The mutual overlapping impact of stress and infection on mental health problems in adolescents and youths during and after COVID-19 pandemic in China

BACKGROUND

It is unclear about the mutual impact of COVID-19 related psychological stress and infection on mental health of adolescent and youth students. This study aimed to explore the mutual impact of COVID-19 related psychological stress and infection on mental health problems among students.

METHODS

This study was conducted from December 14, 2022 to February 28, 2023 in Sichuan, China. Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, Insomnia Severity Index, and Internet Addiction Test were used. Participants were grouped by COVID-19 infection and psychological stress level. The differences among groups were compared, and logistic regression analysis was used to investigate risk factors for depression, anxiety, PTSD and insomnia among groups.

RESULTS

Of 90,118 participants, 82,873 (92.0 %) finished the questionnaires and were included in the study. Of 82,873 participants, 33,314 (40.2 %) reported to be infected with COVID-19. Participants had depression symptoms (38.1 %), anxiety symptoms (31.8 %), PTSD (33.9 %), insomnia (34.0 %), and internet addiction (60.3 %). Compared with participants uninfected with low psychological stress level, the risk for symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD and insomnia increased by 9.6 %, 12.3 %, 6.6 %, and 12.0 % in participants infected with low psychological stress level (p < 0.001), 106.8 %, 125.9 %, 125.2 %, and 95.7 % in participants uninfected with high psychological stress level (p < 0.001), and 147.3 %, 161.1 %, 158.7 %, and 141.0 % in participants infected with high psychological stress level (p < 0.001).

LIMITATION

This study is a cross-sectional design, and no causal associations should be inferred. Infection status was based on self-report of participants with infectious symptoms.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 related psychological stress and infection per se have mutually overlapping impacts on mental health problems among students. Further health policies and psychosocial interventions should be developed to reduce mutually overlapping impact and improve the long-term mental health among students.

Prevalence and influencing factors of sleep disturbance among medical students under the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Medical students may feel severe psychological stress during COVID-19, which might impair their ability to sleep. This research aimed to look at the risk factors for sleep disturbance and the prevalence of sleep disturbance among medical students.

METHODS

538 medical students in total were recruited for this research. Anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance were assessed using the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). To evaluate the possible risk variables, we computed descriptive statistics for each assessment item and ran univariate and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Medical students had a 63.6% prevalence of sleep disturbance (n = 342). According to logistic regression, introverted students are 1.77 times more likely than extroverted students to have sleep disturbance (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.08-2.91). Medical students with depression had a 5.6-times higher risk of sleep disturbance than those without depression (OR = 5.60, 95% CI 3.43-9.15). Additionally, medical students with anxiety were 3.95 times more likely than those without anxiety to have sleep disturbance (OR = 3.95, 95% CI 2.04-7.64).

CONCLUSIONS

According to this research, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant sleep disturbance among medical students. Additionally, among medical students, introversion, anxiety, and depression were risk factors for sleep disturbance.

Sleep and Inflammation during COVID-19 Virtual Learning in Adolescents with Overweight or Obesity

(1) Background: Adolescents present as a high-risk group for a range of adverse physical health outcomes during the pandemic, including sleep and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. As adolescents with overweight or obesity (OWOB) present as an even higher risk group, the present study assessed relationships between sleep and CRP levels before and during COVID-19 in adolescents with OWOB. (2) Methods: Fourteen adolescents with OWOB participated in a pre-COVID1, pre-COVID2, and during-COVID-19 lab visit, measuring sleep and CRP levels. The sample size was limited by the number of participants who provided data before COVID-19 and who were enrolled in virtual school during the recruitment phase. However, our power analyses indicated needing a minimum of 10 participants to achieve adequate power. Pre-COVID1, pre-COVID2, and during-COVID-19 normative expected CRP levels were calculated based on age, sex, race, and body mass index percentile-matched data. Analyses compared pre-COVID1 and pre-COVID2 sleep with during-COVID-19 sleep, during-COVID-19 sleep and during-COVID-19 CRP levels, during-COVID-19 CRP levels with normative expected during-COVID-19 CRP levels, change in CRP levels from pre-COVID1 and pre-COVID2 to during-COVID-19 with normative expected CRP levels during those time periods, and change in CRP levels before COVID-19 with change in CRP levels during COVID-19. (3) Results. During COVID-19, participants experienced decreased sleep efficiency (p = 0.001), later wake time (p < 0.001), longer time in bed (p = 0.021), and onset latency (p = 0.004), compared to pre-COVID1, and decreased sleep efficiency (p = 0.002), longer onset latency (p = 0.006), and later wake time (p < 0.001) and bedtime (p = 0.016) compared with pre-COVID2. During-COVID-19 CRP levels were positively correlated with during-COVID-19 wake times (p = 0.01) and times in bed (p = 0.008). During-COVID-19 CRP levels were greater than normative expected CRP levels (p < 0.001). CRP levels increased more from pre-COVID1 and pre-COVID2 to during-COVID-19 than normative expected changes in CRP levels (p < 0.003). Changes in CRP levels before and during COVID-19 were not significantly different. (4) Conclusions. These findings highlight the consequential effects of COVID-19, including impairments in sleep, on adolescents with OWOB. CRP levels increased more (~5 mg/L) during COVID-19 than normative expected change.

Korean adolescents' coping strategies on self-harm, ADHD, insomnia during COVID-19: text mining of social media big data

Introduction

Since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), public safety measures, including social distancing and school closures, have been implemented, precipitating psychological difficulties and heightened online activities for adolescents. However, studies examining the impact of the pandemic on adolescent mental health and their coping strategies in Asian countries are limited. Further, most studies have used survey measures to capture mental health challenges so far. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the psychological challenges South Korean adolescents experienced and their coping strategies during the pandemic using the Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Text mining (TM) technique on adolescents' social media texts/posts.

Methods

The data were gathered from social media texts/posts such as online communities, Twitter, and personal blogs from January 1, 2019, to October 31, 2021. The 12,520,250 texts containing keywords related to adolescents' common psychological difficulties reported during the pandemic, including self-harm, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), and insomnia, were analyzed by TM, NLP using information extraction, co-occurrence and sentiment analysis. The monthly frequency of the keywords and their associated words was also analyzed to understand the time trend.

Results

Adolescents used the word "self-harm" in their social media texts more frequently during the second wave of COVID-19 (August to September 2020). "Friends" was the most associated word with "self-harm." While the frequency of texts with "Insomnia" stayed constant throughout the pandemic, the word "ADHD" was increasingly mentioned in social media. ADHD and insomnia were most frequently associated with ADHD medications and sleeping pills, respectively. Friends were generally associated with positive words, while parents were associated with negative words.

Conclusion

During COVID-19, Korean adolescents often expressed their psychological challenges on social media platforms. However, their coping strategies seemed less efficient to help with their difficulties, warranting strategies to support them in the prolonged pandemic era. For example, Korean adolescents shared psychological challenges such as self-harm with friends rather than their parents. They considered using medicine (e.g., sleeping pills and ADHD medication) as coping strategies for sleep and attention problems.

Adolescents and young adults with oncohematological disease: use of social networks, impact of SARS-COV-2, and psychosocial well-being

Objective

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with oncohematological diseases could have important psychosocial difficulties that could be worsened by the effects of the COVID19 pandemic. At this developmental stage, it is also important to assess the use of social networks (SNs). This study aims to investigate the type of social network use and the consequences of the COVID19 period. These patients are compared with matched healthy peers.

Methods

After the informant consent signature, the adolescents completed a series of self-report questionnaires on the use of SNs, on communication preferences, on social anxiety and on Covid19 impact through the online platform of LimeSurvey. Most of the adolescents belonged to the 18-20 age group (42.5%), were female (62%) and mainly off therapy (72%).

Results

Adolescents spent more than 2 h/day on Instagram and 1 h and half on Whatsapp, while Tik Tok use was on average 1 h/day, especially used by younger patients (r = -0.33, p = 0.023). Males used Twitch (t45 = -2.06, p = 0.05) and Youtube (t45 = -2.18, p = 0.03) for longer than females. AYA in therapy used more Tik Tok (U = 137.50; p = 0.03), Ask/Tellonym (U = 172.50; p = 0.05) and Twitch (U = 144; p = 0.017) than those off therapy. Healthy AYA showed lower levels of exposure (Z = -4.17; p = 0.00001) and impact (Z = -5.12; p = 0.00001) to Covid19, while the level of social anxiety is comparable and is in the normal range in both groups.

Discussion

Some clinical considerations and suggestions could be given based on these empirical results to health professionals in the care of AYA cancer patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

BACKGROUND

Children's and adolescents' mental health has been affected since the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, receiving global attention. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies to assess the extent of the mental health changes of children and adolescents in the aftermath of the pandemic.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycINFO to explore the pandemic's impact on children and adolescents' mental health; longitudinal studies were included. We used the random effects model to estimate the standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Twenty articles were included. Results showed that there was an increase in anxiety (SMD = 0.18, 95 % CI 0.05-0.32) and depressive symptoms (SMD = 0.22, 95 % CI 0.13-0.32) in children and adolescents after the pandemic. Anxiety and depressive symptoms noticeably increased from April to May 2020, subsequently decreased, but saw a small resurgence during the second wave of the pandemic. Anxiety change varied by region; highest in Asia (SMD = 0.38, 95 % CI 0.25-0.51).

LIMITATIONS

Heterogeneity was high in this study, with high variability in psychiatric symptoms among individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

This study on changes in children's and adolescents' mental health, anxiety and depression symptoms showed varying degrees of deterioration. Changes in symptoms were influenced by time and region and showed fluctuations.

The impact of COVID-19 and the confinement on the secondary level students of the Eastern region of Morocco

Context

In March 2020, Morocco announced the first COVID-19 case and implemented preventive measures, including home confinement.

Aims

Monitoring the psychological effects and prevalence among high- and middle-school students.

Settings and Design

This study is cross-sectional, carried online.

Methods and Materials

The survey was conducted by publishing an online questionnaire between May 14, 2020 and June 14, 2020, which included inquiries about socio-demographic data, the conditions of home confinement, activities carried out during confinement, and medical history and sleep patterns. To assess depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and stress, the survey employed the "DSRS-c," "SCARED," and "PSS10" scales, respectively.

Statistical Analysis Used

Data were received on Google forms coded by Excel 2010 and analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics 22.

Results

Out of the 689 participants, 73.7% were females; the mean age was 16.08 years (standard deviation 1.48). 94.8% of subjects reported changes in sleep habits, and 41.4% of adolescents had high levels of depressive symptoms, while 50.7% had high levels of anxiety symptoms. Several factors were significantly associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms, including being a girl (P = 0.000), being a high-school student (P = 0.011), economic struggles during the pandemic (P = 0.003), doubting the necessity of home confinement (P = 0.000), spending over 3 hours a day on social networks and video games (P = 0.000), dropping out of remote learning (P = 0.000), having a psychiatric history (P = 0.000), having chronic illnesses in the family (P = 0.002), and changes in sleep habits (P = 0.000).

Conclusions

The study found high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among students during the pandemic, emphasizing the need for mental health awareness and support.

Social Support and Daytime Sleepiness Among Chinese Medical Students: Mediating Roles of Loneliness and Problematic Smartphone Use

Background

Sleep problems have become a serious threat to public health worldwide. Daytime sleepiness is an important indicator of many sleep problems, which have a significant impact on academic performance, physical and mental health, and wellbeing among medical students. We aimed to explore the factors associated with daytime sleepiness among medical students.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 466 medical students recruited via convenience sampling. Self-rated psychometric scales, including the Social Support Rate Scale, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Chinese version of the UCLA loneliness scale, and the Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI), were utilized to evaluate social support, daytime sleepiness, loneliness, and problematic smartphone use. A sequential mediation model was constructed with daytime sleepiness as the dependent variable, social support as the independent variable, and loneliness and problematic smartphone use as mediating variables. Age, gender, and grade were taken as covariates.

Results

Social support among medical students was negatively associated with loneliness, problematic smartphone use, and daytime sleepiness (p < 0.01). A sequential mediation analysis showed that loneliness (the first mediator) and problematic smartphone use (the second mediator) sequentially mediated the path from social support to daytime sleepiness among medical students (β = -0.008; 95% CI = -0.016, -0.002). Moreover, there were also significant mediating roles observed in the relationship between social support and daytime sleepiness via loneliness only (β = -0.037; 95% CI = -0.062, -0.015) and problematic smartphone use only (β = -0.022; 95% CI = -0.041, -0.008).

Conclusion

Social support, loneliness, and problematic smartphone use among medical students influenced their daytime sleepiness. Interventions targeting medical student loneliness and problematic smartphone use behaviors might attenuate the effects from low levels of social support and further improve daytime sleepiness.

Investigating sleep quality and sleep hygiene awareness among Chinese adults: an association and network analysis study

PURPOSE

The relationships between sleep quality and sleep hygiene awareness in the Chinese population were unclear. We aimed to investigate the associations and related factors between sleep quality and sleep hygiene awareness in adults and to identify the most central domain for sleep quality using network analysis.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 22 to May 5, 2020. Adults (18 years old or above) who had access to smartphones were invited to participate in this survey. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Sleep Hygiene Awareness and Practice Scale (SHAPS) were used to evaluate the sleep quality and sleep hygiene awareness of the participants. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used as sensitivity analysis to reduce the confounding effects. Multiple logistic regression was performed to evaluate the associations. The R packages "bootnet" and "qgraph" were used to estimate the connection and calculate the network centrality indices between good and poor sleepers.

RESULTS

In total, 939 respondents were included in the analysis. Of them, 48.8% (95% CI: 45.6-52.0%) were identified as poor sleepers. Participants with nervous system diseases, psychiatric diseases, and psychological problems were more likely to have poor sleep quality. The notion that using sleep medication regularly was beneficial to sleep was associated with poor sleep quality. Similarly, the notion that waking up at the same time each day disrupted sleep was also associated with poor sleep quality. The findings were consistent before and after PSM. Subjective sleep quality was the most central domain for sleep quality in good and poor sleepers.

CONCLUSION

Poor sleep quality was positively associated with certain sleep hygiene notions in Chinese adults. Effective measures such as self-relief, sleep hygiene education, and cognitive behavioral treatment may have been needed to improve sleep quality, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Anxiety and depression played a central role in the COVID-19 mental distress: A network analysis

INTRODUCTION

Psychological, socio-demographics, and clinical factors play an important role in patients with COVID-19, but their relationship is complex. The network approach might be used to disentangle complex interactions in different systems. Using data from a multicentre, cross-sectional, survey among patients with COVID-19 in Spain (July-November 2020), we investigated the network structure of mental disorders symptoms, social support, and psychological resilience, and changes in network structures according to the presence of a pre-existing mental disorder or hospitalization for COVID-19.

METHODS

Subjects completed a survey to evaluate sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 infection status, resilience, social support, and symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, and substance use disorder. 2084 patients with COVID-19 were included in the analysis. Network analysis was conducted to evaluate network and bridge centrality, and the network properties were compared between COVID-19 patients with and without a history of lifetime mental disorder, and between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients.

LIMITATIONS

Generalization of our findings may be difficult since differences in network connectivity may exist in different populations or samples.

RESULTS

Anxiety and depression showed high centrality in patients with COVID-19 and anxiety showed the highest bridge influence in the network. Resilience and social support showed a low influence on mental disorder symptoms. Global network estimations show no statistically significant changes between patients with and without pre-existing mental disorders or between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety might be a key treatment target in patients with COVID-19 since its treatment might prevent other mental health adverse outcomes.

Short sleep duration and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/metabolic associated fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

It is unclear whether or not nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is related to short sleep duration. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine if inadequate sleep time increased the risk of NAFLD/MAFLD.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic literature review was conducted in the Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to August 1, 2022. Studies examining the correlation between inadequate sleep time and the risk of NAFLD/MAFLD were included. We pooled the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included fifteen studies involving a total of 261,554 participants. In the pooled analysis, short sleep duration was found to be strongly correlated with an increased risk of NAFLD/MAFLD (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.28; P = 0.01), with a moderate degree of heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 71.92%, Q = 49.87, P < 0.01). The sensitivity analysis suggested that the primary outcome was robust, and there was no significant publication bias.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis indicates that inadequate sleep duration is strongly correlated with an elevated risk of NAFLD/MAFLD. The findings suggest that obtaining an adequate amount of sleep may be useful for preventing NAFLD/MAFLD, which is especially important given the low rate of response to pharmacotherapy.

Psychological Health and Risk Factors of College Students within the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Students are a priority population in mental health research. This study aimed to explore the risk factors of anxiety and depression symptoms among college students in Chongqing, a megacity under the impact of COVID-19, and to provide a basis for determining the priorities of public health policies and implementing effective educational health care interventions.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study conducted in Chongqing, China, the data came from web-based stratified random sampling. Anxiety and depression symptoms were measured by the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), respectively, and risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Data were obtained from 915 college students (34.75% were male, and 65.25% were female) with age (20.29 ± 1.51) in Chongqing, China. The prevalence rates of anxiety and depression were 19.78% and 22.62%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factors of anxiety symptoms were associated with junior years, sleep time of less than 6 h a day, influence on career planning, and depression symptoms. Comprehensive, science and engineering, and medicine disciplines, having siblings, poorer mastery of study, and anxiety symptoms were risk factors for developing depression symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

During the pandemic, college students experienced varying degrees of anxiety and depression. Our research findings highlight the necessity of universities and relevant departments providing precise mental health education for college students under major public health emergencies.

Effects of sleep pattern, duration, and quality on premenstrual syndrome and primary dysmenorrhea in korean high school girls

BACKGROUND

Sleep deprivation is known to be a risk factor for premenstrual syndrome and primary dysmenorrhea in adults. However, it has rarely been investigated in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether sleep pattern, duration, and quality independently affect premenstrual syndrome and primary dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls. An additional purpose was to investigate the sleep status in Korean adolescent girls during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in 519 high school girls aged 15 to 18 years in Gyeonggido, South Korea, in 2021 during the COVID-19 lockdown. Menstrual pain intensity and menstrual symptoms were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Cox menstrual symptom scale (CMSS), respectively. Premenstrual syndrome was assessed by the premenstrual symptoms screening tool (PSST). Sleep was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The known risk factors of dysmenorrhea, including menstrual and lifestyle characteristics and stress, were assessed as covariates.

RESULTS

During the pandemic, approximately 68% of girls slept 7 h or less, while about 60% reported poor sleep quality. Additionally, 64% of participants had a bedtime later after 1AM, and 34% woke up later after 8AM. Late bedtime significantly affected VAS (P = 0.05), CMSS severity and frequency (both P < 0.01), and PSST symptom (P < 0.01). Waking up late affected CMSS severity (P < 0.05), PSST symptom (P = 0.05), and PSST function (P < 0.05). However, the significance of these effects disappeared after controlling for covariates. Sleeping less than 5 h affected CMSS frequency (P < 0.05) and PSST symptoms (P < 0.001). After controlling for covariates, the significance of the effect on PSST symptom remained (P < 0.05). General sleep quality and PSQI components, including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep disturbance, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction, significantly affected CMSS frequency and severity and PSST symptom after controlling for covariates (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, or P < 0.001). The multiple regression analysis revealed that among sleep characteristics, sleep quality was the most important risk factor of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea.

CONCLUSION

Our study result heightens the importance of healthy sleep hygiene, especially sleep quality in the management of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent sleep behavior

Restorative sleep is a fundamental component of adolescent wellbeing, and the COVID-19 pandemic presented both challenges and opportunities for adolescents' sleep. In this review, we synthesize emergent themes from the growing scientific evidence for the impact of the pandemic on adolescent sleep behavior across different stages of the pandemic and in different locations around the world. We also highlight the ways in which COVID-19 shaped sleep patterns among college students-a subgroup of adolescents transitioning to emerging adulthood that were particularly impacted by the shift to remote learning. Finally, we discuss variations in the impact according to several potential moderating factors in adolescents' lives and point to areas that require additional longitudinal research.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep in children with Tourette syndrome in Ireland and the United Kingdom

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The aim of this mixed-methods study was to gain an insight through qualitative and quantitative means into the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on children with and without Tourette syndrome (TS).

METHODS

Parents/guardians of children and adolescents with TS (n = 95; mean age = 11.2 years, standard deviation = 2.68 years) and typically developing controls (n = 86; mean age = 10.7 years, standard deviation = 2.8 years) in the United Kingdom and Ireland completed an online questionnaire examining sleep, with open-ended questions pertaining to their perceived impact of COVID-19 on the sleep of their children. Nine items from the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children were used to supplement qualitative data.

RESULTS

A negative impact of the pandemic on the sleep of both groups was observed, including exacerbated tics, sleep deprivation, and anxiety, with particular disruption for children with TS. Parents of children with TS reported poorer sleep patterns than parents of typically developing children on the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children. Analyses showed that group and age predicted 43.8% of variance in sleep duration: F (4, 176) = 34.2, P < .001.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that sleep patterns of children with TS may be more impacted by the pandemic than the average child. Given that there are generally more sleep issues reported in children with TS, further research is warranted in relation to the sleep health of children with TS in a postpandemic era. By identifying sleep issues potentially persisting after COVID-19, the true impact of the pandemic on the sleep of children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome may be ascertained.

CITATION

Colreavy E, Keenan L, Downes M. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep in children with Tourette syndrome in Ireland and the United Kingdom. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(8):1485-1493.

A network analysis of the long-term quality of life and mental distress of COVID-19 survivors 1 year after hospital discharge

Objectives

COVID-19 survivors suffer from persistent mental distress and impaired quality of life (QOL) after recovery from the infection. However, the symptom-symptom interaction between these psychological variables remained unexplored. The present study aimed to determine the symptom network of mental distress (depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder) and their association with QOL among 535 COVID-19 survivors 1 year after hospital discharge.

Methods

9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Chalder fatigue scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey were applied to measure depression, anxiety, fatigue, PTSD, sleep disturbances, and QOL, respectively. Two networks were estimated using Gaussian graphical model. Network 1 consisted of mental symptoms to determine the central and bridge symptoms. Network 2 additionally included QOL to determine which mental symptoms were mostly related to QOL.

Results

60% of the COVID-19 survivors experienced mental distress 1 year after hospital discharge. Uncontrollable and excessive worry, psychomotor symptoms, intrusion, and daytime dysfunction were the most central symptoms. Daytime dysfunction and fatigue (especially mental fatigue and loss of energy) served as the bridge symptoms across the mental distress network and exhibited the most substantial association with QOL.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated several key symptoms that played a vital role in mental distress and QOL among COVID-19 survivors. Prompt screening and targeted interventions for these symptoms might hold great promise in preventing mental distress and improving QOL in COVID-19 survivors.

Comparison of stigmatizing views towards COVID-19 and mental disorders among adolescent and young adult students in China

Objective

Infectious diseases including COVID-19 and mental disorders are two of the most common health conditions associated with stigma. However, the comparative stigma of these two conditions has received less attention in research. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of stigmatizing views toward people with COVID-19 and mental disorders and the factors associated with these views, among a large sample of adolescent and young adult students in China.

Methods

A total of 9,749 adolescents and young adults aged 15-24 years completed a survey on stigmatizing attitudes toward COVID-19 and mental disorders, as well as mental health-related factors, including general mental health status and symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with stigmatizing views.

Findings

The prevalence of COVID-19 and mental disorders-related stigma was 17.2% and 40.7%, respectively. COVID-19-related stigma scores were significantly higher among male students (β = 0.025, p < 0.05), those without quarantine experience (β = 0.035, p < 0.001), those with lower educational level (p < 0.001), those with lower family income (p < 0.01), and those with higher PTSD symptoms (β = 0.045, p < 0.05). Mental disorder-related stigma scores were significantly higher among individuals with average and lower-than-average levels of family income (p < 0.01), depression symptoms (β = 0.056, p < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (β = 0.051, p < 0.001), and mental health problems (β = 0.027, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The stigma of mental disorders is higher in the youth population than the stigma of COVID-19. Factors associated with stigmatizing attitudes toward people with COVID-19 and mental disorders varied across the youth. Stigma-reduction interventions among the youth should be targeted specifically to COVID-19 or mental disorders conditions.

A randomized controlled trial examining a Tranquil sitting intervention compatible with Confucian values

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic in China, the silent management (Lockdown) policy has caused severe sleep problems for university students. Long-term isolation may further deteriorate sleep quality, and it requires practical interventions. Today in mental and sleep health, interventions based on Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian ethics have been proven effective in reducing cognition and sleep disorders. However, such interventions also have limitations. They tend to focus on peace of mind or some technical means with the main direction of symptom improvement but neglect the mundane activities of daily life.

Methods

We conducted an innovative tranquil sitting intervention program based on the Chinese Confucian value of the "tranquility and reverence" method, integrating various intervention techniques traditionally recognized as effective for achieving more lasting mental health and sleep quality. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of a tranquil sitting intervention in improving sleep problems in isolated university students. Using a randomized control trial (RCT), the participants in the intervention program (n = 35) practiced the tranquil sitting intervention program for ten weeks. They had their PSQI scores measured at the pre-experimental, post-test, and 1-month follow-up time points and compared to the control group (n = 35).

Results

The participants who received the tranquil sitting intervention had significantly better sleep quality than the control group, with moderate to large effect sizes in the middle and late stages. The instructor may challenge the intervention group at the beginning of the tranquil sitting technique. However, the improvement in sleep quality was significant after fully mastering the method.

Discussion

The intervention program in this study emphasized the importance of "tranquility" and showed the same sleep improvement as in other traditional interventions. In conclusion, this intervention is a feasible and promising new approach to improving sleep quality among youths.

Internet addiction and mental health disorders in high school students in a Peruvian region: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between internet addiction disorder (IAD) and anxiety and depressive symptomatology in high school students in two private schools in Chiclayo, Peru, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Analytical cross-sectional investigation of 505 adolescents from two private schools. The dependent variables were anxiety and depressive symptomatology, measured with the Beck Adapted Depression Questionnaire (BDI-IIA) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively. The main independent variable was IAD, measured with the Internet Addiction Test instrument(IATI). Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated.

RESULTS

The average age was 14.16 years and 54.9% were women. 22.2% and 3.2% presented mild and moderate IAD; respectively. 9.3% presented severe anxiety and 34.3% severe depressive symptomatology. In the simple regression, adolescents with mild, moderate and severe IAD presented 19% (PR = 1.19; 95%CI: 1.05-1.35), 25% (PR = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.02-1.53) and 53% (PR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.47-1.60) higher prevalence of depressive symptomatology; however, this association was not maintained in the multiple model. Anxiety increased 196% in adolescents with severe IAD (PR = 2.96; 95%CI: 1.86-4.71).

CONCLUSION

 We found that 2, 1, and 3 out of 10 students presented IAD, depressive symptomatology, and anxiety, respectively. We did not find an association between IAD and depressive symptomatology, but we did find an association with anxiety. Among the factors associated with the development of depressive symptomatology were the male sex, the presence of eating disorders, subclinical insomnia, using devices for more than 2 h, and using the Internet for academic activities. About anxiety, the associated factors are the female sex, the presence of eating disorders, subclinical insomnia, and the use of the Internet as social interaction. We recommend implementing counseling programs in view of the imminent introduction of the Internet as a pillar in education.

Development and validation of a prediction nomogram for academic burnout among Chinese adolescents: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to screen the potential risk factors for academic burnout among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, develop and validate a predictive tool based on the risk factors for predicting academic burnout.

DESIGN

This article presents a cross-sectional study.

SETTING

This study surveyed two high schools in Anhui Province, China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1472 adolescents were enrolled in this study.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The questionnaires included demographic characteristic variables, living and learning states and adolescents' academic burnout scale. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to screen the risk factors for academic burnout and develop a predictive model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess the accuracy and discrimination of the nomogram.

RESULTS

In this study, 21.70% of adolescents reported academic burnout. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that single-child family (OR=1.742, 95% CI: 1.243 to 2.441, p=0.001), domestic violence (OR=1.694, 95% CI: 1.159 to 2.476, p=0.007), online entertainment (>8 hours/day, OR=3.058, 95% CI: 1.634 to 5.720, p<0.001), physical activity (<3 hours/week, OR=1.686, 95% CI: 1.032 to 2.754, p=0.037), sleep duration (<6 hours/night, OR=2.342, 95% CI: 1.315 to 4.170, p=0.004) and academic performance (<400 score, OR=2.180, 95% CI: 1.201 to 3.958, p=0.010) were independent significant risk factors associated with academic burnout. The area under the curve of ROC with the nomogram was 0.686 in the training set and 0.706 in the validation set. Furthermore, DCA demonstrated that the nomogram had good clinical utility for both sets.

CONCLUSIONS

The developed nomogram was a useful predictive model for academic burnout among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential to emphasise the importance of mental health and promote a healthy lifestyle among adolescents during the future pandemic.

A National Survey of U.S. Adolescent Sleep Duration, Timing, and Social Jetlag During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVES

To assess changes in duration, timing, and social jetlag in adolescent sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate the impact of mood, physical activity, and social interactions on sleep.

STUDY DESIGN

An online survey queried adolescents' sleep before (through retrospective report) and during the initial phase of COVID-19 in May 2020. Adolescents (N = 3,494), 13-19 years old, in the United States (U.S.) answered questions about their current and retrospective (prior to COVID-19) sleep, chronotype, mood, and physical and social activities. Linear regression models were fit for time in bed, reported bed and wake times, and social jetlag during COVID-19, accounting for pre-COVID-19 values.

RESULTS

Total reported time in bed (a proxy for sleep duration) increased on weekdays by an average of 1.3 ± 1.8 hours (p < .001) during COVID-19, compared to retrospective report of time in bed prior to COVID-19. During COVID-19, 81.3% of adolescents reported spending 8 hours or more in bed on weekdays compared to only 53.5% prior to COVID-19. On weekdays, bedtimes were delayed on average by 2.5 hours and wake times by 3.8 hours during COVID-19 compared to prior to COVID-19. On weekends, bedtimes were delayed on average by 1.6 hours and waketimes by 1.5 hours (all p's < 0.001). Social jetlag of >2 hours decreased to 6.3% during COVID-19 compared to 52.1% prior to COVID-19. Anxiety and depression symptoms and a decline in physical activity during COVID-19 were associated with delayed bed and wake times during COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

During COVID-19, adolescents reported spending more time in bed, with most adolescents reporting 8 hours of sleep opportunity and more consistent sleep schedules. As schools return to in-person learning, additional research should examine how sleep schedules may change due to school start times and what lessons can be learned from changes that occurred during COVID-19 that promote favorable adolescent sleep.

The relationship between physical activity and depression among community-dwelling adults in Wuhan, China

Background

While the association between physical activity (PA) and depression has been established, there is limited research on the effect of PA on the risk of depression among Chinese individuals. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between PA and depression among Chinese individuals.

Methods

We used a stratified random sampling approach to recruit participants from five urban districts in Wuhan, China. A total of 5,583 permanent residents aged 18 years or older completed questionnaires, which included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) to measure PA, and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to evaluate depressive symptoms. To control for potential confounders, multiple logistic regression was employed to assess the association of PA with depression.

Results

The depression group had significantly lower weekly PA levels, measured in metabolic equivalent of task-minutes per week (MET-min/w), compared to the non-depression group [1,770 (693-4,200) MET-min/w vs. 2,772 (1,324-4,893) MET-min/w, p < 0.001]. In the fully adjusted model, the moderate and high PA level groups had lower odds ratios (ORs) for depressive symptoms compared to the low PA level group [OR (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 0.670 (0.523-0.858), 0.618 (0.484-0.790), respectively]. Among males, moderate and high levels of PA were associated with lower risk of depression compared to low PA levels [OR (95% CI) = 0.417 (0.268-0.649), 0.381 (0.244-0.593), respectively]. However, this association was not observed in females [OR (95% CI) = 0.827 (0.610-1.121), 0.782 (0.579-1.056), respectively]. The study found a significant interaction between PA levels and gender in relation to depression (P for interaction = 0.019).

Conclusion

The findings suggest a negative association between PA and risk of depressive symptoms, indicating that moderate to high levels of PA may serve as a protective factor against depressive symptoms.

Beyond Screen Time: The Different Longitudinal Relations between Adolescents' Smartphone Use Content and Their Mental Health

Purpose: Previous studies focusing on the relationship between adolescents' screen time and mental health have uncovered contradictory results. By focusing on smartphone use content (SUC), this study uses specification curve analysis to explore the different effects of SUCs on mental health-based on longitudinal data. Methods: A total of 2552 adolescents were surveyed in the first (July 2020) and second year (April 2021). A total of 2049 eligible participants (average age = 14.39 ± 2.27, female = 1062) are included in the analysis. Participants reported 20 types of content used by them during smartphone use and their mental health (depression, anxiety, and somatization). Specification curve analysis was used to examine the longitudinal relationship between SUCs and their mental health. Results: Smartphone use for listening to music (median β = 0.18, p < 0.001, NSRPD = 25/27, p < 0.05), chatting online (median β = 0.15, p < 0.001, NSRPD = 24/27, p < 0.05), watching TV (median β = 0.14, p < 0.001, NSRPD = 24/27, p < 0.05), and playing games (median β = 0.09, p < 0.001, NSRPD = 19/27, p < 0.05) produce high to medium negative effects on subsequent mental health. Only using smartphones for online courses exerts no effect on their subsequent mental health (median β = 0.01, p > 0.05, NSRPD = 0/27, p > 0.05). The left 15 types of smartphone content showed unstable effects on future mental health. Depending on the types of content used, these effects ranged from high, medium, and small to none. The relatively descending order of effect on mental health is listening to music, chatting online, watching TV, playing games, and types of content (e.g., browsing social media, making payments, reading online novels) with high but unstable effects, types of content with medium (e.g., browsing news and posting/sharing) but unstable effects, types of content (e.g., using the camera, obtaining life information, and making calls) with small but unstable effects, such as finishing homework and taking online courses. Conclusions: This study enlightens researchers and policymakers to update their understanding of adolescents' technology use, especially to adopt a differentiated attitude towards different media use content. As nutritionists often do, a "nutritionally balanced" digital diet for young people should be recommended to the public, rather than just suggesting limits on the amount of time they can spend using digital media.

Determining the relationship between sleep disturbances in children and parental stress during COVID-19 pandemic

This study aimed to determine the relationship between child sleep disturbances and parental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional web-based study was conducted between February and April 2021 among 409 parents residing in Turkey who had children between the ages of 6 and 16 years. Data were collected online using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and the Parental Stress Scale (PSS). In the study, there was a significant relationship found between the mean scores of the SDSC and PSS (r = 0.499, p < 0.001). In the multiple regression analysis, family type, socioeconomic status, occupation, the presence of sleep problems in the child before the pandemic, and the total score of the PSS significantly affected the total score of the SDSC. The presence of sleep problems in the child before the pandemic was significantly associated with the total score of the PSS (p < 0.05). Approximately 3.9% of the children had sleep disturbances (at scores over 70 points) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, as the stress levels of parents increase, the rate of sleep disturbances in their children increases, and many demographic characteristics are associated with the occurrence of sleep disturbances in their children. It is important that parents do not reflect on their stress related to the pandemic and that their children maintain a normal sleep pattern whenever possible. School nurses should educate children and their parents about the importance of enough sleep and factors that contribute to inadequate sleep among children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anxiety, sleep habits and executive function during the COVID-19 pandemic through parents’ perception: a longitudinal study

The present study therefore aims to examine trait and state anxiety, sleep habits and executive functioning during 1 year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents through the lens of parents. Assessments were conducted at three different times: April 2020 (T1), October 2020 (T2) and October 2021 (T3). The main sample included 953 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years, and scales were used to assess anxiety (STAIC), sleep habits (BEARS) and executive functioning (BRIEF-2). The results showed that 6 months after the outbreak of the pandemic, state and trait anxiety, sleep disturbances and executive dysfunctions increased significantly. One and a half year later, trait anxiety and sleep disturbances have been maintained, while state anxiety and executive dysfunction have decreased their scores obtaining scores similar to those of April 2020. In conclusion, there has been a further decrease in children and adolescents’ mental health since the beginning of the pandemic, and it seems to remain at the present time, such as trait anxiety as a part of the personality.

Sleep Deprivation and Insomnia in Adolescence: Implications for Mental Health

Sleep changes significantly throughout the human lifespan. Physiological modifications in sleep regulation, in common with many mammals (especially in the circadian rhythms), predispose adolescents to sleep loss until early adulthood. Adolescents are one-sixth of all human beings and are at high risk for mental diseases (particularly mood disorders) and self-injury. This has been attributed to the incredible number of changes occurring in a limited time window that encompasses rapid biological and psychosocial modifications, which predispose teens to at-risk behaviors. Adolescents’ sleep patterns have been investigated as a biunivocal cause for potential damaging conditions, in which insufficient sleep may be both a cause and a consequence of mental health problems. The recent COVID-19 pandemic in particular has made a detrimental contribution to many adolescents’ mental health and sleep quality. In this review, we aim to summarize the knowledge in the field and to explore implications for adolescents’ (and future adults’) mental and physical health, as well as to outline potential strategies of prevention.

Trajectories of child mental health, physical activity and screen-time during the COVID-19 pandemic considering different family situations: results from a longitudinal birth cohort

BACKGROUND

Many authors have described a significant mental health burden on children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly moderated by social disparities. This analysis explores whether pre-pandemic family circumstances might be related to different aspects of child health during the pandemic.

METHODS

We analyzed trajectories of health-related outcomes in children aged 5 to 9 years (T7 to T11) using the Ulm SPATZ Health study, a population based birth cohort study (baseline 04/2012-05/2013) conducted in the South of Germany. Outcomes were children's mental health, quality of life, and lifestyle, such as screen time and physical activity. We conducted descriptive statistics of maternal and child characteristics before and throughout the pandemic. We defined three different groups of pre-pandemic family situations and used adjusted mixed models to estimate differences in means associated with the time during the pandemic vs. before the pandemic in (a) all children and in (b) children belonging to specific pre-pandemic family situations.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from n = 588 children from whom at least one questionnaire was completed between T7 and T11. When not considering the pre-pandemic family situation, adjusted mixed models showed statistically significant lower mean scores of health-related quality of life among girls during vs. before the COVID-19 pandemic (difference in means (b): - 3.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): - 6.4, - 1.4). There were no substantial differences in mental health, screen time, or physical activity in boys or girls. When considering pre-pandemic family situations, boys with mothers having symptoms of depression or anxiety showed a substantial loss of health-related quality of life on the subscale of friends (b: - 10.5 (95% CI: - 19.7, - 1.4)). Among girls in this group, 60% of the 15 assessed outcomes were negatively associated with a remarkable loss in health-related quality of life (e.g., KINDL-physical well-being difference in means: - 12.2 (95% CI: - 18.9, - 5.4)). Furthermore, a substantial increase in screen time was found (+ 2.9 h (95% CI: 0.3, 5.6)).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the health (and behavior) of primary school-aged children is possibly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with adverse consequences differing by gender and very likely by the pre-pandemic family situation. Especially in girls having a mother with depression or anxiety symptoms, the adverse consequences of the pandemic on mental health seem to be aggregated. Boys showed fewer adverse trajectories, and it needs to be further assessed which factors exactly are behind the (socio-economic) factors, such as maternal working habits and limited living space, when analyzing the effect of the pandemic on children's health.

Impacts of COVID-19 crisis and some related factors on the mental health of 37150 Vietnamese students: a cross-sectional online study

BACKGROUND

University students are vulnerable to changes due to COVID-19 pandemic. Although warning has been made about the impact of this crisis on students' mental health, there are barely any sufficient study. This work investigated how the pandemic affected the mental health of students at the Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC) and efficiency of available mental health supportive methods.

METHODS

An online survey was conducted among students at Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC) from October 18, 2021, to October 25, 2021. Microsoft Excel 16.51 (Microsoft, USA) and R language, Epi packages 2.44 and 4.1.1 (rdrr.io) were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven thousand one hundred fifty students participated in the survey, including 48.4% female and 51.6% male. Online learning pressure was mainly recorded (65.1%). Many students suffered from sleeping disorders (56.2%). Some reported being victims of abuse (5.9%). Female students expressed a significantly higher level of distress than males, particularly the feeling of ambiguity about the purpose of life (p-value < 0.0001, OR: 0.94, 95% CI: [0.95-0.98]). Third-year students suffered higher stress levels than others, especially in online learning (68.8%, p-value < 0.05). Mental health statuses among students of different lockdown status regions were not significantly different. Therefore, lockdown status did not affect the stress levels of students which suggested that poor mental health outcomes seemed to root in the suspension of everyday university life rather than the prohibition of going out.

CONCLUSIONS

During COVID-19, students experienced lots of stress and mental problems. These findings underscore the importance of academic and innovative activities, bringing attention to the needs of interactive study and extra-curricular activities.

Associations between screen use, outdoor time/daylight exposure and sleep changes during the first COVID-19 lockdown in French children from the ELFE and EPIPAGE2 birth cohorts

AIMS

To investigate associations between outdoor and screen time and changes in sleep patterns in children from two nationwide birth-cohorts in the SAPRIS project.

METHODS

During the first French COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, volunteer parents of children enrolled in the ELFE and EPIPAGE2 birth-cohorts completed online questions about their child's outdoor time, screen time, and changes in sleep duration and quality compared with the pre-lockdown situation. In 5700 children (aged 8-9 years, 52% boys) with available data, we assessed associations between outdoor time, screen time, and sleep changes using multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for confounders.

RESULTS

Children spent on average 3 h08 outdoors and 4 h34 using screens/day (3 h27 for leisure, 1 h07 for class-work). Sleep duration increased in 36% of children and decreased in 13.4%; sleep difficulties appeared/increased in 22.5% and decreased/disappeared/remained stable in 18.3%. After adjustment, increased screen time, especially for leisure, was associated with increased and decreased sleep duration (OR(95%CI) = 1.03(1.00-1.06) and OR = 1.06(1.02-1.10), respectively). No association was observed between outdoor time and sleep changes after adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study adds evidence for the association between high leisure-time screen time and shorter sleep time. It supports current screen guidelines for children, especially during leisure time and for those whose sleep duration is short.

Parental survey of the sleep patterns and screen time in US school children during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

This study compared sleep duration, screen exposure and sleep quality in school-aged children before COVID-19 to that during school closures and again when schools re-opened in fall 2020.

METHODS

Cross-sectional anonymous, online survey of parents of children 5-13 years old. Questions elicited information about sleep timing and quality, screen time, and schooling at three distinct periods: before the pandemic, when schools first closed and then re-opened in the fall.

RESULTS

Respondents described 101 children who were an average of 8.5 years old and 51% male. In lockdown, children slept 25 min more (95%CI 00:13-00:38) due to later wake times (75 min, 95% CI 0:57-1:34) with later bedtimes (29 min, 95%CI 0:00-0:58). When schools re-opened, sleep duration returned to pre-pandemic levels, but sleep onset and offset times remained later. Despite more sleep, sleep quality and habits (e.g. bedtime refusal) worsened during lockdown and did not normalize in fall 2020. During lockdown, screen time increased in 65% of all children, and 96% of those in private schools. When schools reopened, 78% of children in hybrid/virtual learning had more than 4 h of screen exposure daily. Less screen time was associated with twofold higher odds of better sleep (OR 2.66, 95%CI 1.15-6.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Although school-aged children had more total sleep when schools were closed, sleep quality and habits worsened. Upon return to school, sleep times and quality did not normalize and were linked to screen time.

Daily and average associations of physical activity, social media use, and sleep among adolescent girls during the COVID-19 pandemic

Adolescents' daily lives have been disrupted during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It remains unclear how changes in adolescents' daily physical and social behaviours affect their sleep. The present study examined the daily and average effects of physical activity and social media use (i.e., video chatting, texting, and social networking sites) on adolescent girls' sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescent girls aged 12-17 years (N = 93; 69% White) from a larger longitudinal study completed a 10-day daily diary protocol during state-mandated stay-at-home orders. Girls reported on daily sleep (duration, timing, quality), physical activity, and social media use during COVID-19. Multilevel modelling was used to examine the within- and between-person effects of physical activity and social media on sleep duration, timing, and quality during the 10-day period. Between-person associations indicate that youth with greater social media use (texting, video chatting, and social networking) and less physical activity had later sleep timing across the 10-day study period. Only video chatting was associated with shorter sleep duration. There were no within-person effects of physical activity or social media activities on sleep outcomes. Findings indicate that physical activity and social media use may impact later adolescent sleep timing during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be critical for research to examine the potential long-term costs of delayed sleep timing, and whether targeting specific youth behaviours associated with sleep and circadian disruption improve mental and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Prevalence of mental health symptoms in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A meta-analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying infection control measures introduced sudden and significant disruptions to the lives of children and adolescents around the world. Given the potential for negative impacts on the mental health of youths as a result of these changes, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep disturbances in children and adolescents during the pandemic. We searched major literature databases for relevant cross-sectional or longitudinal studies that included primary and secondary school students or children and adolescents ≤18 years of age. Prevalence values were extracted, logit-transformed, and pooled. Based on 191 included studies with 1,389,447 children and adolescents, we found the pooled prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep disturbances to be 31%, 31%, and 42%, respectively. Age, grade levels, education levels, gender, geographical regions, and electronics use were correlated with the prevalence of mental health symptoms. The prevalence of mental health symptoms also increased with time, although signs of recovery and stabilization were also observed. Overall, the results from this review demonstrate the need for increased mental health research, monitoring, and intervention for children and adolescents during the current and future pandemics.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on sleep of undergraduate students: A systematic literature review

The 2019 coronavirus pandemic forced the shift to distance education aggravating mental and physical vulnerabilities of undergraduate students, including sleep. This review aims to describe sleep problem rates and prevalence, sleep pattern disruption, sleep duration, sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, psychological and socio-economic factors affecting sleep of undergraduates in 22 countries. A systematic search for articles published from 2020 to 2021 using 'COVID-19,' 'Coronavirus,' 'Pandemic,' 'Sleep,' 'Mental Health,' and 'Students' from PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane yielded 2550 articles, where 72 were included. Selection criteria were: English full-text available articles, undergraduates and not postgraduates, reported sleep outcomes, and participants not from allied health courses. Risk of bias was assessed using various Joanna Briggs Institute checklists and outcomes were descriptively synthesized. Prevalence of sleep problems was notable, while longitudinal studies showed increased rates. There was significantly increased sleep duration, and sleep pattern disruption during lockdowns. Several psychological, behavioural, environmental, demographic, and socio-economic factors were found to be associated with sleep changes. These highlight the pandemic's impact on sleep of undergraduate students and reveal opportunities for institutions to intervene with policies and programs to promote the well-being of undergraduates. Limitations include recall bias and underrepresentation of other countries. This study is self-funded with registration number RGAO-2021-0071.

Psychotic-like experiences during COVID-19 lockdown among adolescents: Prevalence, risk and protective factors

OBJECTIVE

Although plenty of evidence has shown the huge negative impact of COVID-19 on individuals' mental health conditions, little is known about its impact on the psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in the general population. We aim to explore the prevalence of PLEs and relevant influential factors among adolescents during COVID-19 lockdown.

METHODS

A total of 3234 students completed one online survey between April to May 2020. PLEs were assessed using the 15-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-P15). Resilience, social support, childhood trauma, and a series of socio-demographic factors were also evaluated.

RESULTS

In this sample, 51.4 % adolescents reported having at least one PLE, while 11.6 % experienced PLEs frequently during COVID-19 lockdown. Senior high school students showed more frequent PLEs than college students (p < 0.001). Female gender (OR = 1.77), history of mental disorders (OR = 3.07) or chronic physical illness (OR = 2.04), having relatives or friends being infected with COVID-19 (OR = 3.12), longer daily exposure to media coverage of the COVID-19 (OR = 1.60), and more childhood trauma (OR = 1.54-3.49) were correlated with more frequent PLEs, while higher resilience (OR = 0.35-0.54) and more perceived social support (OR = 0.63-0.72) were associated with decreased odds for frequent PLEs. Additionally, there were several differences among the influential factors between senior high school and college students.

CONCLUSIONS

PLEs were relatively common among Chinese adolescents, with higher prevalence among senior high school students during COVID-19 lockdown. Adolescents with specific characteristics should receive more attention in the development of intervention measures in mental health during pandemic lockdown.

The role of social support on the relationships between internet use and sleep problems in adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre study

BACKGROUND

This study examines the frequency of problematic internet use and sleep problems in adolescents aged 14-18 years during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies the impact of factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, internet habits, changes in daily life, and perceived social support on these problems.

METHODS

This multicentre study was a questionnaire-based online survey study. The questionnaire included the Young Internet Addiction Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, as well as questions about demographic information, internet habits, and changes in daily life during pandemic. Several multivariate Backward logistic regression models were run to determine the variables that predicted problematic internet use and poor sleep quality.

RESULTS

It was determined that the frequency of problematic internet use was 15.5%, and the frequency of poor sleep quality was 47.8%. Poor sleep quality was found 2.5 times higher in problematic internet users. The perceived social support was found insufficient in adolescents with problematic internet use and poor sleep quality. Various factors such as the excessive use of internet and social media, low school success, lack of physical activity, lack of rules for internet use at home, and worsening of relationships with parents were found to be predictive factors for these problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Problematic internet use during the pandemic is associated with worsening sleep quality in adolescents. It is important to create special interventions for problematic internet use and sleep problems that develop in adolescents as a result of restrictions during the pandemic.