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Liu Y, Hughes MC, Wang H. Financial train, health behaviors, and psychological well-being of family caregivers of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. PEC INNOVATION 2024; 4:100290. [PMID: 38799257 PMCID: PMC11127198 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Objectives This study aims to examine the change in financial strain, health behaviors, and psychological well-being of family caregivers of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the differences in mental health outcomes by gender, race, and relationship status. Methods Using the 2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study COVID-19 supplement, our sample included 2026 family caregivers of older adults. Structural equation modeling was conducted. Results Caregivers with financial strain showed worse mental health than those with no financial strain. Female or adult children caregivers reported significantly less time walking, more financial strain, and a higher level of negative mental health outcomes compared to male or spouse caregivers; non-White caregivers reported greater positive mental health outcomes compared to White caregivers during the pandemic. Discussion Health professionals should consider the financial and mental health impact of COVID-19 among family caregivers when designing and delivering caregiver support programs. Innovation This study provides nationally representative estimates of several important health behaviors and health outcomes for caregivers of older adults during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to fill the knowledge gap about the characteristics of caregivers whose health and well-being were most affected by the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Liu
- School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Northern Illinois University, 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 815-753-1301, United States of America
| | - M. Courtney Hughes
- School of Health Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, United States of America
| | - Heng Wang
- Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States of America
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Liu J, Gui Z, Chen P, Cai H, Feng Y, Ho TI, Rao SY, Su Z, Cheung T, Ng CH, Wang G, Xiang YT. A network analysis of the interrelationships between depression, anxiety, insomnia and quality of life among fire service recruits. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1348870. [PMID: 39022427 PMCID: PMC11252005 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1348870] [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: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Research on the mental health and quality of life (hereafter QOL) among fire service recruits after the end of the COVID-19 restrictions is lacking. This study explored the network structure of depression, anxiety and insomnia, and their interconnections with QOL among fire service recruits in the post-COVID-19 era. Methods This cross-sectional study used a consecutive sampling of fire service recruits across China. We measured the severity of depression, anxiety and insomnia symptoms, and overall QOL using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaire, and World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. We estimated the most central symptoms using the centrality index of expected influence (EI), and the symptoms connecting depression, anxiety and insomnia symptoms using bridge EI. Results In total, 1,560 fire service recruits participated in the study. The prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) was 15.2% (95% CI: 13.5-17.1%), while the prevalence of anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 5) was 11.2% (95% CI: 9.6-12.8%). GAD4 ("Trouble relaxing") had the highest EI in the whole network model, followed by ISI5 ("Interference with daytime functioning") and GAD6 ("Irritability"). In contrast, PHQ4 ("Fatigue") had the highest bridge EI values in the network, followed by GAD4 ("Trouble relaxing") and ISI5 ("Interference with daytime functioning"). Additionally, ISI4 "Sleep dissatisfaction" (average edge weight = -1.335), which was the central symptom with the highest intensity value, had the strongest negative correlation with QOL. Conclusion Depression and anxiety were important mental health issues to address among fire service recruits in the post-COVID-19 era in China. Targeting central and bridge symptoms identified in network analysis could help address depression and anxiety among fire service recruits in the post-COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, China Emergency General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Gui
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macao SAR, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Pan Chen
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macao SAR, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Hong Cai
- Unit of Medical Psychology and Behavior Medicine, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yuan Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tin-Ian Ho
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Shu-Ying Rao
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Zhaohui Su
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Teris Cheung
- School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chee H. Ng
- Department of Psychiatry, TheMelbourne Clinic and St Vincent’s Hospital, University of Melbourne, Richmond, Victoria, VIC, Australia
| | - Gang Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Tao Xiang
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macao SAR, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, Macao SAR, China
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Pettersen JH, Hannigan LJ, Gustavson K, Lund IO, Pearson RM, Jensen P, Nesvåg R, Brandlistuen RE, Ask H. COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantines and Mental Health Among Adolescents in Norway. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2422189. [PMID: 38995642 PMCID: PMC11245726 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.22189] [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: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Adolescence is a critical developmental phase when mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, often emerge. Stringent public health measures and quarantine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic could threaten adolescent mental health. Objective To investigate the associations of public health measures and quarantine experiences with mental distress among Norwegian adolescents and to explore if certain vulnerability factors moderate these associations. Design, Setting, and Participants This longitudinal cohort study used repeated measures to capture variations in mental distress explained by the stringency of public health measures and quarantine experiences. Data from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child cohort study were linked to national health registries and a national stringency index from April 1, 2020, to February 17, 2021. Participant included 7787 Norwegian adolescents aged 16 to 18 years. Data were analyzed from October 2022 to October 2023. Exposures Stringency index of public health measures and quarantine experiences including recent quarantine (within the last 2 weeks) and quarantine frequency (cumulative number of quarantine episodes). Main Outcome and Measures Mental distress was measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist across 6 data collection waves. Results In this study, 7787 participants were included in the analysis (4473 female [57%]; mean [SD] age, 17.0 [0.6] years). Stringent public health measures (β = 0.18; SE, 0.02; P < .001), recent quarantine (β = 0.11; SE, 0.02; P < .001), and frequent quarantine (β = 0.08; SE, 0.01; P < .001) were associated with higher levels of mental distress. The associations between public health measures and mental distress were not moderated by sex, age, prepandemic anxiety or depression, or genetic liability for mental health conditions. Frequency of quarantine appeared to be more strongly associated with mental distress among younger adolescents (β = -0.04; SE, 0.01; P = .008), those with parents with lower education (β = -0.04; SE, 0.01; P = .007), and those with lower genetic risk for depression (β = -0.03; SE, 0.01; P = .006). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, younger adolescents, those with parents with lower education, or those with low genetic liability for depression appeared more vulnerable when being quarantined several times. These findings emphasize the need for targeted support strategies to better protect adolescent well-being during future crises. Adolescents who experienced increased mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic may be at risk of continued mental health problems and in need of ongoing support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne H Pettersen
- PsychGen Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Laurie J Hannigan
- PsychGen Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Kristin Gustavson
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Children and Families, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingunn O Lund
- PsychGen Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rebecca M Pearson
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Bristol, Untied Kingdom
| | - Pia Jensen
- PsychGen Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnar Nesvåg
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild E Brandlistuen
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- The Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helga Ask
- PsychGen Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Radulovic D, Masic S, Stanisavljevic D, Bokonjic D, Radevic S, Rajovic N, Milić NV, Simic Vukomanovic I, Mijovic B, Vukovic M, Dubravac Tanaskovic M, Jojic M, Vladicic Masic J, Spaic D, Milic NM. A Complex Relationship between Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression among General Population during Second Year of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-Based Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3874. [PMID: 38999440 PMCID: PMC11242713 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13133874] [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: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy and public health, disrupting various aspects of daily life. Apart from its direct effects on physical health, it has also significantly affected the overall quality of life and mental health. This study employed a path analysis to explore the complex association among multiple factors associated with quality of life, anxiety, and depression in the general population of the Republic of Srpska during the pandemic's second year. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a nationally representative sample (n = 1382) of the general population (adults aged 20+) during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. Assessment tools included the DASS-21 scale for depression, anxiety, and stress, along with the Brief COPE scale, Quality of Life Scale (QOLS), and Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3). Sociodemographic factors and comorbidities were also assessed. Structural equation modeling was used to identify the direct and indirect links of various characteristics to quality of life, anxiety, and depression. Results: This study revealed a considerable prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms (27.5% and 20.9%, respectively), with quality of life playing a significant mediating role. The constructed path model accounted for 33.1% of moderate to severe depression and 79.5% of anxiety. Negative coping was directly linked to anxiety and indirectly to depression via anxiety, while the absence of positive coping had both direct and indirect paths (through quality of life) on depression. Among variables that directly affected depression, anxiety had the highest effect. However, the bidirectional paths between anxiety and depression were also suggested by the model. Conclusions: Pandemic response strategies should be modified to effectively reduce the adverse effects on public mental health. Further research is necessary to assess the long-term effects of the pandemic on mental health and to analyze the contributing factors of anxiety and depression in the post-COVID period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danijela Radulovic
- Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Srdjan Masic
- Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Dejana Stanisavljevic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dejan Bokonjic
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Svetlana Radevic
- Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nina Rajovic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nikola V. Milić
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivana Simic Vukomanovic
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Biljana Mijovic
- Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Maja Vukovic
- Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Milena Dubravac Tanaskovic
- Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mirka Jojic
- Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Jelena Vladicic Masic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Dragan Spaic
- Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Natasa M. Milic
- Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo, 73300 Foca, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
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Rudolphi JM, Cuthbertson C, Kaur A, Sarol J. A Comparison between Farm-Related Stress, Mental Health, and Social Support between Men and Women Farmers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:684. [PMID: 38928931 PMCID: PMC11204078 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Agricultural producers have worse mental health than the general population; however, recent research has not considered differences in stressors and mental health conditions by gender. A survey was mailed to a random sample of farmers in Illinois to screen for symptoms of anxiety and depression and identify sources of stress and social support. Men experienced more stress related to environmental and economic conditions than women, while women tended to have slightly higher levels of geographic isolation stress than men. Overall, there were no significant differences by gender in the proportion meeting the criteria for depression or anxiety; however, the results are higher than what is observed in the general population. Among those farmers who experience higher levels of stress about geographic isolation, the odds for women farmers to experience depressive symptoms are four times more than men farmers (OR 4.46 (0.91, 21.8); p = 0.06). Additional research should examine the relationship between social support and mental health. Interventions to reduce stress by gender should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josie M. Rudolphi
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Courtney Cuthbertson
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Amandeep Kaur
- Interdisciplinary Health Science Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61801, USA; (A.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Jesus Sarol
- Interdisciplinary Health Science Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61801, USA; (A.K.); (J.S.)
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Gniewosz G. Clarifying the Links between Perceived Stress and Depressiveness: a Longitudinal Study of COVID-19's Effects on Adolescents in Germany. J Youth Adolesc 2024:10.1007/s10964-024-02012-8. [PMID: 38789874 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-024-02012-8] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Young people are navigating an increasingly uncertain and unstable social and economic environment, further complicated by COVID-19. Individual resources and vulnerabilities, such as mental health and sensitivity to stress, play a significant role in how well youth adapt to the career paths and living conditions altered by the pandemic, a dynamic that is not yet well understood. This study examined the role of COVID-19 on the intertwined relation between perceived stress and depressiveness (negative and positive affect) in adolescents, focusing on gender differences. Longitudinal data from 673 German adolescents (Mage = 16.8 years, SDage = 0.91; female = 59%) were collected in three waves, before (T1) and during the pandemic (T2, T3). Using Latent Change Score models, the bidirectional relation between perceived stress and depressiveness was analyzed, considering gender as a moderator. The results showed that adolescents who found their situation stressful were at risk of developing depressiveness at the outbreak of the pandemic and throughout its progression. As the pandemic progressed, an increase in positive affect was linked to heightened perceived stress. Gender-specific differences were particularly evident in the levels of perceived stress and depressiveness, with women being more vulnerable. This study highlights how vulnerabilities in stress perception affect adolescents' mental health, with gender-specific differences underscoring the need for tailored mental health measures.
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Casjens S, Taeger D, Brüning T, Behrens T. Changes in mental distress among employees during the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302020. [PMID: 38701106 PMCID: PMC11068204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic changed the future of work sustainably and led to a general increase in mental stress. A study conducted during the second and third pandemic wave with a retrospective survey of the first wave among 1,545 non-healthcare workers confirmed an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms and showed a correlation with the occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. This online follow-up survey aims to examine changes in mental distress as the pandemic progressed in Germany and to identify factors influencing potential changes. METHODS Longitudinal data from 260 subjects were available for this analysis. Mental distress related to anxiety and depression symptoms, assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and occupational risk factors were solicited at the end of 2022 and retrospectively at the fifth wave. Categorized PHQ-4 scores were modelled with mixed ordinal regression models and presented with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS A previous diagnosis of a depressive or anxiety disorder was a strong risk factor for severe symptoms (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.71-7.11). The impact of occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection risk on mental distress was increased, albeit failing to reach the formal level of statistical significance (high risk OR 1.83, 95% CI 0.59-5.63; probable risk OR 1.72, 95% CI 0.93-3.15). Mental distress was more pronounced in those with a previous diagnosis of anxiety and depression. Confirmed occupational risk factors were protective measures against occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection perceived as inadequate, chronic work-related stress, overcommitment, reduced interactions with fellow-workers, and work-privacy conflicts. CONCLUSIONS The pandemic had a negative impact on anxiety and depression symptoms among the studied non-healthcare workers, particularly early in the pandemic, although this effect does not appear to be permanent. There are modifiable risk factors that can protect workers' mental health, including strengthening social interactions among employees and reducing work-privacy conflicts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swaantje Casjens
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Dirk Taeger
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Brüning
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Behrens
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
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McGinty EE, Alegria M, Beidas RS, Braithwaite J, Kola L, Leslie DL, Moise N, Mueller B, Pincus HA, Shidhaye R, Simon K, Singer SJ, Stuart EA, Eisenberg MD. The Lancet Psychiatry Commission: transforming mental health implementation research. Lancet Psychiatry 2024; 11:368-396. [PMID: 38552663 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(24)00040-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Margarita Alegria
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rinad S Beidas
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Lola Kola
- College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Kings College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Rahul Shidhaye
- Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences University, Loni, India; Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Sara J Singer
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Donohoe-Bales A, O’Dean S, Smout S, Boyle J, Barrett E, Teesson M, Bower M. What set some young adults apart during the COVID-19 pandemic? Mental health trajectories, risk and protective factors in an Australian longitudinal study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2024; 58:435-445. [PMID: 38205782 PMCID: PMC11055410 DOI: 10.1177/00048674231223690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evidence suggests that young adults (aged 18-34) were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but little is known about their longer-term mental health changes beyond the early pandemic period. This article investigates heterogeneous trajectories of mental health among Australian young adults across 2 years of the pandemic and identifies a broad range of associated risk and protective factors. METHOD Young adults (N = 653, Mage = 27.8 years) from the longitudinal Alone Together Study were surveyed biannually between July 2020 and June 2022. Measures assessed anxiety (7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale) and depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire) symptoms at Waves 1-4, as well as demographic, psychological, adversity and COVID-19 factors at baseline. RESULTS Four and three distinct trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively, were identified through growth mixture modelling. The proportion of participants in each anxiety trajectory were Asymptomatic (45.9%), Mild Stable (17.9%), Moderate-Severe Stable (31.1%) and Initially Severe/Recovering (5.1%). For depression, Mild Stable (58.3%), Moderate-Severe Stable (30.5%) and Reactive/Recovering (11.2%). Baseline factors associated with severe symptom trajectories included a lifetime mental health disorder, pre-pandemic stressful events, identifying as LGBTQIA+ and/or female, and experiencing one or more infection-control measures. Higher household income was protective. CONCLUSION Most young adults demonstrated stable trajectories of low or high symptoms during the pandemic, with smaller groups showing initially severe or reactive symptoms followed by marked improvements over time. Vulnerable subgroups (gender- or sexuality-diverse, those with prior adversity or pre-existing mental ill-health) may face ongoing impacts and require targeted psychosocial supports to assist their mental health recovery post-COVID-19 and in the event of future crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amarina Donohoe-Bales
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Siobhan O’Dean
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Scarlett Smout
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia Boyle
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Emma Barrett
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Maree Teesson
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Marlee Bower
- The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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Ou W, Xiao C, Dong Q, Chen Y, Ke C, Liu B, Liu J, Ju Y, Zhang Y. Risk factors associated with depression and anxiety among the Chinese general population after retracting the dynamic zero-COVID policy: A network analysis. J Affect Disord 2024; 349:77-85. [PMID: 38199391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.047] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have evidenced the negative psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and sociodemographic vulnerability among the general population, while limited information was available on which factors make the greatest contribution to psychological distress when these factors were considered concurrently. Herein, we aimed to investigate the pathways that underlie psychological distress in the context of retracting dynamic zero-COVID policy. METHODS We employed the mixed graphical model to construct the network of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and pandemic-related factors in a general population sample (N = 1610). Then, we re-examined the network by adding sociodemographic variables to further explore the influence of sociodemographic factors. Additionally, we repeated the analyses in the second sample (N = 620) collected in the same period to assess the replicability. RESULTS The relationships between the pandemic factors and anxiety and depressive symptoms exhibited a tendency to decrease after adding demographic variables, and income became the most important node and shared edge weights with all anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings were replicable with the second sample. No significant difference in the network properties was detected between the two samples. LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional design limits the ability to observe longitudinal changes in these risk factors and their relationship with psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS Income level, rather than the pandemic-related factors, acted as a vital role in the psychological distress of the general population, implying that livelihood issues may be the critical intervention targets for mental health during the post-pandemic period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Ou
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Chuman Xiao
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Qiangli Dong
- Department of Psychiatry, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Yafei Chen
- Xiangya Medical School, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Chunxi Ke
- Xiangya Medical School, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Bangshan Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Yumeng Ju
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China.
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Goudman L, Moens M, Pilitsis JG. Incidence and Prevalence of Pain Medication Prescriptions in Pathologies with a Potential for Chronic Pain. Anesthesiology 2024; 140:524-537. [PMID: 38081041 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000004863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heightened risks of dependence, addiction, anxiolytic effects, or prescription overdose death due to long-term use of pain medication have increased awareness about extended pain medication use in chronic pain populations. The goal of this study was to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of pain medication prescriptions from 2012 to 2022 in common pathologies with a potential for chronic pain. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted using electronic health records from TriNetX (Cambridge, Massachusetts) Global Collaborative Network. For 10 distinct cohorts (total n = 9,357,584 patients), pain medication prescriptions were extracted for five classes, namely nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen, opioids, gabapentinoids, neuropathic mood agents, and muscle relaxants. Annual incidence and prevalence of each class of medication were evaluated for the past 11 yr. RESULTS From 2012 to 2022, there was a significant increase in prescriptions of NSAIDs, except for patients with fibromyalgia, and persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) type 2. Interestingly, over time, prescriptions of opioids in patients with complex regional pain syndrome, endometriosis, osteoarthritis, and PSPS type 2 increased, as did prescriptions of muscle relaxants for all cohorts except those with fibromyalgia. Incidence of prescriptions of neuropathic mood agents is high for patients with complex regional pain syndrome (both types) and PSPS type 2. Only for benzodiazepines did there seem to be a decline over the years, with a significantly decreased time trend in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1, fibromyalgia, and PSPS type 2. CONCLUSIONS During the last 11 yr, an increase in incidence of NSAIDs and acetaminophen, opioids, neuropathic agents, and muscle relaxants was observed. Only prescriptions of benzodiazepines significantly decreased over time in specific cohorts. Overall, patients with PSPS type 2 and complex regional pain syndrome (both types) consume a broad variety of pain medication classes. EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Goudman
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy for reSearch and TeachIng NeuroModULation Uz BruSsel (STIMULUS) Research Group, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), and Pain in Motion (PAIN) Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Research Foundation Flanders, Brussels, Belgium; Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
| | - Maarten Moens
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy for reSearch and TeachIng NeuroModULation Uz BruSsel (STIMULUS) Research Group, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), and Pain in Motion (PAIN) Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; and Departments of Neurosurgery and Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Julie G Pilitsis
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
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12
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Ceccon C, Moscardino U. Friendship attachment style, intolerance of uncertainty, and psychological distress among unaccompanied immigrant minors in times of COVID-19. J Adolesc 2024; 96:81-97. [PMID: 37752693 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12254] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This cross-sectional study used a convergent parallel mixed-method design to investigate friendship attachment style, intolerance of uncertainty, and psychological distress among unaccompanied immigrant minors (UIMs) during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. METHOD Participants were 80 male UIMs (Mage = 17 years, standard deviation = 0.84) hosted in residential care communities. Individual interviews comprising questionnaires and open-ended questions assessed the constructs of interest. Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic content analysis, whereas descriptive statistics and regression analysis were computed on quantitative data. RESULTS Several UIMs mentioned positive relationships with peers, but more than half also felt reluctant to trust others and build new friendships due to events experienced before and during migration. However, in quantitative data, 69% identified themselves with the secure friendship attachment style. Regarding intolerance of uncertainty, participants expressed feelings of worry about the pandemic, but also emphasized their resources in terms of confidence, optimism, and planning skills, as well as being accustomed to uncertainty; indeed, levels of this variable were low-to-medium. In regression analysis, insecure attachment and higher intolerance of uncertainty were each associated with greater psychological distress. Moreover, psychological distress was lower among securely attached UIMs with low (vs. high) levels of intolerance of uncertainty. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that, even in conditions of societal insecurity, UIMs display resilience and employ effective coping strategies; however, a lack of trust in peer relationships and the inability to tolerate uncertainty may undermine their psychological adjustment. Implications for developmental theory and practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ceccon
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Ughetta Moscardino
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Padova, Italy
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Ford JD, Seedat S. On the path to recovery: traumatic stress research during the COVID-19 pandemic 2021-2023. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2281988. [PMID: 38038964 PMCID: PMC10990445 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2281988] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This Special Issue of the European Journal of Psychotraumatology (EJPT) presents 51 articles published between 2021 and 2023 and follows the Special Issue on pandemic-related traumatic stress research published in 2021 (O'Donnell, M. L., & Greene, T. [2021]. Understanding the mental health impacts of COVID-19 through a trauma lens. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), 1982502). Research on traumatic stress during the pandemic has cast the spotlight on vulnerable populations and groups, notably front-line healthcare workers; people faced with major losses including the deaths of loved ones; those who personally survived debilitating and often life-threatening viral infection; and students who were isolated and experienced profound delays in their education, relationships, and emerging independence. The papers in this collection underscore the associations between COVID-19 related stressors and a plethora of adverse mental health sequelae, including posttraumatic stress reactions, and draw attention to the ubiquity of grief and moral injury and their wide-ranging and detrimental impact. Currently, there is a paucity of evidence on interventions to enhance resources, self-efficacy, and hope for affected groups and individuals through societal, organisational, and healthcare systems; however early research on the prevention of COVID-related traumatic stress disorders provides a basis for both hope and preparedness for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian D. Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Soraya Seedat
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on the Genomics of Brain Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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14
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McCann B, Hunter SC, McAloney-Kocaman K, McCarthy P, Smith J, Calveley E. Time for You: A process evaluation of the rapid implementation of a multi-level mental health support intervention for frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293393. [PMID: 37889922 PMCID: PMC10610521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had wide-ranging negative impacts on mental health. The pandemic also placed extraordinary strain on frontline workers who were required to continue working and putting themselves at risk to provide essential services at a time when their normal support mechanisms may not have been available. This paper presents an evaluation of the Time for You service, a rapidly developed and implemented intervention aimed at providing frontline workers with quick access to flexible online mental health support. Time for You provided service users with three service options: self-guided online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) resources; guided engagement with online CBT resources; 1-1 psychological therapy with trainee sport and exercise psychologists and trainee health psychologists. A process evaluation informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research considered service fidelity, adaptations, perceived impact, reach, barriers, and facilitators. Interviews with project managers (n = 5), delivery staff (n = 10), and service users (n = 14) explored perceptions of the service implementation and outcomes, supported by data regarding engagement with the online CBT platform (n = 217). Findings indicated that service users valued the flexibility of the service and the speed with which they were able to access support. The support offered by Trainee Psychologists was perceived to be of high quality, and the service was perceived by service users to have improved mental health and wellbeing. The rapid implementation contributed to issues regarding appropriate service user screening that led to trainee psychologists being unable to provide the service users with the support they needed as the presenting issues were outside of trainees' competencies. Overall, the findings suggest that interventions offering flexible, online psychological support to frontline workers can be an effective model for future interventions. Trainee psychologists are also able to play an important role in delivering such services when clear screening processes are in place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan McCann
- Department of Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Simon C. Hunter
- Department of Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Graduate School of Education, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kareena McAloney-Kocaman
- Department of Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Paul McCarthy
- Department of Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Smith
- Department of Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Eileen Calveley
- Department of Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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15
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Brodosi L, Stecchi M, Mita D, Marchignoli F, Guarneri V, Agnelli G, Osti V, Perazza F, Sacilotto F, Pession A, Pironi L. Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine status of sixty-seven adult patients affected by inherited metabolic diseases: a phone survey. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:286. [PMID: 37700355 PMCID: PMC10496155 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02905-0] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Covid pandemic seems to have had several detrimental effects on managing patients affected by inherited metabolic diseases (IMD), although published data about the impact of COVID-19 on patients suffering from IMD are very scarce. The scope of our work was to evaluate adherence to the vaccination plan, the side effects experienced by our adult IMD patients, and the symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS Sixty-seven patients agreed to respond to a phone interview. The mean age was 36.5 (± 11.6 SD). Regarding the vaccination campaign, fifty-five patients (82%) joined it, of whom ten had received two doses and the remaining forty-five, three. Forty-two patients (76%) reported adverse events following vaccination, the most frequent being local reaction, fever, and asthenia, which lasted an average of two days and resolved without sequelae. Regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection, twenty-seven out of sixty-seven patients (40%) tested positive for the virus; seven of them were not vaccinated at the time of infection; on the other hand, twenty had already had at least two doses. Regarding the prevalence of long-Covid, as many as 12 patients (44%) reported symptoms that persisted after the nasopharyngeal swab tested negative and lasted an average of 81 (± 74 SD) days. There were no statistically significant differences in BMI of patients who contracted the infection and patients who did not (25.15 vs. 25.20, p = .861), between those who had adverse reactions to the vaccine and those who did not (24.40 vs. 25.75, p = .223), between those who had long-Covid and those who did not (25.9 vs. 27.7, p = .183). No relation was observed between metabolic inherited disease, SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms and adverse vaccine reactions. CONCLUSIONS The data indicate that IMD patients adhered to the vaccination campaign comparably to the general Italian population. Adverse events to the vaccine were negligible. SARS-CoV-2 infection, which occurred in most cases after receiving at least two doses of the vaccine, did not cause serious symptoms and never required hospitalisation. A non-negligible share of patients suffered from long-Covid symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Brodosi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
- Clinical Nutriti on and Metabolism Unit, IRCCS AOUBO, Via Albertoni, 15, Bologna, 40138, Italy.
| | - Michele Stecchi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Dorina Mita
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Francesca Marchignoli
- Clinical Nutriti on and Metabolism Unit, IRCCS AOUBO, Via Albertoni, 15, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Valeria Guarneri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Giulio Agnelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Valentino Osti
- Department of Public Health, Azienda USL di Bologna, Via Gramsci, 12, Bologna, 40121, Italy
| | - Federica Perazza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Federica Sacilotto
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, 40126, Italy
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS AOUBO, Via Albertoni, 15, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Loris Pironi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, Bologna, 40126, Italy
- Clinical Nutriti on and Metabolism Unit, IRCCS AOUBO, Via Albertoni, 15, Bologna, 40138, Italy
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Ruotolo F, Ruggiero G, Cattaneo Z, Arioli M, Candini M, Frassinetti F, Pazzaglia F, Fornara F, Bosco A, Iachini T. Psychological Reactions during and after a Lockdown: Self-Efficacy as a Protective Factor of Mental Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6679. [PMID: 37681819 PMCID: PMC10488210 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of home confinement/social isolation (i.e., lockdown), imposed to reduce large-scale spread of a disease in the population, on the mental health of individuals. Through an online survey during the lockdown (DL) related to COVID-19 (1085 respondents, 627 females, agerange: 18-82) (Italy, 23 April-2 May 2020), we revealed that situational factors, i.e., the presence of children at home and female gender, and psychological factors, i.e., a greater sense of isolation, lower perception of safety outside the home and higher trait anxiety, predicted higher levels of state anxiety (R2 = 0.58). The same factors, but with young age instead of the presence of children, predicted higher levels of perceived stress (R2 = 0.63). Then, these data were compared with those collected after the lockdown (AL) (174 respondents, 128 females, agerange: 19-78) (Italy, 1 July-31 October 2021). The results showed that along with a reduced sense of isolation (DL = 2.90 vs. AL = 2.10) and an increased perception of safety outside the home (DL = 2.63 vs. AL = 3.05), a reduction in state anxiety (DL = 45.76 vs. AL= 40.88) and stress appeared (DL = 18.84 vs. AL = 17.63). However, the situation was better for men than for women. Perceived self-efficacy emerged as a protective factor for mental health (R2range: 0.03-0.27). The results are discussed in light of the evidence on the effects of lockdown on individuals worldwide. These results may be used to make more educated decisions on targeted help for individuals who may be most adversely affected by the adoption of lockdowns in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ruotolo
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (G.R.); (T.I.)
| | - Gennaro Ruggiero
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (G.R.); (T.I.)
| | - Zaira Cattaneo
- Department of Social and Human Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (Z.C.); (M.A.)
| | - Maria Arioli
- Department of Social and Human Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy; (Z.C.); (M.A.)
| | - Michela Candini
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.C.)
| | | | | | - Ferdinando Fornara
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Andrea Bosco
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy;
| | - Tina Iachini
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (G.R.); (T.I.)
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Mergenova G, Rosenthal SL, Myrkassymova A, Bukharbayeva A, Iskakova B, Izekenova A, Izekenova A, Alekesheva L, Yerdenova M, Karibayev K, Zhussupov B, Alimbekova G, Davis A. The COVID-19 pandemic and mental health in Kazakhstan. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2023; 10:e52. [PMID: 37854418 PMCID: PMC10579662 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2023.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on mental health. We examined factors associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan. We surveyed 991 adults in Kazakhstan in July 2021 using multistage stratified sampling. Depression and anxiety were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. We conducted logistic regression to assess associations between depression and anxiety and sociobehavioral factors. Overall, 12.01% reported depressive symptoms and 8.38% anxiety. Higher likelihood of depression was associated with being female (AOR: 1.64; 95% CI [1.05, 2.55]), having experience with COVID-19 in the social environment (AOR: 1.85; 95% CI [1.1-3.14]), experiencing food insecurity (AOR: 1.80; 95% CI [1.11-2.89]), increased family conflict (AOR: 2.43; 95% CI [1.32-4.48]) and impaired healthcare access (AOR: 2.41; 95% CI [1.32-4.41]). Higher likelihood of anxiety was associated with being female (AOR: 3.43; 95% CI [1.91-6.15]), increased family conflict (AOR: 2.22; 95% CI [1.11-4.44]) and impaired healthcare access (AOR: 2.63; 95% CI [1.36-5.12]). Multiple factors were associated with mental health in Kazakhstan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which these factors and their associated mental health outcomes may persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaukhar Mergenova
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Susan L. Rosenthal
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Balnur Iskakova
- Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Assel Izekenova
- Kenzhegali Sagadiyev University of International Business, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Maral Yerdenova
- Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | | | | | | | - Alissa Davis
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, USA
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18
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Kaltenboeck A, Portela Millinger F, Stadtmann S, Schmid C, Amering M, Vogl S, Fellinger M. How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect the personal lives and care realities of people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder? A qualitative interview study. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1239-1249. [PMID: 36864811 PMCID: PMC9988625 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231156833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes one of the greatest recent public crises. This study explored its influence on the lives and care realities of people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). METHODS Between October 2020 and April 2021, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 volunteers with SSDs receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment in Vienna (Austria). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. RESULTS Three main themes were identified. First, 'Pandemic life is deprived, lonely and surreal - though certain aspects can be perceived as positive'. Second, 'Bio-psycho-social support systems were struck at their core by the pandemic and were left severely compromised'. Last, 'There is a complex interplay between one's prior experience of psychosis and the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic'. The pandemic situation affected interviewees in various ways. For many, it led to a drastic reduction in day-to-day and social activities and contributed to an atmosphere of strangeness and threat. Bio-psycho-social support providers frequently suspended their services and offered alternatives were not always helpful. Participants indicated that whilst having an SSD might render them vulnerable to the pandemic situation, prior experience with psychotic crises can also provide knowledge, skills and self-confidence which enable better coping. Some interviewees also perceived aspects of the pandemic situation as helpful for recovering from psychosis. CONCLUSION Healthcare providers must acknowledge the perspectives and needs of people with SSDs in present and future public health crises to ensure proper clinical support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kaltenboeck
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Filipe Portela Millinger
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Stadtmann
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
- Sozialpsychiatrisches Zentrum, Caritas der Erzdiözese Wien, Austria
| | - Christine Schmid
- Department of Psychology and Ergonomics, Technical University Berlin, Germany
| | - Michaela Amering
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Vogl
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Matthäus Fellinger
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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Yotsidi V, Nikolatou EK, Kourkoutas E, Kougioumtzis GA. Mental distress and well-being of university students amid COVID-19 pandemic: findings from an online integrative intervention for psychology trainees. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1171225. [PMID: 37519360 PMCID: PMC10374453 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1171225] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction University students have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as significant changes supervened their academic and social life. To tackle these challenges, several adjustments in the educational methods may be warranted for cultivating a positive environment at higher education institutions. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk and protective factors of students' mental health and well-being as well as their potential for flourishing in an undergraduate clinical psychology course that took place online due to the COVID-19 restrictive measures and incorporated positive psychology exercises as a means to empower young people amid the adverse conditions of the lockdown. Methods In total, 124 students attended the course and completed mental health (i.e., DASS-9, HADS, ERQ) and well-being (i.e., MHC-SF, SWLS, PANAS, GQ-6, BRS) measures at two time points (pre-and-post-test), during the first restrictions in Greece (March-June 2020). Results According to the results, students aged 18-20 years old reported higher levels of stress [χ2 = 14.72, p = 0.002], while students who felt that the quality of their studies had deteriorated [χ2 = 6.57, p = 0.038] reported increased levels of anxiety. High levels of depression were correlated with worse relationships with significant others (z = 7.02, p = 0.030 and χ2 = 11.39, p = 0.003 for family and friends, respectively), while gratitude and resilience were positively correlated with improved relationships with others, both during and after the lockdown. Factors associated with students' well-being were satisfaction with life and gratitude. Discussion These results suggest that well-being enhancement factors may have added value to current educational practices for promoting students' mental health and well-being in times of crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Yotsidi
- Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Elias Kourkoutas
- Department of Primary Education, Research Center for the Humanities, Social and Education Sciences, University of Crete, Rethymno, Greece
| | - Georgios A. Kougioumtzis
- Department of Turkish Studies, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Psychology, Neapolis University Pafos, Pafos, Cyprus
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20
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Reiss AB, Greene C, Dayaramani C, Rauchman SH, Stecker MM, De Leon J, Pinkhasov A. Long COVID, the Brain, Nerves, and Cognitive Function. Neurol Int 2023; 15:821-841. [PMID: 37489358 PMCID: PMC10366776 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint15030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, a single-stranded RNA coronavirus, causes an illness known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Long-term complications are an increasing issue in patients who have been infected with COVID-19 and may be a result of viral-associated systemic and central nervous system inflammation or may arise from a virus-induced hypercoagulable state. COVID-19 may incite changes in brain function with a wide range of lingering symptoms. Patients often experience fatigue and may note brain fog, sensorimotor symptoms, and sleep disturbances. Prolonged neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms are prevalent and can interfere substantially in everyday life, leading to a massive public health concern. The mechanistic pathways by which SARS-CoV-2 infection causes neurological sequelae are an important subject of ongoing research. Inflammation- induced blood-brain barrier permeability or viral neuro-invasion and direct nerve damage may be involved. Though the mechanisms are uncertain, the resulting symptoms have been documented from numerous patient reports and studies. This review examines the constellation and spectrum of nervous system symptoms seen in long COVID and incorporates information on the prevalence of these symptoms, contributing factors, and typical course. Although treatment options are generally lacking, potential therapeutic approaches for alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison B Reiss
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Long Island, NY 11501, USA
| | - Caitriona Greene
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Long Island, NY 11501, USA
| | - Christopher Dayaramani
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Long Island, NY 11501, USA
| | | | | | - Joshua De Leon
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Long Island, NY 11501, USA
| | - Aaron Pinkhasov
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Long Island, NY 11501, USA
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21
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Brooks SK, Patel SS, Greenberg N. Struggling, Forgotten, and Under Pressure: A Scoping Review of Experiences of Sex Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:1969-2010. [PMID: 37311934 PMCID: PMC10263380 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected physical, mental, and economic well-being across the globe and has disproportionately affected certain vulnerable groups. This paper provides a scoping review of literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sex workers, published between December 2019 and December 2022. Six databases were systematically searched, identifying 1009 citations; 63 studies were included in the review. Thematic analysis revealed eight main themes: financial issues; exposure to harm; alternate ways of working; COVID-19 knowledge, protective behaviors, fear, and risk; well-being, mental health, and coping; access to support; access to health care; and the impact of COVID-19 on research with sex workers. COVID-associated restrictions led to reduced work and income, leaving many sex workers struggling to cover basic needs; additionally, government protections excluded those working in the informal economy. Fearing the loss of their already reduced number of clients, many felt compelled to compromise both prices and protective measures. Although some engaged in online sex work, this raised concerns about visibility and was impossible for those without technological access or skills. Many feared COVID-19, but felt pressure to continue working, often with clients who refused to wear masks or share exposure history. Other negative impacts on well-being related to the pandemic included reduced access to financial support or health care. Marginalized populations (and especially those in professions which require close contact like sex workers) need further support and capacity-building within the community to recover from the impact of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha K Brooks
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, London, SE5 9RJ, UK.
| | - Sonny S Patel
- Transcultural Conflict and Violence Initiative, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neil Greenberg
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, London, SE5 9RJ, UK
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22
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Bryant EM, Richardson R, Graham BM. The relationship between salivary Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 and cortisol reactivity and psychological outcomes prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2023; 13:100606. [PMID: 37304226 PMCID: PMC10246939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is a biomarker that is associated with depression, anxiety and stress in rodents. In humans, we have previously demonstrated that salivary FGF2 increased following stress in a similar pattern to cortisol, and FGF2 (but not cortisol) reactivity predicted repetitive negative thinking, a transdiagnostic risk factor for mental illness. The current study assessed the relationship between FGF2, cortisol, and mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We employed a longitudinal correlational design using a convenience sample. We assessed whether FGF2 and cortisol reactivity following the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST) were associated with DASS-21 depression, anxiety and stress, measured at the time of the TSST in 2019-20 (n = 87; time 1), and then again in May 2020 during the first wave of COVID-19 in Sydney (n = 34 of the original sample; time 2). Results FGF2 reactivity (but not absolute FGF2 levels) at time 1 predicted depression, anxiety, and stress across timepoints. Cortisol reactivity at time 1 was associated with stress over timepoints, and absolute cortisol levels were associated with depression across timepoints. Limitations The sample was comprised of mostly healthy participants from a student population, and there was high attrition between timepoints. The outcomes need to be replicated in larger, more diverse, samples. Conclusions FGF2 and cortisol may be uniquely predictive of mental health outcomes in healthy samples, potentially allowing for early identification of at-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Bryant
- University of New South Wales, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Rick Richardson
- University of New South Wales, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Bronwyn M Graham
- University of New South Wales, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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23
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Zhao N, Zhao YJ, An F, Zhang Q, Sha S, Su Z, Cheung T, Jackson T, Zang YF, Xiang YT. Network analysis of comorbid insomnia and depressive symptoms among psychiatric practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Clin Sleep Med 2023; 19:1271-1279. [PMID: 36988299 PMCID: PMC10315603 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.10586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Insomnia and depression are common mental health problems reported by mental health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Network analysis is a fine-grained approach used to examine associations between psychiatric syndromes at a symptom level. This study was designed to elucidate central symptoms and bridge symptoms of a depression-insomnia network among psychiatric practitioners in China. The identification of particularly important symptoms via network analysis provides an empirical foundation for targeting specific symptoms when developing treatments for comorbid insomnia and depression within this population. METHODS A total of 10,516 psychiatric practitioners were included in this study. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to estimate prevalence rates of insomnia and depressive symptoms, respectively. Analyses also generated a network model of insomnia and depression symptoms in the sample. RESULTS Prevalence rates of insomnia (ISI total score ≥8), depression (PHQ-9 total score ≥5) and comorbid insomnia and depression were 22.2% (95% confidence interval: 21.4-22.9%), 28.5% (95% confidence interval: 27.6-29.4%), and 16.0% (95% confidence interval: 15.3-16.7%), respectively. Network analysis revealed that "Distress caused by sleep difficulties" (ISI7) and "Sleep maintenance" (ISI2) had the highest strength centrality, followed by "Motor dysfunction" (PHQ8) and "Sad mood" (PHQ2). Furthermore, the nodes "Sleep dissatisfaction" (ISI4), "Fatigue" (PHQ4), and "Motor dysfunction" (PHQ8) had the highest bridge strengths in linking depression and insomnia communities. CONCLUSIONS Both central and bridge symptoms (ie, Distress caused by sleep difficulties, Sleep maintenance, Motor dysfunction, Sad mood, Sleep dissatisfaction, and Fatigue) should be prioritized when testing preventive measures and specific treatments to address comorbid insomnia and depression among psychiatric practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. CITATION Zhao N, Zhao Y-J, An F, et al. Network analysis of comorbid insomnia and depressive symptoms among psychiatric practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(7):1271-1279.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhao
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Institutes of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Jie Zhao
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
- Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
- Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Fengrong An
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University & Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qinge Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University & Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Sha Sha
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University & Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohui Su
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Teris Cheung
- School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Todd Jackson
- Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
| | - Yu-Feng Zang
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Institutes of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Tao Xiang
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, and Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
- Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
- Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
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24
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Curtis SJ, Taylor R, Perry L, Trewin A, Were K, Walsh N, McDermott K. Telehealth for Comprehensive Care to Quarantine Residents: A Novel Approach and Lessons Learned. J Patient Exp 2023; 10:23743735231183669. [PMID: 37362249 PMCID: PMC10286160 DOI: 10.1177/23743735231183669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Proactive engagement and care with regular and timely information are required to manage the health and well-being of people in quarantine. At Australia's Howard Springs International Quarantine Facility, a telehealth model was rapidly established using trained non-clinical Customer Service Officers (CSO's) with the aim to provide comprehensive care to residents, maximize staff safety, and reduce clinical workforce capacity pressures. We describe this model, whereby CSO's provided residents with daily COVID-19 symptom and well-being screening, weekly psychological screening, and ongoing linkage to additional clinical and administrative services. In addition, CSO's went beyond these duties to deliver personalized care through delivery of care packages and attendance of the departure point to farewell residents. From October 2020 to May 2021, across 7105 residents, we estimated that CSO's prevented over 75 000 face-to-face resident visits, which reduced workforce requirements and preserved staff safety through minimizing potential COVID-19 transmission and time spent in personal protective equipment in the challenging ambient environment. We share key lessons learned which may inform future telehealth models and guide a positive experience for quarantine residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J. Curtis
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Ronnie Taylor
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Lynette Perry
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Abigail Trewin
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Karen Were
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Nick Walsh
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Kathleen McDermott
- National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
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25
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Vagnini D, Lamperti N, Molgora S, Barile F, Facchin F, Mazza U, Saita E. Mental Health Issues as a Consequence of the Pandemic: Group Psycho-Educational Intervention to Support Patients Recovered from COVID-19 Infection. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6105. [PMID: 37372692 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Common psycho-physical symptoms have emerged in patients who were previously recovered for COVID-19 infection, including traumatic experience and enduring emotional disturbances. A group psycho-educational intervention of seven weekly sessions and a follow-up after three months was proposed to all Italian-speaking patients formally discharged from a public hospital in northern Italy and physically recovered from infection. Eighteen patients were recruited and divided into four age-homogenous groups, each led by two facilitators (psychologists and psychotherapists). The group sessions followed a structured format with thematic modules, including main topics, tasks, and homework assignments. Data were collected through recordings and verbatim transcripts. The objectives of the study were twofold: (1) to analyze the emerging themes and gain insight into the significant aspects of the participants' lived experience of COVID-19, and (2) to examine changes in how participants approached these themes throughout the intervention process. Semantic-pragmatic text analyses, specifically thematic analysis of elementary context and correspondence analysis, were conducted using T-LAB software. Linguistic analysis revealed a congruence between the intervention's objectives and the participants' experiences. The study highlighted an evolution in the narratives, as participants transitioned from a passive and concrete perspective on the disease to a more comprehensive cognitive and emotional elaboration of their personal illness stories. These findings hold potential relevance for healthcare services and professionals working in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Vagnini
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicolò Lamperti
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Molgora
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Barile
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Facchin
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Umberto Mazza
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Saita
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
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26
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Green MJ, Craig P, Demou E, Katikireddi SV, Leyland AH, Pearce A. Understanding inequalities in mental health by family structure during COVID-19 lockdowns: evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2023; 22:24. [PMID: 37280641 PMCID: PMC10242239 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-023-00454-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic increased psychiatric distress and impacts differed by family structure. We aimed to identify mechanisms contributing to these inequalities. METHODS Survey data were from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Psychiatric distress (GHQ-12) was measured in April 2020 (first UK lockdown; n = 10,516), and January 2021 (lockdown re-introduced following eased restrictions; n = 6,893). Pre-lockdown family structure comprised partner status and presence of children (< 16 years). Mediating mechanisms included: active employment, financial strain, childcare/home-schooling, caring, and loneliness. Monte Carlo g-computation simulations were used to adjust for confounding and estimate total effects and decompositions into: controlled direct effects (effects if the mediator was absent), and portions eliminated (PE; representing differential exposure and vulnerability to the mediator). RESULTS In January 2021, after adjustment, we estimated increased risk of distress among couples with children compared to couples with no children (RR: 1.48; 95% CI 1.15-1.82), largely because of childcare/home-schooling (PE RR: 1.32; 95% CI 1.00-1.64). Single respondents without children also had increased risk of distress compared to couples with no children (RR: 1.55; 95% CI 1.27-1.83), and the largest PE was for loneliness (RR: 1.16; 95% CI 1.05-1.27), though financial strain contributed (RR: 1.05; 95% CI 0.99-1.12). Single parents demonstrated the highest levels of distress, but confounder adjustment suggested uncertain effects with wide confidence intervals. Findings were similar in April 2020 and when stratified by sex. CONCLUSION Access to childcare/schooling, financial security and social connection are important mechanisms that need addressing to avoid widening mental health inequalities during public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Green
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow, UK.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Peter Craig
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow, UK
| | - Evangelia Demou
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow, UK
| | - S Vittal Katikireddi
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alastair H Leyland
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anna Pearce
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Road, Glasgow, UK
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Nigg C, Petersen E, MacIntyre T. Natural environments, psychosocial health, and health behaviors in a crisis - A scoping review of the literature in the COVID-19 context. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 88:102009. [PMID: 37065613 PMCID: PMC10082968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak led to major restrictions globally, affecting people's psychosocial health and their health behaviors. Thus, the purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the available research regarding nature and health in the COVID-19 context. Keywords relating to natural environments and COVID-19 were combined to conduct a systematic online search in six major databases. Eligibility criteria were a) published since 2020 with data collected in the COVID-19 context b) peer-reviewed, c) original empirical data collected on human participants, d) investigated the association between natural environments and psychosocial health or health behaviors, and e) English, German, or Scandinavian languages. Out of 9126 articles being screened, we identified 188 relevant articles, representing 187 distinct studies. Most research focused on adults in the general population and was predominantly conducted in the USA, Europe, and China. Overall, the findings indicate that nature may mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on psychological health and physical activity. Through a systematic thematic analysis of the extracted data, three primary themes were identified: 1) type of nature assessed, 2) psychosocial health and health behaviors investigated, and 3) heterogeneity in the nature-health relationship. Research gaps in the COVID-19 context were identified regarding I) nature characteristics that promote psychosocial health and health behaviors, II) investigations of digital and virtual nature, III) psychological constructs relating to mental health promotion, IV) health-promoting behaviors other than physical activity, V) underlying mechanisms regarding heterogeneity in the nature-health relationship based on human, nature, and geographic characteristics, and VI) research focusing on vulnerable groups. Overall, natural environments demonstrate considerable potential in buffering the impact of stressful events on a population level on mental health. However, future research is warranted to fill the mentioned research gaps and to examine the long-term effects of nature exposure during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Nigg
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 145, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Engler-Bunte-Ring 15, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Evi Petersen
- Department of Sports, Physical Education and Outdoor Life, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800, Bø i, Telemark, Norway
- Department of Early Childhood Education, Oslo Metropolitan University, Pilestredet 42, 0167, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tadhg MacIntyre
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Maynooth University, North Campus, W23 F2K8, Maynooth, Ireland
- Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, Maynooth University, North Campus, W23 F2k8, Maynooth, Ireland
- TechPA Research Group, Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
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Sundarakumar JS, Mensegere AL, Malo PK, Ravindranath V. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on some modifiable risk factors of dementia in an aging, rural Indian population. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:954557. [PMID: 37275968 PMCID: PMC10237042 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.954557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns is likely to have caused adverse changes in lifestyle-related/cardiovascular risk factors and other such modifiable risk factors of dementia. We aimed to examine the pandemic's impact on some modifiable risk factors of dementia among rural Indians belonging to a large, prospective aging cohort-Srinivaspura Aging, NeuoSenescence, and COGnition (SANSCOG). Methods This was a cross-sectional study among adults aged ≥ 45 years (n = 3,148; 1,492 males and 1,656 females) residing in the villages of Srinivaspura in Karnataka state, India. SANSCOG study data (clinical and biochemical assessments) of these participants were obtained from three distinct periods: (i) the "pre-COVID period"-before India's nationwide lockdown on 24 March 2020, (ii) the "COVID period"-during the first and second waves of the pandemic, wherein the social restrictions were prominent (25 March 2020 to 30 September 2021), and (iii) the "post-COVID period"-after easing of restrictions (from 1 October 2021 onward). Proportions of participants with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia (diagnosed using standard criteria), and depression (diagnosed using the Geriatric Depression Scale) were compared between the above three periods. Results The odds of having obesity, abnormal triglycerides, and depression among individuals in the COVID period were 1.42 times, 1.38 times, and 2.65 times more than the odds in the pre-COVID period, respectively. The odds of having hypertension, obesity, abnormal total cholesterol, abnormal triglycerides, abnormal LDL, and depression among individuals in the post-COVID period were 1.27 times, 1.32 times, 1.58 times, 1.95, 1.23, and 3.05 times more than the odds in the pre-COVID period, respectively. The odds of diabetes did not differ between any of the three periods. Discussion We found significantly higher odds of some of the studied risk factors in the COVID and post-COVID periods compared to the pre-COVID period, suggesting that the pandemic adversely impacted the physical and psychological health of this marginalized, rural Indian population. We call for urgent public health measures, such as multimodal, lifestyle-based, and psychosocial interventions, to mitigate this negative impact and reduce the future risk of dementia.
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Nahidi M, Ghalandarzadeh M, Sinichi F, Sahebzadeh N, Eslami S, Reihani H, Emadzadeh M, Fayyazi Bordbar MR. Investigating the psychological effects of home quarantine during the early peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey from Iran. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; 38:136-145. [PMID: 36730691 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000444] [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: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We assessed psychological symptoms among individuals who were quarantined during early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) peaks. This cross-sectional study was performed during April-October 2020 in Iran. We surveyed 100 individuals with COVID-19 patients in their families and 100 others with health conditions associated with a higher risk of developing critical forms of COVID-19 infection, who have completed at least 14 days of home quarantine. Validated Persian versions of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress and 22-item Impact of Event Scale-Revised were used to measure the symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and distress. The rates of stress, anxiety, depression and quarantine-related distress were 46.5, 48.5, 57.0 and 80.5%, respectively; however, they were not significantly different between the contact and no-contact groups. Female sex and being unemployed were significantly associated with quarantine-related distress, P = 0.007 and P = 0.018, respectively. Independent risk factors for anxiety were a history of medical comorbidity ( P = 0.025) and contact with COVID-19 patients ( P = 0.007). Findings show high prevalence rates of psychological symptoms among quarantined individuals, regardless of whether they had contact with COVID-19 patients or not. Female sex and unemployment were risk factors for quarantine-related distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Nahidi
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Centers
| | | | | | | | - Saeid Eslami
- Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Probst-Hensch N, Jeong A, Keidel D, Imboden M, Lovison G. Depression trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic in the high-quality health care setting of Switzerland: the COVCO-Basel cohort. Public Health 2023; 217:65-73. [PMID: 36854252 PMCID: PMC9841075 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.01.010] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES During the pandemic, Switzerland avoided stringent lockdowns and provided funds to stabilize the economy. To assess whether and in what subgroups the pandemic impacted on depressive symptoms in this specific Swiss context, we derived depression trajectories over an extended pandemic period in a Swiss cohort and related them to individuals' sociodemographic characteristics. STUDY DESIGN This was a population-based cohort study. METHODS The population-based COVCO-Basel cohort in North-Western Switzerland invited 112,848 adult residents of whom 12,724 participated at baseline. Between July 2020 and December 2021, 6396 participants answered to additional 18 monthly online questionnaires. Depression symptoms were repeatedly measured by the DASS-21 scale. Group-based Trajectory Models methods were applied to identify clusters of similar depression trajectories. Trajectory clusters were characterized descriptively and with a Multinomial response model. RESULTS Three distinct trajectories were identified. The 'Highly affected' trajectory (13%) had a larger presence of younger and female participants with lower average income, higher levels of past depression, and living alone. A majority of individuals in the 'Unaffected' trajectory (52%) were of medium or high average income, older average age, without previous depression symptoms, and not living alone. The 'Moderately affected' trajectory (35%) had a composition intermediate between the two opposite 'extreme' trajectories. CONCLUSIONS This study is among few studies investigating depression trajectories up to the time when COVID-19 vaccination was readily available to the entire population. During these 18 months of the pandemic, depressive symptoms increased in a substantial percentage of participants. Economic support, high-quality health care system, and moderate containment measures did not sufficiently protect all population subgroups from adverse, potentially long-term psychological pandemic impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Probst-Hensch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland,Department of Public Health, University of Basel, Switzerland,Corresponding author. Head Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - A. Jeong
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland,Department of Public Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - D. Keidel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland,Department of Public Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - M. Imboden
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland,Department of Public Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - G. Lovison
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland,Department of Public Health, University of Basel, Switzerland,Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo, Italy
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de Meijere G, Valdano E, Castellano C, Debin M, Kengne-Kuetche C, Turbelin C, Noël H, Weitz JS, Paolotti D, Hermans L, Hens N, Colizza V. Attitudes towards booster, testing and isolation, and their impact on COVID-19 response in winter 2022/2023 in France, Belgium, and Italy: a cross-sectional survey and modelling study. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2023; 28:100614. [PMID: 37131863 PMCID: PMC10035813 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background European countries are focusing on testing, isolation, and boosting strategies to counter the 2022/2023 winter surge due to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants. However, widespread pandemic fatigue and limited compliance potentially undermine mitigation efforts. Methods To establish a baseline for interventions, we ran a multicountry survey to assess respondents’ willingness to receive booster vaccination and comply with testing and isolation mandates. Integrating survey and estimated immunity data in a branching process epidemic spreading model, we evaluated the effectiveness and costs of current protocols in France, Belgium, and Italy to manage the winter wave. Findings The vast majority of survey participants (N = 4594) was willing to adhere to testing (>91%) and rapid isolation (>88%) across the three countries. Pronounced differences emerged in the declared senior adherence to booster vaccination (73% in France, 94% in Belgium, 86% in Italy). Epidemic model results estimate that testing and isolation protocols would confer significant benefit in reducing transmission (17–24% reduction, from R = 1.6 to R = 1.3 in France and Belgium, to R = 1.2 in Italy) with declared adherence. Achieving a mitigating level similar to the French protocol, the Belgian protocol would require 35% fewer tests (from 1 test to 0.65 test per infected person) and avoid the long isolation periods of the Italian protocol (average of 6 days vs. 11). A cost barrier to test would significantly decrease adherence in France and Belgium, undermining protocols’ effectiveness. Interpretation Simpler mandates for isolation may increase awareness and actual compliance, reducing testing costs, without compromising mitigation. High booster vaccination uptake remains key for the control of the winter wave. Funding The 10.13039/501100000780European Commission, ANRS–Maladies Infectieuses Émergentes, the Agence Nationale de la Recherche, the Chaires Blaise Pascal Program of the Île-de-France region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia de Meijere
- Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), L'Aquila, Italy
- Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi (ISC-CNR), Roma, Italy
| | - Eugenio Valdano
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Paris, France
| | - Claudio Castellano
- Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi (ISC-CNR), Roma, Italy
- Centro Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Roma, Italy
| | - Marion Debin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Paris, France
| | - Charly Kengne-Kuetche
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Paris, France
| | - Clément Turbelin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Paris, France
| | - Harold Noël
- Santé Publique France, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Joshua S Weitz
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Institut de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
| | | | - Lisa Hermans
- Data Science Institute, I-biostat, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Niel Hens
- Data Science Institute, I-biostat, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases (CHERMID), Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vittoria Colizza
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Paris, France
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Rast E, Perplies C, Biddle L, Bozorgmehr K. Between Care and Coercion: Asylum Seekers’ Experiences With COVID-19 Containment and Mitigation Measures in German Reception Centres. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1605230. [PMID: 36994090 PMCID: PMC10041458 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1605230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: COVID-19 containment and mitigation measures have been criticised for amplifying pre-existing individual and structural vulnerabilities among asylum seekers. We qualitatively explored their experiences with and attitudes towards pandemic measures to inform people-centred responses in future health emergencies.Methods: We interviewed eleven asylum seekers in a German reception centre (July-December 2020). The semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically with an inductive-deductive approach.Results: Quarantine was experienced as burdensome by participants. Shortcomings in social support, everyday necessities, information, hygiene, and daily activities exacerbated the strains of quarantine. Interviewees held different opinions about the usefulness and appropriateness of the various containment and mitigation measures. These opinions differed by individual risk perception and the measures’ comprehensibility and compatibility with personal needs. Power asymmetries related to the asylum system furthermore impacted on preventive behaviour.Conclusion: Quarantine can amplify mental health burdens and power asymmetries and can therefore constitute a considerable stressor for asylum seekers. Provision of diversity-sensitive information, daily necessities, and accessible psychosocial support is required to counteract adverse psychosocial impacts of pandemic measures and safeguard wellbeing in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilin Rast
- Section Health Equity Studies & Migration, Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Clara Perplies
- Section Health Equity Studies & Migration, Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Louise Biddle
- Section Health Equity Studies & Migration, Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Population Medicine and Health Services Research, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kayvan Bozorgmehr
- Section Health Equity Studies & Migration, Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Population Medicine and Health Services Research, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Granados Villalpando JM, Baeza Flores GDC, Ble Castillo JL, Celorio Méndez KDS, Juárez Rojop IE, Morales Contreras JA, Olvera Hernández V, Quiroz Gómez S, Romero Tapia SDJ, Ruíz Quiñones JA, Guzmán Priego CG. Mental Health Disorders and Coping Strategies in Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study in Southeastern Mexico. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4230. [PMID: 36901239 PMCID: PMC10001768 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mental health disorders are relatively common in the general population and were already an important issue for the healthcare sector before COVID-19. COVID-19, being a worldwide crucial event and evidently a great stressor has increased both the prevalence and incidence of these. Therefore, it is evident that COVID-19 and mental health disorders are closely related. Moreover, several coping strategies exist to endure said disorders such as depression and anxiety, which are used by the population to confront stressors, and healthcare workers are not the exception. This was an analytical cross-sectional study, conducted from August to November 2022, via an online survey. Prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed via the DASS-21 test, and coping strategies were assessed via the CSSHW test. The sample consisted of 256 healthcare workers and of those, 133 (52%) were males with a mean age of 40.4 ± 10.35, and 123 (48%) were females with a mean age of 37.28 ± 9.33. Depression was prevalent in 43%, anxiety in 48%, and stress in 29.7%. Comorbidities were a significant risk factor for both depression and anxiety with an OR of 10.9 and 4.18, respectively. The psychiatric background was a risk factor for depression with an OR of 2.17, anxiety with an OR of 2.43, and stress with an OR of 3.58. The age difference was an important factor in the development of depression and anxiety. The maladaptive coping mechanism was prevalent in 90 subjects and was a risk factor for depression (OR of 2.94), anxiety (OR of 4.46) and stress (OR of 3.68). The resolution coping mechanism was a protective factor for depression (OR of 0.35), anxiety (OR of 0.22), and stress (OR of 0.52). This study shows that mental health disorders are highly prevalent among healthcare workers in Mexico and that coping strategies are associated with their prevalence. It also implies that not only occupations, age, and comorbidities might affect mental health, but also the way patients confront reality and the behavior and decisions they take towards stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Maximiliano Granados Villalpando
- Cardiometabolism Laboratory, Research Center, Health Sciences Academic Division (DACS), Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa 86040, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe del Carmen Baeza Flores
- Cardiometabolism Laboratory, Research Center, Health Sciences Academic Division (DACS), Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa 86040, Mexico
| | - Jorge Luis Ble Castillo
- Metabolic Disease Biochemistry, Research Center, Health Sciences Academic Division (DACS), Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa 86040, Mexico
| | - Karla del Socorro Celorio Méndez
- Cardiometabolism Laboratory, Research Center, Health Sciences Academic Division (DACS), Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa 86040, Mexico
| | - Isela Esther Juárez Rojop
- Lipid Metabolism, Research Center, Health Sciences Academic Division (DACS), Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa 86040, Mexico
| | - José Antonio Morales Contreras
- Cardiometabolism Laboratory, Research Center, Health Sciences Academic Division (DACS), Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa 86040, Mexico
| | - Viridiana Olvera Hernández
- Metabolic Disease Biochemistry, Research Center, Health Sciences Academic Division (DACS), Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa 86040, Mexico
| | - Sergio Quiroz Gómez
- Health Sciences Academic Division (DACS), Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa 86040, Mexico
| | - Sergio de Jesús Romero Tapia
- Health Sciences Academic Division (DACS), Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa 86040, Mexico
| | - Jesús Arturo Ruíz Quiñones
- Research Center for Tropical and Emerging Diseases, High Specialty Regional Hospital “Juan Graham Casasús”, Villahermosa 86126, Mexico
| | - Crystell Guadalupe Guzmán Priego
- Cardiometabolism Laboratory, Research Center, Health Sciences Academic Division (DACS), Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa 86040, Mexico
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Rudnicka-Drożak E, Drożak P, Mizerski G, Zaborowski T, Ślusarska B, Nowicki G, Drożak M. Links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's Disease-What Do We Already Know? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2146. [PMID: 36767513 PMCID: PMC9915236 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a life-changing condition whose etiology is explained by several hypotheses. Recently, a new virus contributed to the evidence of viral involvement in AD: the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the COVID-19 coronavirus disease. AD was found to be one of the most common COVID-19 comorbidities, and it was found to increase mortality from this disease as well. Moreover, AD patients were observed to present with the distinct clinical features of COVID-19, with delirium being prevalent in this group. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters host cells through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. ACE2 is overexpressed in brains with AD, which thus increases the viral invasion. Furthermore, the inhibition of the ACE2 receptor by the SARS-CoV-2 virus may also decrease the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), contributing to neurodegeneration. The ApoE ε4 allele, which increases the risk of AD, was found to facilitate the SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. Furthermore, the neuroinflammation and oxidative stress existing in AD patients enhance the inflammatory response associated with COVID-19. Moreover, pandemic and associated social distancing measures negatively affected the mental health, cognitive function, and neuro-psychiatric symptoms of AD patients. This review comprehensively covers the links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, including clinical presentation, molecular mechanisms, and the effects of social distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Rudnicka-Drożak
- Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Paulina Drożak
- Student Scientific Society, Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Mizerski
- Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Zaborowski
- Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Barbara Ślusarska
- Department of Family and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Nowicki
- Department of Family and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Martyna Drożak
- Student Scientific Society, Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
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Maietti E, Reno C, Sanmarchi F, Montalti M, Fantini MP, Gori D. Are psychological status and trust in information related to vaccine hesitancy during COVID-19 pandemic? A latent class and mediation analyses in Italy. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2157622. [PMID: 36573024 PMCID: PMC9891681 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2157622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the recognized benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine hesitancy (VH) remains one of the biggest challenges of the mass vaccination campaign. Most studies investigating VH determinants focused on socio-demographics and direct relationships. In this study, we aimed at: 1) identifying subgroups of people differently affected by the pandemic, in terms of psychological status; 2) investigating the role of psychological status and trust in information as possible mediators of the relationship between individual characteristics and VH. To this purpose, a latent class analysis (LCA) followed by a mediation analysis were carried out on data from a survey conducted in January 2021 on 1011 Italian citizens. LCA identified four different subgroups characterized by a differential psychological impact of the pandemic: the extremely affected (21.1%), the highly affected (49.1%), the moderately affected (21.8%) and the slightly affected (8%). We found that VH decreased with the increase of psychological impact (from 59.3% to 23.9%). In the mediation analysis, past vaccination refusal, age 45-54 years and lower-than-average income, were all indirectly related to higher VH through mistrust in COVID-19 information. Differently, the psychological impact counteracted the greater VH in females, the negative effect of social media among youngest (<35 years) and the negative effect of mistrust in the lower-than-average-income subgroup. Knowledge of psychological profile of hesitant individuals, their level of trust and the sources of information they access, together with their sociodemographic characteristics provides a more comprehensive picture of VH determinants that can be used by public health stakeholders to effectively design and adapt communication campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Maietti
- Department of Biomedical and Nuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Reno
- Department of Biomedical and Nuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Sanmarchi
- Department of Biomedical and Nuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy,CONTACT Francesco Sanmarchi Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Montalti
- Department of Biomedical and Nuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Fantini
- Department of Biomedical and Nuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Davide Gori
- Department of Biomedical and Nuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Shpakou A, Sokołowska D, Krajewska-Kułak E, Cybulski M, Kowalewska B, Korpak F, Surkov S, Owoc J, Krakowiak J, Kowalczuk K. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity, life satisfaction, anxiety, stress perception and coping strategies in student-athletes: A comparison between Belarus and Poland-countries with a different approach of anti-pandemic measures. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1052744. [PMID: 36530658 PMCID: PMC9755163 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1052744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background More than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed lives of people around the world and had a profound impact on the field of sports. This has resulted in decreased physical activity (PA) and changes in mental health. The goal was to assess self-reported physical activity, life satisfaction, perceived stress, choice of coping strategies and their correlations among student athletes from two neighboring countries facing different anti-pandemic strategies. Methods Cross-sectional surveys using standardized questionnaires: International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Mini-COPE) to compare 600 students from Physical Education and Sports departments of universities in Belarus (n = 333), where restrictions were found to be less stringent than in neighboring Poland (n = 267). Results Minor differences in physical activities between both countries indicate that student athletes have adapted fairly quickly and found ways to keep their PA at a fairly high level. Nevertheless, higher PA was reported in the group of student athletes from Belarus. PA levels correlated with life satisfaction, anxiety and stress levels. Female students from Poland reported lower satisfaction with their lives. Their perception of stress was twice as high as that of their Belarusian counterparts. The most common coping strategy in both groups was active coping. Polish respondents less frequently used strategies of avoiding problems and seeking outside support. Conclusion The level of physical activity and well-being of student athletes are associated with increased mental health and coping with stress. They also contribute to prevention of affective disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, it is dependent on the country's anti-pandemic policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Shpakou
- Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland,*Correspondence: Andrei Shpakou
| | - Dorota Sokołowska
- Department of Physical Education and Tourism, University of Finance and Management, Bialystok, Poland
| | | | - Mateusz Cybulski
- Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Beata Kowalewska
- Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Filip Korpak
- Department of Recreation and Tourism, Faculty of Physical Education and Health in Biala Podlaska, Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sergei Surkov
- Department of Athletics, Swimming and Skiing, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Brest State A.S. Pushkin University, Brest, Belarus
| | - Jakub Owoc
- Department of Gerontology, Public Health and Education, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Krakowiak
- Department of Social Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Krystyna Kowalczuk
- Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
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Petersen J, Hettich N, Baumkötter R, Wild PS, Pfeiffer N, Münzel T, König J, Lackner KJ, Beutel ME. The burdens of poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2022; 7:995318. [PMID: 36505762 PMCID: PMC9731111 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2022.995318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals living at-risk-of-poverty have an increased risk of poor mental health. The pandemic and its societal impacts might have negative effects especially on this group widening the gap between rich and poor and also exacerbate gender gaps, which in turn might impact social cohesion. AIM The objective of this longitudinal study was to determine if people living at-risk-of-poverty were more vulnerable to economic and psychosocial impacts of the pandemic and showed poorer mental health. Moreover, gender differences were analyzed. METHOD We drew data from a sample of N = 10,250 respondents of two time points (T1 starting from October 2020, T2 starting from March 2021) of the Gutenberg COVID-19 Study. We tested for differences between people living at-risk-of-poverty and more affluent respondents regarding economic impacts, psychosocial stressors, as well as depressiveness, anxiety and loneliness, by comparing mean and distributional differences. To test for significant discrepancy, we opted for chi-square- and t-tests. RESULTS The analysis sample compromised N = 8,100 individuals of which 4,2% could be classified as living at-risk-of-poverty. 23% of respondents living at-risk-of-poverty had a decrease in income since the beginning of the pandemic-twice as many as those not living at-risk-of-poverty, who reported more often an increase in income. Less affluent individuals reported a decrease in working hours, while more affluent people reported an increase. Between our survey time points, we found a significant decrease in these economic impacts. Gender differences for economic changes were only found for more affluent women who worked more hours with no change in income. Less affluent respondents were more impacted by psychosocial stressors, depressiveness, anxiety, and loneliness. Gender differences were found particularly with regard to care responsibilities. DISCUSSION Our results indicate a widening in the gap between the rich and the poor at the beginning of the pandemic. Gender differences concerning economic changes affect more affluent women, but women in both income groups are more burdened by care responsibilities, which might indicate a heightened resurgence of gender role in times of crisis. This increase in inequality might have impacted social cohesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Petersen
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nora Hettich
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rieke Baumkötter
- Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine Main, Mainz, Germany
| | - Philipp S. Wild
- Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine Main, Mainz, Germany
| | - Norbert Pfeiffer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Münzel
- Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jochem König
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Karl J. Lackner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Manfred E. Beutel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Have the COVID-19 outbreak and related restrictions affected the right to mental health of people with severe mental health conditions? Int Rev Psychiatry 2022; 35:180-193. [PMID: 37105147 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2145183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, and the restrictions implemented by governments to limit its public health impact, may have determined a reduction of the right to mental health of people with severe mental health conditions, that is a limitation to adequate, human, and value-based mental healthcare, with rising inequalities in comparison with the general population. This systematic review was, therefore, conducted to collate evidence on the impact of the pandemic period on the mental health of individuals with pre-existing severe mental health conditions. Of 3,774 retrieved citations, we selected 21 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority of the included studies assessed trends in psychological symptoms over the pandemic period, then arguing that symptoms worsened for a number of reasons, including the risk of contracting the virus, the disruption of mental health services, and the feelings of loneliness and isolation associated with the restriction measures. Even though studies provided somewhat contradictory results, the majority of evidence indicates that people with pre-existing mental health conditions were more likely to report greater self-isolation distress, anxiety, depression, COVID-19-related perceived stress, and were more likely to voluntarily self-isolate than those without a mental health condition. These findings appeared to suggest that a combination of factors related to the pandemic itself and to the prevention and mitigation strategies were responsible for a reduction of the right to mental health of people with mental health conditions, with increased inequalities in comparison with the general population.
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Carola V, Vincenzo C, Morale C, Cecchi V, Rocco M, Nicolais G. Psychological Health in Intensive Care Unit Health Care Workers after the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:2201. [PMID: 36360545 PMCID: PMC9690339 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10112201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the general population, health care workers (HCWs) constituted one of the groups that were most adversely affected by the associated risks, owing to the significant consequences on their mental health. This study examined these psychological effects on HCWs who cared for COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit in an Italian hospital. METHODS Subjects were administered several self-reported questionnaires: Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS), Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R), and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), as well as two open-ended questions oriented toward understanding their positive and negative emotional experience and differentiating between two phases of the emergency. RESULTS Overall, 45% of HCWs showed medium-to-high anxiety/depressive symptoms, whereas 60% presented with medium-to-high levels of perceived stress. In addition, 37% of subjects developed symptoms of PTSD and 50% showed post-traumatic growth in the "appreciation of life" and "new possibilities" dimensions. With regard to the open-ended questions, three themes were identified: quality of workplace relationships, sense of emotional-relational competence, and sense of clinical-technical competence. In addition, two macrocategories of responses were identified in the answers: growth and block. CONCLUSIONS The mental health of HCWs who are involved in the front line of COVID-19 was significantly impacted by this experience, showing high levels of post-traumatic stress and anxiety and depressive symptoms more than 1 year after the emergency began. A qualitative analysis of staff experiences can be a useful guide for structuring interventions and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Carola
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Vincenzo
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Morale
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Cecchi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Rocco
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Translational Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Nicolais
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Moens M, Duarte RV, De Smedt A, Putman K, Callens J, Billot M, Roulaud M, Rigoard P, Goudman L. Health-related quality of life in persons post-COVID-19 infection in comparison to normative controls and chronic pain patients. Front Public Health 2022; 10:991572. [PMID: 36339175 PMCID: PMC9632164 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.991572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exerted a tremendous pressure on the healthcare system, people's social life, mental health and financial status with profound implications for the general population. The exact impact of the pandemic on the overall physical, mental and social wellbeing of COVID-19 infection survivors on the long term has not yet been explored in a thorough way. Based on the reporting of persistent pain, fatigue and dyspnea symptoms by these survivors, it is our hypothesis that their quality of life will be extremely impacted, as is observed in patients with chronic pain. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to perform an in-depth evaluation of the quality of life of post-COVID-19 infected persons. The second aim was to compare the quality of life of these persons with a normative population and with patients with chronic pain. Health-related quality of life, as a measure for a person's overall physical, mental, and social wellbeing, was measured with the 3-level EQ5D in 547 post-COVID-19 infected persons. These data were compared to reference data from normal population records for Belgium and to data from patients with chronic pain after spinal surgery with two-way analyses of variance. In total, 89.58% of the post-COVID-19 infected persons reported pain/discomfort and 82.45% indicated limitations when performing usual activities, when evaluated 287 days (SD: 150) after the infection. Self-care was preserved in most post-COVID-19 persons, whereby only 13.16% indicated problems. The mean EQ5D-3L index score was 0.57 (SD: 0.23) and EQ5D VAS mean score was 56.6 (SD: 18.2). The mean index score for the normative population was significantly higher than for COVID-19 infected persons [mean difference of 0.31 (95% from 0.29 to 0.33), p < 0.01] while the mean score of chronic pain patients was significantly lower than the score of COVID-19 infected persons [mean difference of -0.31 (95% from -0.29 to -0.33), p < 0.01]. Compared to age-and sex adjusted reference data, health-related quality of life of persons with long COVID is severely impacted. In relation to patients with chronic pain after spinal surgery, the quality of life of post-COVID-19 infected persons seemed to be better. Clinical trial registration https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT04912778.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Moens
- STIMULUS Research Group (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Pain in Motion (PAIN) Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rui V. Duarte
- Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ann De Smedt
- STIMULUS Research Group (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Koen Putman
- Department of Public Health (GEWE), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Interuniversity Centre for Health Economics Research (I-CHER), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jonas Callens
- STIMULUS Research Group (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maxime Billot
- PRISMATICS Lab (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery), Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France
| | - Manuel Roulaud
- PRISMATICS Lab (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery), Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France
| | - Philippe Rigoard
- PRISMATICS Lab (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery), Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France,Department of Spine Surgery & Neuromodulation, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France,Pprime Institute UPR 3346, CNRS, ISAE-ENSMA, University of Poitiers, Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France
| | - Lisa Goudman
- STIMULUS Research Group (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Pain in Motion (PAIN) Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), Brussels, Belgium,*Correspondence: Lisa Goudman
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Murayama K, Tatebayashi H, Kawaguchi T, Fujita K, Sashikata K, Nakao T. The Impact of Gender and Age Differences and Infectious Disease Symptoms on Psychological Distress in Quarantined Asymptomatic or Mildly Ill COVID-19 Patients in Japan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159083. [PMID: 35897455 PMCID: PMC9332173 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Quarantine imposed due to COVID-19 infection can exacerbate psychological distress, and it is important for a public mental health agency to identify factors that are predictive of high psychological distress in such situation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether gender, age, and the presence or absence of infectious disease symptoms affected psychological distress among asymptomatic or mildly ill COVID-19 patients who were quarantined. Participants were 436 asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19-infected patients who were quarantined in a treatment facility between 1 May 2020 and 30 September 2021. We used Quantification Theory I analysis to investigate the effects of gender, age, and the nature of infectious disease symptoms on psychological distress. The results of the analysis showed that the contribution rate was 0.06. Among gender, age, presence of symptoms, and the nature of symptoms, age had the greatest effect on psychological distress, and being in one’s teens to thirties was considered to exacerbate psychological distress the most. According to the results, the psychological distress of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients isolated was affected by gender, age, and symptomology, especially due to age differences. However, the impact of these items on psychological distress was not considered significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Murayama
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kyushu University Hospital, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 8128582, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Takako Kawaguchi
- Fukuoka City Mental Health Welfare Center, 2-5-1 Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 8100073, Japan;
| | - Kousuke Fujita
- Kitakyushu Municipal Mental Health Welfare Center, 1-7-1 Basyaku, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 8020077, Japan;
| | - Kenta Sashikata
- Graduate School of Human-Environment Studies, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 8190395, Japan;
| | - Tomohiro Nakao
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 8128582, Japan;
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Mancheño-Velasco C, Dacosta-Sánchez D, Blanc-Molina A, Narvaez-Camargo M, Lozano-Rojas ÓM. Changes in the Care Activity in Addiction Centers with Dual Pathology Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154341. [PMID: 35893432 PMCID: PMC9369119 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health care provision during the COVID-19 pandemic and confinement has led to significant changes in the activity of addiction centers. These changes in healthcare activity may have had a greater impact on patients with dual pathology. The aim of this study is to compare the treatment indicators of patients with dual pathology in addiction centers during the pre-confinement, confinement, and post-confinement periods. METHODS A retrospective observational study was conducted for the period between 1 February 2019 and 30 June 2021. A total of 2785 patients treated in specialized addiction services were divided into three periods according to their time of admission: pre-confinement, confinement, and post-confinement. RESULTS During the pre-pandemic period, the addiction centers attended to an average of 121.3 (SD = 23.58) patients, decreasing to 53 patients during confinement (SD = 19.47), and 80.69 during the post-confinement period (SD = 15.33). The number of appointments scheduled monthly for each patient decreased during the confinement period, although this number increased after confinement. There was a reduction in the number of toxicological tests carried out both during and after confinement (except for alcohol). CONCLUSIONS The results show a reduction in the number of patients seen and the care activity delivered to dual diagnosis patients. These results, which were caused by the COVID-preventive measures, may affect the progress and recovery of dual patients. A greater investment is needed to bring the care activity up to the standards of the years prior to confinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinta Mancheño-Velasco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (D.D.-S.); (A.B.-M.); (M.N.-C.)
| | - Daniel Dacosta-Sánchez
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (D.D.-S.); (A.B.-M.); (M.N.-C.)
| | - Andrea Blanc-Molina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (D.D.-S.); (A.B.-M.); (M.N.-C.)
| | - Marta Narvaez-Camargo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (D.D.-S.); (A.B.-M.); (M.N.-C.)
| | - Óscar Martín Lozano-Rojas
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (D.D.-S.); (A.B.-M.); (M.N.-C.)
- Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Tannous-Haddad L, Hadar-Shoval D, Alon-Tirosh M, Asraf K, Tzischinsky O. Difference between Minorities and Majorities in the Association between COVID-19-Related Stress and Psychological Distress: A Socio-Ecological Perspective and the Moderating Role of Parenthood. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:8283. [PMID: 35886135 PMCID: PMC9317738 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study introduces a socio-ecological perspective of differences in psychological distress between the Palestinian minority and Jewish majority citizens of Israel during lockdown due to COVID-19. The study examines the association between COVID-19-related stress and psychological distress, and the moderating effect of parenthood. Online questionnaires, completed by 1934 participants (1391 Jews, 552 Palestinians; 1306 parents, 637 without children; 54.86% female, 45.13% male; M age = 40.38, SD = 13.77) assessed COVID-19-related stressors and depression, anxiety, and stress. The Palestinian minority showed a higher level of COVID-19-related stress and psychological distress than the Jewish majority. Parenthood showed a moderating effect on the association between COVID-19-related stress and distress for the Jewish majority but not the Palestinian minority. The results emphasize the significance of considering social status when seeking to understand the differences between minorities and majorities in terms of distress and resilience during pandemic events, and the need for cultural sensitivity and awareness when issuing instructions in such circumstances. Additionally, the results highlight the potential role of parenthood as a resilience factor, depending upon social status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubna Tannous-Haddad
- Behavioral Sciences Department, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Yezreel Valley 1930600, Israel; (L.T.-H.); (M.A.-T.)
| | - Dorit Hadar-Shoval
- Psychology Department, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Yezreel Valley 1930600, Israel;
| | - Michal Alon-Tirosh
- Behavioral Sciences Department, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Yezreel Valley 1930600, Israel; (L.T.-H.); (M.A.-T.)
| | - Kfir Asraf
- Psychology Department, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Yezreel Valley 1930600, Israel;
| | - Orna Tzischinsky
- Educational Counseling Department, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Yezreel Valley 1930600, Israel;
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Effect of a Park-Based Physical Activity Intervention on Psychological Wellbeing at the Time of COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106028. [PMID: 35627565 PMCID: PMC9140357 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Practicing regular physical activity in green spaces has been invocated as a promising strategy for improving wellbeing in urban settings. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a structured park-based physical activity intervention, the “Moving Parks” project, on citizens’ wellbeing at the time of COVID-19. The intervention was carried out in six public parks in Bologna (Italy) and administered by qualified instructors (from May 2021 to September 2021). The Psychological General Well Being Index short form questionnaire was administered before and after the three months of outdoor activities. A total of 328 participants completed the questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the project. In September 2021, all psychosocial domains of the questionnaire (anxiety, depressed mood, self-control, positive well-being, vitality energy, and vitality-tiredness) significantly improved in the female sample (p value < 0.01) and only the last two in the male sample (p value < 0.05). The “Moving Parks” project seems to be able to improve citizens’ psychological wellbeing, particularly in women.
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