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Petrelli A, Aragona M, Ciampichini R, Di Napoli A, Fano V, Leone S, Pacifici M, Rosini C, Silvestri C, Zucchi A, Ventura M. A population-based cohort to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on socioeconomic inequalities in mental health care in Italy (CoMeH): study protocol. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2025:10.1007/s00127-025-02838-y. [PMID: 39953166 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-025-02838-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2025] [Indexed: 02/17/2025]
Abstract
PURPOSE The Covid and Mental Health (CoMeH) cohort was established to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of mental health care services in Italy in the short and long term, with a particular focus on socioeconomic and/or citizenship inequalities. METHODS The CoMeH cohort includes all residents for at least two years in one of three vast catchment areas (N = 5,167,043), aged ≥ 10 years and assisted by a National Health Service (NHS) general practitioner (GP) of the area of residence. Primary outcomes of interest are the following indicators of mental health care services use: first access to any mental health care service (MHCS), total number of accesses to MHCS, the consumption of psychiatric drugs, the number of psychiatric or psychological outpatient visits, the number of residential or day care days spent in psychiatric facilities, the number of emergency department (ED) admissions, and inpatient admissions to hospitals. RESULTS Initial findings show that incident MHCS users were 3.2% of the population of the Bergamo Local Health Authority (LHA), 3.5% of the Rome 2 LHA, and 4.4% of the Tuscany Region. The overall crude incidence rate of access to mental health care was 3.3% in the pre-COVID-19 period and 2.6% during the pandemic. Prescriptions for a mental disorder (57.2%) and ED admissions (25.1%) were the main reasons for enrollment. Compared to the general population, people with mental health conditions were older and more often female. The distribution of the incident users by deprivation index overlapped that of the population. Immigrants were younger, socioeconomically more deprived, and more often entered the study for an ED admission. CONCLUSION This first CoMeH cohort study focused on the impact of the pandemic through the evaluation of hospitalizations, emergency department accesses, outpatient visits, residential and day care service use, and drug prescriptions. We also evaluated socioeconomic inequalities through the use of census-based deprivation index and migration status. Finally, we also analyzed the impact of COVID-19 infection and outcome on the study cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Petrelli
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Via di San Gallicano, 25a, Rome, 00153, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Aragona
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Via di San Gallicano, 25a, Rome, 00153, Italy
| | | | - Anteo Di Napoli
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Via di San Gallicano, 25a, Rome, 00153, Italy
| | - Valeria Fano
- Local Health Authority Roma 2, Rome, Italy
- Epidemiology and Cancer Registry Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Leone
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Via di San Gallicano, 25a, Rome, 00153, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Martina Ventura
- National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Via di San Gallicano, 25a, Rome, 00153, Italy
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Carta MG, Kovess V, Aissa A, Larnaout A, Zgueb Y, Alnasser LA, Moro MF, Sancassiani F, Cantone E, Rjaibi S, Zoghlami N, Zid M, Aounallah-Skhiri H, Ouali U. Depression during the COVID pandemic in La Manouba Governorate, Tunisia: A community survey. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2024; 70:1128-1137. [PMID: 39056357 DOI: 10.1177/00207640241264678] [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] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is difficult to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health as many community surveys have limited quality, rely on screening tests to measure mental health conditions and distress, and often use convenience samples. Moreover, robust surveys come mainly from high-income countries. AIM To measure the prevalence of depressive disorders with onset during the pandemic in a community of a Lower-Middle-income country (LMIC)-Tunisia. METHODS Clinical semi-structured face-to-face interviews were carried out during the pandemic (September-December 2021) by medical doctors among a representative sample of the general population in the governorate of La Manouba, Tunisia. Psychiatric diagnoses were established according to DSM-IV. RESULTS The prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) started or recurred after the pandemic was 5.66%. The factors associated with MDD were loss of job and considerably diminished income due to the pandemic (OR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.5, 2.9]) and the perception of having the family's financial situation below the Tunisian average (OR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.7, 3.2]). Female sex, marital status as separated/divorced, and having a COVID-19 infection were associated with MDD only in the overall sample and urban areas, but not in rural areas. Age and having loved ones who passed away due to COVID-19 were not associated with MDD. CONCLUSION In Tunisia, the pandemic seems to have increased the risk of depression in people experiencing a precarious financial situation, also due to the pre-existing economic crisis. Specific local level factors, such as not establishing a rigid lockdown for an extended period, may have protected young people and allowed for better mourning in families suffering the loss of a loved one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro G Carta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Sanità Pubblica. Università di Cagliari, Italy
| | - Viviane Kovess
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université Paris Cité, Boulogne, France
| | - Amina Aissa
- Razi Hospital La Manouba, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory LR18SP03, Tunisia
| | - Amine Larnaout
- Razi Hospital La Manouba, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Yosra Zgueb
- Razi Hospital La Manouba, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
| | - Lubna A Alnasser
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maria Francesca Moro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Sanità Pubblica. Università di Cagliari, Italy
| | - Federica Sancassiani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Sanità Pubblica. Università di Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elisa Cantone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Sanità Pubblica. Università di Cagliari, Italy
| | - Salsabil Rjaibi
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- National Institute of Health, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Mejdi Zid
- National Institute of Health, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hajer Aounallah-Skhiri
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- National Institute of Health, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle (SURVEN), Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Uta Ouali
- Razi Hospital La Manouba, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory LR18SP03, Tunisia
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3
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Perra A, Sancassiani F, Cantone E, Pintus E, D’Oca S, Casula A, Littarru S, Zucca S, Tumolillo D, Pinna I, Primavera D, Cossu G, Nardi AE, Kalcev G, Carta MG. An e-Health Psychoeducation Program for Managing the Mental Health of People with Bipolar Disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3468. [PMID: 38929997 PMCID: PMC11204713 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Social rhythm dysregulation has been identified as a determining factor in bipolar disorder (BD) relapses. It directly impacts individuals' quality of life (QoL). This study aims to present preliminary data on the efficacy of an e-health psychoeducational intervention for BD for improving clinical outcomes. Methods: This study used an open-label, crossover, randomized controlled trial design. The inclusion criteria consisted of a BD diagnosis, affiliation with the Consultation Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Center at the University Hospital in Cagliari, Italy, age over 18, and the obtaining of informed consent. Anxiety and depressive symptoms, QoL, and social and biological rhythms were measured using standardized instruments validated in Italian. Results: A total of 36 individuals were included in the experimental group (EG) and 18 in the control group (CG). The final sample consisted of 25 in the EG and 14 in the CG. A statistically significant improvement in QoL was found in the EG post-treatment (p = 0.011). Significant correlations were found between QoL and the dysregulation of biorhythms in the EG at T0 (p = 0.0048) and T1 (p = 0.0014). Conclusions: This study shows that, during extreme distress, an e-health group psychoeducation intervention for people with BD could significantly improve the perception of QoL. The results must be confirmed by studies conducted with larger-sized samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Perra
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Federica Sancassiani
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Elisa Cantone
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Elisa Pintus
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Silvia D’Oca
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Alessio Casula
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Sara Littarru
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Sara Zucca
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Davide Tumolillo
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Irene Pinna
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Diego Primavera
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Giulia Cossu
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Antonio Egidio Nardi
- Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua Visconde de Piraja 407/702, Rio de Janeiro 21941-972, Brazil;
| | - Goce Kalcev
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Mauro Giovanni Carta
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0,700, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.P.); (F.S.); (E.C.); (E.P.); (S.D.); (A.C.); (S.L.); (S.Z.); (D.T.); (I.P.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (M.G.C.)
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Sancassiani F, Cossu G, Cantone E, Romano F, Perra A, Urban A, Pinna S, Del Giacco S, Littera R, Firinu D, Chessa L, Tramontano E, Nardi AE, Carta MG. The Stability of Social and Behavioral Rhythms and Unexpected Low Rate of Relevant Depressive Symptoms in Old Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2005. [PMID: 38610769 PMCID: PMC11012795 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13072005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The disruption of social rhythms was found to be associated with depressive disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic; lower rates of these disorders were surprisingly found in old adults. The present study aims to verify the stability of social rhythms during lockdown in a sample of elderly people. Methods: Controlled cohort study (secondary analyses) of a previous randomized-controlled trial with the first evaluation in April 2019 (T0) and then 48 weeks later (T1) during the lockdown. The regulation of social and behavioral rhythms was measured through the Brief Social Rhythms Scale (BSRS); the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9) was adopted to detect relevant depressive symptoms. Results: 93 elderlies (73.36 ± 4.97 years old, 50.5% females) were evaluated at T0 and T1. Neither the total score of BSRS nor any of the 10 items showed a statistically significant difference comparing the two survey periods. The frequency of relevant depressive symptoms was 5.3% at T0 and 6.4% at T1 (OR = 0.8, CI95% 0.2-24). Conclusions: Among elderlies who did not show an increased risk of depression during the lockdown, social and behavioral rhythms remained exceptionally stable during the same period. Considering previous evidence about rhythms dysregulation preceding depression, their stability may be considered a factor of resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Sancassiani
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (A.P.); (A.U.); (S.P.); (S.D.G.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Giulia Cossu
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (A.P.); (A.U.); (S.P.); (S.D.G.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Elisa Cantone
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (A.P.); (A.U.); (S.P.); (S.D.G.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Ferdinando Romano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00185 Roma, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Perra
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (A.P.); (A.U.); (S.P.); (S.D.G.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Antonio Urban
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (A.P.); (A.U.); (S.P.); (S.D.G.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (M.G.C.)
- University Hospital of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Samantha Pinna
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (A.P.); (A.U.); (S.P.); (S.D.G.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Stefano Del Giacco
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (A.P.); (A.U.); (S.P.); (S.D.G.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Roberto Littera
- Medical Genetics, “R. Binaghi” Hospital, 09126 Cagliari, Italy;
- AART-ODV (Association for the Advancement of Research on Transplantation), 09131 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Davide Firinu
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (A.P.); (A.U.); (S.P.); (S.D.G.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Luchino Chessa
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (A.P.); (A.U.); (S.P.); (S.D.G.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (M.G.C.)
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Antonio Egidio Nardi
- Institute of Psychiatry-IPUB, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 22290-140, Brazil;
| | - Mauro Giovanni Carta
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.C.); (E.C.); (A.P.); (A.U.); (S.P.); (S.D.G.); (D.F.); (L.C.); (M.G.C.)
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De Rose A, Arezzo MF, Amore M, Cuomo A, De Filippis S, La Pia S, Pasqualini M, Pirani A, Torta R, Fagiolini A. Vulnerabilities in Mental Health due to Covid-19 Pandemic: The Response of the Italian Physicians. SOCIAL INDICATORS RESEARCH 2023; 168:1-18. [PMID: 37362172 PMCID: PMC10227811 DOI: 10.1007/s11205-023-03111-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the pre-existing vulnerabilities and inequalities in societies. In this paper we analyse the categories that have suffered more than others from the pandemic and the restrictions on social life in terms of mental health. We rely on the Serendipity project based on a survey administered between November 2021 and February 2022 to a sample of Italian physicians (n = 1281). The survey aimed to assess the perception of general practitioners, paediatricians, geriatricians, and mental health specialists (psychiatrists, neurologists, child neuropsychiatrists), about changes in the mental health of the population as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown. The strategies implemented by the doctors interviewed in terms of the intensity of the prevention, emergence, and treatment of mental health interventions, and their association with physicians' characteristics and their opinions on patient vulnerability have been illustrated by means of a multiple correspondence analysis. An overall result of the survey is the consensus of doctors on the worsening of mental health in general population, especially among their patients, due to the pandemic and on the onset of new discomforts. The most exposed individuals to the risk of onset or worsening of mental disorders include women, young people, and patients with psychiatric comorbidity. The paper also illustrates the interventions put in place by the physicians and deemed necessary from a public heath response perspective, that include providing psychoeducation to the general population, improving telehealth services, and increasing financial and human resources for community-based care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra De Rose
- Department of Methods and Models for Economy, Territory, and Finance, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Felice Arezzo
- Department of Methods and Models for Economy, Territory, and Finance, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Amore
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Infant‑Maternal Science, (IRCCS) Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cuomo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Marta Pasqualini
- Department of Methods and Models for Economy, Territory, and Finance, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pirani
- Center for Cognitive Disorders and Dementia, Health County of Ferrara, Cento, Italy
| | - Riccardo Torta
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Fagiolini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Shah A, Arstein‐Kerslake O, Darling M, Morgan T, Torea AV, Laines H, Joshi B, Pena K, Young J. Latent class analysis of the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory on mental health outcomes in Siyan Clinical patients. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1215. [PMID: 37091358 PMCID: PMC10119487 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims The COVID-19 pandemic has made an outsized negative impact on mental health worldwide. However, research indicates that this impact was not uniform. This study aimed to determine how mental health patients experienced the COVID-19 pandemic to characterize mental health disparities and identify underlying factors. Methods We used the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII) and latent class analysis to determine the impacts of epidemics and pandemics across several life domains in 245 survey respondents, all of whom were mental health patients at Siyan Clinical. Respondents were predominately White (84.5%) and female (76.3%), with the majority being diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders (76.3%). Results In the work life domain, respondents in the higher-impact class were more likely to be employed and/or working in healthcare. In both the home life and emotional/physical health and infection domain, respondents with mood disorders, substance use disorders, or children under 18 living at home were more likely to be in the higher-impact class. In the home life and positive change domains, respondents that were married were more likely to be in the higher-impact class, indicating that this group experiences more impacts from the pandemic, both positive and negative. Finally, some groups stood out as having fewer impacts from the pandemic: respondents that were male, over age 55, White, and/or have anxiety disorders were more likely to experience fewer impacts from the pandemic in the work life and home life domains. Conclusions This study provides evidence that certain groups may experience greater or fewer impacts from the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Shah
- Siyan Clinical CorporationSanta RosaCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Helen Laines
- Siyan Clinical CorporationSanta RosaCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Karina Pena
- Siyan Clinical CorporationSanta RosaCaliforniaUSA
| | - James Young
- Siyan Clinical CorporationSanta RosaCaliforniaUSA
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Duru E, Balkıs M. COVID-19 Related Negative Life Events and Psychological Distress: The Role of Emotion and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies. JOURNAL OF RATIONAL-EMOTIVE AND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY 2022:1-23. [PMID: 36406658 PMCID: PMC9651113 DOI: 10.1007/s10942-022-00488-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the potential role of hopelessness, helplessness, and cognitive emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between adverse life events and psychological distress among Turkish adults. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 64 years old. The majority were female. From June 21, 2021, to August 18, 2021, 432 participants responded to an online questionnaire that included the Negative Life Events List (NLEs), the Helplessness, and Hopelessness, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Scale (CERS) and General Health Questionnaire-12. The findings suggest that the NLEs, directly and indirectly, predict psychological distress through helplessness and hopelessness. The direct and indirect predictive effects of the NLEs on psychological distress varied depending on the level of CERS. The current study's findings have contributed to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between the NLEs and psychological distress during pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdinç Duru
- Faculty of Education, Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance, Pamukkale University, 20070 Kinikli/Denizli, Turkey
| | - Murat Balkıs
- Faculty of Education, Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance, Pamukkale University, 20070 Kinikli/Denizli, Turkey
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Marazzi F, Piano Mortari A, Belotti F, Carrà G, Cattuto C, Kopinska J, Paolotti D, Atella V. Psychotropic drug purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and their relationship with mobility restrictions. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19336. [PMID: 36369240 PMCID: PMC9651906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22085-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent literature on the mental health consequences of social distancing measures has found a substantial increase in self-reported sleep disorders, anxiety and depressive symptoms during lockdown periods. We investigate this issue with data on monthly purchases of psychotropic drugs from the universe of Italian pharmacies during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and find that purchases of mental health-related drugs have increased with respect to 2019. However, the excess volumes do not match the massive increase in anxiety and depressive disorders found in survey-based studies. We also study the interplay between mobility, measured with anonymized mobile phone data, and mental health and report no significant effect of mobility restrictions on antidepressants and anxiolytics purchases during 2020. We provide three potential mechanisms that could drive the discrepancy between self-reported mental health surveys and psychotropic drugs prescription registries: (1) stockpiling practices in the early phases of the pandemic; (2) the adoption of compensatory behavior and (3) unexpressed and unmet needs due to both demand- and supply-side shortages in healthcare services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Marazzi
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Centre for Economic and International Studies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Piano Mortari
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Economics and Finance, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy ,grid.415788.70000 0004 1756 9674Directorate General for Planning, Ministry of Health, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Belotti
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Economics and Finance, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Carrà
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Ciro Cattuto
- grid.418750.f0000 0004 1759 3658ISI Foundation, 10126 Turin, Italy ,grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Department of Informatics, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Joanna Kopinska
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Social Sciences and Economics, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Paolotti
- grid.418750.f0000 0004 1759 3658ISI Foundation, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Atella
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Economics and Finance, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
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9
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de Girolamo G, Ferrari C, Candini V, Buizza C, Calamandrei G, Caserotti M, Gavaruzzi T, Girardi P, Habersaat KB, Lotto L, Scherzer M, Starace F, Tasso A, Zamparini M, Zarbo C. Psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy assessed in a four-waves survey. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17945. [PMID: 36289273 PMCID: PMC9606283 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22994-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the mental health and well-being (WB) of citizens. This cross-sectional study included 4 waves of data collection aimed at identifying profiles of individuals with different levels of WB. The study included a representative stratified sample of 10,013 respondents in Italy. The WHO 5-item well-being scale (WHO-5) was used for the assessment of WB. Different supervised machine learning approaches (multinomial logistic regression, partial least-square discriminant analysis-PLS-DA-, classification tree-CT-) were applied to identify individual characteristics with different WB scores, first in waves 1-2 and, subsequently, in waves 3 and 4. Forty-one percent of participants reported "Good WB", 30% "Poor WB", and 28% "Depression". Findings carried out using multinomial logistic regression show that Resilience was the most important variable able for discriminating the WB across all waves. Through the PLS-DA, Increased Unhealthy Behaviours proved to be the more important feature in the first two waves, while Financial Situation gained most relevance in the last two. COVID-19 Perceived Risk was relevant, but less than the other variables, across all waves. Interestingly, using the CT we were able to establish a cut-off for Resilience (equal to 4.5) that discriminated good WB with a probability of 65% in wave 4. Concluding, we found that COVID-19 had negative implications for WB. Governments should support evidence-based strategies considering factors that influence WB (i.e., Resilience, Perceived Risk, Healthy Behaviours, and Financial Situation).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni de Girolamo
- grid.419422.8Psychiatric Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Clarissa Ferrari
- grid.419422.8Service of Statistics, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Candini
- grid.419422.8Psychiatric Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Buizza
- grid.419422.8Psychiatric Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Gemma Calamandrei
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Centre for Behavioral Science and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Marta Caserotti
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Teresa Gavaruzzi
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Girardi
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy ,grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Katrine Bach Habersaat
- grid.420226.00000 0004 0639 2949World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lorella Lotto
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Martha Scherzer
- grid.420226.00000 0004 0639 2949World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fabrizio Starace
- grid.476047.60000 0004 1756 2640Department of Mental Health and Drug Abuse, AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tasso
- grid.8484.00000 0004 1757 2064Department of Humanities, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Manuel Zamparini
- grid.419422.8Psychiatric Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, 25125 Brescia, Italy
| | - Cristina Zarbo
- grid.419422.8Psychiatric Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, 25125 Brescia, Italy
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10
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Fioravanti G, Bocci Benucci S, Prostamo A, Banchi V, Casale S. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological health in a sample of Italian adults: A three-wave longitudinal study. Psychiatry Res 2022; 315:114705. [PMID: 35809495 PMCID: PMC9250412 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting societal restrictions have had negative implications for mental health in the general population. The aims of the present longitudinal study were (i) to investigate changes in psychopathological symptoms and psychological well-being in a sample of Italian individuals surveyed at different points of the pandemic and (ii) to evaluate the potential risk and protective factors associated with the psychopathological outcomes. Self-reported data on psychiatric symptoms, and psychological well-being were collected in March 2020 (T0, the lockdown phase), in May 2020 (T1, the end of the lockdown phase), and in November 2020 (T2, the second wave of COVID-19 infection). 1258 participants (Mage=23.43, SDage=6.45; 75.4% female) were recruited at T0. Of these, 712 also completed the T1 survey, and 369 also completed the T2 survey. A significant decrease in anxiety, depressive, posttraumatic, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and a significant increase in psychological well-being were observed from T0 to T1. All psychopathological symptoms increased, and psychological well-being decreased significantly from T1 to T2. Several demographic, psychological and COVID-19-related factors emerged as predictors over the course of the pandemic. The current findings indicated that psychological health covaried with the intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated societal restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Fioravanti
- Department of Health Sciences, Psychology Unit, University of Florence, via di San Salvi 12, Florence 50100, Italy.
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11
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Cuomo A, Amore M, Arezzo MF, De Filippis S, De Rose A, La Pia S, Pirani A, Torta R, Fagiolini A. Mental health in Italy after two years of COVID-19 from the perspective of 1281 Italian physicians: looking back to plan forward. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2022; 21:30. [PMID: 35948983 PMCID: PMC9363263 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-022-00410-5] [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] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has generated an unprecedented global crisis that is profoundly affecting mental health and mental health care. The aim of this study was to survey a relatively large group of Italian physicians about their perceived impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the Italian population and about their suggestions on the best strategies to address the current and future challenges. METHODS One thousand two hundred eighty-one (1,281) physicians were surveyed between November 2021 and February 2022. RESULTS Eighty-one percent of respondents reported an increase in the number of people with mental illness presenting to their practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-four percent reported a 26-50% increase in the number of people with mental illness in their community; approximately 33% reported a 1-25% increase; and 26.9% reported a 51-75% increase. The most commonly reported mental issues that increased because of COVID-19 were agitation, mood and anxiety disorders. Regarding the suggested strategies to address future challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, 34.6% of respondents recommended providing psychoeducation to the general population for early detection of mental illness and developing strategies to reduce the impact of COVID-19-related stress. In addition, 12.6% of respondents suggested improving telehealth services, while 12.3% suggested the need for increased funding for community-based care. When asked about physicians' opinion on the possibility of an increased prevalence of mental illness in the next 12 months, more than 30% of them predicted an increase in stress-related illnesses, while 25.2% were more concerned about a worsening of the ongoing clinical conditions of patients with previous psychiatric disorders. However, 21% of respondents believed that people's ability to cope with the pandemic would increase in the next 12 months. CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed a strong and negative impact on the mental health of the past 2 years of COVID-19 pandemic in the Italian population. Providing psychoeducation to the general population and improving the availability of telemedicine services could reduce the impact of future challenges related to the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cuomo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Mario Amore
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Infant-Maternal Science, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Felice Arezzo
- Department of Methods and Models for Economy, Territory, and Finance - Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra De Rose
- Department of Methods and Models for Economy, Territory, and Finance - Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Pirani
- Center for Cognitive Disorders and Dementia, Health County of Ferrara, Cento, Italy
| | - Riccardo Torta
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Fagiolini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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12
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Mannarini T, Rizzo M, Brodsky A, Buckingham S, Zhao J, Rochira A, Fedi A. The potential of psychological connectedness: Mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 through sense of community and community resilience. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 50:2273-2289. [PMID: 34913170 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify patterns of relationships connecting sense of community (SOC) and community resilience with psychological wellbeing, via the mediation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacts on life domains. Survey data were collected from an international sample of adults (n = 824) during the COVID-19 outbreak (June-September 2020). Using a structural equation model, we tested a mediation model to identify the associations between SOC and community resilience with the perceived impacts of the emergency situation and with psychological wellbeing. Results revealed that SOC mitigated the impacts of COVID-19 on multiple life domains, and it was also positively associated with wellbeing. Community resilience was correlated with SOC and wellbeing but showed no significant relationship with COVID-19 impacts. The findings support that SOC has a protective function and can contribute to mitigating the impacts of difficult life situations. SOC can also be leveraged as an intervention aimed at protecting the wellbeing of people and communities, particularly in times of crisiss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terri Mannarini
- Department of History Society and Human Studies - Applied Psychology Lab, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Marco Rizzo
- Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Anne Brodsky
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sara Buckingham
- Department of Psychology, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Jenny Zhao
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alessia Rochira
- Department of History Society and Human Studies - Applied Psychology Lab, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Angela Fedi
- Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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13
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Urtaran-Laresgoiti M, González-Rábago Y, Martín U, Rivadeneyra-Sicilia A, Morteruel M. Health and health inequalities impact assessment for non-clinical measures to control COVID-19 in the Basque Country and Navarre (Spain). J Public Health Res 2022; 11:22799036221110020. [PMID: 35911433 PMCID: PMC9335482 DOI: 10.1177/22799036221110020] [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: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This article describes the results of a health and health inequalities impact assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic control measures in the regions of the Basque Country and Navarre in Spain. A literature review was conducted on Pubmed and Web of Science (WoS) databases, in addition to individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups with experts, key informants and different profiles of citizens. A wide variety of social determinants of health have been affected by the measures, which included individual health-related behaviors, service disruption in formal care, educational settings, and health care provision. These changes have particularly affected certain population groups including children and adolescents, older people, those with health conditions and disabilities together with caregivers, women, as well as people with low levels of education, income, and resources. In future scenarios it will be necessary to pay attention to the potential impacts of policy responses on health inequalities to avoid an increase in existing health gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Urtaran-Laresgoiti
- Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Research Group Social Determinants of Health and Demographic Change-OPIK, Leioa, Spain
| | - Y González-Rábago
- Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Research Group Social Determinants of Health and Demographic Change-OPIK, Leioa, Spain
| | - U Martín
- Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Research Group Social Determinants of Health and Demographic Change-OPIK, Leioa, Spain
| | - A Rivadeneyra-Sicilia
- ISPED, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre U1219-, Bordeaux, France
| | - M Morteruel
- Research Group Social Determinants of Health and Demographic Change-OPIK, Leioa, Spain
- Department of Nursing I, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
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14
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Hen M, Shenaar-Golan V, Yatzker U. Children and Adolescents' Mental Health Following COVID-19: The Possible Role of Difficulty in Emotional Regulation. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:865435. [PMID: 35795032 PMCID: PMC9250998 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.865435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has shattered routines throughout the world, creating closures and social isolation. Preliminary studies conducted during the pandemic have shown that children and adolescents are mainly affected by social distancing and the lack of a supportive framework. The purpose of the present study was to compare mental health symptoms of 430 children and adolescents who sought mental health services in the community before vs. during the pandemic. The study examined children's perceived burden of the pandemic, reports of emotional and behavioral problems (SDQ) anxiety (SCARED), depressed moods (SMFQ-C), and difficulty in emotional regulation (DERS), as well as intervening variables such as age and gender. Furthermore, the effect of difficulty in emotional regulation on children's mental health symptoms was explored. Findings indicate an increase in all mental health symptoms excluding anxiety, during the pandemic. Boys reported more difficulty in emotional regulation during the pandemic than before, and girls reported more emotional and behavioral problems. Children reported an increase in emotional and behavioral problems and adolescents in peer relationship problems. Difficulty in emotional regulation predicted all mental health symptoms in both samples, more so in girls and adolescents. These initial findings support the need for further studies to examine the long-term mental health effects of COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meirav Hen
- Psychology Department, Tel-Hai Academic College, Tel Hai, Israel
- Social Work Department, Tel-Hai Academic College, Tel Hai, Israel
| | - Vered Shenaar-Golan
- Psychology Department, Tel-Hai Academic College, Tel Hai, Israel
- Social Work Department, Tel-Hai Academic College, Tel Hai, Israel
| | - Uri Yatzker
- Psychology Department, Tel-Hai Academic College, Tel Hai, Israel
- Social Work Department, Tel-Hai Academic College, Tel Hai, Israel
- Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel
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15
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Amendola S, Spensieri V, Cerutti R. Predictors of hopelessness during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in a small sample of Italian adults. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2022; 68:919-920. [PMID: 33719682 DOI: 10.1177/00207640211003939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Amendola
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Spensieri
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Cerutti
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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16
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Taurisano P, Lanciano T, Alfeo F, Bisceglie F, Monaco A, Sbordone FL, Abbatantuono C, Costadura S, Losole J, Ruggiero G, Iachini S, Vimercati L, Vacca A, De Caro MF, Curci A. The COVID-19 Stress Perceived on Social Distance and Gender-Based Implications. Front Psychol 2022; 13:846097. [PMID: 35615201 PMCID: PMC9126176 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.846097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event entailing long-term consequences on population health and welfare. Those who contracted the coronavirus may have suffered from both physical and mental health issues that unfold the need for tailored intervention strategies. Hence, our study aims to investigate the psychological and social consequences of COVID-19 on a sample of 86 participants, encompassing 43 patients (clinical group; 25 women; mean age = 50.4 ± 10.1 years) recruited from Bari University Hospital, 19 of whom were hospitalized due to the disease. The remaining 43 were individuals not fallen ill with COVID-19 to date (control group; 25 women; mean age = 50.4 ± 10.1 years). The investigation yielded significant gender differences in post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, and representation of interpersonal distance (IPD), evaluated through the IES-R, the BDI-II, and the IVAS task, respectively. This pattern of results was not replicated in the control group. In general, participants who reported having experienced the most intense post-traumatic symptoms also presented a greater mood deflection and, more specifically, within the clinical group women obtained the highest scores on both scales. Women reported higher IES-R and BDI-II scores compared to men, that could indicate that women who have contracted COVID-19 are more exposed to post-traumatic and depressive symptoms. Our results also showed a significant effect of COVID-19 on IPD with a tendency of disease-experienced individuals to increase their preferred IPD from adults, children, and elderly people. Regarding gender differences in mood and proxemic behavior, a correlation between depressive symptoms and probable PTSD and a further correlation between probable PTSD and greater IPD were found in women from both clinical and control group. Overall, these findings might contribute to a better understanding of gender-based implications of the current pandemic on mental health, also leading to the development of integrated yet personalized intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Taurisano
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Tiziana Lanciano
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Alfeo
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy.,Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Bisceglie
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Alessia Monaco
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Abbatantuono
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Silvia Costadura
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Jolanda Losole
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ruggiero
- Department of Psychology, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy
| | - Santa Iachini
- Department of Psychology, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy
| | - Luigi Vimercati
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Occupational Health Division, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Vacca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Fara De Caro
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Antonietta Curci
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
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17
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Aguilar-Latorre A, Oliván-Blázquez B, Porroche-Escudero A, Méndez-López F, García-Gallego V, Benedé-Azagra B, Magallón-Botaya R. The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on depression sufferers: a qualitative study from the province of Zaragoza, Spain. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:780. [PMID: 35436858 PMCID: PMC9015282 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose The impact of COVID-19 and its control measures have exacerbated existing mental health conditions. Although the deleterious effects of mental health problems are well known, fewer studies have examined the links between the Social Determinants of Health (SDHs) and depression. This study provides insights into the relationship between SDHs and depression during the first strict lockdown in Spain, which lasted for a period of 7 weeks. Methods Fifty-two structured interviews were conducted with people diagnosed with depression during June 2020 in the province of Zaragoza (Spain). Interviews were conducted by telephone due to lockdown constraints. Inductive thematic content analysis was used to explore, develop, and define emergent categories of analysis, which were mapped against the SDH framework. Results Listening to people’s experiences of living with depression during lockdown provided insights into their concerns and coping strategies, which are greatly influenced by the conditions in which they live, their job and their age. Examples of these factors include access to and quality of physical spaces, including housing conditions and public spaces for socialising, social support, adverse working conditions which include caring responsibilities, and access to digital technologies and healthcare services. Conclusion SDHs have played a fundamental role in shaping people’s health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this study has shown that they have a considerable effect on depression outcomes. Governments should consider implementing social welfare programs to tackle both psychosocial problems and material need during crisis situations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bárbara Oliván-Blázquez
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain. .,Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | | | | | | | - Belén Benedé-Azagra
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosa Magallón-Botaya
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain.,Aragonese Healthcare Service (SALUD), Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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18
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Thartori E, Pastorelli C, Cirimele F, Remondi C, Gerbino M, Basili E, Favini A, Lunetti C, Fiasconaro I, Caprara GV. Exploring the Protective Function of Positivity and Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy in Time of Pandemic COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:13171. [PMID: 34948780 PMCID: PMC8702160 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Despite several empirical studies on the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic that have highlighted its detrimental effect on individuals' mental health, the identification of psychological factors that may moderate its impact on individuals' behavior and well-being remains partly unexplored. The present study was conceived to examine the mediation role of regulatory emotional self-efficacy in the relationship between positivity and anxiety, depression, and perceived self-efficacy in complying with the containment measures to contrast the COVID-19 spread. Furthermore, the moderation role of age was tested. A sample of 1258 participants (64.2% women; Mage = 42.09, SD = 13.62) enrolled from the Italian general population answered an online survey aimed at investigating the role of individual differences in facing the COVID-19 pandemic. We opted for a snowball recruiting procedure to find participants. The online survey was disseminated through email invitation and using social media platforms (i.e., Facebook, Instagram). A multi-group path analysis model was performed using Mplus 8.4 to explore the hypothesized relations among variables. The following criteria were employed to evaluate the goodness of fit: χ2 likelihood ratio statistic, CFI and TLI > 0.95, RMSEA < 0.06 and SRMR < 0.08. The findings corroborated the protective role of both positivity and regulatory emotional self-efficacy in reducing individuals' anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as in fostering individuals' capabilities in complying with the containment measures imposed by the government to reduce the risk of illness and to contain the spread of the virus COVID-19. Specifically, regulatory emotional self-efficacy beliefs partially mediated the relations between positivity and anxiety and depressive symptoms and fully mediated the effect of positivity on perceived self-efficacy beliefs in complying with the containment measures. These paths were equal across ages. The results of the present study appear relevant to implementing psychological interventions aimed to reduce the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health through the promotion of individuals' optimistic orientation and emotion regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriona Thartori
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.P.); (F.C.); (C.R.); (M.G.); (E.B.); (A.F.); (C.L.); (I.F.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gian Vittorio Caprara
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.P.); (F.C.); (C.R.); (M.G.); (E.B.); (A.F.); (C.L.); (I.F.)
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19
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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Portuguese population: Consumption of alcohol, stimulant drinks, illegal substances, and pharmaceuticals. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260322. [PMID: 34797874 PMCID: PMC8604309 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The measures implemented by governments worldwide to control and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 have impacted the populations and directly influenced individuals’ quality of life and consumption habits. Objective This work investigates the Portuguese population’s changes in alcohol, stimulants drinks, illegal substances, and pharmaceutical consumptions habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An online questionnaire comprising seven groups of questions–with one group referring to alcohol, stimulant drinks, illegal substances, and pharmaceuticals consumption habits–was made available to the general adult population of mainland Portugal from the 26th January through the 31st of March 2021. After applying the inclusion criteria, 1666 questionnaires were selected and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results Our results show that 48.9% of the participants have alcohol drinking habits and increased their alcohol consumption by 16% after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Furthermore, 8.7% of the respondents felt the need to increase their consumption of stimulant drinks, especially coffee, the most consumed stimulant drink (77.9%). We also observed that of the 3.1% of respondents who are usual consumers of illegal substances, 26.9% increased their consumption of these substances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerning pharmaceuticals, 23.2% of the respondents expressed their need to take a therapeutic drug after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The profile of common consumers of alcohol, stimulant drinks, illegal substances, and pharmaceuticals in the COVID-19 pandemic context is contrasting and varies according to gender, age, and employment status. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in the consumption of alcohol, stimulant drinks, illegal substances, and pharmaceuticals prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, and sleep changes in the Portuguese population. These new consumption patterns have probably aggravated domestic violence, mental diseases, and impairment of family quality of life in the Portuguese population.
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20
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Volken T, Zysset A, Amendola S, von Wyl A, Dratva J. Generalized Anxiety among Swiss Health Professions and Non-Health Professions Students: An Open Cohort Study over 14 Months in the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010833. [PMID: 34682579 PMCID: PMC8535743 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To date, little is known about the long-term trajectory of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms in health professions (HP) students over the course of the pandemic. Like health professionals in general, HP students may have a significantly greater susceptibility to GAD symptoms due to their involvement in the health care system and the associated specific stressors and risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The HEalth in Students during the Corona pandemic study (HES-C) provided the opportunity to investigate the long-term course of GAD symptoms with eight measurement points over 14 months in 9380 HP and non-HP students in Switzerland between March 2020 and June 2021. We employed logistic regression models with clustered sandwich standard errors to estimate unadjusted and adjusted prevalence of GAD symptoms. In the full model, we adjusted for age, gender, nationality, social status, social support, self-efficacy, and COVID-19 symptoms in the past 4 weeks. At baseline, the estimated adjusted GAD symptom prevalence was 17.6% (95% CI = 14.4–20.7) in HP students and 24.4% (95% CI = 22.3–26.5) in their peers. With the peak of the second SARS-CoV-2 infection wave in October/November 2020, GAD symptom prevalence substantially increased and then remained stable over time, despite changes in the epidemiological situation and its associated containment measures. At the last follow-up in June 2021, GAD symptom prevalence in HP and non-HP students was 22.9% (95% CI = 16.3–29.5) and 36.9% (95% CI = 32.9–40.9), respectively. Absolute differences in GAD symptom prevalence between student groups over all eight measurement points ranged from 6.2% to 14.9% (all p < 0.05). Non-HP students are identified as a specifically vulnerable group. Accordingly, target group-specific public health campaigns and interventions should be developed with the aim to strengthen their resources, reducing GAD symptoms, and preventing chronification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Volken
- Institute of Health Sciences, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland; (A.Z.); (J.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Annina Zysset
- Institute of Health Sciences, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland; (A.Z.); (J.D.)
| | - Simone Amendola
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Agnes von Wyl
- School of Applied Psychology, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8005 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Julia Dratva
- Institute of Health Sciences, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland; (A.Z.); (J.D.)
- Medical Faculty, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
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21
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Abstract
CoVID-19 is a multi-symptomatic disease which has made a global impact due to its ability to spread rapidly, and its relatively high mortality rate. Beyond the heroic efforts to develop vaccines, which we do not discuss herein, the response of scientists and clinicians to this complex problem has reflected the need to detect CoVID-19 rapidly, to diagnose patients likely to show adverse symptoms, and to treat severe and critical CoVID-19. Here we aim to encapsulate these varied and sometimes conflicting approaches and the resulting data in terms of chemistry and biology. In the process we highlight emerging concepts, and potential future applications that may arise out of this immense effort.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yimon Aye
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)1015LausanneSwitzerland
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22
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Cummings AB, Gildea C, Brézin AP, Malyugin BE, Evren Kemer O, Kermani O, Prieto I, Rejdak R, Teus MA, Tognetto D, Zweifel S, Toro MD. Impact on refractive surgery due to increasing use of personal protection equipment: Insights from EUROCOVCAT group. Eur J Ophthalmol 2021; 31:2789-2793. [PMID: 34041930 PMCID: PMC8606802 DOI: 10.1177/11206721211018641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic on 11th March 2020, changes to social and sanitary practices have included significant issues in access and management of eye care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the fear of loss, coupled with social distancing, lockdown, economic instability, and uncertainty, have led to a significant psychosocial impact that will have to be addressed. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment such as face masks or face coverings have become a daily necessity. While “mass masking” along with hand hygiene and social distancing became more widespread, new issues began to emerge – particularly in those who wore spectacles as a means of vision correction. As we began to see routine patients again after the first lockdown had been lifted, many patients visited our clinics for refractive surgery consultations with a primary motivating factor of wanting spectacle independence due to the fogging of their spectacles as a result of wearing a mask. In this article, we report on new emerging issues in eye care due to the widespread use of masks and on the new unmet need in the corneal and cataract refractive surgery fields.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Boris E Malyugin
- S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Omid Kermani
- Augenklinik am Neumarkt Schildergasse, Köln, Germany
| | - Isabel Prieto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Robert Rejdak
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Miguel A Teus
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniele Tognetto
- Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sandrine Zweifel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zürich, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mario D Toro
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zürich, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medical Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland
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23
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Smits M, Vernooij MW, Bargalló N, Ramos A, Yousry TA. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on adult diagnostic neuroradiology in Europe. Neuroradiology 2021; 64:31-42. [PMID: 33974110 PMCID: PMC8110687 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-021-02722-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this survey was to understand the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has or has had on the work, training, and wellbeing of professionals in the field of diagnostic neuroradiology. Methods A survey was emailed to all ESNR members and associates as well as distributed via professional social media channels. The survey was held in the summer of 2020 when the first wave had subsided in most of Europe, while the second wave was not yet widespread. The questionnaire featured a total of 46 questions on general demographics, the various phases of the healthcare crisis, and the numbers of Covid-19 patients. Results One hundred sixty-seven responses were received from 48 countries mostly from neuroradiologists (72%). Most commonly taken measures during the crisis phase were reduction of outpatient exams (87%), reduction of number of staff present in the department (83%), reporting from home (62%), and shift work (54%). In the exit phase, these measures were less frequently applied, but reporting from home was still frequent (33%). However, only 22% had access to a fully equipped work station at home. While 81% felt safe at work during the crisis, fewer than 50% had sufficient personal protection equipment for the duration of the entire crisis. Mental wellbeing is an area of concern, with 61% feeling (much) worse than usual. Many followed online courses/congresses and considered these a viable alternative for the future. Conclusion The Covid-19 pandemic substantially affected the professional life as well as personal wellbeing of neuroradiologists. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00234-021-02722-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Smits
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine (Ne-515), Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - M W Vernooij
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine (Ne-515), Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - N Bargalló
- Magnetic Resonance Image Core Facility, IDIBAPS and Centre of Diagnostic Imaging (CDIC), Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Ramos
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - T A Yousry
- Division of Neuroradiology and Neurophysics, Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, UCL IoN, UCLH, London, UK
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24
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Carta MG, Ouali U, Perra A, Ben Cheikh Ahmed A, Boe L, Aissa A, Lorrai S, Cossu G, Aresti A, Preti A, Nacef F. Living With Bipolar Disorder in the Time of Covid-19: Biorhythms During the Severe Lockdown in Cagliari, Italy, and the Moderate Lockdown in Tunis, Tunisia. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:634765. [PMID: 33716829 PMCID: PMC7943838 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.634765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Restrictions during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, in which rhythms of life have been compromised, can influence the course of bipolar disorder (BD). This study follows patients with bipolar disorder living in two geographically close cities (Cagliari and Tunis), but with different lockdown conditions: less severe in Tunis. Methods: Two cohorts were evaluated during lockdown (April 2020, t0) and 2 months later with lockdown lifted for a month (t1). Individuals were: over 18 years old without gender exclusion, BD I or II, in care for at least 1 year, received a clinical interview in the month before the start of the lockdown, stable clinically before the lockdown. The assessment was conducted by telephone by a psychiatrist or psychologist with good knowledge of patients. Diagnoses were made according to DSM-5 criteria. Depressive symptoms were collected through the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression; cut-off 14 indicative of depressive episode. Circadian rhythms were measured using the BRIAN scale. Results: Forty individuals in Cagliari (70%female, age 48.57 ± 11.64) and 30 in Tunis (53.3% Female, age 41.8 ± 13.22) were recruited. In Cagliari at t0 45% had depressive episodes against none in Tunis, a similar difference appeared at t1. At t0 and t1 the Cagliari sample had more dysfunctional scores in the overall BRIAN scale and in the areas of sleep, activities and social rhythms; no differences were found in nutrition, both samples had predominantly nocturnal rhythm. In Cagliari at t0 and t1, the depressive sub-group showed more dysfunctional scores in the BRIAN areas sleep, activity, and nutrition. However, the differences in biological rhythms resulted, through ANCOVA analysis, independent of the co-presence of depressive symptoms. Discussion: A rigid lockdown could expose people with BD to depressive relapse through dysregulation of biological rhythms. The return to more functional rhythms did not appear 1 month after lockdown. The rekindling of the pandemic and the restoration of new restrictive measures will prevent, at least in the short term, the beneficial effect of a return to normality of the two cohorts. This was a limited exploratory study; future studies with larger samples and longer observational time are needed to verify the hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Giovanni Carta
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Uta Ouali
- Department of Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Alessandra Perra
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Azza Ben Cheikh Ahmed
- Department of Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Laura Boe
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Amina Aissa
- Department of Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Stefano Lorrai
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giulia Cossu
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Aresti
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Preti
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Fethi Nacef
- Department of Psychiatry A, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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25
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Rizzo R, Karlov L, Maugeri N, di Silvestre S, Eapen V. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Wellbeing in the Context of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2021; 17:3007-3014. [PMID: 34594104 PMCID: PMC8478336 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s327092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [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] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary aim was to assess both the type and degree of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and family wellbeing in a cohort with neurodevelopmental disorders. DESIGN This was a single time-point observational study utilizing a combination of surveys and standardized measures, which were administered to parents by researchers by telephone. SETTING The Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Clinic of the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Catania University, Italy. PARTICIPANTS In total, 200 caregivers completed the questionnaires on behalf of themselves and their child. They were predominantly mothers (88.00%) and primary caregivers (93.50%), with a mean age of 42.84 years (sd = 7.13). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURES A questionnaire featured in a previous study was used to assess the impact of COVID-19 on general wellbeing, types of support, family health, home-based learning, and child behaviors. Children's diagnoses were recorded. Caregivers provided information about physical, mental, financial, and vocational wellbeing, and completed several standardised measures of mental health and well-being: the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale - K6; the General Anxiety Disorder Scale - GAD-2; and the WHO Well-being Scale - WHO-5. RESULTS Overall, 58.50% of respondents agreed somewhat or strongly that their child's overall health and wellbeing had been impacted by the pandemic, while 47.74% felt that their own wellbeing as parents had been affected. Whilst home-based learning and disruption to services for children were noted as being significant, child wellbeing appeared to not be correlated with these but rather to restrictions, home isolation, and disruption to routine. CONCLUSION Children with neurocognitive disorders and their families have been substantially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that targeted resources and support services will be required in response to this increase in need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Rizzo
- Child and Adolescent Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Catania University, Catania, Italy
| | - Lisa Karlov
- School of Psychiatry, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney, Liverpool Hospital & Ingham Institute, Sydney, Nsw, Australia
| | - Nicoletta Maugeri
- Child and Adolescent Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Catania University, Catania, Italy
| | - Selena di Silvestre
- Child and Adolescent Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Catania University, Catania, Italy
| | - Valsamma Eapen
- School of Psychiatry, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney, Liverpool Hospital & Ingham Institute, Sydney, Nsw, Australia
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