1
|
Gostoli S, D’Oronzo A, Malaguti C, Guolo F, Balducci C, Subach R, Lodi V, Petio C, Rafanelli C. Psychopathological Burden among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic Compared to the Pre-Pandemic Period. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7153. [PMID: 38131705 PMCID: PMC10742499 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20247153] [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: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
This retrospective observational study on hospital staff requesting an "application visit" (from 2017 to 2022) at the Occupational Medicine department aimed at comparing a "pre-COVID group" (2017-2019) with a "COVID group" (2020-2022) regarding (a) sociodemographic data (i.e., age, sex, occupation, years of employment at the hospital), (b) rate and type of psychiatric diagnoses in both groups and rate of psychiatric diagnoses per subject, and (c) rate of drug/psychotherapeutic prescriptions. Two hundred and five healthcare workers (F = 73.7%; mean age = 50.7 ± 10.33) were visited. Compared with the pre-COVID group, healthcare workers evaluated during COVID-19 were significantly younger and reported fewer years of employment at the hospital. Although rates of primary psychiatric diagnoses were similar in both samples, an increased number of psychopathologies per subject and associated treatment prescriptions in the COVID group was observed. In the COVID group, 61% had one psychiatric diagnosis, and 28% had 2+ psychiatric diagnoses, compared with 83.8% and 6.7% of pre-COVID. Furthermore, 56.2%/1.9% in pre-COVID and 73%/6% in the COVID group were prescribed drugs/psychotherapy, respectively. The findings of the present study highlighted an increase in both younger workers' requests and psychiatric comorbidities during the pandemic, representing a burden on the Italian healthcare system. It is thus relevant to address the mental health challenges of healthcare workers accordingly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gostoli
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.G.); (A.D.); (R.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Angelica D’Oronzo
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.G.); (A.D.); (R.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Carlotta Malaguti
- Occupational Health Unit, Bologna University Hospital Authority St. Orsola Malpighi Polyclinic IRCCS, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.M.); (V.L.)
| | - Francesco Guolo
- Division of Cardiology, Bellaria Hospital, AUSL Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Cristian Balducci
- Department of Quality of Life Sciences, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy;
| | - Regina Subach
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.G.); (A.D.); (R.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Vittorio Lodi
- Occupational Health Unit, Bologna University Hospital Authority St. Orsola Malpighi Polyclinic IRCCS, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.M.); (V.L.)
| | - Carmine Petio
- Department of Psychiatry, Bologna University Hospital Authority St. Orsola Malpighi Polyclinic IRCCS, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Rafanelli
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.G.); (A.D.); (R.S.); (C.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Witczak LR, Samra J, Dufek M, Goetze LR, Freeman SM, Arias-Del Razo R, Baxter A, Karaskiewicz C, Lau AR, Rothwell ES, Savidge LE, Ferrer E, Bales KL. Titi monkey father-daughter bond-related behaviors explain stress response variability. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 157:106362. [PMID: 37586274 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Social interactions regulate our behavior and physiology, and strong social bonds can buffer us from stress. Coppery titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus) are socially monogamous South American monkeys that display strong social bonds. Infants form selective bonds with their fathers, making them ideal for studying father-daughter bonds. We established a method for quantifying variability in expression of bond-related behaviors in females (n = 12), and the present study is the second to use this method for explaining titi monkey responses to behavioral tests. We also investigated how manipulations of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) influenced juvenile behavior and physiology. Subjects received acute intranasal treatments of saline, low/medium/high OT, low/high AVP, or OT receptor antagonist (OTA) prior to an acute social separation. General linear mixed-effects model results revealed fathers were significant behavioral and physiological stress buffers for their daughters, as evidenced by fewer distress vocalizations (p < 0.001), less locomotion (p < 0.001), and lower plasma cortisol (p < 0.001) in a social separation paradigm. Females vocalized less if they exhibited greater expression of bond-related behaviors with their fathers as infants (p = 0.01), and this stress-buffering effect remained even when the daughter was separated from the father (p = 0.001). While treatments did not alter behaviors, OTA treatment caused the largest rise in plasma cortisol (p < 0.001), suggesting blockade of OT receptors can inhibit fathers' stress-buffering effects. Remarkably, females with greater expression of father-daughter bond-related behaviors exhibited an overall reduced physiological separation distress response (p = 0.04). Findings from the present study advance current knowledge of the neurobiological mechanisms foundational to female bonds and help inform how social disruptions may differently impact individuals based on expression of bond-related behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynea R Witczak
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Jaclyn Samra
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Madison Dufek
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Leana R Goetze
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sara M Freeman
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84332, USA
| | - Rocío Arias-Del Razo
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Alexander Baxter
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Chloe Karaskiewicz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Allison R Lau
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Emily S Rothwell
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Logan E Savidge
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Emilio Ferrer
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Karen L Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marcó-García S, Guilera G, Ferrer-Quintero M, Ochoa S, Escuder-Romeva G, Martínez-Mondejar A, Montalbán-Roca V, Del Cacho N, Rubio-Abadal E, Escanilla-Casal A, Martínez-Zambrano F, Balsells-Mejía S, Huerta-Ramos E. The RECAPACITA project: Description of the clinical, neuropsychological and functional profile of a sample of people with severe mental disorder and legal capacity modification in Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW AND PSYCHIATRY 2023; 88:101874. [PMID: 36963181 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2023.101874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Severe mental disorder (SMD) includes people with long-term mental disorders, disability and social dysfunction. The mental capacity evaluation of the people has been a key aspect in legislative systems around the world and different proposals have been made. In countries like Spain, until 2021, the mental capacity of individuals was assessed by means of legal proceedings. In the last years, there has been a notable increase in the number of claims for legal incapacity, but no data are available on the total number of persons with CM, neither on the specific pathologies, or clinical and cognitive profiles. In view of the total absence of data on the profile of people with SMD and modification of capacity, the RECAPACITA study was born. This study includes patients with SMD and CM, as well as those without CM, with the aim to describe exhaustively their clinical, neuropsychological and functional profile of people with SMD and CM, as well as obtaining a basic description of the social environment. OBJECTIVES To describe CM in SMD, to identify clinical diagnoses, clinical severity and neuropsychological deterioration. METHODS Cross-sectional descriptive study. 77 adult patients with SMD and CM, inpatients from the mental health sector of the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu (Spain), outpatients linked to the community rehabilitation services (CRS), and penitentiary inmates. CM, sociodemographic, clinical, functional and neuropsychological data are collected. RESULTS In the sample, 59.5% present total CM. 74.7% are men (mean: 52.5 years). 87,0% have a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The estimated premorbid IQ is 91.4. The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) had a mean of 50.5, the "Clinical Global Impression Scale" (CGI) was 4.6 and Scale Unawareness of Mental Disorders (SUMD) was 9.28. The cognitive results shows a profile with slow proceeding speed (mean scale score: 6.6), good working memory (mean SC: 8.3) and adequate verbal comprehension (mean SC: 7.3). In memory, coding is altered (Pz: -1.9), and long-term spontaneous recall (Pz: -2.3). In abstract reasoning, a slight alteration is obtained (Mean SC: 6), as well as in semantic fluency (Mean SC: 6.3), phonological (Mean SC: 5.9), and inhibitory capacity (Mean SC: 5.7). CONCLUSIONS Most of the sample are men with schizophrenia, with a total MC assumed by a tutelary foundation. They show a moderate alteration in global functioning and clinical global impression, with partial awareness of the disease. They present dysexecutive mild cognitive impairment, with poor memory coding and free retrieval capacity, and a normal IQ, adequate verbal comprehension and working memory. This study is the first to present objective data on the psychiatric, functional and cognitive status of a group of patients with CM. Such research could be a good starting point to address a topic of great interest from the health, social and legal point of view of the CM processes of people with SMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Marcó-García
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; Etiopathogenesis and treatment of severe mental disorders (MERITT), Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, Sant Joan de Déu Foundation, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Georgina Guilera
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; Group of Invariance Studies for the Measurement and Analysis of Change in the Social and Health Environments (GEIMAC), Institute of Neurosciences (UBNeuro), University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Ferrer-Quintero
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; Etiopathogenesis and treatment of severe mental disorders (MERITT), Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, Sant Joan de Déu Foundation, Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research in the Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain; Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Ochoa
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; Etiopathogenesis and treatment of severe mental disorders (MERITT), Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, Sant Joan de Déu Foundation, Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research in the Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gemma Escuder-Romeva
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; Etiopathogenesis and treatment of severe mental disorders (MERITT), Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, Sant Joan de Déu Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Núria Del Cacho
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; Etiopathogenesis and treatment of severe mental disorders (MERITT), Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, Sant Joan de Déu Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Sol Balsells-Mejía
- Research Promotion and Management Department. Statistical Support, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (HSJD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Huerta-Ramos
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; Etiopathogenesis and treatment of severe mental disorders (MERITT), Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, Sant Joan de Déu Foundation, Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research in the Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|