Increased occurrence of PTSD symptoms in adolescents with major depressive disorder soon after the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in China: a cross-sectional survey

The association between posttraumatic stress disorder and mental health of adolescents who exposed to the worst disaster of the century: Extensive data from southeast Turkey

PROBLEMS

This study was conducted to examine the association between posttraumatic stress disorder and mental health status of adolescents exposed to the worst disaster of the century.

METHODS

This study was descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational. This research was conducted between March 31 and July 1, 2023. The study was conducted with earthquake survivors who migrated from Kahramanmaraş, the epicenter of the earthquake, and Adıyaman and Hatay, the other two cities where it was most effective, to Şanlıurfa. The study was conducted with a total of 947 adolescents. "Personal Information Form," "Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index," and "Symptom Distress Check List- (SCL-90)" were used to collect data. Linear regression method was used in the analysis of the research. Path analysis was performed using PATH analysis.

FINDINGS

The mean age of the adolescents participating in the study was 16.69 ± 1.41 years. It was found that the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the adolescents was at the pathological level with a mean of 2.36 ± 0.68. Posttraumatic stress reactions of the adolescents who experienced the earthquake was found to explain 97.2% of their mental symptoms (anxiety, depression, somatization, anger-hostility, obsession-compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychotic symptoms, other problems, and GSI) (p < 0.001). It was found that the age of the adolescents, total number of losses in the earthquake, the time they stayed under the rubble, the time they waited for siblings to be pulled from under the rubble and the state of having loss due to the earthquake explained 74.4% of the posttraumatic stress reactions (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

As a conclusion, it was found that the adolescents who experienced the earthquake experienced severe posttraumatic stress symptoms. It was also found that adolescents who experienced high levels of trauma symptoms showed pathological mental symptoms. After the earthquake, adolescents should be evaluated periodically in terms of posttraumatic stress symptoms. In the evaluations to be made, it is important to determine how adolescents are affected especially mentally. In this context, interventions should be implemented for the identified mental symptoms (anxiety, depression, somatization, etc.).

COVID and depression among stratified population groups: a narrative review

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted and infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Successive lockdowns, social distancing measures, and reduction in economic activity have developed a new way of living and, in many cases, tend to lead to depression. The initial strict lockdown for about 3 months and eventually for a few more months has imposed greater challenges on children and adolescents in terms of psychological problems and psychiatric disorders. Regardless of their viral infection status, many people have been affected by the psychosocial changes associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. In the present review, we have attempted to evaluate the impact of COVID on the mental health of people from different age groups and occupations. The present review has highlighted the need for taking effective measures by the stakeholder to cope with depression among human population groups worldwide.

The infected and the affected: A longitudinal study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schoolchildren in Florida

Objectives

To identify risk factors associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among children during the 1st year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A longitudinal study with three cross-sectional timepoints [April 2020 (n = 273), October 2020 (n = 180), and April 2021 (n = 116)] was conducted at a K-12 public school in Florida. Infection and sero-positivity for SARS-CoV-2 was determined by molecular and serologic approaches. Adjusted odds ratios using mixed effect logistic regression models for symptom-derived indicators of anxiety, depression, and OCD in children in April 2021 are presented; past infection and seropositivity were included in the models.

Results

The prevalence of anxiety, depression, or OCD moved from 47.1, to 57.2, to 42.2% across the three timepoints during the study. By endline of the study, in April 2021, non-white children were at higher risk for depression and OCD. Risk for anxiety, depression, and OCD was associated with students who lost a family member due to COVID-19 and who were identified as at-risk in previous timepoints. Rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and seropositivity were low and not statistically associated with assessed outcomes.

Conclusions

In situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, targeted mental health interventions and screenings are needed in children and adolescents, especially among minority children.

The Acute Impact of the Early Stages of COVID-19 Pandemic in People with Pre-Existing Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review

People with pre-pandemic health conditions are more vulnerable and more likely to suffer greater psychosocial impact due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures. Thus, the objective of this work was to systematically review the impact of the early stages COVID-19 pandemic on people with pre-existing psychiatric disorders. The search was performed between 23 January and 2 September 2021 in PubMed, PsycINFO, and EMBASE. A total of 4167 published results were identified; however, only 49 were included in this review. Results show that there was considerable heterogeneity among studies, which resulted in a low consensus. However, it seems that the impact of the first stage of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatric disorders was two-fold: (1) an overall effect, in which people suffering from psychiatric disorders in general experienced more psychological distress and anxiety when compared to people who had no psychiatric diagnosis, and (2) a condition-specific effect, namely in people suffering from eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders. Moreover, the current work highlights that there were also some external factors that were related to worsening symptoms. For instance, unemployment or experiencing work and financial difficulties can be a trigger for greater distress during the pandemic for people with mood disorders, and being alone and in social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic may actually increase substance use and relapse rates. Further studies are needed to prospectively investigate the long-term effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic on people with (pre)-existing psychiatric conditions and on the onset or deterioration of psychiatric-related symptoms in a larger number of participants, as well as exploring the long-term effects of the current pandemic on mental health.

Long-Term Complications of COVID-19 Infection in Adolescents and Children

Purpose of Review

Compared to adults, post-COVID-19 symptoms are uncommon and have not been thoroughly evaluated in children. This review summarizes the literature in terms of persistent symptoms in children and adolescents after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Recent Findings

Children were less likely to develop long COVID when compared to adults. Older children (e.g., adolescents) and those who had symptomatic COVID-19 had a higher probability for long COVID.

Summary

Families and health care providers need to be aware of a new constellation of long COVID symptoms in the pediatric population. More evidence and time are needed to better understand the potential effects of long COVID-19 in children and adolescents. In comparison to adults, children are less likely to have persistent COVID-19 symptoms.

Emotional and Behavioral Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic in Adolescents

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review of the literature aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown on teenagers' mental health. We distinguish two groups: adolescents who had already been diagnosed with a mental disorder and the general population of adolescents.

RECENT FINDINGS

An increase in the number of mental health-related difficulties in adolescents has already been reported in previous health crises. Accordingly, the perceived well-being of teenagers declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescents with mental disorders were significantly more affected by the lockdown than those in the general population. The effect of the COVID-19 crisis on the mental health of adolescents has been heterogeneous. The first pandemic wave was essentially associated with an increase of internalizing symptoms in adolescents, particularly anxiety, depression and eating disorders. The impact on externalizing symptoms was less clear, and seem to concern mostly adolescents with pre-existing behavioral disorders. During the second and later waves of the pandemic, an upsurge of suicidal ideation and attempts among adolescents have been reported in many countries.

Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorders and associated factors one month after the outbreak of the COVID-19 among the public in southwestern China: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread across the whole world and brought strong psychological impact. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) in the general people of southwestern China and associated factors 1 month after the outbreak of the COVID-19.

METHODS

This study was started on 4-10 Feb 2020 based on online survey. The present work was carried out in the provinces of southeastern China, including Sichuan Province, Guizhou Province, Yunnan Province, and Chongqing City.1593 respondents aged 18 years and above administered to this study. Data on whether they have experienced confirmed or suspected COVID-19 of themselves/family members/acquaintances were also collected, and based on 'yes' answers, the number of affected individuals (via COVID-19) were categorized into four exposure levels i.e., non-affected, less, moderately, or significantly affected. The civilian version of the PTSD checklist and the self-reported information about COVID-19 were used.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PTSD was approximately 25.2%(n = 401/1593). The chances of developing PTSD were 6.053(OR = 6.053, 95% CI 1.394 to 26.280) or 3.673(OR = 3.673, 95% CI 1.738 to 7.765) times higher among respondents who had been significantly and moderately affected than those who had not been affected, accordingly. Male (OR = 1.484, 95% CI 1.147 to 1.920),younger age individuals (40 ~ 49 age group/<30 age group, OR = 0.395, 95% CI 0.258 to 0.606) and health care workers (OR = 1.788, 95% CI 1.155 to 2.277) were at higher risk of developing PTSD.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight that a positive correlation between the pandemic and PTSD. It is urgent to establish a screening and prevention systems for the population who are significantly exposed to COVID-19,and provide different psychological intervention strategies for different groups.