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Choe C, Moon Y, Yu S. COVID-19 and depressive symptoms among older adults in South Korea. J Women Aging 2024; 36:359-371. [PMID: 38736377 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2024.2345467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
This study analyzed the effects of COVID-19 and gender differences in depressive symptoms in older adults using data from the 7th (2018) and 8th (2020) surveys of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. A panel two-way-fixed effects model was used to control for individual fixed effects and time effects. A 0.1% point increase in the intensity of COVID-19 was associated with an average increase of 1.5 points out of 10 on the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, 10-item version (CES-D10) among older adults. The increase in depression was greater among women. Depressive factors due to COVID-19 among older adults are more likely to be related to negative emotions or interpersonal relationships than to physical and behavioral decline. Depression prevention policies for older adults should be informed by these gender differences. While older men require assistance with instrumental activities of daily living such as housework, meal preparation, etc., older women should be provided with online socialization opportunities to interact with others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung Choe
- Department of Economics, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeogyoung Moon
- Department of Economics, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seunghee Yu
- General Education, Kookmin University, Seoul, Korea
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2
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Badahdah AM, Viskupič F, Wiltse DL. The Influence of Disagreements over COVID-19 Preventive Measures on Stress and Sleep Quality. Psychol Rep 2024:332941241266185. [PMID: 39045771 DOI: 10.1177/00332941241266185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
In this paper we reported the rate of disagreements and their effect on stress levels and sleep quality. Data was collected from 573 South Dakota residents. We estimated two ordinary least squares regressions using stress and sleep quality due to COVID-19 as outcome variables. A high percentage (62.1%) of the participants reported disagreements over COVID-19 with friends and family members. Disagreements over COVID-19 were associated with a higher level of stress (β = 1.001, p = .000) and a lower level of sleep quality (β = -.431, p = .039). The results of this study should serve as a reminder to researchers to consider the impact of interpersonal conflict over public health measures with family and friends on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah M Badahdah
- School of Psychology, Sociology and Rural Studies, Sociology Program, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Filip Viskupič
- School of American and Global Studies, Department of Political Science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - David L Wiltse
- School of American and Global Studies, Department of Political Science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
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Li L, Sullivan A, Musah A, Stavrianaki K, Wood CE, Baker P, Kostkova P. Resilience during lockdown: a longitudinal study investigating changes in behaviour and attitudes among older females during COVID-19 lockdown in the UK. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1967. [PMID: 39044166 PMCID: PMC11267972 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19480-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, on March 23, 2020, a strict lockdown was implemented in the UK. This was followed by alternating periods of less restrictive lockdowns until most public health restrictions were lifted in the summer of 2021. While these measures were necessary, they significantly affected people's daily activities, lifestyles, and mental well-being.This paper presents a longitudinal research study that focused on females aged 55 + in the UK, aiming to understand how COVID-19 and the subsequent 15-month period of lockdowns affected their lifestyles and emotions. The study collected data through online surveys, where respondents reported the frequency and mode of access to activities, and their positive and negative emotional experiences during distinct study phases that encompassed both lockdown and less strict periods.In contrast to previous studies highlighting vulnerabilities for females and the elderly during lockdowns, this research found that the studied group maintained an overall positive outlook throughout the study period and successfully adapted to the lockdowns by increasing their engagement in certain activities, in particular, activities like 'getting active'. In addition, our findings indicate rapid adaptive behaviour change towards many online activities, such as cultural activities. However, the study also revealed negative emotions and a decrease in some activities during the second lockdown in 2020 and the subsequent lockdowns in 2021, underscoring the challenges inherent in prolonged periods of confinement. In addition, the study found negative affect associated with some activities, including working and studying from home.The findings provide valuable insights into how females aged over 55 coped with stressful circumstances, which can inform the development of resilient and mental health-conscious public health policies and responses in preparation for future pandemics or other hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Li
- UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), Department for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Ava Sullivan
- UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), Department for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, USA
| | - Anwar Musah
- UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), Department for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Geography, University College London, London, UK
| | - Katerina Stavrianaki
- UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), Department for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Statistical Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Caroline E Wood
- UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), Department for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Philip Baker
- UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), Department for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Crisis Response, British Red Cross, London, UK
| | - Patty Kostkova
- UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE), Department for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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Martínez P, Huynh C, Massamba V, Zefania I, Rochette L, Vasiliadis HM, Nazif-Munoz JI. Changes in the incidence of cannabis-related disorders after the Cannabis Act and the COVID-19 pandemic in Québec, Canada. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 129:104484. [PMID: 38870546 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Canadian Cannabis Act (CCA, implemented in October 2018) and the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020) might have contributed to cannabis-related harms in Québec, known for its stringent cannabis legal framework. We explored changes in incidence rates of cannabis-related disorders (CRD) diagnoses associated with these events in Québec. METHODS We utilized linked administrative health data to identify individuals aged 15 year+ newly diagnosed with CRD during hospitalizations, emergency, and outpatients clinics across Québec, from January 2010 and March 2022 (147 months). Interrupted time-series analyses (ITSA) assessed differences (as percentage changes) in sex- and age-standardized, and sex-stratified, monthly incidence rates (per 100,000 population) attributed to the CCA and the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to counterfactual scenarios where pre-events trends would continue unchanged. RESULTS The overall monthly mean rates of incident diagnoses nearly doubled from the pre-CCA period (1.56 per 100,000 population) to the COVID-19 pandemic period (3.02 per 100,000 population). ITSA revealed no statistically significant level or slope changes between adjacent study periods, except for a decrease in the slope of incidence rates among males by 1.84 % (95 % CI -3.41 to -0.24) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the post-CCA period. During the post-CCA period, the trends of incidence rates in the general and male populations grew significantly by 1.22 % (95 % CI 0.08 to 2.35) and 1.44 % (0.04 to 2.84) per month, respectively. Similarly significant increases were observed for the general and female populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with monthly rates rising by 1.43 % (95 % CI 0.75 to 2.12) and 1.75 % (95 % CI 0.13 to 3.37), respectively. These increases more than doubled pre-CCA rates. CONCLUSIONS The incidence rates of CRD diagnoses across Québec appears to have increased following the implementation of the CCA and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings echo public health concerns regarding potential cannabis-related harms and are consistent with previous Canadian studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Martínez
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke - Campus Longueuil, 150 Pl. Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil, QC J4K 0A8, Canada; Centre de Recherche Charles-Le Moyne, 150 Pl. Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil, QC J4K A08, Canada; Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, 6875 Bd LaSalle, Verdun, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, 945 Wolfe Av., Québec, QC G1V 5B3, Canada
| | - Chris Huynh
- Institut Universitaire sur les Dépendances, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et des Services Sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, 950 rue Louvain Est, Montréal, QC H2M 2E8, Canada
| | - Victoria Massamba
- Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, 945 Wolfe Av., Québec, QC G1V 5B3, Canada
| | - Isaora Zefania
- Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, 945 Wolfe Av., Québec, QC G1V 5B3, Canada
| | - Louis Rochette
- Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, 945 Wolfe Av., Québec, QC G1V 5B3, Canada
| | - Helen-Maria Vasiliadis
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke - Campus Longueuil, 150 Pl. Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil, QC J4K 0A8, Canada; Centre de Recherche Charles-Le Moyne, 150 Pl. Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil, QC J4K A08, Canada
| | - José Ignacio Nazif-Munoz
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke - Campus Longueuil, 150 Pl. Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil, QC J4K 0A8, Canada; Centre de Recherche Charles-Le Moyne, 150 Pl. Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil, QC J4K A08, Canada; Institut Universitaire sur les Dépendances, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et des Services Sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, 950 rue Louvain Est, Montréal, QC H2M 2E8, Canada.
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Nykänen S, García-Velázquez R, E Castaneda A, Koponen P, Musta L, Skogberg N. Psychosocial and economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic by sex among migrant populations compared with general Finnish population: a population-based study. Scand J Public Health 2024; 52:360-369. [PMID: 38544303 PMCID: PMC11067388 DOI: 10.1177/14034948241235245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
AIMS To study sex differences in the psychosocial and economic impact of the restrictive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 among the migrant origin and the general population in Finland. METHODS Cross-sectional MigCOVID Survey data (10/2020-2/2021; n=3668) were used. FinHealth 2017 Follow-up Study participants constituted the general population reference group (n=3490). Sex differences in self-perceived impact of the restrictive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 on the psychosocial and economic situation were examined with multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for sociodemographics and self-rated health. RESULTS The migrant origin population had higher odds for reporting weakened economic situation (odds ratio (OR) 5.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.96-7.39), increased loneliness (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.35-2.28), decrease in feelings of hope for the future (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.33-2.19) and increased sleeping difficulties and nightmares (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.34-2.92) than the general population. While the psychosocial and economic impact of COVID-19 was higher in women compared with men in the general population, findings were not fully replicated in the migrant origin population. CONCLUSIONS Individuals of migrant origin faced a higher likelihood of experiencing adverse changes in both psychosocial and economic aspects during the pandemic, suggesting increased vulnerability linked to migrant origin. Additional research is required to delve into the intricate connections among gender, migrant origin, and the impact of COVID-19, aiming to enhance comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors. Vulnerabilities of different population groups should be identified and addressed when planning measures to reduce adverse societal impact in future crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanna Nykänen
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Equality Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Regina García-Velázquez
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Equality Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu E Castaneda
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Equality Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivikki Koponen
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Musta
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Equality Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Natalia Skogberg
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Equality Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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Madden D. Mental health in Ireland during the Covid pandemic: Evidence from two longitudinal surveys. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0279526. [PMID: 38451900 PMCID: PMC10919714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Covid pandemic arrived in Ireland on February 29, 2020. In the following weeks various restrictions were introduced to stem the spread of the disease. Anxiety over the spread of the disease and over the restrictions introduced had an adverse effect upon mental health. This study examines the change in mental health for two groups: young adults aged around 23 at the time of onset of Covid (the 1998 cohort) and a sample of principal carers (PCs) of children who were aged 13 at the onset of Covid (the 2008 cohort). METHODS Data were obtained from the two cohorts of the longitudinal Growing Up In Ireland (GUI) survey. The sample included 1953 young adults (from the 1998 cohort) and 3547 principal carers (from the 2008 cohort). Mental health as measured by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression-8 scale was obtained for the last pre-Covid wave and for the Covid wave (surveyed in December 2020). Observations for which CES-D8 was not available in either pre or post Covid waves were excluded. Post-Covid sampling weights were applied. The change in depression rates was decomposed into a growth and distribution effect using a Shapley decomposition. The socioeconomic gradient of CES-D8 was examined pre and post Covid using concentration indices and a transition matrix was constructed to examine the dynamics of changes in CES-D8 and depression pre and post-Covid. RESULTS Relative to the last pre-Covid survey, mental health, as measured by CES-D8 deteriorated for both the young adults of the 1998 cohort and the PCs of the 2008 cohort. For young adults, the deterioration was more pronounced for females. There was no observable socioeconomic gradient for poor mental health amongst young adults, both pre and post Covid. For mothers from the 2008 cohort, a gradient was observed during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period with poorer mental health status for lower-income and less educated mothers. This gradient was less pronounced post-Covid, the levelling-off arising from a greater deterioration in mental health for higher-income and better-educated PCs. CONCLUSION Both observed cohorts showed a significant deterioration in mental health post Covid. For young adults the effect was significantly more pronounced among females and this is consistent with generally poorer mental health amongst females in this age group. There was little or no socioeconomic gradient observed for young adults, but the gradient became more shallow for principal carers. Care must be taken in terms of drawing policy implications from this study as the Covid-19 pandemic was arguably a unique event, even allowing for the likelihood of future pandemics. However, the study highlights the vulnerability of young adults, especially females, to the mental health effects arising from major public health shocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Madden
- School of Economics, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Zhang Y, Zhao J, Mavoa S, Fenaughty J, Clark TC, Crengle S, Smith M. Impacts of sociodemographic factors, identities and neighbourhood safety on the relationship between urban green space and adolescent mental well-being: Findings from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. SSM Popul Health 2024; 25:101603. [PMID: 38283547 PMCID: PMC10821595 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2024.101603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
This study explored the relationship between green space accessibility (GSA) in residential area and adolescents' mental well-being, and whether the relationship was moderated by sociodemographic factors (sex, ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation), identities (gender and sexuality minority, disability) and perceived neighbourhood safety simultaneously. Data from 3813 adolescents who lived in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand were obtained from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey. A Gaussian-based two-step floating catchment area method was employed to measure the spatial accessibility to green space at the neighbourhood level. The World Health Organization-5 Well-being Index was used to assess emotional well-being (EW), and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-short form was employed to measure depressive symptoms (DS). Through moderation analyses, results showed that perceived neighbourhood safety plays a vital role in the GSA - mental well-being association, with a negative trend in adolescents who reported being less safe in neighbourhoods. Adverse associations of GSA were found in gender and sexuality minority, disabled, Asian and Pacific adolescents, under the condition of not feeling safe in neighbourhoods all the time. The results showed marginalised adolescents tended to feel less safe in neighbourhoods, have lower EW and a higher level of DS. Additionally, the results from bivariate correlations showed there were inequalities in GSA for adolescents who lived in most deprived neighbourhoods and adolescents of Māori ethnicity. This study provides novel evidence of the importance of safe and inclusive green space for effectively promoting mental health and mitigating health inequalities of adolescents in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Zhang
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jinfeng Zhao
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne Mavoa
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - John Fenaughty
- Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Terryann C. Clark
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sue Crengle
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Melody Smith
- School of Nursing, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Chadli S, Nechba Bennis R, Madani N, El Fahime E, Abouqal R, Belayachi J. Psychological Distress Associated with Enforced Hospital Isolation Due to COVID-19 during the "Flatten the Curve" Phase in Morocco: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:548. [PMID: 38470659 PMCID: PMC10930375 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12050548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: although much research has highlighted the mental health challenges faced by patients in hospital isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, data from low-middle-income countries, including Morocco, are lacking. The main objective of this study was to assess the psychological distress of patients undergoing enforced hospital isolation during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco. (2) Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study between 1 April and 1 May 2020, among patients hospitalized in isolation for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 at the Ibn Sina University Hospital of Rabat, Morocco. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Binary logistic regression was performed to identify variables associated with anxiety and depression, with a cutoff of ≥8 used for both scales to create dichotomous variables. (3) Results: among 200 patients, 42.5% and 43% scored above the cut-off points for anxiety and depression, respectively. Multiple logistic regression identified female gender, a higher education level, a longer duration of isolation, and a poor understanding of the reasons for isolation as significant factors associated with anxiety. Conversely, female gender, chronic disease, a longer duration of isolation, and a poor understanding of the reasons for isolation were factors significantly associated with depression. (4) Conclusions: our study underscores high rates of anxiety and depression among patients forced into hospital isolation during the initial phase of COVID-19 in Morocco. We identified several factors associated with patients experiencing psychological distress that may inform future discussions on mental health and psychiatric crisis management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarra Chadli
- Acute Medical Unit, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat 10056, Morocco; (S.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Rhita Nechba Bennis
- Acute Medical Unit, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat 10056, Morocco; (S.C.); (R.A.)
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical, and Epidemiological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Rabat 10100, Morocco
| | - Naoufel Madani
- Acute Medical Unit, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat 10056, Morocco; (S.C.); (R.A.)
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical, and Epidemiological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Rabat 10100, Morocco
| | - ElMostafa El Fahime
- Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics Platform, National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST), Rabat 10000, Morocco
- Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Research Team, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Rabat 10100, Morocco
| | - Redouane Abouqal
- Acute Medical Unit, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat 10056, Morocco; (S.C.); (R.A.)
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical, and Epidemiological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Rabat 10100, Morocco
| | - Jihane Belayachi
- Acute Medical Unit, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat 10056, Morocco; (S.C.); (R.A.)
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical, and Epidemiological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Rabat 10100, Morocco
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Levkovich I, Shinan-Altman S. The influence of emotional reactions and compliance with Ministry of Health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel: a longitudinal study of gender differences. Glob Health Promot 2024:17579759231218004. [PMID: 38293755 DOI: 10.1177/17579759231218004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
This study sought to examine gender differences in emotional reactions and compliance with Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding of these gender-related variations throughout the lockdown periods. A longitudinal study comprising 2509 participants was conducted during two of Israel's lockdowns: 1424 participants completed a questionnaire during the first lockdown (23 April-5 May 2020); of these, 1085 completed a follow-up questionnaire during the second lockdown (September 30-October 10, 2020). Participants exhibited higher levels of compliance with MOH guidelines (e.g., wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing) and knowledge about COVID-19 during the second lockdown, whereas they exhibited more negative emotional reactions during the first lockdown. Female participants scored higher than male participants on all measures. Multiple regression results showed that about 21% of the variance in compliance with MOH guidelines was explained by lockdown type (i.e., first or second), gender, and age, while knowledge and negative emotional reactions added another 19% to the explained variance. The results suggest that the impact of the pandemic on emotional reactions decreased over time, with people exhibiting greater compliance with MOH guidelines and more knowledge about COVID-19. Moreover, the behavioral and psychological impact of the pandemic was greater on women than on men. The results suggest that healthcare professionals should pay more attention to mental health issues during a pandemic. Moreover, policymakers should focus on women as a vulnerable group and suggest appropriate solutions to reduce their emotional distress. Furthermore, governments and employers should provide greater flexibility and support for single mothers during the pandemic. In addition, gender inequality during lockdowns may place women at greater risk of psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inbar Levkovich
- Faculty of Graduate Studies, Oranim Academic College of Education, Tivon, Israel
| | - Shiri Shinan-Altman
- The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Cichoń E, Gawrych M, Kiejna A, Gondek TM, Andrzejewska B, Adamowski T, Kozak K, Mortier P, Alonso J. Predictors of suicidality among Polish university students during COVID-19 pandemic. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2024; 37:43-55. [PMID: 37972975 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The main purpose of the study was to assess university students' mental health and identify factors associated with the risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and distance learning. RECENT FINDINGS The study was conducted in spring 2021 and comprised 10 760 Polish students. The survey employed modified versions of the C-SSRS, CIDI, WHO-5, GAD-7, the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 and CAGE-AID Questionnaire and included questions about panic attacks, COVID-19-related information and sociodemographic characteristics. The correlates of suicidality were examined using a series of logistic regression analyses. Almost 40% students experienced any suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours in the previous month: passive ideations only (15.8%), active ideations only (7.1%), plans without attempts (15%), and attempts (1.4%). Following variables were related to the increased risk for suicide attempts: severe anxiety [odds ratio (OR) = 11.39; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44-90.26], panic attacks (OR = 3.21; 95% CI: 1.75-5.91), and COVID-19 hospitalisation (OR = 11.04; 95% CI: 1.17-104.59). Major depression was associated with passive and active ideations, suicide plans, but not with attempts (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 0.45-4.13). SUMMARY University students present a high level of adverse mental health and increased risk of STBs during COVID-19 pandemic. A suicide prevention program tailored to this population is needed during and after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Cichoń
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Applied Studies, Psychology Research Unit for Public Health, University of Lower Silesia, Wroclaw
| | | | - Andrzej Kiejna
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Applied Studies, Psychology Research Unit for Public Health, University of Lower Silesia, Wroclaw
| | | | - Beata Andrzejewska
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Applied Studies, Psychology Research Unit for Public Health, University of Lower Silesia, Wroclaw
| | - Tomasz Adamowski
- Department of Nervous System Diseases, Faculty of Health Science, Medical University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Karol Kozak
- Medical Faculty, Dresden University of Technology, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Clinic for Neurology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Philippe Mortier
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid
| | - Jordi Alonso
- Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
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Delavar A, Bu JJ, Radha Saseendrakumar B, Weinreb RN, Baxter SL. Gender Disparities in Depression, Stress, and Social Support Among Glaucoma Patients. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:23. [PMID: 38149963 PMCID: PMC10755593 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.12.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To understand differences in measures of depression, stress, and social support by gender among those diagnosed with glaucoma. Methods We obtained a cohort of glaucoma patients (any type) ages 18 years and over who answered the COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE) survey of the NIH All of Us Research Program. We analyzed several measures of depression, stress, and social support by gender. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association among reported stress associated with social distancing, depression (using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] scores), and measures of social support by self-reported gender, with men as the reference group. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, race and ethnicity, health insurance status, education, and income. Results Of 3633 glaucoma patients, 56.8% were women. Many patients had a PHQ-9 score > 4 (33.3%), indicating mild, moderate, or severe depression. In multivariable models, women were significantly more likely to report a PHQ-9 score > 4 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-1.62; P < 0.001) and some or a lot of stress (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.14-1.57; P < 0.001) compared with men. Further, women were significantly less likely to report having help all or most of the time if they needed someone to prepare meals (OR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.92; P = 0.002) or perform daily chores (OR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.67-0.91; P = 0.003) than men. Conclusions Women with glaucoma were more likely to experience depression and stress and were less likely to have social support on some measures than men. Translational Relevance The disproportionate burden of psychosocial factors among women may complicate glaucoma management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Delavar
- Division of Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer J. Bu
- Division of Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Bharanidharan Radha Saseendrakumar
- Division of Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert N. Weinreb
- Division of Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Hamilton Glaucoma Center, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sally L. Baxter
- Division of Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Hamilton Glaucoma Center, Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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12
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Bosma E, Feenstra V, van Oostrom SH. Anxiety among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1236931. [PMID: 38098835 PMCID: PMC10720981 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1236931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare workers faced extreme working conditions and were at higher risk of infection with the coronavirus. These circumstances may have led to mental health problems, such as anxiety, among healthcare workers. Most studies that examined anxiety among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic were cross-sectional and focused on the first months of the pandemic only. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between working in healthcare and anxiety during a long-term period (i.e., 18 months) of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Data were used from online questionnaires of the Lifelines COVID-19 prospective cohort with 22 included time-points (March 2020-November 2021). In total, 2,750 healthcare workers and 9,335 non-healthcare workers were included. Anxiety was assessed with questions from the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and an anxiety sum score (0-7) was calculated. Negative binomial generalized estimating equations (GEE), adjusted for demographic, work and health covariates, were used to examine the association between working in healthcare and anxiety. Results Anxiety sum scores over time during the COVID-19 pandemic were similar for healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. No differences between the anxiety sum scores of healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers were found [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.91-1.04]. Conclusion This study did not find differences between healthcare workers and non-healthcare in perceived anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmee Bosma
- Center for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, Department Behavior and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Verena Feenstra
- Center for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, Department Behavior and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Sandra H. van Oostrom
- Center for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, Department Behavior and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
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13
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Mangot-Sala L, Smidt N, Liefbroer AC. Changes in anxiety and depression symptoms during the Covid-19 lockdown in the Netherlands. The moderating role of pre-existing mental health, employment situation and alcohol consumption. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023; 58:1561-1571. [PMID: 37024616 PMCID: PMC10079151 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02480-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Evidence suggests an increase of depression and anxiety symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic but most studies relied on cross-sectional designs and/or small samples, and they often overlooked subgroup effects in the impact of the lockdown. We investigated the effect of the pandemic on depression and anxiety symptoms, and whether it differed by employment situation and alcohol consumption. METHODS This longitudinal study used 23 waves of the Covid-Questionnaire (April 2020-July 2021), within the Lifelines cohort from the Netherlands (n = 76,254). Depression and anxiety symptoms were combined in a "mental health score". Linear fixed-effects models were fitted to analyse trends in mental health throughout the observation period. The moderating role of pre-existing mental health, employment situation, and alcohol consumption was tested. RESULTS Depression and anxiety symptoms fluctuated considerably during the observation period, with clear peaks in winter 2021, during the strictest lockdown period. Moreover, temporal patterns differed by employment situation and alcohol consumption patterns, suggesting that various subgroups reacted to the pandemic and the lockdown in different ways. CONCLUSION Lockdowns increased depression and anxiety symptoms in the Netherlands. The effect was particularly strong for unemployed individuals, those with risky alcohol consumption patterns and those with pre-existing mental health disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lluís Mangot-Sala
- Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)-Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences (KNAW), Lange Houtstraat 19, 2511 CV, The Hague, The Netherlands.
- Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen (RUG), Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Nynke Smidt
- Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen (RUG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Aart C Liefbroer
- Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)-Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences (KNAW), Lange Houtstraat 19, 2511 CV, The Hague, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen (RUG), Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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14
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Kang M, Yu S, Choe SA, Moon D, Ki M, Chun BC. Gender Inequalities in Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-based Study in Korea. J Prev Med Public Health 2023; 56:413-421. [PMID: 37735833 PMCID: PMC10579638 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.23.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study explored the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on psychosocial stress in prime working-age individuals in Korea, focusing on gender inequalities. We hypothesized that the impact of COVID-19 on mental health would differ by age and gender, with younger women potentially demonstrating heightened vulnerability relative to men. METHODS The study involved data from the Korea Community Health Survey and included 319 592 adults aged 30 years to 49 years. We employed log-binomial regression analysis, controlling for variables including age, education, employment status, marital status, and the presence of children. The study period included 3 phases: the period prior to the COVID-19 outbreak (pre-COVID-19), the early pandemic, and the period following the introduction of vaccinations (post-vaccination). RESULTS The findings indicated that women were at a heightened risk of psychosocial stress during the early pandemic (relative risk [RR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.05) and post-vaccination period (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.10) compared to men. This pattern was prominent in urban women aged 30-34 years (pre-COVID-19: RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10; early pandemic: RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.25; post-vaccination period, RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.31). CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted unequal impacts on psychosocial stress among prime working-age individuals in Korea, with women, particularly those in urban areas, experiencing a heightened risk. The findings highlight the importance of addressing gender-specific needs and implementing appropriate interventions to mitigate the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minku Kang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Public Health, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sarah Yu
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
- Transdisciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Department of Healthcare Sciences, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Ah Choe
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Public Health, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
- Graduate School of Public Health, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Daseul Moon
- Center for Labour and Health, People’s Health Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myung Ki
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Public Health, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
- Graduate School of Public Health, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Byung Chul Chun
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Public Health, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
- Graduate School of Public Health, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
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15
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Barbalat G, Tanguy Melac A, Zante E, Haesebaert F, Franck N. Predictors of mental well-being over the first lockdown period due to the COVID-19 pandemic in France. A repeated cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1234023. [PMID: 37701911 PMCID: PMC10493269 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1234023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Numerous studies have investigated the positive and negative effects of potential predictors of well-being during lockdowns due to COVID-19. Yet, little is known on whether these effects significantly changed with time spent in lockdown. In the current study, we described the association of mental well-being with a large number of background characteristics (e.g., socio-demographic or health-related factors), COVID-related factors, and coping strategies, over the duration of the first lockdown due to COVID-19 in France. Methods A nationwide online survey was conducted over 7 of the 8 weeks of the 1st lockdown in France, i.e., from 25 March 2020 to 10 May 2020. The level of mental well-being was reported using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). We also measured various background characteristics (e.g., age, sex, education, health issues), COVID-related factors (e.g., health and economic risks, agreement with lockdown), and coping strategies. Our analytical strategy enabled us to disentangle effects aggregated over the study period from those that linearly vary with time spent in lockdown. Results Our final dataset included 18,957 participants. The level of mental well-being dropped gradually from the third to the eighth week of lockdown [49.7 (sd 7.9) to 45.5 (sd 10.6)]. Time in lockdown was associated with a decrease in well-being (for each additional 10 days of lockdown: B = -0.30, 95%CI: -0.62, -0.15). Factors that showed significantly negative and positive effects on well-being as time in lockdown progressed were (for each additional 10 days of lockdown): having current psychiatric problems (B = -0.37; 95%CI: -0.63, -0.04), worries about having access to personal protective equipment (B = -0.09; 95%CI: -0.18, -0.01), coping by having positive beliefs about the future of the pandemics (B = 0.29; 95%CI: 0.04, 0.62), being supported by neighbors (B = 0.24; 95%CI: 0.04, 0.44), and being involved in collective actions (B = 0.23; 95%CI: 0.04, 0.46). Discussion Participants from our sample saw a drop in their mental well-being throughout the first period of COVID-19 lockdown. Policymakers should be mindful of factors contributing to greater deterioration of mental well-being over time, such as having current psychiatric issues. Promoting collective actions and local support from neighbors may alleviate the deterioration of mental well-being over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Barbalat
- Centre Ressource de Réhabilitation Psychosociale, Centre hospitalier Le Vinatier, Bron, France
- UMR 5229, CNRS and Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Pôle Centre rive gauche, Centre hospitalier Le Vinatier, Bron, France
| | | | - Elodie Zante
- Centre Ressource de Réhabilitation Psychosociale, Centre hospitalier Le Vinatier, Bron, France
| | - Frédéric Haesebaert
- Centre Ressource de Réhabilitation Psychosociale, Centre hospitalier Le Vinatier, Bron, France
- PSYR2, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, CRNL, Université de Lyon, UCBL, Lyon, France
| | - Nicolas Franck
- Centre Ressource de Réhabilitation Psychosociale, Centre hospitalier Le Vinatier, Bron, France
- UMR 5229, CNRS and Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Pôle Centre rive gauche, Centre hospitalier Le Vinatier, Bron, France
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16
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Tian Y, Zhan Y, Wu M. Gender Differences in Migrant Workers Health in China. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1605018. [PMID: 37655264 PMCID: PMC10467421 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1605018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the distribution and differences in the health status of migrant workers in China by gender and age. In addition, it investigated the causes of health inequalities among them. Methods: This paper analyzes the differences in health status across age groups for migrant workers of different genders based on the data from the China Migrant Dynamic Survey in 2018. It also empirically assesses how education level and health insurance impact gender-related health inequalities. Results: The results suggest that female migrant workers in China have significantly lower health levels than males. Furthermore, these differences in health are exacerbated with age. This disparity may be attributed to lower participation in social insurance participation and less educational attainment among female migrant workers than their male counterparts. Conclusion: The government should take effective practical measures to increase the social insurance participation rate of female migrant workers. Moreover, investing in female education to reduce health inequality among migrant workers is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Min Wu
- Department of Labour and Social Security, School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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17
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Cermakova P, Fryčová B, Novák D, Kuklová M, Wolfová K, Kučera M, Janoušková M, Pekara J, Šeblová J, Seblova D. Depression in healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: results from Czech arm of HEROES Study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12430. [PMID: 37528158 PMCID: PMC10394070 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39735-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The pandemic due to COVID-19 brought new risks for depression of health care workers, which may have differently influenced men and women. We aimed to investigate (1) whether health care workers in Czechia experienced an increase in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) which factors contributed the most to this change, and (3) whether the magnitude of the associations differed by gender. We studied 2564 participants of the Czech arm of the international COVID-19 HEalth caRe wOrkErS (HEROES) Study. Online questionnaire was administered to health care workers in summer 2020 (wave 0) and spring 2021 (wave 1). Depression was defined by reaching 10 or more points on the Patient Health Questionnaire. Logistic regression investigated the association of participant´s characteristics with depression and multivariable decomposition for non-linear models assessed, to what extent the characteristic explained the change in depression occurrence. The prevalence of depression increased twice during the pandemic (11% in wave 0 and 22% in wave 1). Stress accounted for 50% of the difference, experience of death due to COVID-19 for 15% and contact with COVID-19 patients for 14%. Greater resilience and sufficient personal protective equipment were strongly associated with lower occurrence of depression. The protective association of resilience with depression was stronger in men than in women. We conclude that interventions to promote mental health of health care workers in future health crisis should aim at decreasing stress and enhancing resilience. They should be delivered especially to individuals who have contact with the affected patients and may face their death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavla Cermakova
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czechia.
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.
| | - Barbora Fryčová
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czechia
| | - David Novák
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czechia
| | - Marie Kuklová
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czechia
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, Charles University Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Katrin Wolfová
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czechia
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Matěj Kučera
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czechia
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Miroslava Janoušková
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | | | - Jana Šeblová
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czechia
- Paediatric Emergency Department, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Dominika Seblova
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czechia
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18
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van Gelder NE, Ligthart SA, van Rosmalen-Nooijens KA, Prins JB, Oertelt-Prigione S. Effectiveness of the SAFE eHealth Intervention for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse: Randomized Controlled Trial, Quantitative Process Evaluation, and Open Feasibility Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e42641. [PMID: 37368485 DOI: 10.2196/42641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA) is a pervasive societal issue that impacts many women globally. Web-based help options are becoming increasingly available and have the ability to eliminate certain barriers in help seeking for IPVA, especially in improving accessibility. OBJECTIVE This study focused on the quantitative evaluation of the SAFE eHealth intervention for women IPVA survivors. METHODS A total of 198 women who experienced IPVA participated in a randomized controlled trial and quantitative process evaluation. Participants were largely recruited on the internet and signed up through self-referral. They were allocated (blinded for the participants) to (1) the intervention group (N=99) with access to a complete version of a help website containing 4 modules on IPVA, support options, mental health, and social support, and with interactive components such as a chat, or (2) the limited-intervention control group (N=99). Data were gathered about self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, and multiple feasibility aspects. The primary outcome was self-efficacy at 6 months. The process evaluation focused on themes, such as ease of use and feeling helped. In an open feasibility study (OFS; N=170), we assessed demand, implementation, and practicality. All data for this study were collected through web-based self-report questionnaires and automatically registered web-based data such as page visits and amount of logins. RESULTS We found no significant difference over time between groups for self-efficacy, depression, anxiety, fear of partner, awareness, and perceived support. However, both study arms showed significantly decreased scores for anxiety and fear of partner. Most participants in both groups were satisfied, but the intervention group showed significantly higher scores for suitability and feeling helped. However, we encountered high attrition for the follow-up surveys. Furthermore, the intervention was positively evaluated on multiple feasibility aspects. The average amount of logins did not significantly differ between the study arms, but participants in the intervention arm did spend significantly more time on the website. An increase in registrations during the OFS (N=170) was identified: the mean amount of registrations per month was 13.2 during the randomized controlled trial and 56.7 during the OFS. CONCLUSIONS Our findings did not show a significant difference in outcomes between the extensive SAFE intervention and the limited-intervention control group. It is, however, difficult to quantify the real contribution of the interactive components, as the control group also had access to a limited version of the intervention for ethical reasons. Both groups were satisfied with the intervention they received, with the intervention study arm significantly more so than the control study arm. Integrated and multilayered approaches are needed to aptly quantify the impact of web-based IPVA interventions for survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION Netherlands Trial Register NL7108 NTR7313; https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NTR7313.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E van Gelder
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Suzanne A Ligthart
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Karin Awl van Rosmalen-Nooijens
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Judith B Prins
- Department of Medical Psychology, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sabine Oertelt-Prigione
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Arbeitsgruppe 10 Sex- and Gender-sensitive Medicine, Medical Faculty Ostwestfalen-Lippe, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
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19
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Ten Have M, Tuithof M, van Dorsselaer S, Schouten F, Luik AI, de Graaf R. Prevalence and trends of common mental disorders from 2007-2009 to 2019-2022: results from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Studies (NEMESIS), including comparison of prevalence rates before vs. during the COVID-19 pandemic. World Psychiatry 2023; 22:275-285. [PMID: 37159351 PMCID: PMC10168151 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Up-to-date information on the prevalence and trends of common mental disorders is relevant to health care policy and planning, owing to the high burden associated with these disorders. In the first wave of the third Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS-3), a nationally representative sample was interviewed face-to-face from November 2019 to March 2022 (6,194 subjects; 1,576 interviewed before and 4,618 during the COVID-19 pandemic; age range: 18-75 years). A slightly modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0 was used to assess DSM-IV and DSM-5 diagnoses. Trends in 12-month prevalence rates of DSM-IV mental disorders were examined by comparing these rates between NEMESIS-3 and NEMESIS-2 (6,646 subjects; age range: 18-64 years; interviewed from November 2007 to July 2009). Lifetime DSM-5 prevalence estimates in NEMESIS-3 were 28.6% for anxiety disorders, 27.6% for mood disorders, 16.7% for substance use disorders, and 3.6% for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Over the last 12 months, prevalence rates were 15.2%, 9.8%, 7.1%, and 3.2%, respectively. No differences in 12-month prevalence rates before vs. during the COVID-19 pandemic were found (26.7% pre-pandemic vs. 25.7% during the pandemic), even after controlling for differences in socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents interviewed in these two periods. This was the case for all four disorder categories. From 2007-2009 to 2019-2022, the 12-month prevalence rate of any DSM-IV disorder significantly increased from 17.4% to 26.1%. A stronger increase in prevalence was found for students, younger adults (18-34 years) and city dwellers. These data suggest that the prevalence of mental disorders has increased in the past decade, but this is not explained by the COVID-19 pandemic. The already high mental disorder risk of young adults has particularly further increased in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margreet Ten Have
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marlous Tuithof
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia van Dorsselaer
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frederiek Schouten
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie I Luik
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute), Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ron de Graaf
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute), Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Alarcão V, Candeias P, Stefanovska-Petkovska M, Pintassilgo S, Machado FL, Virgolino A, Santos O. Mental Health and Well-Being of Migrant Populations in Portugal Two Years after the COVID-19 Pandemic. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:422. [PMID: 37232659 PMCID: PMC10215427 DOI: 10.3390/bs13050422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In Portugal, like in other European countries, the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated the risk of poverty and social exclusion faced by migrants. This study aimed to assess mental health and well-being, and their social determinants, among Brazilian and Cape Verdean immigrant populations two years after the COVID-19 pandemic while exploring the role of positive psychological factors such as resilience and perceived social support. We conducted a cross-sectional survey combining online and face-to-face questionnaires for data collection between February and November 2022 on dimensions of mental health considered potentially relevant to the post-pandemic context: psychological distress, anxiety, and depression. Overall, 604 immigrants were included (322 Brazilian and 282 Cape Verdean); 58.5% of those surveyed were women and 41.5% were men. The results revealed that gender (being a woman) was associated with both psychological distress and depression, higher education was associated with anxiety, and that, for the three mental health dimensions under analysis, the perception of discrimination and resilience were negative and positive predictors, respectively. Findings can inform the design and implementation of relevant public mental health promotion programs with a focus on equity targeted to the general population. Such programs would help to address the psychological and social impacts of this long-term, insidious global pandemic that has challenged governments, health care systems, health care professionals, individuals, families, and communities worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Alarcão
- Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Iscte—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Candeias
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Iscte—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miodraga Stefanovska-Petkovska
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sónia Pintassilgo
- Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Iscte—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fernando Luís Machado
- Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Iscte—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Virgolino
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Osvaldo Santos
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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Witteveen AB, Young SY, Cuijpers P, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Barbui C, Bertolini F, Cabello M, Cadorin C, Downes N, Franzoi D, Gasior M, Gray B, Melchior M, van Ommeren M, Palantza C, Purgato M, van der Waerden J, Wang S, Sijbrandij M. COVID-19 and common mental health symptoms in the early phase of the pandemic: An umbrella review of the evidence. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004206. [PMID: 37098048 PMCID: PMC10129001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There remains uncertainty about the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on mental health. This umbrella review provides a comprehensive overview of the association between the pandemic and common mental disorders. We qualitatively summarized evidence from reviews with meta-analyses of individual study-data in the general population, healthcare workers, and specific at-risk populations. METHODS AND FINDINGS A systematic search was carried out in 5 databases for peer-reviewed systematic reviews with meta-analyses of prevalence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the pandemic published between December 31, 2019 until August 12, 2022. We identified 123 reviews of which 7 provided standardized mean differences (SMDs) either from longitudinal pre- to during pandemic study-data or from cross-sectional study-data compared to matched pre-pandemic data. Methodological quality rated with the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews checklist scores (AMSTAR 2) instrument was generally low to moderate. Small but significant increases of depression, anxiety, and/or general mental health symptoms were reported in the general population, in people with preexisting physical health conditions, and in children (3 reviews; SMDs ranged from 0.11 to 0.28). Mental health and depression symptoms significantly increased during periods of social restrictions (1 review; SMDs of 0.41 and 0.83, respectively) but anxiety symptoms did not (SMD: 0.26). Increases of depression symptoms were generally larger and longer-lasting during the pandemic (3 reviews; SMDs depression ranged from 0.16 to 0.23) than those of anxiety (2 reviews: SMDs 0.12 and 0.18). Females showed a significantly larger increase in anxiety symptoms than males (1 review: SMD 0.15). In healthcare workers, people with preexisting mental disorders, any patient group, children and adolescents, and in students, no significant differences from pre- to during pandemic were found (2 reviews; SMD's ranging from -0.16 to 0.48). In 116 reviews pooled cross-sectional prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms ranged from 9% to 48% across populations. Although heterogeneity between studies was high and largely unexplained, assessment tools and cut-offs used, age, sex or gender, and COVID-19 exposure factors were found to be moderators in some reviews. The major limitations are the inability to quantify and explain the high heterogeneity across reviews included and the shortage of within-person data from multiple longitudinal studies. CONCLUSIONS A small but consistent deterioration of mental health and particularly depression during early pandemic and during social restrictions has been found in the general population and in people with chronic somatic disorders. Also, associations between mental health and the pandemic were stronger in females and younger age groups than in others. Explanatory individual-level, COVID-19 exposure, and time-course factors were scarce and showed inconsistencies across reviews. For policy and research, repeated assessments of mental health in population panels including vulnerable individuals are recommended to respond to current and future health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke B. Witteveen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susanne Y. Young
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- South African PTSD Research Programme of Excellence, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - José Luis Ayuso-Mateos
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Mental Health Services at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Bertolini
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Cabello
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Mental Health Services at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Camilla Cadorin
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Naomi Downes
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale, Paris, France
| | - Daniele Franzoi
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michael Gasior
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Brandon Gray
- World Health Organization, Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Melchior
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale, Paris, France
| | - Mark van Ommeren
- World Health Organization, Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christina Palantza
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marianna Purgato
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Judith van der Waerden
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale, Paris, France
| | - Siyuan Wang
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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22
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Newlove‐Delgado T, Russell AE, Mathews F, Cross L, Bryant E, Gudka R, Ukoumunne OC, Ford TJ. Annual Research Review: The impact of Covid-19 on psychopathology in children and young people worldwide: systematic review of studies with pre- and within-pandemic data. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2023; 64:611-640. [PMID: 36421049 PMCID: PMC10952503 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high volume and pace of research has posed challenges to researchers, policymakers and practitioners wanting to understand the overall impact of the pandemic on children and young people's mental health. We aimed to search for and review the evidence from epidemiological studies to answer the question: how has mental health changed in the general population of children and young people? METHODS Four databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsychINFO) were searched in October 2021, with searches updated in February 2022. We aimed to identify studies of children or adolescents with a mean age of 18 years or younger at baseline, that reported change on a validated mental health measure from prepandemic to during the pandemic. Abstracts and full texts were double-screened against inclusion criteria and quality assessed using a risk of bias tool. Studies were narratively synthesised, and meta-analyses were performed where studies were sufficiently similar. RESULTS 6917 records were identified, and 51 studies included in the review. Only four studies had a rating of high quality. Studies were highly diverse in terms of design, setting, timing in relation to the pandemic, population, length of follow-up and choice of measure. Methodological heterogeneity limited the potential to conduct meta-analyses across studies. Whilst the evidence suggested a slight deterioration on some measures, overall, the findings were mixed, with no clear pattern emerging. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the need for a more harmonised approach to research in this field. Despite the sometimes-inconsistent results of our included studies, the evidence supports existing concerns about the impact of Covid-19 on children's mental health and on services for this group, given that even small changes can have a significant impact on provision at population level. Children and young people must be prioritised in pandemic recovery, and explicitly considered in planning for any future pandemic response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Frances Mathews
- University of Exeter Medical SchoolUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Lauren Cross
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Eleanor Bryant
- University of Exeter Medical SchoolUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Rebecca Gudka
- University of Exeter Medical SchoolUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Obioha C. Ukoumunne
- University of Exeter Medical SchoolUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC)ExeterUK
| | - Tamsin J. Ford
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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23
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Pasha H, Omidvar S, Faramarzi M, Bakhtiari A. Depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD symptoms during the first and second COVID-19 waves: a comparison of elderly, middle-aged, and young people in Iran. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:190. [PMID: 36949444 PMCID: PMC10033301 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04677-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A widespread outbreak of epidemics like Covid-19 is a lethal threat to physical and mental health. Recent studies reported a higher prevalence of mental problems in younger individuals, contrary to the general assumption expected in older people. Therefore, it is necessary to compare anxiety, stress, depression and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) symptoms in different age groups during the Covid-19 crisis. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was performed (from Dec. 2020 to Feb. 2021) on three age groups of elderly, middle-aged and young people. Data were collected by DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) and IES-R (Impact of Event Revised Scale) and analyzed using ANOVA, χ2 test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Overall, 601 participants completed the questionnaires, including 23.3% of the elderly (≥ 60 years), 29.5% of the young (18-29 years) and 47.3% of the middle-aged (30-59 years) with 71.4% of women. The logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of PTSD in young people was higher than in the elderly (β = 2.242, CI: 1.03-4.87, P = 0.041), while the risk of depression, anxiety and stress did not differ significantly among the three age groups. Female gender, occupation, lower economic status, solitary life, and chronic disease were risk factors for psychological symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION Findings on the higher odds ratio of PTSD symptoms in younger individuals have interestingly potential implications to meet the needs of mental health services during Covid-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Pasha
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Shabnam Omidvar
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mahbobeh Faramarzi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Bakhtiari
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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24
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Bonfrate L, Di Ciaula A, Khalil M, Farella I, Chirico R, Vilahur G, Portincasa P. Gender-dependent impact of COVID-19 lockdown on metabolic and psychological aspects. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:385-395. [PMID: 36703077 PMCID: PMC9879743 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03173-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The first COVID-19 lockdown resulted in enforced quarantine of heavily affected areas with social isolation and related measures by several governments to slow the spread of the disease. The general population experienced several mental and lifestyle changes. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the metabolic and psychological effects induced by lifestyle changes during COVID-19 self-isolation among an Apulian overweight/obese cohort with metabolic disturbances. The study assessed anthropometric data (weight, abdominal circumferences), dietary habits (adherence to the Mediterranean diet, junk food score), lifestyle habits (i.e., smoking, and physical activity), levels of stress and anxiety, and depression. Subjects underwent bioumoral exams before and after self-isolation to monitor glycemic and lipid profiles. A total of 245 subjects (M:F = 118:127) have been included in the study. After lockdown, the number of obese subjects significantly increased in both sexes, and was higher in females than in males (P < 0.0001). Glycemic and lipid profiles worsened, with higher levels of insulinemia, lower levels of HDL cholesterol, and higher levels of triglycerides in females than in males. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and consumption of junk foods were altered in both groups, especially in females. Psychological aspects were significantly higher in females than in males. Finally, work activities and familial status strongly affected the metabolic and psychological profile. In conclusion, COVID-19 self-isolation induced changes in lifestyle and dietary habits with psychological distress and detrimental effects on metabolic patterns, which were more pronounced in female gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonilde Bonfrate
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinica Medica A. Murri, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Agostino Di Ciaula
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinica Medica A. Murri, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Mohamad Khalil
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinica Medica A. Murri, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Farella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinica Medica A. Murri, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Chirico
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinica Medica A. Murri, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gemma Vilahur
- Research Institute, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- CiberCV, Instituto Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinica Medica A. Murri, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
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25
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Profiles of socially isolated community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent class analysis. Maturitas 2023; 171:1-6. [PMID: 36863186 PMCID: PMC9941310 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify different profiles of socially isolated older adults during the first wave of COVID-19 in Quebec, Canada. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional data were obtained through a telehealth socio-geriatric risk assessment tool, ESOGER, administered to adults aged 70 years or more between April and July 2020 in Montreal, Canada. MEASURES Those living alone with no social contacts in the last few days were considered socially isolated. Latent class analysis was performed to identify profiles of socially isolated older adults based on: age, sex, polypharmacy, use of home care, use of a walking aid, recall of current year/month, anxiety level (scale 0-10), and need for follow-up from a healthcare provider. RESULTS Three-hundred and eighty (380) older adults identified as socially isolated were analyzed, of whom 75.5 % were female and 56.6 % were over 85. Three classes were identified: Class 1 ("physically frail older females") had the highest proportion of polypharmacy, walking aid, and home care use. Class 2 ("anxious, relatively younger males") were predominantly males who used the least home care but had the highest anxiety levels. Class 3 ("seemingly well older females") had the highest proportion of females, lowest proportion of polypharmacy, lowest anxiety level, and none used a walking aid. Recall of current year/month was similar across the three classes. CONCLUSIONS This study found heterogeneity among socially isolated older adults during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with varying levels of physical and mental health. Our findings may contribute to the development of targeted interventions to support this vulnerable population during and after the pandemic.
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26
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Josman N, Atiya Y, Dagan T, Issa E, Demeter N. Assessing Functional Cognition and Health During COVID-19 Pandemic: Gender Differences Among Community-Dwelling Adults. J Prim Care Community Health 2023; 14:21501319231218801. [PMID: 38097506 PMCID: PMC10725103 DOI: 10.1177/21501319231218801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic has long-term implications for adult health and function, whether or not people were infected with the disease. Although cognitive disruptions are among the major symptoms of COVID-19, most research focused on managing medical symptoms, such as respiratory symptoms or pain. Thus, less is known about the pandemic's long-term implications for assessing functional cognition. This study aimed to examine COVID-19's effects on community-dwelling adults' functional cognition and health, comparing gender differences. METHODS This cross-sectional study divided 118 community-dwelling adults (25 previously infected with COVID-19) into gender groups. Primary outcome measures included the Daily Living Questionnaire (DLQ) and short form health status survey, SF-12. RESULTS No significant differences were found in functional cognition or health between participants who had contracted COVID-19 and those who remained healthy, but men had better functional cognition and health measures in comparison with women. CONCLUSIONS Gender differences in functional cognition and health state may relate to gender-based family roles. It is essential to assess functional cognition of young adults who were exposed to a pandemic, such as COVID-19, because it may significantly affect their health and functional status. The DLQ is a reliable, valid assessment of functional cognition that may suit individuals who previously contracted COVID-19.
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27
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Mental toll on working women during the COVID-19 pandemic: An exploratory study using Reddit data. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280049. [PMID: 36649225 PMCID: PMC9844921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment associated with increased anxiety, stress, and loneliness impacting the well-being of various groups of people (based on gender and age). Given the increased unemployment rate, this study intends to understand if the different dimensions of well-being change across age and gender. By quantifying sentiment, stress, and loneliness with natural language processing tools and one-way, between-group multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) using Reddit data, we assessed the differences in well-being characteristics for age groups and gender. We see a noticeable increase in the number of mental health-related subreddits for younger women since March 2020 and the trigger words used by them indicate poor mental health caused by relationship and career challenges posed by the pandemic. The MANOVA results show that women under 30 have significantly (p = 0.05) higher negative sentiment, stress, and loneliness levels than other age and gender groups. The results suggest that younger women express their vulnerability on social media more strongly than older women or men. The huge disruption of job routines caused by COVID-19 alongside inadequate relief and benefit programs has wrecked the economy and forced millions of women and families to the edge of bankruptcy. Women had to choose between being home managers and financial providers due to the countrywide shutdown of schools and day-cares. These findings open opportunities to reconsider how policy supports women's responsibilities.
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28
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Zila-Velasque JP, Grados-Espinoza P, Coba-Villan N, Quispe-Chamorro J, Taipe-Guillén YF, Pacheco E, Ccasa-Valero L, Failoc-Rojas VE, Díaz-Vélez C, Valladares-Garrido MJ. Mental Disorders and Level of Resilience in Eight High-Altitude Cities of Peru during the Second Pandemic Wave: A Multicenter Population-Based Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:519. [PMID: 36612841 PMCID: PMC9819186 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has led us to take preventive measures, such as social isolation, to reduce the high transmissibility of the disease. This could have affected the mental health of various population groups and the development of resilience as a mitigator. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with 700 participants from eight cities. The dependent variables were depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The independent variable was resilience. Generalized logistic regressions were used to identify the associations between the variables. The population consisted mostly of university students (65.0%); the rest of the population was distributed among workers of public or private institutions, housewives, and others (35.0%). High prevalences of anxiety (72.7%), depression (64.1%), and PTSD (15.1%) were found, as well as a median (interquartile range) resilience score of 24 points was determined. Factors associated with a high prevalence of PTSD were having lost employment and having a family member who died from COVID-19. For depression, associated factors were severe food insecurity and hypersomnia. For anxiety, associated factors were were having a deceased family member with COVID-19 and mild food insecurity. Our results show that, during the pandemic, the general population had a higher prevalence of mental disorders. In addition, anxiety was the most prevalent of the dependent variables. Special attention should be paid to the factors influencing the development of mental disorders and mental health prevention and promotion programs should be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Pierre Zila-Velasque
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión, Pasco 19001, Peru
- Red Latinoamericana de Medicina en la Altitud e Investigación (REDLAMAI), Pasco 19001, Peru
| | - Pamela Grados-Espinoza
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión, Pasco 19001, Peru
- Red Latinoamericana de Medicina en la Altitud e Investigación (REDLAMAI), Pasco 19001, Peru
| | - Naomi Coba-Villan
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca, Cajamarca 06001, Peru
| | | | - Yesenia F. Taipe-Guillén
- Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional San Cristóbal de Huamanga, Ayacucho 05003, Peru
| | - Estefany Pacheco
- Escuela de Medicina Humana, Universidad Continental, Junin 12000, Peru
| | - Laura Ccasa-Valero
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno 21001, Peru
| | - Virgilio E. Failoc-Rojas
- Unidad de Generación y Síntesis de Evidencia, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima 15024, Peru
| | - Cristian Díaz-Vélez
- School of Medicine, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Trujillo 13008, Peru
- Oficina de Inteligencia Sanitaria, Hospital Nacional Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo, EsSalud, Chiclayo 14001, Peru
| | - Mario J. Valladares-Garrido
- South American Center for Education and Research in Public Health, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima 15046, Peru
- Oficina de Epidemiología, Hospital Regional Lambayeque, Chiclayo 14012, Peru
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29
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Mensi MM, Iacopelli M, Orlandi M, Capone L, Rogantini C, Vecchio A, Casini E, Borgatti R. Psychiatric symptoms and emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian adolescents during the third lockdown: a cross-sectional cohort study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20901. [PMID: 36463342 PMCID: PMC9719459 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25358-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A previous study showed that about 80% of Italian adolescents reported isolated symptoms of acute or post-traumatic stress during the first lockdown in Italy. We proposed a new questionnaire to investigate the presence of symptoms related to anxiety, panic, depression, eating disorders, sleep disorders, social withdrawal, stress disorders, psychotic symptoms, anti-conservative thoughts, and self-harming acts aggravated by COVID-19 restrictions and possible differences between males and females. 500 adolescents (12-18 years) completed an online survey created using validated scales. 41% of the respondents felt more stress than during the first lockdown. 1.85% showed suprathreshold symptoms for post-traumatic stress disorder and 21% showed isolated symptoms of acute or post-traumatic stress due to the pandemic. In addition, we found psychotic symptoms (16%), panic (25% suprathreshold), anxiety (46.8% suprathreshold), depression (18.7% suprathreshold), eating-related symptoms (51%), sleep difficulties (57%), a tendency to social withdrawal after the pandemic (15%), suicidal ideation (30%), and self-harming behavior (9%). Furthermore, girls showed a more severe level of distress. The results show a high prevalence of symptoms because of the COVID-19 pandemic and confirm the need for easy access to support and treatment service to help contain the bio-psycho-social risk factors prompted by the current pandemic and promptly and effectively manage the consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Maria Mensi
- grid.419416.f0000 0004 1760 3107Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy ,grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Marta Iacopelli
- grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Marika Orlandi
- grid.419416.f0000 0004 1760 3107Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Capone
- grid.419416.f0000 0004 1760 3107Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Chiara Rogantini
- grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Arianna Vecchio
- grid.419416.f0000 0004 1760 3107Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Erica Casini
- grid.419416.f0000 0004 1760 3107Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy ,grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Borgatti
- grid.419416.f0000 0004 1760 3107Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy ,grid.8982.b0000 0004 1762 5736Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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del‐Valle MV, López‐Morales H, Gelpi‐Trudo R, Poó FM, García MJ, Yerro‐Avincetto M, Andrés ML, Canet‐Juric L, Urquijo S. More than a year of pandemic: Longitudinal assessment of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the argentine general population during the COVID-19 outbreak. Stress Health 2022; 38:1070-1079. [PMID: 35574626 PMCID: PMC9348304 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed daily life and the way we interact with others. It has also brought negative psychological consequences: several studies have reported increased levels of distress symptomatology at the onset of the pandemic. However, few longitudinal studies have been carried out, and even fewer in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse longitudinally the anxiety and depressive symptomatology of the Argentine general population during the first 13 months of the pandemic. The total sample included 988 adults (ages 18-77) from different regions of Argentina. Open-access surveys were distributed via social media at five time points (March, April, May, August 2020 and April 2021). Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed through the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Mixed repeated-measures ANOVA were applied, with time as a within-subjects factor, and socioeconomic status, gender, and age group as between-subjects factors. Results showed a progressive increases in anxiety (F (27.78, 3417.60) = 62.88, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.060) and depression (F (3.42, 3373.75) = 84.78, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.079) symptoms in the general population throughout the pandemic (except for a slight decrease in anxiety in Wave 2). All of the between-subjects factors showed significant effects on both types of symptoms: female gender, younger age and lower income were associated with greater depression and anxiety in all waves. A time-age interaction effect was found (F (10.26, 3364.05) = 2.99, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.009): after the third wave, depressive symptoms tended to decrease or stabilise in the young adult group, whereas there was a positive linear increase in the older groups. This study provided evidence that anxiety and depression symptoms tend to increase during crisis contexts, and that this effect is even more pronounced for certain vulnerable population groups. Mental health monitoring and support interventions should be included in government strategies to deal with the long-term impact of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hernán López‐Morales
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT‐UNMDP‐CONICET)Mar del PlataArgentina
| | - Rosario Gelpi‐Trudo
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT‐UNMDP‐CONICET)Mar del PlataArgentina
| | - Fernando Martín Poó
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT‐UNMDP‐CONICET)Mar del PlataArgentina
| | - Matías Jonás García
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT‐UNMDP‐CONICET)Mar del PlataArgentina
| | - Matías Yerro‐Avincetto
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT‐UNMDP‐CONICET)Mar del PlataArgentina
| | - María Laura Andrés
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT‐UNMDP‐CONICET)Mar del PlataArgentina
| | - Lorena Canet‐Juric
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT‐UNMDP‐CONICET)Mar del PlataArgentina
| | - Sebastián Urquijo
- Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (IPSIBAT‐UNMDP‐CONICET)Mar del PlataArgentina
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Silva MVR, de Castro MV, Passos-Bueno MR, Otto PA, Naslavsky MS, Zatz M. Men are the main COVID-19 transmitters: behavior or biology? DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 2:1. [PMID: 35174362 PMCID: PMC8785017 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-022-00004-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background COVID-19 has affected millions of people worldwide. Clinical manifestations range from severe cases with lethal outcome to mild or asymptomatic cases. Although the proportion of infected individuals does not differ between sexes, men are more susceptible to severe COVID-19, with a higher risk of death than women. Also, men are pointed out as more lax regarding protective measures, mask wearing and vaccination. Thus, we questioned whether sex-bias may be explained by biological pathways and/or behavioral aspects or both. Methods Between July 2020 and July 2021, we performed an epidemiological survey including 1744 unvaccinated adult Brazilian couples, with there was at least one infected symptomatic member, who were living together during the COVID-19 infection without protective measures. Presence or absence of infection was confirmed by RT-PCR and/or serology results. Couples were divided into two groups: (1) both partners were infected (concordant couples) and (2) one partner was infected and the spouse remained asymptomatic despite the close contact with the COVID-19 symptomatic partner (discordant couples). Statistical analysis of the collected data was performed aiming to verify a differential transmission potential between genders in couples keeping contact without protective measures. Results The combination of our collected data showed that the man is the first (or the only) affected member in most cases when compared to women and that this difference may be explained by biological and behavioral factors. Conclusions The present study confirmed the existence of gender differences not only for susceptibility to infection and resistance to COVID-19 but also in its transmission rate. There are sex differences in COVID-19 susceptibility and transmission between couples highly exposed to SARS-Cov-2 without protective measures; Men are more efficient virus transmitters than women; Sex-bias in COVID-19 transmission can be explained by differences in viral load in saliva, immune response and also behavioral protective differences between genders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monize V. R. Silva
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center (HUG-CELL), Biosciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP Brazil
| | - Mateus V. de Castro
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center (HUG-CELL), Biosciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP Brazil
| | - Maria Rita Passos-Bueno
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center (HUG-CELL), Biosciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP Brazil
| | - Paulo A. Otto
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Biosciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP Brazil
| | - Michel S. Naslavsky
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Biosciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP Brazil
| | - Mayana Zatz
- Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center (HUG-CELL), Biosciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP Brazil
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Jabbari J, Ferris D, Frank T, Malik S, Bessaha M. Intersecting Race and Gender Across Hardships and Mental Health During COVID-19: A Moderated-Mediation Model of Graduate Students at Two Universities. RACE AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS 2022; 15:1-19. [PMID: 36313213 PMCID: PMC9595585 DOI: 10.1007/s12552-022-09379-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
While the effects of the pandemic on the mental health of college students can vary across race and gender, few studies have explored the role of hardships and university assistance in these disparities, as well as how these disparities can manifest themselves differently across intersections of race and gender. We address this gap by using unique survey data (n = 417) from two large graduate schools of social work, public health, and social policy in the United States. Using multi-group structural equation modeling, we explore how material hardships, academic hardships, and university assistance needed mediates the relationship between race and mental health, including depression and anxiety. We also explore how gender moderates these relationships. We find that Black students are directly related to material hardships and-through these hardships-indirectly related to increased depression, indicating mediation. However, material hardships did not mediate the relationship between race and anxiety. Furthermore, while academic hardships mediated the relationships between race and depression, as well as race and anxiety, these relationships were only significant for females, indicating moderated-mediation. Moreover, although university assistance needed mediated the relationship between race and depression for females only, university assistance needed mediated the relationship between race and anxiety for both males and females. We close with implications for policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dan Ferris
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA
| | - Tyler Frank
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA
| | - Sana Malik
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, USA
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33
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Labib SM, Browning MHEM, Rigolon A, Helbich M, James P. Nature's contributions in coping with a pandemic in the 21st century: A narrative review of evidence during COVID-19. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155095. [PMID: 35395304 DOI: 10.32942/osf.io/j2pa8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
While COVID-19 lockdowns have slowed coronavirus transmission, such structural measures also have unintended consequences on mental and physical health. Growing evidence shows that exposure to the natural environment (e.g., blue-green spaces) can improve human health and wellbeing. In this narrative review, we synthesized the evidence about nature's contributions to health and wellbeing during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that during the pandemic, people experienced multiple types of nature, including both outdoors and indoors. Frequency of visits to outdoor natural areas (i.e., public parks) depended on lockdown severity and socio-cultural contexts. Other forms of nature exposure, such as spending time in private gardens and viewing outdoor greenery from windows, may have increased. The majority of the evidence suggests nature exposure during COVID-19 pandemic was associated with less depression, anxiety, stress, and more happiness and life satisfaction. Additionally, nature exposure was correlated with less physical inactivity and fewer sleep disturbances. Evidence was mixed regarding associations between nature exposure and COVID-related health outcomes, while nature visits might be associated with greater rates of COVID-19 transmission and mortality when proper social distancing measures were not maintained. Findings on whether nature exposure during lockdowns helped ameliorate health inequities by impacting the health of lower-socioeconomic populations more than their higher-socioeconomic counterparts for example were mixed. Based on these findings, we argue that nature exposure may have buffered the negative mental and behavioral impacts of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery and resilience during the current crises and future public health crises might be improved with nature-based infrastructure, interventions, designs, and governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Labib
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Matthew H E M Browning
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29631, USA
| | - Alessandro Rigolon
- Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Marco Helbich
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter James
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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34
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Labib SM, Browning MHEM, Rigolon A, Helbich M, James P. Nature's contributions in coping with a pandemic in the 21st century: A narrative review of evidence during COVID-19. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155095. [PMID: 35395304 PMCID: PMC8983608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
While COVID-19 lockdowns have slowed coronavirus transmission, such structural measures also have unintended consequences on mental and physical health. Growing evidence shows that exposure to the natural environment (e.g., blue-green spaces) can improve human health and wellbeing. In this narrative review, we synthesized the evidence about nature's contributions to health and wellbeing during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that during the pandemic, people experienced multiple types of nature, including both outdoors and indoors. Frequency of visits to outdoor natural areas (i.e., public parks) depended on lockdown severity and socio-cultural contexts. Other forms of nature exposure, such as spending time in private gardens and viewing outdoor greenery from windows, may have increased. The majority of the evidence suggests nature exposure during COVID-19 pandemic was associated with less depression, anxiety, stress, and more happiness and life satisfaction. Additionally, nature exposure was correlated with less physical inactivity and fewer sleep disturbances. Evidence was mixed regarding associations between nature exposure and COVID-related health outcomes, while nature visits might be associated with greater rates of COVID-19 transmission and mortality when proper social distancing measures were not maintained. Findings on whether nature exposure during lockdowns helped ameliorate health inequities by impacting the health of lower-socioeconomic populations more than their higher-socioeconomic counterparts for example were mixed. Based on these findings, we argue that nature exposure may have buffered the negative mental and behavioral impacts of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery and resilience during the current crises and future public health crises might be improved with nature-based infrastructure, interventions, designs, and governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Labib
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Matthew H E M Browning
- Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29631, USA
| | - Alessandro Rigolon
- Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Marco Helbich
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter James
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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35
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Lelek‐Kratiuk M, Szczygieł M. Stress appraisal as a mediator between the sense of coherence and the frequency of stress coping strategies in women and men during COVID-19 lockdown. Scand J Psychol 2022; 63:365-375. [PMID: 35358336 PMCID: PMC9115402 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 lockdown experience is a unique and unexpected stressful life situation. In our research project, we explored gender differences in the mean level of stress appraisal (SAQ), the frequency of stress coping strategies (COPE), and the sense of coherence (SOC), as well as gender differences in the strength of the relationships between SAQ, COPE, and SOC during the COVID-19 lockdown. Finally, we tested if stressor appraisal (as a threat, harm/loss, or challenge) mediates the relationship between SOC and COPE in women and men respectively. Data were collected during the first wave of the COVID-19 lockdown in Poland in 2020. An online survey was conducted among 326 adults aged between 18 and 72. We observed gender differences in the level of SAQ, COPE, and SOC and gender differences in the significance and strength of the correlations between these variables. SOC had a twofold effect on COPE in men: direct and indirect through SOC-threat and SOC-harm/loss. In women, SOC did not directly predict COPE frequency but affected COPE in an indirect way through SAQ. SAQ is an important factor that modifies the strength of the SOC effect on COPE in women and men during the lockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzena Lelek‐Kratiuk
- Department of Pedagogy and Psychology, Institute of PsychologyPedagogical University of KrakowKrakówPoland
| | - Monika Szczygieł
- Department of Pedagogy and Psychology, Institute of PsychologyPedagogical University of KrakowKrakówPoland
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36
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Fazia T, Bubbico F, Nova A, Riggi E, Caimi G, Calgan B, Salvato G, Bruno S, Bottini G, Bernardinelli L. Online Short-Term Mindfulness-Based Intervention During COVID-19 Quarantine in Italy: Effects on Wellbeing, Stress, and Anxiety. Front Psychol 2022; 13:914183. [PMID: 35859847 PMCID: PMC9289612 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.914183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To limit the first spread of COVID-19 in March 2020, the Italian government imposed strict lockdown measures to the population. Despite necessary to reduce the virus transmission and the burden to the hospitals, social isolation has caused detrimental effects on psychological wellbeing and mental health. Moreover, during this period, it was also difficult to deliver psychological treatments and psychiatric assistance. A short (a weekly session for 9 weeks) mindfulness-based meditation program, named Integral Meditation (IM), was administered entirely online to healthy adults from Italy. This is a two-groups pre–post-quasi-experimental study in which the two groups, treated and control, were not randomized. Through matching procedures aimed at overcoming the absence of randomization, we analyzed a sample of 84 subjects (42 for each group). By applying linear mixed effect models, we tested the hypothesis of a beneficial effect of IM on wellbeing, perceived stress, and state anxiety, as measured by three self-reported questionnaires (WEMWBS, PSS, and STAI-X1, respectively), assuming that this effect could be different according to the level of baseline trait anxiety, as measured by STAI-X2. The results showed a statistically significant effect of STAI-X1 (β = −8.24 [95%CI −15.39; −1.09], p = 0.02) and WEMWBS (β = 4.61 [95%CI 0.94; 8.29], p = 0.01) in the higher trait anxiety subgroup only. No statistically significant effect of IM was observed for PSS. These results suggest that our IM, delivered online, may increase mental wellbeing and decrease anxiety specifically in subjects with higher trait anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Fazia
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Teresa Fazia
| | - Francesco Bubbico
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Nova
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Emilia Riggi
- SSD Epidemiologia e Screening CPO, Universital Hospital “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, Torino, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Caimi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Beril Calgan
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gerardo Salvato
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Cognitive Neuropsychology Centre, ASST “Grande Ospedale Metropolitano” Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Gabriella Bottini
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Cognitive Neuropsychology Centre, ASST “Grande Ospedale Metropolitano” Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Bernardinelli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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The Fear of COVID-19: Gender Differences among Italian Health Volunteers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116369. [PMID: 35681954 PMCID: PMC9180366 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fear of being infected was a major concern, resulting in both physical and psychological effects. Despite several studies on fear of COVID-19 in the general population, the effects on healthy volunteers who face COVID-19 on the frontlines have not yet been investigated. Methods: An online survey on specific psychological variables related to COVID-19 was administered to 720 healthy volunteers, and gender differences were investigated. Results: The primary finding was that females showed higher scores in all dimensions assessed. A multiple linear regression conducted on both genders exhibited a similar pattern of predictors, highlighting the pivotal role of negative affect in the male group. Conclusions: The findings suggest that COVID-19 had significant effects on healthy volunteers, especially in the female group. Although the previous literature did not report the crucial role played by the negative affect in the male sample, these results highlight the need to deepen how both genders use different emotional strategies to cope with stressful situations. This study may be useful in the development of specific psychological support and ad hoc training for healthy volunteers.
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38
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Kim HJ, Meeker TJ, Tulloch IK, Mullins J, Park JH, Bae SH. Pandemic Fatigue and Anxiety Sensitivity as Associated Factors With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among University Students in South Korea During the Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1604552. [PMID: 35645697 PMCID: PMC9137407 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The global impact of COVID-19 driven by new variants may add to the negative mental health consequences of the prolonged pandemic, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). University students may be prone to develop a series of PTSS due to life plan disruptions as well as increased uncertainty caused by the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between pandemic fatigue, anxiety sensitivity (AS), and PTSS among university students in South Korea. Methods: Using convenience sampling, 400 students participated in this cross-sectional online survey. Descriptive statistics and linear mixed models were used to examine factors associated with PTSS. Results: About one-third (32.3%) of the participants reported clinically significant levels of PTSS. Multivariate analyses revealed that pandemic fatigue (β = 0.124, p < 0.001) and AS (β = 0.212, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with PTSS while controlling for other study variables. Conclusion: Young adults who feel more fatigue related to the COVID-19 pandemic and with high AS should be given access to mental health resources to better manage their mental health and reduce PTSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Jun Kim
- College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Timothy J. Meeker
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ingrid K. Tulloch
- Department of Psychology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jake Mullins
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jin-Hee Park
- College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Sun Hyoung Bae
- College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
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39
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Somé NH, Wells S, Felsky D, Hamilton HA, Ali S, Elton-Marshall T, Rehm J. Self-reported mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with alcohol and cannabis use: a latent class analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:306. [PMID: 35490222 PMCID: PMC9055215 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-03917-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health problems and substance use co-morbidities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic are a public health priority. Identifying individuals at high-risk of developing mental health problems and potential sequela can inform mitigating strategies. We aimed to identify distinct groups of individuals (i.e., latent classes) based on patterns of self-reported mental health symptoms and investigate their associations with alcohol and cannabis use. METHODS We used data from six successive waves of a web-based cross-sectional survey of adults aged 18 years and older living in Canada (6,021 participants). We applied latent class analysis to three domains of self-reported mental health most likely linked to effects of the pandemic: anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Logistic regression was used to characterize latent class membership, estimate the association of class membership with alcohol and cannabis use, and perform sex-based analyses. RESULTS We identified two distinct classes: (1) individuals with low scores on all three mental health indicators (no/low-symptoms) and (2) those reporting high scores across the three measures (high-symptoms). Between 73.9 and 77.1% of participants were in the no/low-symptoms class and 22.9-26.1% of participants were in the high-symptom class. We consistently found across all six waves that individuals at greater risk of being in the high-symptom class were more likely to report worrying about getting COVID-19 with adjusted odds ratios (aORs) between 1.72 (95%CI:1.17-2.51) and 3.51 (95%CI:2.20-5.60). Those aged 60 + were less likely to be in this group with aORs (95%CI) between 0.26 (0.15-0.44) and 0.48 (0.29-0.77) across waves. We also found some factors associated with class membership varied at different time points. Individuals in the high-symptom class were more likely to use cannabis at least once a week (aOR = 2.28, 95%CI:1.92-2.70), drink alcohol heavily (aOR = 1.71, 95%CI:1.49-1.96); and increase the use of cannabis (aOR = 3.50, 95%CI:2.80-4.37) and alcohol (aOR = 2.37, 95%CI:2.06-2.74) during the pandemic. Women in the high-symptom class had lower odds of drinking more alcohol during the pandemic than men. CONCLUSIONS We identified the determinants of experiencing high anxiety, depression, and loneliness symptoms and found a significant association with alcohol and cannabis consumption. This suggests that initiatives and supports are needed to address mental health and substance use multi-morbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nibene Habib Somé
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 200, ON, N6G 4X8, London, Canada. .,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. .,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Samantha Wells
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 200, ON N6G 4X8 London, Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079School of Psychology, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel Felsky
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Hayley A. Hamilton
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 200, ON N6G 4X8 London, Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Shehzad Ali
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario Canada ,grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada ,grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK ,grid.1004.50000 0001 2158 5405Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia ,grid.418792.10000 0000 9064 3333Bruyere Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Tara Elton-Marshall
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 200, ON N6G 4X8 London, Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.28046.380000 0001 2182 2255School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada ,grid.258900.60000 0001 0687 7127Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 200, ON N6G 4X8 London, Canada ,grid.155956.b0000 0000 8793 5925Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada ,grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Xia CL, Wei AP, Huang YT. The COVID-19 Lockdown and Mental Wellbeing of Females in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:4960. [PMID: 35564365 PMCID: PMC9100609 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19094960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Most studies consider that COVID-19 lockdowns lead to mental health problems for females, while the effect of role change on female mental health has been overlooked. This study aimed to explore multiple facets of the risk of mental distress in a sample of Chinese married females aged 21-50 during the COVID-19 lockdowns. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 613 valid responses from married females in the Guangdong province. Our primary tool was a questionnaire using a Kessler-10 scale to detect the probability of mental distress based on the level of nervousness, tiredness, restlessness, and depression. Eighty-eight point three percent of married females possessed a high risk of psychological distress because they frequently felt tired out, hopeless, and restless. The evidence suggests that the lockdown has caused a conflict in the female role to maintain a balance between family and career. Increasing family care responsibilities are positively associated with nervousness, tiredness, and mental disorder. The heterogeneity of the social role in mental wellbeing is explored. Married females whose income was worse off during the lockdown are negatively associated with mental wellbeing. Married females who are employed are found to be less mentally healthy than the self-employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Lan Xia
- Faculty of Business, City University of Macau, Macau 999078, China;
| | - An-Pin Wei
- Department of Business Management, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, No. 129, Sec. 3, Sanmin Rd., North Dist., Taichung 404336, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Huang
- Bachelor Program of International Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 640301, Taiwan;
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Ciułkowicz M, Misiak B, Szcześniak D, Grzebieluch J, Maciaszek J, Rymaszewska J. The Portrait of Cyberchondria-A Cross-Sectional Online Study on Factors Related to Health Anxiety and Cyberchondria in Polish Population during SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074347. [PMID: 35410027 PMCID: PMC8998772 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has served as a magnifying glass for cyberchondria, while the internet emerged as one of the main sources of medical information and support. The core ambition of this study was to estimate the level of cyberchondria and describe the socio-demographic, clinical and pandemic-related factors affecting its severity amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was performed between 16 May 2020 and 29 December 2020 in Poland within a sample of 538 adult internet users. The online survey tool included a Polish adaptation of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-PL) and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), complemented with a set of questions covering sociodemographic, clinical and pandemic-related factors. Participants were clustered according to severity of health anxiety and cyberchondria symptoms. The performed binary logistic regression indicated professional inactivity, having a chronic mental disorder and subjectively limited access to healthcare due to COVID-19 to be key determinants of severe health anxiety and cyberchondria. Cyberchondria might be a remarkable public health issue as large proportion of respondents from the analyzed sample population of internet users met the criteria for severe symptoms. Key determinants of intense cyberchondria corresponded with employment stability, mental resilience and accessibility of healthcare services, which could be greatly challenged amid the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ciułkowicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (B.M.); (D.S.); (J.M.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Błażej Misiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (B.M.); (D.S.); (J.M.); (J.R.)
| | - Dorota Szcześniak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (B.M.); (D.S.); (J.M.); (J.R.)
| | - Jolanta Grzebieluch
- Department of Population Health, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Julian Maciaszek
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (B.M.); (D.S.); (J.M.); (J.R.)
| | - Joanna Rymaszewska
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (B.M.); (D.S.); (J.M.); (J.R.)
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Mamede A, Merkelbach I, Noordzij G, Denktas S. Mindfulness as a Protective Factor Against Depression, Anxiety and Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Emotion Regulation and Insomnia Symptoms as Mediators. Front Psychol 2022; 13:820959. [PMID: 35432084 PMCID: PMC9010863 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.820959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesResearch has linked mindfulness to improved mental health, yet the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not well understood. This study explored the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies and sleep in the relationship between mindfulness and symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAs detailed in this study’s pre-registration (osf.io/k9qtw), a cross-sectional research design was used to investigate the impact of mindfulness on mental health and the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies (i.e., cognitive reappraisal, rumination and suppression) and insomnia. A total of 493 participants from the general population answered an online survey and were included in the final analysis. The online survey consisted of the short form of the Five-Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF), the Impact of Event Scale-revised (IES-R), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), the short form of the Rumination Response Scale (RSS-SF), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).ResultsStructural equation modelling revealed that mindfulness was related to lower symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress, both directly and indirectly. Mindfulness was negatively associated with rumination and insomnia. As hypothesised, models revealed that the associations between mindfulness and depression, anxiety and psychological distress were significantly mediated by its negative associations with rumination and insomnia. Our findings also demonstrated that rumination was related to increased insomnia symptoms, which in turn was associated with increased mental health problems, indicating a mediated mediation. Mindfulness was also positively associated with cognitive reappraisal and negatively associated with suppression, which were, respectively, negatively and positively associated with depressive symptoms, and thus functioned as specific mediators of the association between mindfulness and depression.ConclusionOur findings suggest that rumination and insomnia operate transdiagnostically as interrelated mediators of the effects of mindfulness on mental health, whereas cognitive reappraisal and suppression function as specific mediators for depression. These insights emphasise the importance of targeting emotion regulation and sleep in mindfulness interventions for improving mental health. Limitations and implications for practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Mamede
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Development, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: André Mamede,
| | - Inge Merkelbach
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Development, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gera Noordzij
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Development, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Erasmus University College, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Semiha Denktas
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Development, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Mei S, Meng C, Hu Y, Guo X, Lv J, Qin Z, Liang L, Li C, Fei J, Cao R, Hu Y. Relationships Between Depressive Symptoms, Interpersonal Sensitivity and Social Support of Employees Before and During the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Cross-lag Study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:742381. [PMID: 35345636 PMCID: PMC8957086 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.742381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the correlation between depressive symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity, and social support before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and verified causal relationships among them. The study used Social Support Scale and Symptom Self-Rating Scale to investigate relevant variables. A total of 1,414 employees from company were recruited for this longitudinal study, which a follow up study was conducted on the same group of participants 1 year later. Paired sample t-test results showed that significant differences were only found in social support, not in depressive symptoms or interpersonal sensitivity. The results of correlation analysis showed that social support, depressive symptoms, and interpersonal sensitivity were significantly correlated between wave 1 and wave 2. The cross-lag autoregressive pathway showed that employees’ social support level, depressive symptoms, and interpersonal sensitivity all showed moderate stability. Crossing paths showed that wave 1 social support could significantly predict wave 2 depressive symptoms (β = −0.21, p < 0.001) and wave 2 interpersonal sensitivity (β = −0.21, p < 0.001). Wave 1 depressive symptoms (β = −0.10, p < 0.01) could significantly predict wave 2 social support, while wave 1 interpersonal sensitivity (β = 0.07, p = 0.10) could not predict wave 2 social support. Social support can be considered as a protective factor against mental health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songli Mei
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Cuicui Meng
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yueyang Hu
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinmeng Guo
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianping Lv
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zeying Qin
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Leilei Liang
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chuanen Li
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Junsong Fei
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ruilin Cao
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuanchao Hu
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Biswas MAAJ, Hasan MT, Samir N, Alin SI, Homaira N, Hassan MZ, Khatun MR, Anjum A, Hossain S, Koly KN, Safa F, Alam SF, Rafi MA, Osman Biswas MAA, Yasmin F, Podder V, Trisa TI, Azad DT, Nodi RN, Ashraf F, Akther SMQ, Ahmed HU. The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depressive Symptoms Among Medical Students in Bangladesh During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study. Front Public Health 2022; 9:811345. [PMID: 35174136 PMCID: PMC8841836 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.811345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Whilst very limited studies have demonstrated a correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and depressive symptoms amongst Bangladeshi medical students, the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) remains widely unknown. Objective The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with depression symptoms among Bangladeshi medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. Method In this web-based cross-sectional pilot study, medical students' data was collected using the Google Forms web survey platform after obtaining electronic informed consent. A total of 425 medical students were selected using a systematic sampling technique to accumulate depression symptoms and demographic and pandemic-related information. Depression was measured by a self-administered, validated English version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) tool. The descriptive analysis utilized frequency and percentages, while the stepwise binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors associated with depressive symptoms. Result Among 425 medical students, 62.3% were female, 97.4% unmarried. Almost 80.2% of medical students had mild to severe levels of depressive symptoms as characterized by PHQ-9. A significantly higher probability of depression was found amongst female students (adjusted OR = 1.8), those who struggled to stay away from social media (adjusted OR = 1.8), those who tried to be optimistic for maintaining better psychology (adjusted OR = 11.1), and those who always had a sleeping difficulty in the last 4 weeks (adjusted OR = 8.9). Conclusion A very high prevalence of depression symptoms among Bangladeshi medical students was found across the majority of socio-demographic variables. The alarming prevalence and associated factors of depression suggests the need for follow-intensity psychosocial interventions designed for medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M. Tasdik Hasan
- Public Health Foundation, Bangladesh (PHF, BD), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Public Health, State University of Bangladesh (SUB), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nora Samir
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sayma Islam Alin
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nusrat Homaira
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Md. Zakiul Hassan
- International Centre for Diarrheal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mst Rabeya Khatun
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, Bangladesh
| | - Afifa Anjum
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- International Centre for Diarrheal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sahadat Hossain
- Public Health Foundation, Bangladesh (PHF, BD), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Kamrun Nahar Koly
- International Centre for Diarrheal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Farhana Safa
- Department of Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Farida Yasmin
- Tairunnessa Memorial Medical College and Hospital, Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | - Vivek Podder
- Tairunnessa Memorial Medical College and Hospital, Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | - Tonima Islam Trisa
- International Centre for Diarrheal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Fatema Ashraf
- Public Health Foundation, Bangladesh (PHF, BD), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Zhang Y, Li D, Ouyang X, Bai H, Zhao L, Shi Y, Tan L. Mental Health Differences in Healthcare Workers Exposed to Different Risks During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:827076. [PMID: 35280169 PMCID: PMC8907659 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.827076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a significant impact on the physical and mental health of healthcare workers. This study assessed the psychological status of healthcare workers who were exposed to different risk-levels in China and explored the factors that affected their mental health. METHODS Demographic, occupational characteristics, and mental health measurements were collected from 810 workers in 41 hospitals in China, through online questionnaires from February 11 to March 3, 2020. The degree of symptoms for fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia were assessed using the Chinese versions of the Fatigue Severity Scale, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and Insomnia Severity Index, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with mental health symptoms. RESULTS All 810 participants completed the relevant questionnaires without missing data. The prevalence of fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms was 74.3, 73.7, and 61.7%, respectively. Nurses, women, and workers exposed to high-risk areas were more likely to report mental health problems (P < 0.05). After controlling for confounders, exposure to high-risk areas was independently associated with increased symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia (fatigue among high-risk areas: OR, 3.87; 95% CI, 2.26-6.61; P < 0.001; anxiety among high-risk areas: OR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.58-4.51; P < 0.001; insomnia among high-risk areas: OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.68-4.79, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The study demonstrated significant differences in psychological symptoms among healthcare workers exposed to different levels of risk, and those in high-risk areas were more vulnerable to experiencing mental health symptoms. These findings emphasize the importance of giving due attention to healthcare workers, especially women, nurses, and those working in high-risk settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Da Li
- Institute of Anthropology, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Ouyang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hanping Bai
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Linlin Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongyan Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Liwen Tan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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Bik-Multanowska K, Mikocka-Walus A, Fernando J, Westrupp E. Mental distress of parents with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A prospective cohort study. J Psychosom Res 2021; 152:110688. [PMID: 34875464 PMCID: PMC8665692 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To-date there has been limited examination of the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in parents who suffer from chronic physical conditions. We aimed to 1) examine whether presence of a chronic disease predicts differential latent distress profile memberships, and 2) assess factors that could predict different distress profiles in the sub-group of parents with a chronic disease. METHODS We used a sample of 1618 parents, from the longitudinal COVID-19 Pandemic Adjustment Study, who completed a measure of mental distress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) at 13 data collection points. Distress profiles were assessed with the latent profile analysis. RESULTS We identified four distinct mental distress profile memberships, with the most common membership characterised by very low (48.1%), followed by low (31.9%), moderate (15.7%), and high (4.3%) distress scores. A higher proportion of parents with chronic diseases belonged to profiles experiencing low (34.7% vs. 30.4%), moderate (18.7% vs. 14.1%), and high (5.5% vs. 3.7%) compared to very low (41.2% vs. 51.8%) distress levels than other parents. Residing in Victoria, younger age, lower levels of social support and appraisal of COVID as risk were associated with membership to higher compared to very low distress profiles. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the importance of considering chronic disease co-morbidity as an additive risk factor in addressing mental health outcomes of parents during pandemic-like events, since parents with chronic conditions are more vulnerable to experiencing worse mental distress. Future interventions should focus on ways to strengthen social support and provide guidance for managing threat appraisal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Bik-Multanowska
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, VIC, Australia; Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Antonina Mikocka-Walus
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, VIC, Australia.
| | - Julian Fernando
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, VIC, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Westrupp
- Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, VIC, Australia
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Liang Z, Kang D, Zhang M, Xia Y, Zeng Q. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chinese Postgraduate Students' Mental Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:11542. [PMID: 34770056 PMCID: PMC8583068 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
To understand the mental health status of Chinese postgraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic, we used three online questionnaires: self-rating anxiety (SAS) scale, self-rating depression (SDS) scale, and social avoidance and distress (SAD) scale. A total of 3137 postgraduate students from different regions of China participated in our study. We explored the relationship between participant characteristics and mental health using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). We found that the proportions of respondents with severe, mild, and moderate depression were 1.4%, 10.48%, and 21.99%, respectively, and the corresponding proportions of respondents with anxiety were 1.56%, 4.65%, and 14.69%, respectively. A one-way ANOVA revealed that the mental health statuses of the participants were different between the subgroups based on majors, classes, degree types, and the method of communication with advisors and students. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects on interaction and the method of communication with advisors and peers. These findings suggest that the mental health of postgraduate students should be monitored during the pandemic, especially when they are unable to communicate directly with their advisors or peers, and targeted psychological counselling must be focused on anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyan Liang
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (Z.L.); (D.K.); (Y.X.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Derong Kang
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (Z.L.); (D.K.); (Y.X.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Minqiang Zhang
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (Z.L.); (D.K.); (Y.X.); (Q.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yuanlin Xia
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (Z.L.); (D.K.); (Y.X.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Qing Zeng
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (Z.L.); (D.K.); (Y.X.); (Q.Z.)
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