1
|
McElroy E, Hyland P, Shevlin M, Karatzias T, Vallières F, Ben-Ezra M, Vang ML, Lorberg B, Martsenkovskyi D. Change in child mental health during the Ukraine war: evidence from a large sample of parents. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:1495-1502. [PMID: 37421462 PMCID: PMC11098962 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02255-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing war in Ukraine is expected to negatively impact the mental health of the country's population. This study aims to provide a preliminary estimate of the degree of change in the mental health problems of Ukrainian children following Russia's invasion in February 2022, and to identify the sociodemographic and war-related risk factors associated with these changes. A nationwide, opportunistic sample of 1238 parents reported on a single randomly chosen child within their household as part of The Mental Health of Parents and Children in Ukraine Study. Data were collected between July 15th and September 5th, 2022. Participants completed modified versions of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17) which was adapted to capture change in the frequency of symptoms since the beginning of the war. Parents reported increases across all 17 indicators of internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems of the PSC-17. Increased problems were most pronounced within the internalizing domain, with 35% of parents reporting that their child worried more since the beginning of the war. A number of individual, parental, and war-related factors were associated with increases across the three domains. Exposure to war trauma, pre-existing mental health problems, and child age were among the strongest predictors of change. This survey provides preliminary evidence that the Russian war on Ukraine has led to an increase in common mental health problems among children in the general population. Further research is required to determine the extent and sequela of this increase, and to develop intervention strategies for those most in need.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eoin McElroy
- School of Psychology, Ulster University, Derry, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Philip Hyland
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Kildare, Ireland
| | - Mark Shevlin
- School of Psychology, Ulster University, Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Thanos Karatzias
- School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | | | | | - Maria Louison Vang
- Centre for Psychotraumatology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Boris Lorberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Dmytro Martsenkovskyi
- Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Institute of Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatric Examination and Drug Monitoring, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kamp D, Faustmann TJ, Kovach N, Lüdtke J, Schiffers ML, Jänner M, Schilbach L. [Psychiatric care in a native-speaking Ukrainian outpatient clinic for refugees at a psychiatric university hospital in Germany]. DER NERVENARZT 2024:10.1007/s00115-024-01661-1. [PMID: 38639761 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-024-01661-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kamp
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Psychiatrie 2, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Bergische Landstraße 2, 40629, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Timo Jendrik Faustmann
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Psychiatrie 2, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Bergische Landstraße 2, 40629, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
| | - Nadiya Kovach
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Psychiatrie 2, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Bergische Landstraße 2, 40629, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Jana Lüdtke
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Psychiatrie 2, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Bergische Landstraße 2, 40629, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Maria Luisa Schiffers
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Psychiatrie 2, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Bergische Landstraße 2, 40629, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Michaela Jänner
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Leonhard Schilbach
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Psychiatrie 2, LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Bergische Landstraße 2, 40629, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Nußbaumstraße 7, 80336, München, Deutschland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Manafe N, Ismael-Mulungo H, Ponda F, Dos Santos PF, Mandlate F, Cumbe VFJ, Mocumbi AO, Oliveira Martins MR. Prevalence and associated factors of common mental disorders among internally displaced people by armed conflict in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique: a cross-sectional community-based study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1371598. [PMID: 38689772 PMCID: PMC11058794 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1371598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Humanitarian emergencies are a major global health challenge with the potential to have a profound impact on people's mental and psychological health. Displacement is a traumatic event that disrupts families and affects physical and psychological health at all ages. A person may endure or witness a traumatic incident, such as being exposed to war, and, as a result, develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is a lack of information about post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety disorder in low and middle-income countries in humanitarian emergency contexts such as Mozambique. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and associated factors among armed conflict survivors in Cabo Delgado, north region of Mozambique in 2023. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2023 among 750 participants, who were selected by convenience. A face-to-face interview used the Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PC-PTSD-5) to evaluate PTSD, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) to evaluate anxiety and the Patient Health Questionnaire - Mozambique (PHQ-9 MZ) to evaluate depression. The association between PTSD and demographic and psychosocial characteristics was analyzed using bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression. We used a 5% significance level. Results The three mental disorders assessed were highly prevalent in our sample with 74.3% PTSD, 63.8% depression, and 40.0% anxiety. The chance of developing PTSD was higher in females (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.50-3.51), in patients with depression symptoms (AOR = 8.27, 95% CI = 4.97-13.74) and anxiety symptoms (AOR = 1.45, 95% CI = 0.84-2.50). Conclusion This study reported that the prevalence of PTSD, depression, and anxiety were high. Patients having depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and being female are more at risk of developing PTSD. There is a need to integrate screening for common mental disorders in the context of humanitarian emergencies and its adapted integration of psychosocial interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naisa Manafe
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Fábio Ponda
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Flávio Mandlate
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Vasco F. J. Cumbe
- Mental Health Department, Ministry of Health, Provincial Health Directorate of Sofala, Beira, Mozambique
| | - Ana Olga Mocumbi
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Maria R. Oliveira Martins
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Regnoli GM, Tiano G, De Rosa B. How Is the Fear of War Impacting Italian Young Adults' Mental Health? The Mediating Role of Future Anxiety and Intolerance of Uncertainty. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2024; 14:838-855. [PMID: 38667809 PMCID: PMC11049055 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe14040054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict is affecting mental health even in communities that are not directly involved in the war; added to this is the escalating conflict in the Middle East and its dangerous spread, which brings the war back to the center of the contemporary social and economic horizon. The present study aims to explore the psychological impact of war in a sample of 310 Italian young adults (18-30 years; M = 22.0; SD = 2.6) while exploring the relationship between Fear of War and psychological distress and evaluating the mediating effects of Future Anxiety and Intolerance of Uncertainty in this relation. Findings highlighted how Fear of War positively and significantly affects Stress, Anxiety, and Depression, and, at the same time, how it fuels both Future Anxiety and Intolerance of Uncertainty. These constructs, in addition to positively affecting the mental health outcomes considered, mediate the relationship between Fear of War and youth psychological distress with a significant indirect effect observed in all three mediation models performed. Finally, significantly higher levels of psychological distress, Fear of War, and Future Anxiety are reported in women than in men. The findings are discussed with reference to the recent literature on the psychological impact of war and on contemporary youth psychological distress, indicating the importance of educational policies and targeted interventions aimed at supporting this target in coping with multiple contemporary collective stressors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Barbara De Rosa
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Via Porta di Massa 1, 80133 Naples, Italy; (G.M.R.); (G.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hyland P, Vallières F, Shevlin M, Karatzias T, Ben-Ezra M, McElroy E, Vang ML, Lorberg B, Martsenkovskyi D. Psychological consequences of war in Ukraine: assessing changes in mental health among Ukrainian parents. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7466-7468. [PMID: 37016786 PMCID: PMC10719667 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723000818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Philip Hyland
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Kildare, Ireland
| | - Frédérique Vallières
- Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Shevlin
- School of Psychology, Ulster University, Derry, UK
| | - Thanos Karatzias
- School of Health & Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Eoin McElroy
- School of Psychology, Ulster University, Derry, UK
| | - Maria Louison Vang
- Centre for Psychotraumatology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Boris Lorberg
- Department of Psychiatry, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dmytro Martsenkovskyi
- Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
- SI ‘Institute of Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatric Examination and Drug Monitoring of Ministry of Health of Ukraine’, Kyiv, Ukraine
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rajkumar RP. Editorial: Case reports in anxiety and stress. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1291083. [PMID: 37822791 PMCID: PMC10562692 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1291083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Philip Rajkumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li DJ, Chudzicka-Czupała A, Paliga M, Hapon N, Karamushka L, Żywiołek-Szeja M, McIntyre RS, Chiang SK, Chen YL, Yen CF, Man RHC. Rumination about the Russo-Ukrainian War and its related factors among individuals in Poland and Ukraine. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2023; 39:943-953. [PMID: 37283450 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the level of rumination about the war among people living in Poland and Ukraine. This cross-sectional study recruited internet users from advertisements on social media. Levels of rumination, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), time spent on news of the war, and related demographic variables were collected. The reliability and construct validity of rumination were estimated. Potential factors associated with the level of rumination were identified using univariate linear regression analysis, and further entered into a stepwise multivariate linear regression model to identify independent factors. Due to the non-normality of distribution, multivariate linear regression with 5000 bootstrap samples was used to verify the results. A total of 1438 participants were included in the analysis, of whom 1053 lived in Poland and 385 lived in Ukraine. The questionnaires on rumination were verified to have satisfactory reliability and validity. After analysis with stepwise and bootstrap regression, older age, female gender, higher DASS and IES-R scores, and longer time spent on news of the war were significantly associated with higher levels of rumination for both people living in Poland and Ukraine. Lower self-rated health status, history of chronic medical illness and coronavirus disease 2019 infection were also positively associated with rumination for people living in Poland. We identified several factors associated with the level of rumination about the Russo-Ukrainian War. Further investigations are warranted to understand how rumination affects individuals' lives during crises such as war.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dian-Jeng Li
- Graduate Institute of Medicine and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Addiction Science, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Meiho University, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | | | - Mateusz Paliga
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Nadiya Hapon
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Ivan Franko National University in Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Liudmyla Karamushka
- G. S. Kostiuk Institute of Psychology, National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Marta Żywiołek-Szeja
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Katowice, Poland
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Canada
| | - Soon-Kiat Chiang
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi-Lung Chen
- Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Healthcare Administration, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Fang Yen
- Graduate Institute of Medicine and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Roger Ho Chun Man
- Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jukić M, Malenica L, Đuričić V, Talapko J, Lukinac J, Jukić M, Škrlec I. Long-Term Consequences of War Captivity in Military Veterans. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1993. [PMID: 37510434 PMCID: PMC10379024 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11141993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies on the health and functioning of veterans and former prisoners of war have shown that the experience of war captivity is one of the most difficult human experiences. Captivity is often characterized by extremely difficult and inhumane conditions, as well as exposure to various forms of both psychological and physical abuse. Such traumatic experiences can lead to serious psychological consequences that can last for years, even decades after release from captivity. The aim of this paper is to present a brief overview of research that points to the specifics of wartime captivity and the long-term psychological consequences in veterans of former camp detainees, as well as the consequences suffered by their families and factors that, apart from the intensity of the trauma, contribute to the emergence and persistence of psychological disorders. From the presented research, it can be concluded that former prisoners of the camp represent an extremely vulnerable group of the social community and require long-term appropriate treatment, while the needs of veterans' families should not be neglected, with the necessity of including spouses and children in psychological and psychosocial treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melita Jukić
- Department of Psychiatry, National Memorial Hospital Vukovar, 32000 Vukovar, Croatia
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Luka Malenica
- Department of Psychiatry, National Memorial Hospital Vukovar, 32000 Vukovar, Croatia
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vanja Đuričić
- Department of Psychiatry, National Memorial Hospital Vukovar, 32000 Vukovar, Croatia
| | - Jasminka Talapko
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Jasmina Lukinac
- Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marko Jukić
- Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ivana Škrlec
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Długosz P. War trauma and strategies for coping with stress among Ukrainian refugees staying in Poland. J Migr Health 2023; 8:100196. [PMID: 37637859 PMCID: PMC10450964 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2023.100196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The Russian military aggression against Ukraine resulted in a humanitarian crisis. There was a mass exodus of war refugees. More than 17 million people have left Ukraine since the war broke out. The refugees who came to Poland and other countries have experienced war trauma. The study aims to assess mental health of Ukrainian war refugees in Poland. Population and methods At the time of the study, that is, in April and May 2022, between 1,5 million and 2 million Ukrainian refugees were staying in Poland. They were mainly young women with their children. The CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) technique was used in the study. The research sample was selected using purposive sampling. The invitation to take part in the survey was posted on social media for Ukrainians in Poland, and also sent to the participants of a Polish as a Foreign Language course. The study utilizes the RHS-15 and a nominal scale measuring the strategies for coping with stress. Results The research sample consists of 737 respondents. The results of the screening tests indicate that depression, anxiety disorders and PTSD may be observed among 73% of respondents, whereas 66% of the respondents display psychological distress. The analyses have shown that higher levels of mental health disorders were observed among women and refugees who do not speak Polish. Younger respondents experienced a higher psychological distress. The results of the study also indicate that the refugees more often implemented problem-focused strategies. The analysis has shown that the respondents who followed active strategies scored the lowest on RHS-15. The emotion-focused strategies, such as praying, diverting attention by becoming involved in different activities or taking sedatives were not effective. The highest levels of disorders were present among the refugees who indicated resignation. Conclusions The collected observations indicate that the main problem which might hinder their adaptation could be mental health issues, which in turn impact the general deterioration of health and the quality of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Długosz
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Pedagogical University of Krakow, ul. Podchorążych 2, Kraków 30-084, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kurapov A, Danyliuk I, Loboda A, Kalaitzaki A, Kowatsch T, Klimash T, Predko V. Six months into the war: a first-wave study of stress, anxiety, and depression among in Ukraine. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1190465. [PMID: 37234208 PMCID: PMC10206008 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1190465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study examines the prevalence and predictors of mental health issues, specifically anxiety, depression, and stress, among Ukrainians during the military conflict with Russia. Method A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted six months after the beginning of the conflict. Sociodemographic factors, traumatic experiences, anxiety, depression, and stress were assessed. The study included 706 participants, both men and women, from different age groups and living in various regions of Ukraine. The data were collected from August till October 2022. Results The study found that a large portion of the Ukrainian population shows increased levels of anxiety, depression, and stress due to the war. Women were found to be more vulnerable to mental health issues than men, and younger people were found to be more resilient. Worsened financial and employment statuses predicted increased anxiety. Ukrainians who fled the conflict to other countries exhibited higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Direct exposure to trauma predicted increased anxiety and depression, while war-related exposure to "other stressful events" predicted increased acute stress levels. Conclusion The findings of this study highlight the importance of addressing the mental health needs of Ukrainians affected by the ongoing conflict. Interventions and support should be tailored to address the specific needs of different groups, particularly women, younger individuals, and those with worsened financial and employment statuses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anton Kurapov
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Ivan Danyliuk
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Andrii Loboda
- Institute of Medicine, Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine
| | - Argyroula Kalaitzaki
- Department of Social Work, Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Enhancement of Quality of Life, Health Sciences Faculty, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Crete, Greece
| | - Tobias Kowatsch
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- School of Medicine, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Centre for Digital Health Interventions, Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Klimash
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Viktoriia Predko
- Department of General Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National university of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kostev K, Koyanagi A, Smith L, Jacob L. Increase of anxiety disorder diagnoses in March and April 2022 in Germany- A consequence of the war? J Psychosom Res 2023; 168:111215. [PMID: 36933365 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Karel Kostev
- University Clinic, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany; Epidemiology, IQVIA, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Ai Koyanagi
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg. Lluis Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Louis Jacob
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Lariboisière-Fernand Widal Hospital, AP-HP, University Paris Cité, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chudzicka-Czupała A, Hapon N, Chiang SK, Żywiołek-Szeja M, Karamushka L, Lee CT, Grabowski D, Paliga M, Rosenblat JD, Ho R, McIntyre RS, Chen YL. Depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress during the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war, a comparison between populations in Poland, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3602. [PMID: 36869035 PMCID: PMC9982762 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28729-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ukraine has been embroiled in an increasing war since February 2022. In addition to Ukrainians, the Russo-Ukraine war has affected Poles due to the refugee crisis and the Taiwanese, who are facing a potential crisis with China. We examined the mental health status and associated factors in Ukraine, Poland, and Taiwan. The data will be used for future reference as the war is still ongoing. From March 8 to April 26, 2022, we conducted an online survey using snowball sampling techniques in Ukraine, Poland, and Taiwan. Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DASS)-21 item scale; post-traumatic stress symptoms by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and coping strategies by the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief-COPE). We used multivariate linear regression to identify factors significantly associated with DASS-21 and IES-R scores. There were 1626 participants (Poland: 1053; Ukraine: 385; Taiwan: 188) in this study. Ukrainian participants reported significantly higher DASS-21 (p < 0.001) and IES-R (p < 0.01) scores than Poles and Taiwanese. Although Taiwanese participants were not directly involved in the war, their mean IES-R scores (40.37 ± 16.86) were only slightly lower than Ukrainian participants (41.36 ± 14.94). Taiwanese reported significantly higher avoidance scores (1.60 ± 0.47) than the Polish (0.87 ± 0.53) and Ukrainian (0.91 ± 0.5) participants (p < 0.001). More than half of the Taiwanese (54.3%) and Polish (80.3%) participants were distressed by the war scenes in the media. More than half (52.5%) of the Ukrainian participants would not seek psychological help despite a significantly higher prevalence of psychological distress. Multivariate linear regression analyses found that female gender, Ukrainian and Polish citizenship, household size, self-rating health status, past psychiatric history, and avoidance coping were significantly associated with higher DASS-21 and IES-R scores after adjustment of other variables (p < 0.05). We have identified mental health sequelae in Ukrainian, Poles, and Taiwanese with the ongoing Russo-Ukraine war. Risk factors associated with developing depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress symptoms include female gender, self-rating health status, past psychiatric history, and avoidance coping. Early resolution of the conflict, online mental health interventions, delivery of psychotropic medications, and distraction techniques may help to improve the mental health of people who stay inside and outside Ukraine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadiya Hapon
- Department of Psychology, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Soon-Kiat Chiang
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 9, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
| | - Marta Żywiołek-Szeja
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Katowice, Poland
| | - Liudmyla Karamushka
- G. S. Kostiuk Institute of Psychology, National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Charlotte T Lee
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 9, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
| | - Damian Grabowski
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Katowice, Poland
| | - Mateusz Paliga
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Joshua D Rosenblat
- Braxia Scientific Corp, University of Toronto, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Roger Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Level 9, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yi-Lung Chen
- Department of Healthcare Administration, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Koval M, Venger O, Mysula Y. FEATURES OF AFFECTIVE SYMPTOMS IN COMBATANTS WITH NON-PSYCHOTIC MENTAL DISORDERS THAT HAVE SUFFERED FROM COVID-19. WIADOMOSCI LEKARSKIE (WARSAW, POLAND : 1960) 2023; 76:1936-1942. [PMID: 37898928 DOI: 10.36740/wlek202309106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim: To establish the level of anxiety and depressive disorders and the impact of covid-19 on affective pathology in combatants with non-psychotic mental disorders who have suffered from COVID-19 in a comparative aspect. PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and methods: 252 male combatants with non-psychotic mental disorders who suffered from COVID-19 were clinically examined using HRDS and HARS scales. RESULTS Results: A lower prevalence of anxiety or fear was found in combatants who did not have COVID-19: 70.5% vs. 80.8%; low mood - 55.3% vs. 66.7%; emotional lability - 44.7% vs. 58.3%; irritability - 40.9% vs. 55.0%; emotional sensitivity - 53.0% vs. 71.7%; dulling of emotions - 6.8% vs. 6.7%; anhedonia - 77.3% vs. 83.3% of patients, rapid fatigue - 51.5% vs. 65.8%, feelings of guilt, futility, anxiety or fear - 78.0% vs. 87.5%, dissomnia - 47.0% vs. 61.7%; inability to concentrate and make decisions - 25.8% vs. 43.3%; thoughts of death or suicide - 25.0% vs. 35.8% pessimism - 21.2% vs. 31.7%, low self-esteem - 21.2% vs. 31.7%, unstable appetite and weight loss-17.4% vs. 24.2%. The overall HDRS depression score in combatants with non-psychotic mental disorders who did not have COVID-19 was also significantly lower: 15.29±4.16 points vs. 18.05±4.29 points. Similar patterns were found for indicators of anxiety on the HARS scale: 20.52±7.14 points vs. 24.53±6.69 points. CONCLUSION Conclusions: Combatants with non-psychotic mental disorders are characterized by high levels of depressive and anxiety disorders. COVID-19 disease aggravates the course of affective pathology in combatants with non-psychotic mental disorders and increases the incidence of their depressive and anxiety symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Koval
- I. HORBACHEVSKY TERNOPIL NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, TERNOPIL, UKRAINE
| | - Olena Venger
- I. HORBACHEVSKY TERNOPIL NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, TERNOPIL, UKRAINE
| | - Yuriy Mysula
- I. HORBACHEVSKY TERNOPIL NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, TERNOPIL, UKRAINE
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Prokopowicz P, Mikołajewski D, Mikołajewska E. Intelligent System for Detecting Deterioration of Life Satisfaction as Tool for Remote Mental-Health Monitoring. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:9214. [PMID: 36501916 PMCID: PMC9737854 DOI: 10.3390/s22239214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The research described in this article is a continuation of work on a computational model of quality of life (QoL) satisfaction. In the proposed approach, overall life satisfaction is aggregated to personal life satisfaction (PLUS). The model described in the article is based on well-known and commonly used clinimetric scales (e.g., in psychiatry, psychology and physiotherapy). The simultaneous use of multiple scales, and the complexity of describing the quality of life with them, require complex fuzzy computational solutions. The aim of the study is twofold: (1) To develop a fuzzy model that allows for the detection of changes in life satisfaction scores (data on the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in the neighboring country were used). (2) To develop more detailed guidelines than the existing ones for further similar research on more advanced intelligent systems with computational models which allow for sensing, detecting and evaluating the psychical state. We are concerned with developing practical solutions with higher scientific and clinical utility for both small datasets and big data to use in remote patient monitoring. Two exemplary groups of specialists at risk of occupational burnout were assessed three times at different intervals in terms of life satisfaction. The aforementioned assessment was made on Polish citizens because the specific data could be gathered: before and during the pandemic and during the war in Ukraine (a neighboring country). That has a higher potential for presenting a better analysis and reflection on the practical application of the model. A research group (physiotherapists, n = 20) and a reference group (IT professionals, n = 20) participated in the study. Four clinimetric scales were used for assessment: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10), the Maslach Burnout Scale (MBI), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). The assessment was complemented by statistical analyses and fuzzy models based on a hierarchical fuzzy system. Although several models for understanding changes in life satisfaction scores have been previously investigated, the novelty of this study lies in the use of data from three consecutive time points for the same individuals and the way they are analyzed, based on fuzzy logic. In addition, the new hierarchical structure of the model used in the study provides flexibility and transparency in the process of remotely monitoring changes in people's mental well-being and a quick response to observed changes. The aforementioned computational approach was used for the first time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Prokopowicz
- Institute of Computer Science, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Dariusz Mikołajewski
- Institute of Computer Science, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Laboratory of Neurophysiological Research, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Emilia Mikołajewska
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Skwirczyńska E, Kozłowski M, Nowak K, Wróblewski O, Sompolska-Rzechuła A, Kwiatkowski S, Cymbaluk-Płoska A. Anxiety Assessment in Polish Students during the Russian-Ukrainian War. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13284. [PMID: 36293865 PMCID: PMC9602665 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety is described as a feeling of fear that appears in stressful or threatening situations. A terrorist attack is one such situation. The aim of this study was to assess anxiety levels among students using the STAI questionnaire. The study group consisted of 510 participants. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica software. Anxiety levels, correlations between STAI scores, and individual variables were assessed. Logit models were performed for the study variables. Higher levels of anxiety were found in females compared to males (p = 0.0000). The highest level of anxiety overall was found in year 1 students, the lowest in year 5 students (p = 0.0005). The highest level of anxiety overall was found in pharmacy students, the lowest in midwifery students. We concluded that there was a relatively strong relationship between anxiety and gender. Gender and fear of an armed attack on Poland had a significant impact on anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Skwirczyńska
- Department of History of Medicine and Medical Ethics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Mateusz Kozłowski
- Department of Gynecological Surgery and Gynecological Oncology of Adults and Adolescents, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Nowak
- Department of Gynecological Surgery and Gynecological Oncology of Adults and Adolescents, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Oskar Wróblewski
- Doctoral School, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Sompolska-Rzechuła
- Department of Applied Mathematics in Economics, Faculty of Economics, West Pomerania University of Technology Szczecin, Janickiego 31, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Sebastian Kwiatkowski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Aneta Cymbaluk-Płoska
- Department of Gynecological Surgery and Gynecological Oncology of Adults and Adolescents, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Stachowicz K, Sowa-Kućma M. The treatment of depression - searching for new ideas. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:988648. [PMID: 36278184 PMCID: PMC9585175 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.988648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a severe mental health problem that affects people regardless of social status or education, is associated with changes in mood and behavior, and can result in a suicide attempt. Therapy of depressive disorders is based mainly on drugs discovered in the 1960s and early 1970s. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are frontline pharmacological strategies for the medical treatment of depression. In addition, approved by FDA in 2019, esketamine [as nasal spray; N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors antagonist with additional effects on α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (L-VDCC), opioid receptors, and monoaminergic receptors] is an essential compound in suicide and drug-resistant depression. However, the treatment of depression is burdened with severe side effects, and in many cases, it is ineffective. An equally important issue is the choice of antidepressant therapy in people with comorbid somatic diseases, for example, due to possible interactions with the patient's other drugs. Therefore, there is a great need for new antidepressants with different mechanisms of action and the need to refine the search for new substances. The purpose of this review was to discuss new research directions and new trends that dominate laboratories worldwide. We have reviewed the literature to present new points on the pharmacological target of substances with antidepressant activity. In addition, we propose a new perspective on depressive therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Stachowicz
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Magdalena Sowa-Kućma
- Department of Human Physiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland
- Centre for Innovative Research in Medical and Natural Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|