1
|
Stevens D, Banducci S, Horvath L. Authoritarianism, perceptions of security threats, and the COVID-19 pandemic: A new perspective. Politics Life Sci 2023; 43:60-82. [PMID: 38567785 DOI: 10.1017/pls.2023.12] [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] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
This article offers a new perspective on when and why individual-level authoritarian perceptions of security threats change. We reexamine claims that authoritarian members of the public responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in a counterintuitive fashion. The response was counterintuitive in that, rather than a desire for a stronger government with the ability to impose measures to address the pandemic and its consequences, authoritarian individuals rejected a stronger government response and embraced individual autonomy. The article draws on perceptions of security threats-issues that directly or indirectly harm personal or collective safety and welfare-from surveys in two different contexts in England: 2012, when perceptions of the threat from infectious disease was low relative to most other security threats, and 2020, when perceptions of the personal and collective threat of COVID-19 superseded all other security threats. We argue that the authoritarian response was not counterintuitive once we account for the type of threat it represented.
Collapse
|
2
|
Malecki WP, Bilandzic H, Kowal M, Sorokowski P. Media experiences during the Ukraine war and their relationships with distress, anxiety, and resilience. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 165:273-281. [PMID: 37549502 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.07.037] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the relationships between perceiving media as a positive or negative influence (both news media and fictional media) during the war in Ukraine in 2022 and anxiety, distress, and resilience. Corroborating existing research, our study (N = 393, 47.3% male) showed that there was a clear relationship between the perceived negative impact of both news and fictional media during the war and increased symptoms of anxiety (b = .09, SE = 0.04, p = .024; b = 0.16, SE = 0.04, p < .001, respectively) and distress (b = 0.08, SE = 0.04, p = .047; b = 0.17, SE = 0.04, p < .001, respectively) as well as lowered psychological resilience (b = -0.10, SE = 0.05, p = .047; b = -0.15, SE = 0.06, p = .009, respectively). The study is the first to demonstrate this association for fictional media. Contrary to expectations, however, the perception of a positive impact of both news and fiction was not associated with decreased symptoms of anxiety and distress or higher resilience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W P Malecki
- Faculty of Philology, University of Wrocław, Plac Nankiera 15, 50-140, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Helena Bilandzic
- Department for Media, Knowledge and Communication, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstr. 10, 86159, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Marta Kowal
- Scientific Excellence Incubator 'Being Human', University of Wrocław, Plac Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Piotr Sorokowski
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wrocław, Dawida 1, 50-527, Wrocław, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Du J, Zheng XN, Choi JN, Xiang Y. Daily Effects of COVID-19 News on Personal Protective Behaviors Through COVID-19 Anxiety: The Significance of Direct Wuhan Epidemic Experience. Int J Behav Med 2023:10.1007/s12529-023-10210-0. [PMID: 37555898 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-023-10210-0] [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] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drawing on cognitive appraisal theory, this study investigates the effect of daily COVID-19 news on daily anxiety and protective behaviors (e.g., wearing masks and washing hands). This study proposes that such processes, leading to self-protection, are highly likely when individuals have directly experienced the Wuhan epidemic at the beginning of 2020, which is the most serious COVID-19 outbreak in history. METHODS The positive effect of daily COVID-19 news on daily protective behaviors through daily COVID-19 anxiety was examined in this study, which was hypothesized to be accentuated by direct Wuhan epidemic experience. An online survey based on the experience sample method (ESM) was conducted during the COVID-19 epidemic in Hebei Province, China, at the beginning of 2021, in which 82 working adults participated in a daily survey for five consecutive days. Once a day during the five-day period, the participants reported their daily COVID-19 news exposure, daily COVID-19 anxiety, and daily protective behaviors. Wuhan epidemic experience was measured by the place of residence of the participants during the 2020 Wuhan epidemic through a separate general survey conducted before the ESM survey. RESULTS Analysis of 392 day-level data confirmed the positive link between daily COVID-19 news and daily protective behaviors, mediated by daily COVID-19 anxiety (b = 0.03, SE = 0.01, p = 0.018). Furthermore, the mediated effect was significant for the participants with direct COVID-19 experience in Wuhan in 2020 (b = 0.05, SE = 0.03, p = 0.041) but not significant for those without direct experience in Wuhan (b = 0.01, SE = 0.01, p = 0.461). Thus, the results confirmed the positive moderating role of Wuhan epidemic experience. CONCLUSIONS The analysis reveals the psychological mechanism through which COVID-19 information promotes self-protection measures to control the infectious disease and highlights the importance of direct COVID-19 experience in generating such an effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Du
- Economics and Management School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Xue Ni Zheng
- Economics and Management School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jin Nam Choi
- Graduate School of Business, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.
| | - Yuan Xiang
- Economics and Management School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Delz AK, Gaynor K, O'Connor R, Schmieder L, Somers E. A confirmatory factor analysis of a cognitive model of COVID-19 related anxiety and depression. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2023; 234:103861. [PMID: 36774772 PMCID: PMC9910022 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.103861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been significant, with many regions across the globe reporting significant increases in anxiety, depression, trauma, and insomnia. This study aims to validate a potential cognitive model of maintenance factors of COVID-19 related distress by examining psychological predictors of distress, and their goodness-of-fit as a coherent model. Participants from the general population (n = 555) were recruited using a cross-sectional on-line survey design, assessing Demographic factors, Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, COVID-19 related distress, Trauma Cognitions related to COVID-19, Rumination, Safety Behaviours, Personality Factors, and Mental Effort related to COVID-19. A series of stepwise linear regressions found that components of the model were significant and accounted for a large percentage of variance when examining Covid-19 related distress (R2 = 0.447 Covid Stress Scale), Anxiety (R2 = 0.536 DASS-Anxiety Subscale) and Depression (R2 = 0.596 Depression DASS-subscale). In a confirmatory factor analysis, Loneliness, Post-Traumatic Cognitions about Self, Post-Traumatic Cognitions about the World, Emotional Stability, and Mental Effort related to COVID-19 loaded onto a single factor. The final model showed adequate fit (CFI = 0.990, TLI = 0.983, RMSEA = 0.053 (0.027-0.080), GFI = 0.986, SRMR = 0.0216, χ2 = 23.087, p = .006). The results highlight the importance of cognitive factors, such as post-traumatic cognitions, rumination, and mental effort in maintaining COVID-19 related distress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Keith Gaynor
- DETECT, Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Rachael O'Connor
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Luisa Schmieder
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ellen Somers
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Leder J, Schlegel R, Schütz A. Understanding the Motives for Terrorism-Does it Have an Effect on Psychological Reactions? A Replication and Extension. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP15750-NP15773. [PMID: 34144660 PMCID: PMC9465555 DOI: 10.1177/08862605211025045] [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] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The collective communication model of terrorism (CCMT) proposes that understanding terrorists' motives influences appraisal (threat perception and emotional well-being) and reaction to terrorism (intention to retaliate). Fischer et al. (2011) presented evidence from two experiments for the assumption that understanding motives of terrorism influences appraisal. The present preregistered experiment aimed to replicate their second experiment, validate the measures they used, and also test the second proposition of the CCMT. Ensuring sufficient power for multiple tests and the given effect size, we collected data from 188 participants. The findings by Fischer et al. (2011) were partly replicated, but the comparison of the original effect sizes and the effect sizes from the replication attempt does not provide convincing evidence for the hypothesis that understanding the motives for terrorism reduces the perceived threat or negative emotional impact of acts of terrorism. Correlations with other risk-perception measures call into question the validity of the items used to assess perceived threat. Results suggest that understanding the motives for terrorism may influence whether the targeted populations want to retaliate.
Collapse
|
6
|
Mirza D, Stancanelli E, Verdier T. Household expenditure in the wake of terrorism: Evidence from high frequency in-home-scanner data. ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2022; 46:101150. [PMID: 35623303 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2022.101150] [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: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This paper adds to the scant literature on the impact of terrorism on consumer behaviour, focusing on household spending on goods that are sensitive to brain-stress neurocircuitry. These include sweet- and fat-rich foods but also home necessities and female-personal-hygiene products, the only female-targeted good in our data. We examine unique continuous in-home-scanner expenditure data for a representative sample of about 15,000 French households, observed in the days before and after the terrorist attack at the Bataclan concert-hall. We find that the attack increased expenditure on sugar-rich food by over 5% but not that on salty food or soda drinks. Spending on home maintenance products went up by almost 9%. We detect an increase of 23.5% in expenditure on women's personal hygiene products. We conclude that these effects are short-lived and driven by the responses of households with children, youths, and those residing within a few-hours ride of the place of the attack.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Mirza
- LEO, University of Tours, France; CEPII, France.
| | - Elena Stancanelli
- Paris School of Economics and CNRS, 48 Boulevard Jourdan, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - Thierry Verdier
- Paris School of Economics, ENPC-Paris Tech, PUC-Rio, France.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mental Health in the Time of Coronavirus Disease 2019. J Nurse Pract 2022; 18:957-961. [PMID: 35855299 PMCID: PMC9283604 DOI: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Certain life experiences can have a profound effect on human emotions. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, patients are reporting mood disturbances at much higher levels. Multiple encounters with real and imagined threat, prolonged isolation, and loss of control have adversely impacted the country’s behavioral health. However, most people will not pursue psychological care when needed, and some who pursue it will be unable to access it. Nurse practitioners and other health care professionals are in an optimal position to help. Psychological research explains some of what is driving this phenomenon and offers suggestions of benefit to patients, families, and colleagues.
Collapse
|
8
|
Hodgetts D, Hopner V, Carr S, Bar-Tal D, Liu JH, Saner R, Yiu L, Horgan J, Searle RH, Massola G, Hakim MA, Marai L, King P, Moghaddam F. Human Security Psychology: A Linking Construct for an Eclectic Discipline. REVIEW OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/10892680221109124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Since its inception as a modern and evolving discipline, psychology has been concerned with issues of human security. This think piece offers an initial conceptualisation of human security as a broad security concept that encompasses a range of interrelated dimensions that have been responded to by different sub-disciplinary domains within psychology. We advance an argument for a human security psychology as a connecting focal point for general psychology that enables us to bring knowledge from across our eclectic discipline into further dialogue. This is a necessary step in understanding better the state of current thinking on the psychology of security and as a basis for informing further theory, research and practice efforts to address issues of human (in)security. This initial effort is informed by Assemblage Theory, which offers a dynamic and contextually rich perspective on people as agentive beings entangled within evolving natural and social formations that can foster or undermine their experiences of [in]security. The article is completed with a brief agenda for advancing human security psychology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darrin Hodgetts
- School of Psychology, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Veronica Hopner
- School of Psychology, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stuart Carr
- School of Psychology, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - James H. Liu
- School of Psychology, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Raymond Saner
- Economics Department, University of Basle, Switzerland
| | - Lichia Yiu
- Centre for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development (CSEND), Switzerland
| | - John Horgan
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Moh A. Hakim
- Department of Psychology, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia
| | - Leo Marai
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
| | - Pita King
- School of Psychology, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Fathali Moghaddam
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shortland N, Portnoy J, McGarry P, Perliger A, Gordon T, Anastasio N. A Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Violent Extremist Propaganda: The Motivational Pathways Underlying Movement Toward and Away From Violent Extremist Action. Front Psychol 2022; 13:858392. [PMID: 35664206 PMCID: PMC9160867 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.858392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anecdotal evidence supports than engaging with violent extremist content online facilitates the radicalization process. However, there is a consistent lack of empirically grounded research to provide insight into the psychological process through which this influence occurs (if at all). As such, most theories often fail to accommodate both the multifinality (the concept that many people are exposed to violent extremist material, yet never engage in violent extremism), and equifinality (the concept that people can view a range violent extremist content, yet all end up engaging in violent extremism) that naturally is observed in those who engage with violent extremist content online and those who engage in violent extremist behavior. This paper presents Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) as a theoretical framework to inform understanding of the process that governs the interaction between violent extremist material online and engaging with violent extremism. RST is a motivational theory which has been applied to a range of benevolent and deviant behaviors. Specifically, we argue that RST is suitable to explain the effect of violent extremist content online because (1) it outlines multiple differentiated motivational pathways that can account for multifinality and equifinality observed in those who engage in violent extremist behavior and (2) the extant neurological and psychophysiological research using RST provides a empirically supported framework for developing both research methods and verifiable hypotheses to advance our understanding of how, if at all, violent extremist content online contributes to the process of radicalization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Shortland
- School of Criminology and Justice Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li JM, Wu R, Zhang T, Zhong SY, Hu T, Wang D, Jiang CL, Liu YZ. Psychological responses of medical staff during COVID-19 and the adjustment effect of brief mindfulness meditation. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2022; 48:101600. [PMID: 35580535 PMCID: PMC9074297 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented threat to public health and remains a critical challenge for medical staff, especially those who have been fighting against the virus in Wuhan, China. Limited data have been reported regarding the psychological status of these medical staff members. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore the mental health status of medical staff and the efficacy of brief mindfulness meditation (BMM) in improving their mental health. Methods A survey was conducted between April 18 and May 3, 2020. Upon completing the pre-test, participants in the treatment group received a 15-min BMM intervention every day at 8 p.m. Post-test questionnaires were completed after 16 days of therapy. The questionnaire comprised demographic data and psychological measurement scales. The levels of pre and post-test depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia were assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Athens Insomnia Scale, respectively. Results A total of 134 completed questionnaires were received. Of the medical staff, 6.7%, 1.5%, and 26.7% reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia, respectively. Public officials from military hospitals reported experiencing greater pressure than private officials (t = 2.39, p = 0.018, d = 0.50). Additionally, BMM treatment appeared to effectively alleviate insomnia (t = 2.27, p = 0.027, d = 0.28). Conclusions The medical staff suffered negative psychological effects during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMM interventions are advantageous in supporting the mental health of medical staff.
Collapse
|
11
|
Van Overmeire R, Six S, Deschepper R, Vandekerckhove M, Bilsen J. Association Between Feeling Threatened, Behaviour and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: Two and a Half Years After the Terrorist Attacks in Belgium. Community Ment Health J 2022; 58:657-665. [PMID: 34241739 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-021-00867-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Feeling threatened by terrorism can be associated with mental health problems and behavioural changes. However, few studies look at the association in the long-term. Using a survey, the population in Brussels, Belgium was studied using a representative database delivered by the national post service. The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) assessed mental health, and self-made questions avoidance behaviour. 170 people answered: 60% women and 50% higher educated, 28.2% between 56 and 65 years and 62.4% had a partner. 43.5% felt threatened by the terrorist attacks and 45.9% experienced no mental health problems. Both terrorist threat (p < 0.001) and avoidance behaviour (p < 0.001) significantly predicted PHQ-4 scores, while controlling for gender, age, social support, education level, and traumatic events. There is a relation between terrorist threat and anxiety/depressive symptoms 2.5 years after the last study on terrorist threat in Brussels, but it has weakened. Avoidance behaviour seems to be more present than threat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roel Van Overmeire
- Mental Health & Wellbeing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Stefaan Six
- Mental Health & Wellbeing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Reginald Deschepper
- Mental Health & Wellbeing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie Vandekerckhove
- Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johan Bilsen
- Mental Health & Wellbeing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mayer B, Helm S, Barnett M, Arora M. The impact of workplace safety and customer misbehavior on supermarket workers' stress and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WORKPLACE HEALTH MANAGEMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1108/ijwhm-03-2021-0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeEssential frontline workers in the retail sector face increased exposure risks to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to frequent interactions with the general public. Often these interactions are fraught with controversies over public safety protocols. The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of frontline workers' perceptions of workplace safety and customer misbehaviors on their stress and psychological distress to inform managing workplace health and safety during public health crises.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted an online survey of 3,344 supermarket workers in the state of Arizona (US) during the state's first COVID-19 pandemic wave in July 2020. Measures included mental health distress, and perceptions of workplace safety and customer behaviors. The authors utilized a mixed-methods approach combining multiple regression analyses with qualitative analyses of open-ended comments.FindingsWorkers reported high rates of stress and psychological distress. Increases in mental health morbidity were correlated with perceptions of being unsafe in the workplace and concerns about negative customer encounters. Qualitative analyses reveal frustration with management's efforts to reduce risks intertwined with feelings of being unsafe and vulnerable to threatening customer encounters.Practical implicationsThe findings highlight the need to provide and enforce clear safety guidelines, including how to manage potential hostile customer interactions, to promote positive health workplace management during a pandemic.Originality/valueThis study is among the first to assess the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the mental health of non-health care frontline essential workers and presents novel insights regarding perceived customer misbehavior and need for management support and guidance in a public health crisis.
Collapse
|
13
|
Kim J, Yang K, Min J, White B. Hope, fear, and consumer behavioral change amid COVID-19: Application of protection motivation theory. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES 2022; 46:558-574. [PMID: 34220343 PMCID: PMC8237022 DOI: 10.1111/ijcs.12700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Using protection motivation theory (PMT), this study investigates the influence of cognitive assessment and affective response on customers' behavioral intention amid COVID-19 in the context of restaurants. More specifically, this research draws attention to (1) the influence of protection motivation (i.e., perceived vulnerability, perceived severity, maladaptive reward, response efficacy, self-efficacy, response cost) on hope and fear, (2) hope and fear as mediators between protection motivation and behavioral intention, and (3) diverse customer behavioral intentions that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., health-focused behavior, conscious consumption, and the supporting of local businesses and products). A total of 473 completed responses were obtained through an online survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized relationships. The research model proposed in the study successfully explained the process in which individuals commit to hygienic behaviors, prioritize local restaurants, and engage in conscious consumption under the threat of COVID-19. The proposed model can be utilized in examining consumer behaviors in the hospitality industry, especially in the COVID-19 era.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoung Kim
- College of Merchandising, Hospitality and TourismUniversity of North TexasDentonTXUSA
| | - Kiseol Yang
- College of Merchandising, Hospitality and TourismUniversity of North TexasDentonTXUSA
| | - Jihye Min
- College of Merchandising, Hospitality and TourismUniversity of North TexasDentonTXUSA
| | - Brechey White
- College of Merchandising, Hospitality and TourismUniversity of North TexasDentonTXUSA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Mayer B, Arora M, Helm S, Barnett M. Essential but Ill-Prepared: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affects the Mental Health of the Grocery Store Workforce. Public Health Rep 2022; 137:120-127. [PMID: 34524904 PMCID: PMC8721764 DOI: 10.1177/00333549211045817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Frontline essential workers face elevated risks of exposure to COVID-19 because of the interactive nature of their jobs, which require high levels of interaction with the general public and coworkers. The impact of these elevated risks on the mental health of essential workers, especially outside the health care sector, is not well studied. To address this knowledge gap, we examined correlations between perceptions of workplace risks and mental health distress among grocery store workers in Arizona. METHODS We collected the first statewide sample of essential workers outside the health care sector focused on mental health and well-being. A total of 3344 grocery store workers in Arizona completed an online survey in July 2020. We used multiple regression models to identify demographic and work-based correlates of mental health distress. RESULTS Levels of mental health distress among respondents were high: 557 of 3169 (17.6%) reported severe levels and 482 of 3168 (15.2%) reported moderate levels. Perceptions of workplace safety were strongly correlated with significantly reduced levels of mental health distress (ß = -1.44; SE = 0.20) and reduced perceived stress (ß = -0.97; SE = 0.16). Financially disadvantaged workers and employees aged <55 reported high levels of mental health distress. Perceptions of safety and protection in the workplace were significantly correlated with availability of safety trainings, social distancing, and policies governing customer behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Lacking sufficient workplace protections, grocery store employees in Arizona experienced high levels of mental health distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing clear federal and state policies to employers to guide implementation of workplace protections may help reduce sources of mental health distress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Mayer
- School of Sociology, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Mona Arora
- Community, Environment, and Policy, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Sabrina Helm
- Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Melissa Barnett
- Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bull's eye or typhoon eye? Psychological distress and associated factors in Wuhan and surrounding areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2022; 9:193-201. [PMID: 36606232 PMCID: PMC8987649 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2022.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant psychological consequences among the public, especially for people in the epicenter. This study examined the 'bull's eye' model by comparing the level of psychological distress and the effect of different stressors in Wuhan (the original epicenter) with that in the surrounding areas in Hubei Province during the pandemic. Data were obtained from a cross-national survey of 10 478 respondents between the ages of 18 and 80 years in Hubei Province during the peak of the pandemic. Results of the ordinary least squares regression models showed that Wuhan residents experienced more psychological distress than those in the surrounding areas. Social and economic problems caused by the pandemic, risk exposure, perceived discrimination, and information-seeking behaviors were positively associated with distress. Social assistance was negatively associated with distress. Findings were consistent with the bull's eye model by revealing both a higher level of psychological distress and a stronger effect of stressors among the Wuhan residents than with those in low-risk areas. Thus, policymakers and psychological workers should provide adequate psychological services in high-risk areas. Lowering risk exposure, reducing discrimination against people in the epicenter, and improving information quality are essential to alleviate their psychological distress.
Collapse
|
16
|
Shah T, Shah Z, Yasmeen N, Ma ZR. Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Chinese population: An online survey. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:9500-9508. [PMID: 34877284 PMCID: PMC8610859 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i31.9500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic infiltrates every aspect of our life, including the psychological impact. China has experienced the first wave of this epidemic, and it is now affecting the global population.
AIM This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the general Chinese population.
METHODS A detailed questionnaire, comprising of 38 questions designed in both English and Chinese, was developed. The survey was conducted via WeChat, a multi-purpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app, which is widely used by the Chinese population.
RESULTS In total, 1082 individuals from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities participated in the survey by filling the questionnaires through the WeChat app. 97.8% of the participants had an Impact of Event-Scale-Revised (IES-R) total score above 20, which is an indicator of PTSD. The IES-R total and all the three subscales, including intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal, are significantly correlated with age. In addition, age, profession, marital status, and level of education are significantly correlated with the degree of PTSD symptoms.
CONCLUSION The COVID-19 epidemic has widely caused PTSD among the general Chinese population. These results bear important implications for regions struggling with the pandemic to implement effective interventions to cope with these mental health problems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taif Shah
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Zahir Shah
- College of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, KP, Pakistan
| | - Nafeesa Yasmeen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhong-Ren Ma
- Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University Gansu China, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Factors related to perceived stress during the COVID-19 epidemic context among the general population in China: A cross-sectional nationwide study. J Affect Disord 2021; 294:816-823. [PMID: 34375208 PMCID: PMC8433595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate factors related to high stress levels among the general population in China during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic when its containment measures were in place and to identify the most stressed populations. METHODS A nationwide study was conducted online among 5,039 adults in all 31 provinces in mainland China between March 1 and March 16, 2020. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to explore the related factors of high perceived stress. RESULTS Among all respondents, 36.0% reported a high level of stress. Respondents in Hubei province (the epicenter) were more likely to report high stress levels than those in low epidemic areas. Respondents who went outside every day or every other day reported greater odds of experiencing a high level of stress than those who went outside every 8-14 days. People with higher risk perceptions were more prone to report high stress levels. Respondents aged 16-35 were more likely to report high stress than respondents aged 46 or older. Lower household income and lower health literacy were related to increased odds of reporting high stress levels. LIMITATIONS We used a convenience sample and self-reported survey data. CONCLUSIONS We identified risk factors for high stress levels related to the epidemic (epidemic intensity in residential areas, risk perception, and frequency of going outside) and other vulnerabilities (younger age, low household income, low health literacy). Our findings can directly inform interventions and policies for mitigating stress among the general population for this or future epidemics.
Collapse
|
18
|
TAŞ BG, Özceylan G, Öztürk GZ, Toprak D. Evaluation of Job Strain of Family Physicians in COVID-19 Pandemic Period- An Example from Turkey. J Community Health 2021; 46:777-785. [PMID: 33188617 PMCID: PMC7666401 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-020-00950-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate family physicians' job strain during the Covid-19 pandemic and determine the effective factors. The study was carried out between 01 May 2020 and 01 June 2020 by applying an online questionnaire to family physicians who worked in primary care in Istanbul and could be reached by telephone application. The survey created by us included socio-demographic information and the Job Strain Scale Short Form. P value was accepted as 0.05, and SPSS 20 package program was used in statistical analysis. 448 Family Physicians participated in the study. Anxiety levels of the participants increased after the pandemic (p < 0.001). Job strain score increased significantly during the pandemic process (p < 0.001). The 'Workload' sub-dimension of the job strain score was affected by young age, not having children, thinking that the working hours increased, deterioration of sleep quality and increasing anxiety level. It was determined that there was an increase in the "Control" sub-dimension score of family physicians who thought that they were not provided with adequate protective equipment during the pandemic process and who did not find the use of their own personal protective equipment sufficient. 'Social support' sub-dimension mean score decreased during the pandemic period. It was determined that it significantly increased in married family physicians compared to single ones. In the pandemic process, anxiety, sleep quality deterioration and job strain increased significantly. In family physicians, after the pandemic, workload and control sub-dimension changes increased, while social support sub-dimension decreased.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beray Gelmez TAŞ
- Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Research and Training Hospital Family Medicine Depertmant, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Gökmen Özceylan
- Çorlu Reşadiye Family Medicine Center, Çorlu, Tekirdağ Turkey
| | - Güzin Zeren Öztürk
- Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Research and Training Hospital Family Medicine Depertmant, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Dilek Toprak
- Head of Family Medicine Depertmant, Namık Kemal Unıversity Medical School, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Cohen A, Ekwueme PO, Sacotte KA, Bajwa L, Gilpin S, Heard-Garris N. "Melanincholy": A Qualitative Exploration of Youth Media Use, Vicarious Racism, and Perceptions of Health. J Adolesc Health 2021; 69:288-293. [PMID: 33612361 PMCID: PMC8316254 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.12.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to (1) characterize teens' experiences with news and social media, focusing on news depicting racism, (2) assess youth perceptions of how these experiences may impact their own health, and (3) explore how teens cope with racism encountered in media. We hypothesized that teens access news primarily through social media, and vicarious racism experienced via news increases negative perceptions of health. METHODS Eighteen teens (aged 13-19 years) were recruited to participate in focus group interviews (N = 4). These were recorded, transcribed, and coded using qualitative methods. RESULTS Youth spend much of each day online and frequently access social media, including news shared on these platforms. Many participants identified concerns surrounding "fake" news on social media. Participants reported encountering racially charged news and described their responses to these stories. Some reported feeling overwhelmed by racism in the news. Most participants perceived negative mood changes after exposure to racism in online news, although few associated this exposure with changes in their own health behaviors. Youth indicated that peer discussion was important for coping with vicarious racism exposure. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insight into the way teens access and share information through social media, including news involving racism, and the effect that this information may have on them. Their vicarious experiences of racism in the news may be associated with feelings of desensitization and mood changes, with potential downstream effects on health. Peer support may help teens cope with vicarious racism. Longitudinal studies examining these exposures' health effects and opportunities for cross-sector intervention are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Patricia O. Ekwueme
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kaitlyn Ann Sacotte
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Laiba Bajwa
- Loyola University Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Shawnese Gilpin
- Department of Pediatrics, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Nia Heard-Garris
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois,Division of Academic General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,Mary Ann & J. Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes, Research, and Evaluation Center, Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Li M, Xu Z, He X, Zhang J, Song R, Duan W, Liu T, Yang H. Sense of Coherence and Mental Health in College Students After Returning to School During COVID-19: The Moderating Role of Media Exposure. Front Psychol 2021; 12:687928. [PMID: 34367012 PMCID: PMC8339212 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.687928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic not only threatens people's physical health, but also affects their mental health in the long term. Although people had returned to work and school, they are closely monitoring the development of the epidemic and taking preventive measures. This study attempted to examine the relationship between media exposure, sense of coherence (SOC) and mental health, and the moderating effect of media exposure in college students after returning to school. In the present study, we conducted a cross sectional survey on 424 college students returning to school around May 2020. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess media exposure scale, SOC, depression, anxiety and stress. Correlation and moderation analysis was conducted. The results showed that (1) negative epidemic information exposure, rather than positive epidemic information exposure, was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. (2) SOC was also associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. (3) The effect of SOC on depression was modified by negative epidemic information exposure. With the increase of negative epidemic information exposure, the predictive effect of SOC on depression is increasing gradually. These findings demonstrated that negative epidemic information exposure was associated with an increased psychological distress in the sample. A high SOC played a certain protective role in the adaptation of college students in the post-epidemic period. It is important to find more ways to increase the colleges' SOC level and avoid negative information exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Man Li
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Normal University, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin, China,Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China,Tianjin Social Science Laboratory of Students’ Mental Development and Learning, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhansheng Xu
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Normal University, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin, China,Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China,Tianjin Social Science Laboratory of Students’ Mental Development and Learning, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyue He
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rui Song
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenjin Duan
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tour Liu
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Normal University, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin, China,Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China,Tianjin Social Science Laboratory of Students’ Mental Development and Learning, Tianjin, China
| | - Haibo Yang
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Normal University, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin, China,Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China,Tianjin Social Science Laboratory of Students’ Mental Development and Learning, Tianjin, China,*Correspondence: Haibo Yang,
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Yee A, Hodori N'AM, Tung YZ, Ooi PL, Latif SABA, Isa HM, Ng DLC, Chai CS, Tan SB. Depression level and coping responses toward the movement control order and its impact on quality of life in the Malaysian community during the COVID-19 pandemic: a web-based cross-sectional study. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2021; 20:31. [PMID: 34030704 PMCID: PMC8142880 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-021-00352-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease prompting extreme containment measures, including lockdown, travel restrictions, social distancing, and stringent personal hygiene. This study investigates the depression level and coping responses toward the lockdown, referred as the movement control order (MCO) during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia and its impact on quality of life. METHOD This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2020. The outcomes were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory, and World Health Organisation Quality of Life-BREF Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) in both English and validated Malay versions. RESULTS Mild-to-severe depression was found in 28.2% (n = 149) of the 528 respondents. Respondents with mild-to-severe depression were significantly younger (33.09 ± 10.08 versus 36.79 ± 12.47 years), without partner (71.8% versus 45.6%), lived in the red zone (85.9% versus 71.0%), and had lower household income as defined in the category of B40 (51.7% versus 39.3%) compared to those without depression (all p < 0.01). The avoidant coping score was significantly higher (25.43 ± 5.69 versus 20.78 ± 5.65), while the religious coping score was significantly lower (5.10 ± 2.07 versus 5.94 ± 2.11) among those with mild-to-severe depression compared to those without depression (both p < 0.001). Respondents with mild-to-severe depression also had significantly lower mean score in each domain of WHOQOL-BREF compare to those without depression [(physical health, 13.63 ± 2.66 versus 16.20 ± 2.11), (psychological, 12.5 ± 2.79 versus 16.10 ± 2.14), (social relationships, 12.17 ± 3.49 versus 15.28 ± 2.93), environment (14.50 ± 2.39 versus 16.21 ± 2.14), all p < 0.001] after controlling for age, marital status, zone, household income, and coping scores. CONCLUSION COVID-19 lockdown had adverse mental health effects. Our study highlighted that approximately one in three individual experienced mild-to-severe depression during the nationwide MCO. The varied impact of the pandemic on mental health could be due to different population characteristics and coping strategies used. Identifying those at higher risk to develop depression during MCO for COVID-19 pandemic could help mental healthcare service providers to plan services for those susceptible, thereby mitigating the pandemic's effect on quality of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Yee
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, University Malaya Medical Centre, 50600, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur 'Aqilah Mohd Hodori
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, University Malaya Medical Centre, 50600, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yu-Zhen Tung
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Po-Lin Ooi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Saiful Adni B Abdul Latif
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Therapy, National Cancer Institute, 62250, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Husna Md Isa
- Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Diana-Leh-Ching Ng
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Shee Chai
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Seng-Beng Tan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Dennis D, Radnitz C, Wheaton MG. A Perfect Storm? Health Anxiety, Contamination Fears, and COVID-19: Lessons Learned from Past Pandemics and Current Challenges. Int J Cogn Ther 2021; 14:497-513. [PMID: 33907592 PMCID: PMC8061445 DOI: 10.1007/s41811-021-00109-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly spread, becoming a global pandemic with significant health, economic, and social impacts. COVID-19 has caused widespread anxiety, which at healthy levels leads to adaptive, protective behavioral changes. For some individuals, a pandemic outbreak can lead to excessive, maladaptive levels of anxiety, particularly among those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and health anxiety. In the present paper, we review past research studies that examined anxiety in response to other disease outbreaks (including Swine Flu, Zika, and Ebola) to serve as a guide for expectable responses to COVID-19. Our review focused on the role of belief-based cognitive variables (obsessive beliefs, contamination cognitions), transdiagnostic processes (disgust sensitivity, anxiety sensitivity, an intolerance of uncertainty), social factors, and environmental/situational variables as contributing factors to excessive concerns about past pandemics. These factors in combination with unique characteristics of the virus (disease, behavioral, social and economic factors) and media consumption might enhance vulnerability to excessive anxiety about COVID-19, in line with a diathesis-stress model. COVID-19 is also unique from past pandemics due to its severity, easy transmissibility, and the nature of prescribed behavioral responses (i.e., hand washing and social distancing). We therefore discuss the ways in which COVID-19 may disproportionately affect individuals with OCD and health anxiety. We conclude with important topics for clinical and research attention to help mental health professionals respond in this time of crisis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Dennis
- Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ USA.,Barnard College of Columbia University, New York City, NY USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Phiri P, Ramakrishnan R, Rathod S, Elliot K, Thayanandan T, Sandle N, Haque N, Chau SWH, Wong OWH, Chan SSM, Wong EKY, Raymont V, Au-Yeung SK, Kingdon D, Delanerolle G. An evaluation of the mental health impact of SARS-CoV-2 on patients, general public and healthcare professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 34:100806. [PMID: 33842872 PMCID: PMC8022621 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global impact of COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the lives of billions of people with recurrent waves. Healthcare systems are struggling to manage pre-existing patient care and recurring covid-19 demands. As a result, we evaluated the mental health impact using systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS A comprehensive search was undertaken from April 2020 to 22nd January 2021 using multiple electronic databases. A systematic review protocol was developed and published on PROSPERO registration; CRD42020181481. A random-effects model was used to compute pooled estimates of anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia and suicidal thoughts. FINDINGS Our search yielded 11,295 studies and of those 287 met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis of 206 studies revealed minimal differences in prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD among HCPs compared with the public during the pandemic but higher prevalence of suicidal thoughts/ideation or self-harm (11% vs 5.8%) and lower prevalence of wellbeing (28.2% vs 52.6%) among the public compared to HCPs. INTERPRETATION The pandemic has led to a high mental health burden especially amongst HCPs and higher suicidal ideation and lower wellbeing in general public which warrants further investigation and management globally. These findings highlight an emerging critical public health issue that requires urgent solutions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Phiri
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Development Dept., Clinical Trials Facility, Moorgreen Hospital, Southampton SO30 3JB, UK
- Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Aldermoor Health Centre, Southampton SO16 5ST, UK
| | - Rema Ramakrishnan
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Shanaya Rathod
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Development Dept., Clinical Trials Facility, Moorgreen Hospital, Southampton SO30 3JB, UK
| | - Kathryn Elliot
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Development Dept., Clinical Trials Facility, Moorgreen Hospital, Southampton SO30 3JB, UK
| | - Tony Thayanandan
- Oxford Brain Health Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital,University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Natasha Sandle
- Oxford Brain Health Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital,University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Nyla Haque
- Oxford Brain Health Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital,University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Steven WH Chau
- Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Oscar WH Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Sandra SM Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Evelyn KY Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, North District Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Vanessa Raymont
- Oxford Brain Health Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital,University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Sheena K Au-Yeung
- Oxford Brain Health Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital,University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - David Kingdon
- University Department of Psychiatry, Academic Centre, College Keep, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Gayathri Delanerolle
- Oxford Brain Health Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital,University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wen F, Ye H, Wang Y, Xu Y, Zuo B. Icing on the Cake: "Amplification Effect" of Innovative Information Form in News Reports About COVID-19. Front Psychol 2021; 12:600523. [PMID: 33658959 PMCID: PMC7917205 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.600523] [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: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the information era, the instant and diversified broadcasting of the COVID-19 pandemic has played an important role in stabilizing the societal mental state and avoiding inter-group conflicts. The presentation of visual graphics was considered as an innovative information form and broadly utilized in news reports. However, its effects on the audiences' cognition and behaviors have received little empirical attention. The current study applied real-time and retrospective priming paradigms to examine the impacts of information framing (positive vs. negative) and form (plain text vs. pie chart) on individuals' risk perception (cognition), positive emotion (emotion), and willingness to help others (behavioral intention) during the outbreak and post-pandemic period in China. The results indicated the "amplification effect" of the innovative form of information in the real-time priming condition, which increased the effect of the information framing on cognition, emotion, and behavioral intention. However, in the retrospective priming condition, the amplification effect on cognition and emotion were weakened, while its effect on behavioral intention disappeared. In conclusion, the study found the "amplification effect" of innovative information forms. Further, the difference in the results in the real-time and retrospective priming paradigms suggested the constraint of the context of the "amplification effect," and indicated the possible deviation of the retrospective paradigm in studies about disaster-related news. This study provides empirical support for how subtle changes in information presentation influence public mental and behavioral responses during a pandemic and has important implications for media psychology and social governance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hanxue Ye
- Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yian Xu
- New York University, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Bin Zuo
- Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
‘Freedom From Fear and Want’ and Our Psychological Response to Environmental Changes. JOURNAL OF PACIFIC RIM PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/prp.2017.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Freedom from fear and freedom from want are two of the fundamental freedoms and likely related to changes in the environment. It has usually been assumed that our subjective feelings should change accordingly with changes in the objective environment. However, two counterintuitive effects reviewed in this article imply a rather complex psychological mechanism behind how people respond to environmental changes and strive for the freedom from fear and want. The first is the ‘psychological typhoon eye’ effect, in which the closer people are to hazards, the calmer they feel. Several possible explanations have been proposed, but the mechanism behind this effect remains unclear. The findings are important for future post-disaster interventions and helpful for policy makers in risk management and researchers in risk studies. The second effect is the ‘town dislocation’ effect, wherein although inhabitants’ objective quality of life is improved during the urbanisation process, the projected endorsement and rated social ambience of town residents is lower than that of residents in the country and in the city; this effect is mediated by social support. The findings have implications for how to better assess the urbanisation process and how to improve people's affective appraisals of their living environment.
Collapse
|
26
|
Yin Q, Chen A, Song X, Deng G, Dong W. Risk Perception and PTSD Symptoms of Medical Staff Combating Against COVID-19: A PLS Structural Equation Model. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:607612. [PMID: 33658951 PMCID: PMC7917132 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.607612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Medical staff were battling against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the expense of their physical and mental health, particularly at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this case, intervening PTSD of medical staff and preparing them for future outbreaks are important. Previous studies showed that perceived stress was related to the development of PTSD. Hence, in this study, the association between risk perception of medical staff and PTSD symptoms in COVID-19 and the potential links were explored. Three hundred four medical staff's exposure to COVID-19 patients, risk perception for working during COVID-19, PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and sleep quality were measured. Mediation analysis tested the indirect effects of anxiety and sleep quality on the relationship between risk perceptions and PTSD symptoms; 27.6% of participants were deemed as having probable PTSD diagnosis. Mediation analysis showed a significant chain-mediating effect of anxiety and sleep quality on the relationships between risk perceptions and PTSD symptoms; higher risk perceptions were related to increased anxiety, worsened sleep quality, and severe PTSD symptoms. Conclusively, medical staff have a high prevalence of PTSD symptoms after 3 months of COVID-19. Their PTSD symptoms were associated with the perceived risk level through the potential links with anxiety and sleep quality. Therefore, risk perception could be critical for our medical staff's responses to public health emergencies. It could be plausible to intervene in the perceived stress to alleviate aroused anxiety and improve sleep quality and thereby deter the development of PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianlan Yin
- Department of Naval Aviation and Operational Psychology, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Aibin Chen
- Department of Naval Aviation and Operational Psychology, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangrui Song
- Department of Naval Aviation and Operational Psychology, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanghui Deng
- Department of Naval Aviation and Operational Psychology, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Department of Naval Aviation and Operational Psychology, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Swain TL, Takarangi MKT. Preliminary evidence for a relationship between prospective memory and PTSD symptoms in the general population. J Anxiety Disord 2021; 77:102325. [PMID: 33152629 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION PTSD sufferers often have problems with remembering the past, but do they also have trouble remembering tasks to be completed in the future? We argue characteristics of PTSD-such as negative appraisals and maladaptive strategies-might contribute to biased reporting of prospective memory failures among PTSD sufferers-or people with severe PTSD symptoms-within a general population. METHODS Mechanical Turk participants completed a questionnaire battery measuring self-report prospective memory, PTSD symptoms, negative appraisals and maladaptive strategies (e.g., suppression), and depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. RESULTS PTSD symptom severity positively correlated with self-report prospective memory failures (rs = .42-49). PTSD symptoms affected self-report prospective memory via their influence on negative appraisals and maladaptive strategies. LIMITATIONS Our findings rely on self-report, therefore we do not know if this relationship generalizes to objective prospective memory tasks. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide preliminary evidence for a relationship between PTSD symptomatology and subjective prospective memory in the general population and suggest that the negative appraisals and maladaptive strategies that commonly accompany PTSD might underpin this relationship.
Collapse
|
28
|
Chen S, Bagrodia R, Pfeffer CC, Meli L, Bonanno GA. Anxiety and resilience in the face of natural disasters associated with climate change: A review and methodological critique. J Anxiety Disord 2020; 76:102297. [PMID: 32957002 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the past two decades, climate change-related natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts have become increasingly frequent and severe, impacting the emotional and psychological well-being of those who are directly or indirectly exposed to them. Despite great interest in understanding differences in anxiety and resilience in response to natural disasters, enthusiasm appears to outstrip empirical clarity, as there remains considerable ambiguity as to determinants of resilient or pathological outcomes following exposure to natural disasters. In addition, there are several major methodological limitations in climate change and related natural disaster research, including the use of univariate analyses, cross-sectional design, and retrospective measures. Keeping these limitations in mind, we first review literature examining the mental health outcomes of natural disasters. Findings suggest that, overall, resilience is more common than pathological outcomes. Second, we use a multi-dimensional framework of resilience to selectively review factors at the event, individual, as well as family and community levels that could help inform resilient or pathological outcomes. Finally, we consider key limitations and future directions for research and practice in the field of anxiety and resilience in response to climate disasters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuquan Chen
- Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States.
| | - Rohini Bagrodia
- Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States
| | - Charlotte C Pfeffer
- Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States
| | - Laura Meli
- Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States
| | - George A Bonanno
- Department of Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Safety and Confidence in Local Law Enforcement and Government During Serial Shooting Events: Association With Daily Life Activities. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2020; 16:541-547. [PMID: 33191894 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2020.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the relationship of perceived safety and confidence in local law enforcement and government to changes in daily life activities during the Washington, DC, sniper attacks. METHODS Participants were 1238 residents from the Washington, DC metropolitan area who were assessed using an Internet survey that included items related to safety at work, at home, and in general, confidence in law enforcement/government, and changes in routine daily life activities. RESULTS A majority of participants (52%, n = 640) reported changing their daily life activities, with approximately one-third identifying changes related to being in large places and getting gas. Perceived safety was associated with confidence in local law enforcement/government. After adjusting for demographics, lower feelings of safety and less confidence in law enforcement/government were related to a higher likelihood of altered daily activities. Confidence in local law enforcement/government modified the association of safety with changes in daily activities. Among participants with high safety, less confidence in local law enforcement/government was associated with greater changes in daily life activities. CONCLUSIONS Serial shooting events affect feelings of safety and disrupt routine life activities. Focus on enhancing experiences of safety and confidence in local law enforcement and government may decrease the life disruption associated with terrorist shootings.
Collapse
|
30
|
Lu P, Li X, Lu L, Zhang Y. The psychological states of people after Wuhan eased the lockdown. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241173. [PMID: 33180783 PMCID: PMC7660514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been two months since Wuhan eased the lockdown and the people of Wuhan have been under great pressure during COVID-19. The psychological status among healthcare workers and residents were barely know due to the lack of research after Wuhan eased of the lockdown. The purpose of this study was to assess people's mental health and the changes after Wuhan eased the lockdown. A cross-sectional online study among citizens in Wuhan was conducted. Among 1417 participants, 387(27.0%) were frontline healthcare workers and 1035(73.0%) were residents from the general public. Their COVID-19 psychological status was evaluated using Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), and the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). Results show that 16.1%,22.3% and 17.2% healthcare workers and 21.2%, 16.7% and 17.2% general public had symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD ranging from moderate to severe. Anxiety levels were not significantly different between healthcare workers and the general public. The decreased income and the frequent social media exposure are the risk factors for general public. Compared to the early COVID-19 epidemic period, the proportion of anxiety and depression among both the general public and health workers decreased after Wuhan eased the lockdown. Our finding can be used to help the government of Wuhan to develop psychological interventions to improve the mental health of the population and work as a reference of public health guidelines for other cities with severe COVID-19 outbreak.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peixin Lu
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Li
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Long Lu
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Medical Records Statistics Division of Wuhan Forth Hospital, Puai Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Riehm KE, Holingue C, Kalb LG, Bennett D, Kapteyn A, Jiang Q, Veldhuis CB, Johnson RM, Fallin MD, Kreuter F, Stuart EA, Thrul J. Associations Between Media Exposure and Mental Distress Among U.S. Adults at the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Prev Med 2020; 59:630-638. [PMID: 33011008 PMCID: PMC7351429 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exposure to disaster-related media may be a risk factor for mental distress, but this has not been examined in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assesses whether exposure to social and traditional media during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mental distress among U.S. adults. METHODS Data came from the Understanding America Study, conducted with a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of adults who completed surveys online. Participants included 6,329 adults surveyed between March 10 and March 31, 2020. Regression analyses examined the associations of (1) self-reported average time spent on social media in a day (hours) and (2) number of traditional media sources (radio, TV, and newspaper) consulted to learn about COVID-19 with self-reported mental distress (4-item Patient Health Questionnaire). Data were analyzed in April 2020. RESULTS Participants responding at later survey dates reported more time spent on social media (β=0.02, 95% CI=0.01, 0.03), a greater number of traditional media sources consulted to learn about COVID-19 (β=0.01, 95% CI=0.01, 0.02), and greater mental distress (β=0.07, 95% CI=0.04, 0.09). Increased time spent on social media and consulting a greater number of traditional media sources to learn about COVID-19 were independently associated with increased mental distress, even after adjusting for potential confounders (social media: β=0.14, 95% CI=0.05, 0.23; traditional media: β=0.14, 95% CI=0.08, 0.20). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to a greater number of traditional media sources and more hours on social media was modestly associated with mental distress during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kira E Riehm
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Calliope Holingue
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Luther G Kalb
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel Bennett
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Arie Kapteyn
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Qin Jiang
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Renee M Johnson
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Frauke Kreuter
- Joint Program in Survey Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland; School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany; Statistical Methods Group, Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Johannes Thrul
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Nissen A, Berthelsen M, Dale MTG, Hansen MB, Heir T. Is perceived safety and threat after workplace terrorism linked to employee sick-leave? A registry-based longitudinal study of governmental employees in Norway. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2020; 11:1785249. [PMID: 33029324 PMCID: PMC7473246 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1785249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A large body of research has shown that terrorism enhances fears and undermines perceived safety in a high proportion of both directly exposed individuals and individuals without any form of direct exposure (i.e. no geographical proximity to an attack). Some studies have further suggested that fear of terrorism may adversely affect health in those without direct exposure and that this may constitute an important public health burden because of the number who are indirectly exposed. Limited studies have investigated threat and safety perception after workplace terrorism and the possible consequences for employee health. OBJECTIVE To explore whether perceived safety and threat in employees whose workplace was subjected to a terrorist attack are associated with subsequent sick-leave. METHOD A longitudinal questionnaire survey on governmental employees' perceived safety and threat at work one (T1) and two (T2) years after the 2011 terrorist attack on the Norwegian ministries was linked to registry data on doctor-certified sick-leave for two 9-month periods following T1 and T2 (N = 1703). RESULTS There was fairly strong evidence (0.004 < p < 0.034) that higher perceived safety was associated with a close to 30% reduction in sick-leave in fully adjusted models which included terror exposure and symptom-based PTSD. There was inconclusive evidence that lower perceived threat was associated with reduced sick-leave in the full models. CONCLUSIONS Reduced perceived safety in employees following workplace terrorism may have adverse health consequences of public health significance given how prevalent this perception seems to be. The study supports that post-terrorism response plans should include strategies on how to address the potentially large number of individuals suffering ill health after terror even if they were not directly exposed and do not meet criteria for PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Nissen
- Division for Forced Migration and Disaster Research, Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mona Berthelsen
- Division for Forced Migration and Disaster Research, Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Teresa Grønning Dale
- Division for Forced Migration and Disaster Research, Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marianne Bang Hansen
- National Centre for Hearing Impairment and Mental Health, Clinic for Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trond Heir
- Division for Forced Migration and Disaster Research, Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Chao M, Xue D, Liu T, Yang H, Hall BJ. Media use and acute psychological outcomes during COVID-19 outbreak in China. J Anxiety Disord 2020; 74:102248. [PMID: 32505918 PMCID: PMC7255752 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak in China led to an extraordinary threat to public health and wellbeing. This study examined the psychological impact of media use among people indirectly exposed to the disease during the initial phase of the outbreak. We conducted an internet-based survey on January 28, 2020 (one week after the official declaration of person-to-person transmission of the coronavirus). Media use (media forms, content of media exposure, and media engagement) related to the outbreak and psychological outcomes (positive and negative affect, anxiety, depression, and stress) of 917 Chinese adults was assessed. A series of multivariable regressions were conducted. The results showed that use of new media, rather than traditional media, was significantly associated with more negative affect, depression, anxiety, and stress. Viewing stressful content (i.e., severity of the outbreak, reports from hospital) was associated with more negative affect and depression. Media engagement was also associated with more negative affect, anxiety, and stress. However, viewing heroic acts, speeches from experts, and knowledge of the disease and prevention were associated with more positive affect and less depression. The study suggested new media use and more media engagement was associated with negative psychological outcomes, while certain media content was associated with positive psychological impact. The present study highlights the need for timely public health communication from official sources and suggests that reduced exposure to new media may be beneficial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao Chao
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, China; Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, China; Center of Collaborative Innovation for Assessment and Promotion of Mental Health, China
| | - Dini Xue
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, China
| | - Tour Liu
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, China; Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, China; Center of Collaborative Innovation for Assessment and Promotion of Mental Health, China.
| | - Haibo Yang
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, China; Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, China; Center of Collaborative Innovation for Assessment and Promotion of Mental Health, China
| | - Brian J Hall
- Global and Community Mental Health Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macao (SAR), China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Immediate psychological impact on nurses working at 42 government-designated hospitals during COVID-19 outbreak in China: A cross-sectional study. Nurs Outlook 2020; 69:6-12. [PMID: 32919788 PMCID: PMC7368912 DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2020.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During an epidemic of a novel infectious disease, frontline nurses suffer from unprecedented psychological stress. This study aimed to assess the immediate psychological impact on frontline nurses in China. METHODS A multicenter, cross-sectional survey of frontline nurses was conducted via online questionnaires. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatic disorders, and suicidal ideation were evaluated. Demographic, stress, and support variables were entered into logistic regression analysis to identify the impact factors. FINDINGS Of the 4,692 nurses who completed the survey, 9.4% (n = 442) were considered to have depressive symptoms, 8.1% (n = 379) represented anxiety, and 42.7% (n = 2,005) had somatic symptom. About 6.5% (n = 306) respondents had suicidal ideation. DISCUSSION The study showed that the overall mental health of frontline nurses was generally poor during COVID-19 outbreak, and several impact factors associated with nurses' psychological health were identified. Further research is needed to ascertain whether training and support strategies are indeed able to mitigate psychological morbidities.
Collapse
|
35
|
Khanam A, Dar SA, Wani ZA, Shah NN, Haq I, Kousar S. Healthcare Providers on the Frontline: A Quantitative Investigation of the Stress and Recent Onset Psychological Impact of Delivering Health Care Services During COVID-19 in Kashmir. Indian J Psychol Med 2020; 42:359-367. [PMID: 33402797 PMCID: PMC7746896 DOI: 10.1177/0253717620933985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frontline healthcare workers (FHCWs) are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. We aimed to assess the stress and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among FHCWs. METHODS This was an exploratory hospital-based study. A semistructured e-questionnaire was developed and shared through emails, WhatsApp groups, Facebook, and Twitter. The study instruments used were stress questionnaire and the impact of event scale-revised. RESULTS We received 133 valid responses. A total of 81 (61.4%) of the respondents were single, 74 (55.6) were male, 70 (52.6%) were between 20 and 29 years of age, and 91 (68.4%) were from urban background. A total of 83 (62.4%) of respondents were doctors and 28 (21.1%) were registered nurses. A total of 36 (27.1%) were posted in emergency and 34 (25.6%) were in the in-patient department. Feeling sad and pessimistic, feeling of being avoided by others, the burden of change in the quality of work, and worrying whether the family will be cared for in their absence were significantly more in nurses as compared to the doctors. Stress due to burden in an increase in the quantity of work was seen more in FHCWs working in the swab collection center as compared to those working in the in-patient department, emergency, or theaters. Severe psychological impact was seen in 81 (60.9%) of FHCWs. The psychological impact was significantly more in males and in those who were married. It was also significantly related to the place of posting. CONCLUSION More than half of the FHCWs had a severe psychological impact owing to COVID-19. The psychological impact was more in males and those who were married, and it was related to the place of posting of the FHCWs. Nurses had significantly higher stress as compared to doctors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaliya Khanam
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Shabir Ahmad Dar
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Zaid Ahmad Wani
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Naveed Nazir Shah
- Dept. of Chest Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Inaamul Haq
- Dept. of Social and Preventive Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Shazia Kousar
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Yin Q, Sun Z, Liu T, Ni X, Deng X, Jia Y, Shang Z, Zhou Y, Liu W. Posttraumatic stress symptoms of health care workers during the corona virus disease 2019. Clin Psychol Psychother 2020; 27:384-395. [PMID: 32415733 PMCID: PMC7276761 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak has attracted worldwide attention. The COVID‐19 outbreak is unique in its rapid transmission and results in heavy stress for the front‐line health care workers (HCWs). The current study aimed to exam posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) of HCWs fighting for the COVID‐19 and to evaluate their sleep quality after 1‐month stressful suffering. Three hundred seventy‐seven HCWs working in different provinces of China participated in the survey between February 1 and 5. The demographic information was collected first. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were selected to measure PTSSs and sleep quality. Results showed that 1 month after the outbreak, the prevalence of PTSSs was 3.8% in HCWs. Female HCWs were more vulnerable to PTSSs with hazard ratio of 2.136 (95% CI = 1.388–3.286). HCWs with higher exposure level also significantly rated more hyperarousal symptoms (hazard ratio = 4.026, 95% CI = 1.233–13.140). There was a significant difference of sleep quality between participants with and without PTSSs (z value = 6.014, p < .001) and among different groups with various contact frequencies (chi‐square = 7.307, p = .026). Path analysis showed that there was a significant indirect effect from exposure level to PTSSs through sleep quality (coefficient = 1.750, 95% CI of Boostroop test = 0.543–2.998). In summary, targeted interventions on sleep contribute to the mental recovery during the outbreak of COVID‐19. Understanding the mental health response after a public health emergency might help HCWs and communities prepare for a population's response to disaster.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianlan Yin
- Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuoer Sun
- Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tuanjie Liu
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai First People's Hospital Baoshan Branch, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiong Ni
- Department of Hematology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuanfeng Deng
- Department of psychology, Xianyang Psychiatric Hospital, Xianyang, China
| | - Yanpu Jia
- Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhilei Shang
- Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaoguang Zhou
- Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weizhi Liu
- Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Readying for a Post-COVID-19 World: The Case for Concurrent Pandemic Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts in Public Health. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2020; 26:310-313. [PMID: 32341285 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
38
|
Active Shooter and Terrorist Event-Related Posttraumatic Stress and Depression: Television Viewing and Perceived Safety. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2020; 13:570-576. [PMID: 31328712 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2018.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the relationship of sniper-related television viewing (TV) and perceived safety to posttraumatic stress (PTS) and depressive symptoms during the Washington, DC sniper attacks. METHODS Participants were 1238 Washington, DC area residents assessed using an internet survey including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, hours of TV, and perceived safety. RESULTS Almost 40% (n = 459) of participants watched at least 2 hours of sniper-related TV daily. TV viewing was associated with lower total perceived safety. After adjusting for demographics, more TV viewing and decreased perceived safety were related to increased PTS and depressive symptoms. TV viewing modified the effect of safety on PTS and depressive symptoms. Among participants with low and high perceived safety, hours of TV were positively associated with PTS; however, the effect was stronger among those with low perceived safety. The relationship of TV to increased depressive symptoms was identified only in participants who reported low perceived safety. CONCLUSIONS The influence of media exposure and perceived safety have implications for intervention by community leaders and mental health care providers. Recommendations include limiting media exposure during a terrorist event, particularly among those who perceive that their safety is at risk, and targeting safety in communication strategies. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:570-576).
Collapse
|
39
|
|
40
|
Baucum M, John R. The Psychophysics of Terror Attack Casualty Counts. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2020; 40:399-407. [PMID: 31483513 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In communicating the risk that terror attacks pose to the public, government agencies and other organizations must understand which characteristics of an attack contribute to the public's perception of its severity. An attack's casualty count is one of the most commonly used metrics of a terror attack's severity, yet it is unclear whether the public responds to information about casualty count when forming affective and cognitive reactions to terror attacks. This study sought to characterize the "psychophysical function" relating terror attack casualty counts to the severity of the affective and cognitive reactions they elicit. We recruited n = 684 Mechanical Turk participants to read a realistic vignette depicting either a biological or radiological terror attack, whose death toll ranged from 20 to 50,000, and rated their levels of fear and anger along with the attack's severity. Even when controlling for the perceived plausibility of the scenarios, participants' severity ratings of each attack were logarithmic with respect to casualty count, while ratings of fear and anger did not significantly depend on casualty count. These results were consistent across attack weapon (biological vs. radiological) and time horizon of the casualties (same-day or anticipated to occur over several years). These results complement past work on life loss valuation and highlight a potential bifurcation between the public's affective and cognitive evaluations of terror attacks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matt Baucum
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Richard John
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Leder J. Living Well in Times of Threat: The Importance of Adjustment Processes to Explain Functional Adaptation to Uncertain Security in Expatriates Deployed in the Sudan. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2019; 39:1105-1124. [PMID: 30419158 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated expatriate humanitarian aid workers' perceptions and responses to uncertain security while deployed in the Sudan. Interviews conducted in Khartoum (n = 7) and Darfur (n = 17) focused on risk perception, concern for personal security, and strategies used to function well in an insecure environment. Despite a high perceived general risk, as well as broad knowledge and experience with security incidents, participants often expressed low concern. General adjustment processes were drawn on to explain this finding, while different constellations of processes resulted in different patterns of adjustment. Functional adjustment, resulting in adequate risk perception, protective behavior, protection, and low concern, was characterized by a constellation of complementary activation of accommodation and assimilation processes.
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major incidents affecting large numbers of people may increase the rate of acute cardiovascular events, even among those who are not directly involved in the incident. It is hypothesized that the MV Sewol ferry disaster (South Korea) would increase the incidence of cardiovascular events nation-wide. METHODS Data on all adult patients (>18 years) who were diagnosed with acute cardiovascular events, including acute myocardial infarction (MI), angina, and cardiac arrhythmias, were extracted from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) from March 15 through June 17, during the years 2011-2014 (four weeks before to eight weeks after the event date). Poisson regression models were used to calculate the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) comparing the weekly changes in the occurrences of cardiovascular events from the week of the Sewol event (April 16-22, 2014) to eight weeks after the disaster (June 11-17, 2014), using the one-month period before Sewol as a reference period (March 15-April 15), adjusting for calendar years (years 2011-2014) and environmental factors. RESULTS During the study periods, cardiovascular events were identified in 73,823 patients. Compared to the reference period, the week of the Sewol disaster and the three weeks after the disaster showed a significant increase in the number of acute cardiovascular events, IRRs of 1.09 (95% CI, 1.03-1.15) and 1.08 (95% CI, 1.02-1.15), respectively (P <.01 for both). In particular, there was 21% increase in incidence of arrhythmia (IRR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02-1.44; P = .03) during the week of the Sewol disaster compared with the reference period. CONCLUSION This study showed a significant increase in the incidence of acute cardiovascular events during the week of, and the three weeks after, the Sewol ferry disaster in 2014. These additional cardiac emergencies may be triggered by emotional stressors related to the event, highlighting the public health importance of indirect exposure to a tragic catastrophe.Kong SY, Song KJ, Shin SD, Ro YS. Cardiovascular events after the Sewol ferry disaster, South Korea. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(2):142-148.
Collapse
|
43
|
Miller-Graff L, Howell KH, Scheid CR, Schaefer L. "Violence is Everywhere": Childhood Polyvictimization, Perceptions of the Prevalence of Victimization, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms. VIOLENCE AND VICTIMS 2019; 34:376-393. [PMID: 31019018 DOI: 10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-17-00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Childhood polyvictimization is related to a heightened risk for mental health and functional problems in young adulthood, including posttraumatic stress symptoms, but little research has examined how perceptions of the prevalence of victimization may contribute to specific symptoms of posttraumatic stress. The primary aims of the current study were to (a) evaluate the accuracy of young adults' beliefs about the prevalence of multiple types of childhood victimization and (b) determine how inaccurate appraisals of victimization prevalence are associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms. College students (n = 369) drawn from two geographic regions of the United States responded to an online survey assessing their experiences of childhood victimization, perceptions about the prevalence of victimization, emotion regulation skills, and mental health. Childhood polyvictimization was significantly and positively related to distorted appraisals of the prevalence of victimization overall (r = .26, p < .001), and emotion regulation was associated with symptoms of posttraumatic stress in all domains. Distorted perceptions of the prevalence of victimization were linked to higher symptoms of hyperarousal, but not to higher symptoms of reexperiencing, avoidance, or negative mood/cognition. Results suggest that emotion regulation skills training is likely to be beneficial for many individuals experiencing posttraumatic stress, and intervention around perceptions of the prevalence of victimization may be useful for addressing symptoms of hyperarousal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Miller-Graff
- Department of Psychology, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Kathryn H Howell
- Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
| | | | - Lauren Schaefer
- Clinical Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
de Hoog N, Verboon P. Is the news making us unhappy? The influence of daily news exposure on emotional states. Br J Psychol 2019; 111:157-173. [PMID: 30900253 PMCID: PMC7187375 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence that exposure to negative news is making people feel bad, but not much is known about why this only affects some people or whether this also applies to everyday news exposure. This study examined the direct and indirect effects of daily news exposure on people's affective states. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), 63 respondents (24 men and 39 women) reported their news exposure and affective states five times a day for 10 days. In addition, personal relevance of the news and personality characteristics, neuroticism and extraversion, were assessed. Results showed that negative news perceptions were related to more negative affect and less positive affect, and these effects were moderated by personal relevance, but not personality characteristics. The implications of these outcomes are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natascha de Hoog
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Verboon
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Hall BJ, Xiong YX, Yip PSY, Lao CK, Shi W, Sou EKL, Chang K, Wang L, Lam AIF. The association between disaster exposure and media use on post-traumatic stress disorder following Typhoon Hato in Macao, China. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2019; 10:1558709. [PMID: 30693078 PMCID: PMC6338284 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2018.1558709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Direct exposure to natural disasters and related losses are associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is less clear whether indirect media exposure is associated with PTSD. Objective: This study investigated key exposure-related risk factors for PTSD and examined the effect of media exposure on the prevalence of disaster-related PTSD. Method: Typhoon Hato directly hit Macao on 23 August 2017. It was one of the most serious natural disasters ever to strike southern China. One month after the event, 1876 Chinese university students in Macao were recruited into a cross-sectional study (mean age 20.01 years, SD = 2.63; 66.2% female). Self-reported typhoon exposure, media use and exposure to disaster-related content, and PTSD symptoms were collected using an electronic survey. Univariable analyses assessed associations between risk factors and PTSD, which were then included in a series of multivariable logistic regressions. Results: The prevalence of PTSD was 5.1%. Adjusted models demonstrated that being male (vs female) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-2.63], home damage (aOR = 2.86, 95% CI 1.71-4.78), witnessing people injured (aOR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.36-4.00), and almost drowning during the storm (aOR = 8.99, 95% CI 1.92-41.99) were associated with PTSD. After adjusting for direct exposure, indirect exposure to disaster-related social media content, including information related to drowning victims (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.00-1.67) and residents' emotional reactions (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.44-2.72), was associated with PTSD. Viewing more information about the storm itself (aOR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.28-0.49) and images of heroic acts (aOR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.55-0.94) were significantly associated with lower odds of PTSD. Conclusion: These findings add to the literature demonstrating that some types of media use and certain media content following a natural disaster are associated with PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Hall
- Global and Community Mental Health Research Group, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Macao, Macao (SAR), People’s Republic of China
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ying Xin Xiong
- Global and Community Mental Health Research Group, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Macao, Macao (SAR), People’s Republic of China
| | - Paul S. Y. Yip
- Global and Community Mental Health Research Group, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Macao, Macao (SAR), People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Kei Lao
- Global and Community Mental Health Research Group, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Macao, Macao (SAR), People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Shi
- Global and Community Mental Health Research Group, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Macao, Macao (SAR), People’s Republic of China
| | - Elvo K. L. Sou
- Student Affairs Office, The University of Macao, Macao (SAR), People’s Republic of China
| | - Kay Chang
- Global and Community Mental Health Research Group, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Macao, Macao (SAR), People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- Laboratory for Traumatic Stress Studies, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Agnes I. F. Lam
- Centre for Macau Studies, The University of Macao, Macao (SAR), People’s Republic of China
- Department of Communications, The University of Macao, Macao (SAR), People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Frans Ö, Åhs J, Bihre E, Åhs F. Distance to threat and risk of acute and posttraumatic stress disorder following bank robbery: A longitudinal study. Psychiatry Res 2018; 267:461-466. [PMID: 29980125 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.06.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Identifying pathways through which environmental risk factors influence PTSD is important for understanding PTSD etiology. Here, we hypothesized that the physical proximity to threat influences PTSD risk by increasing ASD following trauma. One hundred six bank employees who had experienced a bank robbery participated in the study. A longitudinal design assessing ASD at day 2 and PTSD at day 30 was used to test the hypothesis. Participants also indicated their location in the bank at the time of the robbery. ASD was identified in 40 (38%) and PTSD in 16 (15%) of the robbery victims. Distance to the robber had a strong effect on ASD (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.94-6.34) and a somewhat lesser effect on PTSD (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.04-4.46), indicating that the effect of proximity to threat on PTSD 1 month following trauma could be mediated by its effect on ASD 2 days following trauma. Using structural equation modeling, we confirmed that the effect of distance on PTSD was fully mediated by ASD. These findings suggest that proximity to threat may increase PTSD risk by enhancing the acute stress response following trauma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Örjan Frans
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Box 1225, Uppsala S-752 43, Sweden.
| | - Jill Åhs
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Bihre
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Box 1225, Uppsala S-752 43, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Åhs
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Box 1225, Uppsala S-752 43, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ursano RJ, Kessler RC, Naifeh JA, Mash HH, Fullerton CS, Bliese PD, Wynn GH, Aliaga PA, Wryter C, Sampson NA, Kao TC, Colpe LJ, Schoenbaum M, Cox KL, Heeringa SG, Stein MB. Frequency of Improvised Explosive Devices and Suicide Attempts in the U.S. Army. Mil Med 2018; 182:e1697-e1703. [PMID: 28290945 DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-16-00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were a prominent and initially new threat in the Iraq and Afghanistan war which raised concerns and anticipatory fear in and out of theater. This study examined the association of monthly IED rates with risk of soldier suicide attempt among those deployed and nondeployed. METHODS Person-month records for all active duty Regular Army suicide attempters from 2004 through 2009 (n = 9,791) and an equal-probability sample of control person-months (n = 183,826) were identified. Logistic regression analyses examined soldiers' risk of attempting suicide as a function of monthly IED frequency, controlling for sociodemographics, service-related characteristics, rate of deployment/redeployment, and combat deaths and injuries. The association of IED frequency with suicide attempt was examined overall and by time in service and deployment status. FINDINGS Soldiers' risk of suicide attempt increased with increasing numbers of IEDs. Suicide attempt was 26% more likely for each 1,000 IED increase in monthly frequency (odds ratio [OR] = 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22-1.30). The association of IED frequency with suicide attempt was greater for soldiers in their first 2 years of service (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.25-1.36) than for those with 3 or more years of service (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.12-1.24). Among soldiers in their first 2 years of service, the association was constant, regardless of deployment status (χ22 = 3.89, p = 0.14). Among soldiers with 3 or more years of service, the association was higher for those never deployed (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.01-1.24) and currently deployed (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.05-1.23) than for those previously deployed. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine and demonstrate an association between the aggregate frequency of IEDs and risk of suicide attempts among U.S. Army soldiers. This association was observed across deployment status and time in service, and for early-career soldiers in particular. The findings suggest that the threat of new weapons may increase stress burden among soldiers. Targeting risk perception and perceived preparedness, particularly early in a soldier's career, may improve psychological resilience and reduce suicide risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Ursano
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Ronald C Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, 180A Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
| | - James A Naifeh
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Holly Herberman Mash
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Carol S Fullerton
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Paul D Bliese
- Darla School of Business, University of South Carolina, 1014 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29208
| | - Gary H Wynn
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Pablo A Aliaga
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Christina Wryter
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Nancy A Sampson
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, 180A Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Tzu-Cheg Kao
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge road, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Lisa J Colpe
- National Institute of Mental Health, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Michael Schoenbaum
- U.S. Army Public Health Command, Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010
| | - Kenneth L Cox
- University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
| | - Steven G Heeringa
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Murray B Stein
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, CA 92161
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Doak J, Katsikitis M. Terrorism catastrophization: An investigation of predicting and moderating factors. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/jts5.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
49
|
Negative and positive perceptions of media sources and PTSD symptoms among older adults exposed to missile attacks. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
50
|
Luhmann M, Bleidorn W. Changes in Affect, Cognition, and Perceived Behavioral Changes Among Vicarious Victims of the Paris Terrorist Attacks of November 13, 2015. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PERSONALITY SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/1948550617732818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Terrorist attacks are supposed to hit not only the direct victims but the entire society. In this prospective longitudinal study, we examined changes in mood, life satisfaction, and terror-related cognitions and perceived behavioral changes 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the terrorist attacks of November 13, 2015, in Paris in a sample of the so-called vicarious victims ( N = 201). Average mood levels dropped significantly after the attacks compared to preattack levels but recovered within 8 weeks. Average levels of life satisfaction did not change significantly across this time period. Level of preoccupation with the attacks, perceptions of the likelihood of future terrorist attacks, and perceived changes in terror-related cognitions and behaviors declined over the 8 weeks after the attacks. Together, these findings indicate that terrorist attacks may impact changes in affect, cognition, and behavior even among vicarious victims; however, these changes are only temporary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maike Luhmann
- Department of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Wiebke Bleidorn
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|