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López‐Castro T, Papini S, Bauer A, Swarbrick M, Paul LK, Nizzi M, Stanley D, Team COVID, Hien D. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom trajectories in a 16-month COVID-19 pandemic period. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:180-192. [PMID: 36572985 PMCID: PMC9880687 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic presents an unheralded opportunity to better understand trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms across a prolonged period of social disruption and stress. We tracked PTSD symptoms among trauma-exposed individuals in the United States and sought to identify population-based variability in PTSD symptom trajectories and understand what, if any, early pandemic experiences predicted membership in one trajectory versus others. As part of a longitudinal study of U.S. residents during the pandemic, participants who reported at least one potentially traumatic experience in their lifetime (N = 1,206) at Wave 1 (April 2020) were included in the current study. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PCL-5 at four time points extending to July 2021. Latent growth mixture modeling was used to identify heterogeneous symptom trajectories. Trajectory membership was regressed on experiences from the early stage of the pandemic as measured using the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory in a model that controlled for variables with documented associations to PTSD trajectories, including age, sex, income, and trauma history. Four trajectories were identified, categorized as resilient (73.0%), recurring (13.3%), recovering (8.3%), and chronic (5.5%). Emotional and physical health problems and positive changes associated with the early phase of the pandemic were each significant predictors of trajectory membership over and above all other variables in the model. Predictors primarily differentiated the resilient trajectory from each of the other three trajectories. Distinct PTSD symptom trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic suggest a need for targeted efforts to help individuals at most risk for ongoing distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa López‐Castro
- Psychology DepartmentColin Powell School of Civic and Global LeadershipThe City College of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Santiago Papini
- Division of ResearchKaiser Permanente Northern CaliforniaOaklandCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alexandria Bauer
- Center of Alcohol & Substance Use StudiesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
| | - Margaret Swarbrick
- Center of Alcohol & Substance Use StudiesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
| | - Lynn K. Paul
- Division of Humanities and Social SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Damian Stanley
- Division of Humanities and Social SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCaliforniaUSA
- Gordon F. Derner School of PsychologyAdelphi UniversityGarden CityNew YorkUSA
| | - COVID‐Dynamic Team
- Center of Alcohol & Substance Use StudiesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
| | - Denise Hien
- Center of Alcohol & Substance Use StudiesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
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Eklund R, Bondjers K, Hensler I, Bragesjö M, Johannesson KB, Arnberg FK, Sveen J. Daily uplifts during the COVID-19 pandemic: what is considered helpful in everyday life? BMC Public Health 2022; 22:85. [PMID: 35027034 PMCID: PMC8757393 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12506-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Knowledge of what is uplifting and helpful during pandemics could inform the design of sustainable pandemic recommendations in the future. We have explored individuals’ views on helpful and uplifting aspects of everyday life during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods Participants answered a brief, daily survey via text messages during 14 consecutive days in July–August, 2020. The survey included the question: “During the past 24 hours, is there anything that has made you feel good or helped you in your life?” We used content analysis to compile responses from 693 participants, who provided 4,490 free-text answers, which resulted in 24 categories subsumed under 7 themes. Results Positive aspects during the COVID-19 pandemic primarily related to social interactions, in real life or digitally, with family, friends and others. Other important aspects concerning work, colleagues and maintaining everyday life routines. One theme concerning vacations, going on excursions and being in nature. Leisure and recreation activities, such as hobbies and physical exercise, also emerged as important, as did health-related factors. Bodily sensations, thoughts, feelings and activities that benefited well-being were mentioned frequently. Lastly, people commented on the government strategies for containing COVID-19, and whether to comply with restrictions. Conclusions To summarize, daily uplifts and helpful aspects of everyday life centered around social relationships. To comply with recommendations on physical distancing, people found creative ways to maintain social connections both digitally and face-to-face. Social interaction, maintenance of everyday life routines, hobbies and physical activity appeared to be important for well-being.
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Ellis LA, Dammery G, Wells L, Ansell J, Smith CL, Tran Y, Braithwaite J, Zurynski Y. Psychological distress and digital health service use during COVID-19: A national Australian cross-sectional survey. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1028384. [PMID: 36339853 PMCID: PMC9631931 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1028384] [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: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption to the lives and mental health of Australians. In response, health services adapted rapidly to digital modes of treatment, prevention and care. Although a large amount of research emerged in the first year of the pandemic, the longer-term mental health impacts, contributing factors, and population-level utilization of digital health services are unknown. METHODS A population-based online survey of 5,100 Australians adults was conducted in October 2021. Psychological distress was assessed with the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale. Additional survey questions included use and satisfaction with digital health services. Where available, data were compared with our previous survey conducted in 2018, permitting an examination of pre- and post-pandemic digital health service utilization. RESULTS In 2021, almost a quarter (n = 1203, 23.6%) of respondents reported serious levels of psychological distress; participants with pre-existing health related conditions, of younger age, lower educational attainment, those who lost their job or were paid fewer hours, or living in states with lockdown policies in place were at highest risk of serious psychological distress. Almost half of all respondents (n = 2177, 42.7%) reported using digital health technologies in 2021, in contrast to just 10.0% in 2018. In 2021, respondents with serious psychological distress were significantly more likely to consult with a healthcare professional via telephone/videoconferencing (P < 0.001), access healthcare via a telephone advice line (P < 0.001), or via an email or webchat advice service (P < 0.001) than those with no serious psychological distress. Those with and without psychological distress were highly satisfied with the care they received via digital health technologies in 2021. CONCLUSION Rates of serious psychological distress during the second year of the pandemic remained high, providing further evidence for the serious impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the general population. Those with psychological distress accessed digital mental health services and were satisfied with the care they received. The results highlight the continued need for mental health support and digital health services, particularly for people living with chronic conditions, younger adults and people most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, both in the short term and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise A Ellis
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,NHMRC Partnership Centre in Health System Sustainability, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Genevieve Dammery
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,NHMRC Partnership Centre in Health System Sustainability, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Leanne Wells
- Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - James Ansell
- Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Carolynn L Smith
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,NHMRC Partnership Centre in Health System Sustainability, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yvonne Tran
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Braithwaite
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,NHMRC Partnership Centre in Health System Sustainability, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yvonne Zurynski
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,NHMRC Partnership Centre in Health System Sustainability, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Mao G, Drury J, Fernandes‐Jesus M, Ntontis E. How participation in Covid-19 mutual aid groups affects subjective well-being and how political identity moderates these effects. ANALYSES OF SOCIAL ISSUES AND PUBLIC POLICY : ASAP 2021; 21:1082-1112. [PMID: 34899075 PMCID: PMC8652987 DOI: 10.1111/asap.12275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Mutual aid groups have flourished during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, a major challenge is sustaining such groups, which tend to decline following the initial upsurge immediately after emergencies. The present study investigates one possible motivation for continued participation: the well-being benefits associated with psychological membership of groups, as suggested by the "social cure" approach. Interviews were conducted with 11 volunteers in a mutual aid group organized by ACORN, a community union and anti-poverty campaigning organization. Through qualitative analysis, we show that participation provided well-being in different ways: positive emotional experiences, increased engagement in life, improved social relationships, and greater sense of control. Participants also reported some negative emotional experiences. While all interviewees experienced benefits from participation, those who viewed their participation through a political lens were able to experience additional benefits such as feelings of empowerment. Moreover, the benefits conferred by a shared political identity appeared to be qualitatively different from the benefits conferred by other forms of shared identity. The interview data is used to hypothesize an overall process by which participants may come to attain a political identity via mutual aid. These findings have implications for how such groups retain their members and how authorities support these groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanlan Mao
- University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - John Drury
- University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Fernandes‐Jesus
- University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
- York St John University, York, United Kingdom
| | - Evangelos Ntontis
- Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, United Kingdom
- The Open University, Milton Keynes, United KingomUK
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