1
|
Coakley M, Drohan M, Bruce E, Hughes S, Jackson N, Holmes S. COPD Self-Management: A Patient-Physician Perspective. Pulm Ther 2024:10.1007/s41030-024-00258-y. [PMID: 38758408 DOI: 10.1007/s41030-024-00258-y] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This article is co-authored by five patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a primary care physician who has over 30 years of clinical experience and is involved in educating healthcare professionals. The first section of this article is authored by the patients, who describe their experiences of living with COPD. The section that follows is authored by the physician, who discusses the management of COPD in the context of the patients' experiences.
Collapse
|
2
|
Hill EB, Mastny-Jensen C, Loch C. Before and after: COVID-19 impacts on dental students' well-being, clinical competency and employment opportunities. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL EDUCATION IN EUROPE 2024; 28:522-529. [PMID: 38009831 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The onset of COVID-19 challenged dental schools worldwide, impacting clinical training. In Australasia, New Zealand adopted a COVID-19 'elimination strategy', involving nationwide lockdowns that halted face-to-face education. The 'elimination strategy' adopted at the pandemic onset, which permitted return to 'normal life' in 2021, allowed the pandemic impacts and those related workforce transition to be teased out. This study aimed to evaluate perceived impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and well-being, clinical competency and employment opportunities of dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two surveys were distributed to final year dental students (n = 94; age range 20-35): one during their final semester and the second six months following graduation. Surveys included open and closed ended questions on participants' self-perceived impacts of COVID-19 on health and well-being, clinical competency and employment opportunities. Average percentages were calculated and descriptive statistics performed. RESULTS Pre-graduation, participants reported COVID-19 negatively impacted their mental and social health. Slightly lower scores on all dimensions of health post-graduation were likely due to transitioning to the workforce. Pre-graduation, less than half of participants felt prepared to provide the full scope of dental treatment; post-graduation most felt confident to do so. Most participants expected COVID-19 would negatively impact employment opportunities for their cohort, despite all participants being employed when the second survey was conducted. CONCLUSION Participants self-rated health and clinical competency scores were lower post-graduation when NZ returned to 'normal life', meaning lower scores were related to workforce transition. Dental schools need to be prepared to provide alternative forms of dental education and help mitigate mental health impacts of future major course disruptions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Barron Hill
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Chevvy Mastny-Jensen
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Carolina Loch
- Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ergin E, Sezer H, Çinar D, Düzenli Öztürk S. Health Protection And Improvement Sensitivity For Covid-19 Pandemic: Turkey's Case. SOCIAL WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 39:250-260. [PMID: 38419550 DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2024.2322601] [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: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
This descriptive study was aimed at identifying the anxiety levels of Turkish people in the first three months of the pandemic, the coping methods they use to control this anxiety, and their knowledge and behavior about protection and prevention against COVID-19. The data were collected from 571 individuals. Of the individuals, 84.6% had anxiety. The anxiety levels of those who kept working during the pandemic were significantly higher than were the anxiety levels of those who did not (p < .05). The participants experienced a moderate level of anxiety, and they mostly used relaxation techniques, music therapy, and prayer/worship to cope with anxiety. The knowledge level of the individuals about COVID-19 was moderate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eda Ergin
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of İzmir Bakırçay, İzmir, TURKEY
| | - Hale Sezer
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of İzmir Bakırçay, İzmir, TURKEY
| | - Derya Çinar
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of İzmir Bakırçay, İzmir, TURKEY
| | - Seren Düzenli Öztürk
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, İzmir Bakircay University, İzmir, TURKEY
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Byam LJ, Penney AM. COVID-19 anxiety and its relation to anxiety-related disorder symptoms and mechanisms. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2024; 244:104179. [PMID: 38364634 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104179] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mental health of individuals, particularly in the area of anxiety-related disorders. Anxiety regarding COVID-19 has been associated with health anxiety, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Additionally, COVID-19 anxiety has been associated with anxiety sensitivity, disgust, maladaptive metacognitions, and intolerance of uncertainty. While researchers have established that anxiety disorders and anxiety-related mechanisms were associated with COVID-19 anxiety, which specific anxiety-related symptoms and mechanisms are primarily associated with COVID-19 anxiety needs to be more extensively explored. The current study sought to further this area by examining which particular anxiety-related disorder symptoms and mechanisms were uniquely associated with COVID-19 anxiety. A non-clinical sample of 593 Canadian undergraduate participants (Mage = 21.13 years; 67.7 % female) completed this cross-sectional study between September 2020 and February 2021. Participants completed online questionaries assessing anxiety-related disorder symptoms and mechanisms in addition to multiple scales of COVID-19 anxiety. When examining symptoms, health anxiety (prs = 0.17-0.29) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (prs = 0.16-0.35) symptoms had the strongest unique associations with COVID-19 anxiety. Among the anxiety-related mechanisms, disgust sensitivity (prs = 0.14-0.16) and health anxiety-specific intolerance of uncertainty (prs = 0.12-0.30) had the strongest unique associations with COVID-19 anxiety. Individuals experiencing these disorders and anxiety-related mechanisms may be at a heightened vulnerability to experiencing heightened anxiety during future pandemics. Mental health professionals should discuss COVID-19 anxiety with individuals experiencing health anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Lastly, the study highlights the significance of considering a variety of specific anxiety-related disorder symptoms and mechanisms when working to understand pandemic anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Layton J Byam
- MacEwan University, Department of Psychology, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Luu MN, Imoto A, Matsuo Y, Huy NT, Qarawi A, Alhady STM, Truong LV, Yoshino R, Duc NTM, Tabei K, Lu Y, Singh MK, Truong MP, Dumre SP, Rocha ICN, Hung IC, Fudo A, Sato M, Kansakar S, Tsukamoto A, Komatsu A, Cai G, Moji K, Khongyot T, Mogan S, Soukdavone S, Hartuti ED, Thidatheb K, Honda S, Woo H, Lama N, Huynh VTN, Khoa HLA, Abbas KS, Monib FA, Omran HAM, Rezq CS, Qatora MS, Jia Ng S, Morena GJV, Miranda AV, Ngo Huynh MT, Ota J, Minjung K, An J, Vorlasane L, Gunasegaran K, Zulkefli F, Lima Girón BDJ, Bhattachan PG, Dumre RB, Pandey K, Yamashita S, Seposo AKC, Zabala J, Riva-Moscoso A, Ordóñez JNP, Uitrakul S, Principe-Meneses FS, Dila KAS. Anxiety and its risk factors among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing COVID-19 situation: A cross-sectional survey. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0280144. [PMID: 38489310 PMCID: PMC10942066 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the context of collective efforts taken in Japan to control the spread of COVID-19, the state of emergency and social distancing have caused a negative impact on the mental health of all residents, including foreign communities in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the level of anxiety and its associated factors among non-Japanese residents residing in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A web-based survey in 13 languages was conducted among non-Japanese residents living in Japan during the COVID-19 situation. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory assessed the level of anxiety-State (STAI-S) scores prorated from its six-item version. The multivariable logistic regression using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) method was performed to identify the associated factors of anxiety among participants. RESULTS From January to March 2021, we collected 392 responses. A total of 357 valid responses were analyzed. 54.6% of participants suffered from clinically significant anxiety (CSA). In multivariable logistic model analysis, the CSA status or the high level of anxiety was associated with three factors, including having troubles/difficulties in learning or working, decreased sleep duration, and decreased overall physical health (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Our study suggests several possible risk factors of anxiety among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic, including the troubles or difficulties in learning or working, the decrease in sleep duration, and the decrease in overall physical health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mai Ngoc Luu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Atsuko Imoto
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | | | - Nguyen Tien Huy
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Ahmad Qarawi
- Essen Healthcare, Bronx, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Le Van Truong
- Traditional Medicine Hospital, Ministry of Public Security, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ryuji Yoshino
- School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Nguyen Tran Minh Duc
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Yixiao Lu
- Department of Public Health, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Manmeet Kaur Singh
- American University of the Caribbean Medical School, Cupe Coy, Sint Maarten
| | - Mai Phuong Truong
- American University of the Caribbean Medical School, Cupe Coy, Sint Maarten
| | | | | | | | - Akane Fudo
- Independent Researcher, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
| | - Miho Sato
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Sajog Kansakar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
| | - Akiko Tsukamoto
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Aiko Komatsu
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Guoxi Cai
- Nagasaki Prefectural Institute of Environment and Public Health, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Moji
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Thanawat Khongyot
- School of Pharmacy, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Saruveish Mogan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | | | - Endah Dwi Hartuti
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Program for Nurturing Global Leader, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kounnavong Thidatheb
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Shiho Honda
- Nagasaki International Student Support Center, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hyunjae Woo
- Department of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Nitu Lama
- Dr. M. V. Shetty College of Physiotherapy, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Mangalore, India
| | | | - Huynh Le Anh Khoa
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sze Jia Ng
- Faculty of Medicine, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, Pennyslvania, United States of America
| | - Graca Jaqueline Vanessa Morena
- Faculty of Medicine, Trisakti University, Jakarta, Indonesia
- America Evangelical University, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Minh-Trang Ngo Huynh
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Junko Ota
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | | | - Jaemin An
- Osaka Ohtani University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Kesshinee Gunasegaran
- School of Medicine, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Fazureen Zulkefli
- School of Medicine, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Punita Gauchan Bhattachan
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Renu Bhandari Dumre
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kishor Pandey
- Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Jayson Zabala
- Quezon City Science High School, Naruto University of Education, Naruto, Japan
| | - Adrián Riva-Moscoso
- School of Medicine, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), Lima, Peru
| | | | - Suriyon Uitrakul
- School of Pharmacy, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Stark VS, Williams EC, Tribin FE, Coto J, Carrico A, Carreño JM, Bielak D, Desai P, Krammer F, Hoffer ME, Pallikkuth S, Pahwa S. Examining the Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic-Induced Stress and Anxiety on Humoral Immunity in Health Care Workers. J Occup Environ Med 2024; 66:e48-e53. [PMID: 38013399 PMCID: PMC10872745 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000003014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The effect of stress on vaccine-induced humoral immunity and therapeutic interventions to mitigate pandemic-related stress remain underexplored. METHOD Participants in a longitudinal cohort study ( n = 189) completed a validated measure, GAD-7, and 10-instrument stress measure to assess stress and anxiety after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. Serum was collected to obtain SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer levels. RESULTS Participants experienced increased stress due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with a positive correlation between GAD-7 scores and peak antibody titers overall; however, there was a negative association with scores commensurate with severe anxiety. Health care workers and younger participants were more significantly affected by anxiety. CONCLUSIONS Mild anxiety levels may have immune-enhancing effects, whereas severe anxiety may cause antibody generation reduction. Mental health-focused interventions are imperative for younger adults and health care workers. Young adults may be more resilient to increased stress levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie S. Stark
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Public Health, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Erin C. Williams
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - Jennifer Coto
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Adam Carrico
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Juan Manuel Carreño
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dominika Bielak
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Parnavi Desai
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael E. Hoffer
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Suresh Pallikkuth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Savita Pahwa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sacre H, Hajj A, Badro DA, Abou Selwan C, Haddad C, Aoun R, Salameh P. The Combined Outcomes of the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Collapsing Economy on Mental Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study. Psychol Rep 2024; 127:64-91. [PMID: 35766201 PMCID: PMC9243972 DOI: 10.1177/00332941221110545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the outcomes of COVID-19 and a collapsing economy on the mental well-being (MWB) of the general Lebanese population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted online in May 2020 and enrolled 502 adults. Results: Mental well-being had a mean of 14.80 (14.37; 15.24). A lower MWB was associated with female gender (beta=-1.533 [-2.324; -0.743]), university education (beta=-2.119 [-3.353;-0.885]), fear of COVID-19 (beta=-0.131 [-0.199; -0.063]), fear of poverty (beta=-0.232 [-0.402;-0.063]), verbal violence at home (beta=-3.464 [-5.137; -1.790]), and chronic disease (beta=-1.307 [-2.283; -0.330]). Better family satisfaction (beta=0.380 [0.235; 0.525]) and better financial situation (beta=0.029 [0.003; 0.055]) were significantly correlated with better MWB. In the subsample of workers/looking for a job, additional factors affected MWB: physical exercise (beta =1.318 [0.370; 2.265]) was associated with better QOL, while being a previous waterpipe smoker, being self-employed before the crisis (beta=-1.22 [-2.208;-0.231]), working from home since the economic crisis (-1.853 [-3.692; -0.013]), and worrying about the long-term effects of the crisis on one's employment status (beta=-0.433 [-0.650; -0.216]) were associated lower MWB. It is noteworthy that closure of the institution yielded a borderline result (B = -1.2; p = .094), while the fear of COVID-19 was not significantly associated with MWB (B = -0.054; p =0.192). Conclusion: This study showed that, during the pandemic, economic and other factors, directly or indirectly related to COVID-19, significantly affected quality of life. The fear of COVID-19 and fear of poverty mainly impacted the MWB of the general population. However, the fear of COVID-19 lost its significance among workers, who reported that factors negatively affecting their MWB are directly related to their employment and the already collapsing economy in Lebanon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hala Sacre
- INSPECT-LB, Institut National de Santé Publique, Épidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aline Hajj
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon; Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacie Clinique et Contrôle de Qualité des Médicaments, Saint- Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Danielle A Badro
- INSPECT-LB, Institut National de Santé Publique, Épidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon; Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Science and Technology, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Carla Abou Selwan
- INSPECT-LB, Institut National de Santé Publique, Épidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon; Medical and Marketing Solutions, Science PRO, Jal El Dib, Lebanon
| | - Chadia Haddad
- INSPECT-LB, Institut National de Santé Publique, Épidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon; Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon; School of Health Sciences, Modern University for Business and Science, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Randa Aoun
- INSPECT-LB, Institut National de Santé Publique, Épidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- INSPECT-LB, Institut National de Santé Publique, Épidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie-Liban, Beirut, Lebanon; School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon; Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus; Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fatfouta R, Rogoza R. Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the German Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024; 88:1121-1135. [PMID: 34898309 DOI: 10.1177/00302228211062360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fear is a fundamental response in the face of a life-threatening pandemic, such as COVID-19. To assess COVID-19-related fear, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) has been recently developed and validated in many countries across the globe. The current study aimed to adapt the FCV-19S into German and to examine its psychometric properties. Participants (N = 866) were asked to complete the FCV-19S, report their perceived risk of contracting the virus, and their willingness to comply with mask wearing. Confirmatory Factor Analysis supported both a two-factor structure (emotional and somatic fear) and a more parsimonious one-factor model. Among demographic variables, only female gender was positively associated with the FCV-19S. Moreover, the measure was associated with increased risk perception and compliance with mask wearing. Results suggest that the FCV-19S has good psychometric properties in German and can be used in future work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramzi Fatfouta
- HMKW, Hochschule Für Medien Kommunikation und Wirtschaft, University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Peléšková Š, Polák J, Janovcová M, Chomik A, Sedláčková K, Frynta D, Landová E. Human emotional evaluation of ancestral and modern threats: fear, disgust, and anger. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1321053. [PMID: 38239483 PMCID: PMC10794497 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1321053] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Animal and human ancestors developed complex physiological and behavioral response systems to cope with two types of threats: immediate physical harm from predators or conspecifics, triggering fear, and the risk of infections from parasites and pathogens leading to the evolution of the behavioral immune system with disgust as the key emotion. Integration of the evolutionary concepts of the fear module and behavioral immune systems has been infrequent, despite the significant survival advantages of disgust in various contexts. Studies comparing attention to ancestral and modern threats accompanied by fear have yielded ambiguous results and what qualifies as salient modern disgusting stimuli remains unclear. We do not know whether disgust or the behavioral immune system, as inherent aspects of human psychology, have adapted to safeguard us from pandemic risks or poisoning by modern toxic substances. Methods To test these effects, we have developed a survey comprised of 60 short vignettes describing threats evoking fear and disgust belonging to one of the three main categories of threats: (1) ancestral (phylogenetic), (2) modern (ontogenetic), and (3) pandemics of airborne disease. Each vignette was evaluated on a 7-point Likert scale based on fear, disgust, and anger. In total, 660 respondents completed the survey. The data were analysed using a factor analysis and general linear model with the respondent as a random factor. Results The results show that the strongest fear is triggered by modern threats (electricity, car accidents), while the highest disgust is evoked by ancient threats (body waste products, worms, etc.). Interestingly, disgust does not respond to modern threat stimuli such as toxic substances or radioactivity as these evoke mainly fear and anger. Finally, a distinct response pattern was found for pandemic threats, in which both fear (e.g., of disease and death) and disgust (e.g., of used face masks) are employed. Discussion Our study offers valuable insights into the emotional responses to ancestral and modern threats and their adaptation to pandemic challenges. Ancestral threats are not always more powerful stimuli than adequate threats of the modern type, but they function specifically. Thus, snakes and heights as fear-inducing ancestral threats form separate factors in a multivariate analysis, whereas all ancestral disgust stimuli group together. The threat of a pandemic forms a specific category and people process it emotionally and cognitively. These insights contribute to our understanding of human psychology and behavior in an ever-changing world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Šárka Peléšková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jakub Polák
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Economy and Management, Ambis University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Markéta Janovcová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Aleksandra Chomik
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | | | - Daniel Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Eva Landová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yusainy C, Fitria I, Sarirah T, Wicaksono W, Santosoputro A. Not all #complaints are equally contagious: an Instagram experiment. THE JOURNAL OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 151:63-75. [PMID: 36847775 DOI: 10.1080/00221309.2023.2182268] [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: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Instagram has been perceived as the least appropriate platform to express negativity online, yet the number of posts tagged under #complain, #complaint, #complaints, and #complaining are increasing. We conducted a controlled web-based experiment to examine the extent to which exposure to other's quotes of complaints contributed to increased similarity in emotions for the audience (i.e., digital emotion contagion). Participants (n = 591 Instagram users in Indonesia; 82.23% females; Mage = 28.06, SD = 6.39) were randomly assigned to exposure of complaint quotes containing seven basic emotions. We found that exposure to three of the five complaint quotes (i.e., anger, disgust, and sadness) induced similar emotions in the participants while the two other complaint quotes (i.e., fear and anxiety) induced overlapping emotions, but a non-complaint quote (i.e., desire and satisfaction) induced alternative emotions. Taken together, digital emotion contagion was likely produced by exposure to complaint quotes, while exposure to non-complaint quotes induced different, possibly complementary-like, emotions. Although these findings should be considered as a snapshot of the complex emotional dynamics online, it highlights that exposure to simple Instagram quotes has the potential to go beyond mere contagion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cleoputri Yusainy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia
- Placebo Research Group, Indonesia
| | - Ika Fitria
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Thoyyibatus Sarirah
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Rodrigues J, Body K, Carel H. The pandemic body: the lived body during the COVID-19 pandemic. MEDICAL HUMANITIES 2023; 49:725-734. [PMID: 37620040 DOI: 10.1136/medhum-2022-012495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we conduct a detailed analysis of qualitative survey data focusing on adult populations in the UK, Japan and Mexico to address the following question: How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed people's lived experience of their bodies, other people's bodies and the world? We identify five themes: (i) fear and danger, (ii) bodily doubt and hypervigilance, (iii) risk and trust, (iv) adapting and enduring and (v) changes in perspective. We use two theoretical frameworks: first, Mary Douglas' anthropological work on purity, risk, danger and symbolism is applied to understand how social and cultural meanings attached to the body have changed during the pandemic. Second, we use the concept of bodily doubt developed by Havi Carel to interpret how people experience their bodies and other people's bodies differently during the pandemic. While we recognise the significant variation in people's embodied experience of the pandemic, our findings suggest there are commonalities that span different countries and cultures. Specifically, we look at responses to COVID-19 protective countermeasures such as national lockdowns and physical distancing which we suggest have reduced people's ability to put faith in their own bodies, trust other people and trust the political leadership. We conclude by proposing that the changes to our lived experience during the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted changes in perspective and a renewed focus on what people consider important in life from a social, moral, cultural and political point of view.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamila Rodrigues
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
- Anthropology, International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kathryn Body
- Department of Philosophy, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Havi Carel
- Department of Philosophy, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mbuthia G, Machaki D, Shaibu S, Kimani RW. Surviving Covid-19 Diagnosis Among Registered Nurses: Reactions, Consequences, and Coping Mechanisms. Saf Health Work 2023; 14:467-475. [PMID: 38187200 PMCID: PMC10770275 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2023.10.013] [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: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background To mitigate the spread of Covid-19, nurses infected with the virus were required to isolate themselves from their families and community. Isolated patients were reported to have experienced mental distress, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and suicide. Though studies have reported the psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, less is known about the lived experiences of nurses who survived Covid-19 infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to study the lived experiences of registered nurses who survived Covid-19 disease. In-depth interviews were conducted among nurses diagnosed with Covid-19 from two hospitals in Kenya between March and May, 2021. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit registered nurses. Data were analyzed using Giorgi's steps of analysis. Results The study included ten nurses between 29 and 45 years of age. Nurses' experiences encompassed three themes: diagnosis reaction, consequences, and coping. Reactions to the diagnosis included fear, anxiety, and sadness. The consequence of the diagnosis and isolation was stigma, isolation, and loneliness. Nurses coping mechanisms included acceptance, creating routines, support, and spirituality. Conclusion Our findings aid in understanding how nurses experienced Covid-19 infection as patients and will provide evidence-based content for supporting nurses in future pandemics. Moreover, as we acknowledge the heroic contribution of frontline healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is prudent to recognize the considerable occupational risk as they balance their duty to care, and the risk of infection to themselves and their families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gladys Mbuthia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Doris Machaki
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sheila Shaibu
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rachel W. Kimani
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Li Q, Zhang X, Yang X, Pan N, Li X, Kemp GJ, Wang S, Gong Q. Pre-COVID brain network topology prospectively predicts social anxiety alterations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 27:100578. [PMID: 37842018 PMCID: PMC10570707 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100578] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Social anxiety (SA) is a negative emotional response that can lead to mental health issues, which some have experienced during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Little attention has been given to the neurobiological mechanisms underlying inter-individual differences in SA alterations related to COVID-19. This study aims to identify neurofunctional markers of COVID-specific SA development. Methods 110 healthy participants underwent resting-state magnetic resonance imaging and behavioral tests before the pandemic (T1, October 2019 to January 2020) and completed follow-up behavioral measurements during the pandemic (T2, February to May 2020). We constructed individual functional networks and used graph theoretical analysis to estimate their global and nodal topological properties, then used Pearson correlation and partial least squares correlations examine their associations with COVID-specific SA alterations. Results In terms of global network parameters, SA alterations (T2-T1) were negatively related to pre-pandemic brain small-worldness and normalized clustering coefficient. In terms of nodal network parameters, SA alterations were positively linked to a pronounced degree centrality pattern, encompassing both the high-level cognitive networks (dorsal attention network, cingulo-opercular task control network, default mode network, memory retrieval network, fronto-parietal task control network, and subcortical network) and low-level perceptual networks (sensory/somatomotor network, auditory network, and visual network). These findings were robust after controlling for pre-pandemic general anxiety, other stressful life events, and family socioeconomic status, as well as by treating SA alterations as categorical variables. Conclusions The individual functional network associated with SA alterations showed a disrupted topological organization with a more random state, which may shed light on the neurobiological basis of COVID-related SA changes at the network level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingyuan Li
- Department of Interventional Therapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xun Zhang
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xun Yang
- School of Public Affairs, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Nanfang Pan
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Interventional Therapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Graham J. Kemp
- Liverpool Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre (LiMRIC) and Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK
| | - Song Wang
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, 361000, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Damghanian H, Hedayati S, Farhadinejad M, Rastgar AA. Lessons learned from behaviors of the employees in Iranian banks during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis: A phenomenological study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21445. [PMID: 38045175 PMCID: PMC10692766 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21445] [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: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this research is to analyze the experiences of employees during the Covid-19 pandemic cri-sis and conceptualize the lessons learned to deal with similar crises in the future. To achieve this, a qualitative approach with a phenomenological strategy was conducted through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 16 front-line employees of Bank Melli, the largest state bank in Iran. The study found that employee behavior plays a critical role in crisis management, with functional behaviors such as preventive measures, stress management, and sharing valid information being essential. Dysfunctional behaviors such as resistance to change and inconsistent behaviors were also identified. The prevention of infection and stress management were identified as key behaviors to cope with the crisis, while media literacy and acceptance of change were crucial for correct information analysis and crisis management. Overall, the study highlights the challenges faced by employees during the Covid-19 crisis and provides valuable lessons from a behavioral perspective for managers in the banking industry to manage disruptions caused by current and future pandemics. The study emphasizes the importance of learning from the lessons of the Covid-19 crisis to reduce negative effects on physical and mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Damghanian
- Faculty of Economics, Management and Administrative Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
| | - Sadegh Hedayati
- Faculty of Economics, Management and Administrative Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mohsen Farhadinejad
- Faculty of Economics, Management and Administrative Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Rastgar
- Faculty of Economics, Management and Administrative Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cebrino J, Portero de la Cruz S. Psychological impact of COVID-19 and determinants among Spanish university students. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1252849. [PMID: 37920580 PMCID: PMC10619672 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1252849] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background University students are a vulnerable population and faced a significant psychological impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of fear of COVID-19 among university students and to evaluate the possible relationship between fear of COVID-19 and socio-demographic, health-related determinants, variables related to the COVID-19 and variables related to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between December 2020 and December 2021 on a sample of 950 university students from two universities in southern Spain. Participants completed a form that collected socio-demographic, health-related and COVID-related variables, a validated questionnaire related to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear of COVID Scale (FCV-19S). Descriptive, inferential, and multivariable linear regression analyzes were conducted. Results The mean FCV-19S score was 14.86 ± 5.16 points. The factors identified as predictors of FCV-19S were being female (p < 0.001), holding religious beliefs (p = 0.04), living in towns with over 10,000 inhabitants (p < 0.01), living with someone vulnerable to COVID-19 (p = 0.02), watching TV to keep informed about COVID-19 (p < 0.01), believing in a low probability of surviving if infected with COVID-19 (p < 0.001), having a higher level of death anxiety (p < 0.001) and suffering from insomnia (p < 0.001). Conclusion An average fear of COVID-19 score of 14.86 ± 5.16 points has been found among university students in Spain. These findings can aid in identifying specific factors contributing to fear of COVID-19 and in developing coping strategies to alleviate the stress of the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Cebrino
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Silvia Portero de la Cruz
- Department of Nursing, Pharmacology and Physiotherapy, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Research Group GE10 Clinical and Epidemiological Research in Primary Care, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Silva RR, Santos DAT, Costa BA, Farias Júnior NC, Braz AG, Costa GDCT, Andrade MS, Vancini RL, Weiss K, Knechtle B, de Lira CAB. Prevalence of fear of COVID-19, depression, and anxiety among undergraduate students during remote classes. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2023; 35:303-313. [PMID: 36632016 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.4] [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: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, undergraduate students were exposed to symptoms of psychological suffering during remote classes. Therefore, it is important to investigate the factors that may be generated and be related to such outcomes. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, and related factors in undergraduate students during remote classes. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 218 undergraduate students (60.6% women and 39.4% men). Students answered a self-administered online questionnaire designed to gather personal information, pandemic exposure, physical activity level, fear of COVID-19 using the 'Fear of COVID-19 Scale', symptoms of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and anxiety using General Anxiety Disorder-7. RESULTS Undergraduate students had a high prevalence of depression and anxiety (83.0% and 76.1%, respectively) but a low prevalence of fear of COVID-19 (28.9%) during remote classes. Multivariate analysis revealed that women who reported health status as neither good nor bad and who had lost a family member from COVID-19 had the highest levels of fear. For depression and anxiety, the main related factors found were female gender, bad health status, insufficiently active, and complete adherence to the restriction measures. CONCLUSION These findings may be used to develop actions to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression among students, with interventions through physical activity programmes to improve mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rizia Rocha Silva
- Faculty of Physical Education and Dance, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rodrigo Luiz Vancini
- Physical Education and Sports Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Katja Weiss
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Knechtle
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ching SM, Cheong AT, Yee A, Thurasamy R, Lim PY, Ismail IZ, Mohammad NM, Ho BK, Ng JY, Tan SF, Zainol Rashid ZZ, Jogulu SR, Lee KW, Taher SW. Level of fear towards COVID-19 and its determinants among healthcare providers in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study. MALAYSIAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS OF MALAYSIA 2023; 18:56. [PMID: 37814673 PMCID: PMC10560469 DOI: 10.51866/oa.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Malaysia is one of the hardest-hit countries by COVID-19 in Asia. The rapidly rising number of cases had sparked fear among healthcare providers. This study aimed to assess the determinants of fear towards COVID-19 among healthcare providers in primary care settings. Method This online-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1280 healthcare providers aged ≥18 years from 30 primary care clinics in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale was used to assess the level of fear, and the results were analysed using multiple linear regression. Results The mean age of the respondents was 36 years, and the mean working experience was 11 years. The majority of the respondents were women (82.4%) and Malays (82.3%). The factors that were significantly correlated with higher levels of fear were underlying chronic disease (ß=1.12, P=0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.08, 3.15), concern about mortality from COVID-19 (ß=3.3, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.19, 7.22), higher risk of exposure (ß=0.8, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.14, 5.91), concern for self at work (ß=2.8, P=0.002, 95% CI=0.08, 3.10) and work as a nurse (ß=3.6, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.30, 7.52), medical laboratory worker (ß=3.0, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.12, 4.27) and healthcare assistant (ß=3.9, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.17, 5.73). The level of fear was inversely correlated with a higher work-related stress management score (ß=-0.9, P<0.001, 95% CI=-0.14, -5.07) and a higher sleep quality score (ß=-1.8, P<0.001, 95% CI=-0.28, -10.41). Conclusion Family physicians should be vigilant and identify healthcare providers at risk of developing COVID-19-related fear to initiate early mental health intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siew Mooi Ching
- MD (Unimas), MMed (Family Medicine), PhD, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Ai Theng Cheong
- MBBS (UM), MFamMed (UMl), PhD (UM), Department of Family Medicine Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Anne Yee
- MB Bch BAO (Ireland), MPM (Malaya), PhD (Malaya), Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ramayah Thurasamy
- MBA (USM), School of Management, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
- Department of Management, Sunway University Business School (SUBS)
- Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Indonesia (UI)
- University Center for Research & Development (UCRD), Chandigarh University (CU), India
- Department of Information Technology & Management, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh (DIU)
- Faculty Of Business, Economics and Social Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
- Azman Hashim International Business School, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Poh Ying Lim
- Bioinformatics (UKM), Master of Sciences (Statistics) (USM), PhD (Biostatistics) (University of Nottingham), Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Irmi Zarina Ismail
- MD (USM), MMed (Family Medicine) (UM), Department of Family Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nik Mazlina Mohammad
- MBBS (UM), MMed (Family Medicine)(UKM), Klinik Kesihatan Kelana Jaya, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Bee Kiau Ho
- MBBS (UM), MMed (Family Medicine)(UM), Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Botanic, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Klang, Malaysia
| | - Jun Ying Ng
- MBBS (UM), Department of Family Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siow Foon Tan
- MBBS (UM),MEDFAM (UM), Klinik Kesihatan Pelabuhan Klang, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Klang, Malaysia
| | - Zienna Zufida Zainol Rashid
- MBBCh BAO (Queen's University of Belfast, UK), MMed (Family Medicine) (UM), Klinik Kesihatan Pandamaran, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Klang, Malaysia
| | - Sathya Rao Jogulu
- MBBS (IMU), MMed (Family Medicine)(UKM), Klinik Kesihatan Ampang, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Hulu Langat, Malaysia
| | - Kai Wei Lee
- BAgriSci (UMS), MSc (UPM), PhD (UPM). Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul, Rahman, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sri Wahyu Taher
- BSC. MED. SC.(UK), MBCHB(GLASG), MMed (Family Medicine)(UKM), Klinik Kesihatan Simpang Kuala, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Alor, Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hostiuc S, Drima E. Dignity as a Central Issue in Treating Patients with Dementia Associated with COVID-19 Infection. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1588. [PMID: 37763707 PMCID: PMC10537082 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59091588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 was initially considered a primary respiratory disorder associated with various short- and long-term complications, affecting many patients and imposing a significant burden. Patients who have dementia are especially vulnerable to the SARS-CoV2 infection, which is associated with an increased risk for neuropsychiatric complications. These patients need a unique approach to managing ethical issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including autonomy, veracity, non-maleficence, justice, compassion, and dignity. The latter is one of the most elusive and misunderstood concepts in medical ethics and is extremely important in debates surrounding the proper management of patients with dementia. However, it is often left out of ethical analysis, as most clinicians, when debating issues associated with clinical practice, often evaluate only the "classical" principles of biomedical ethics. In this article, we aim to assess the unique features of dignity in treating this group of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will briefly analyze dignity as a bioethical concept. We will further explore its principal axes, namely compassion, creating a humane and purposeful environment, employing persuasion to meet the person's essential needs, exerting a certain degree of mild restraint to meet the person's critical needs, minimizing harm in terminal care, and justice, through the lens of people who had dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applying this principle in clinical practice requires significant commitment from all healthcare workers. New approaches to the analysis of dignity, such as through the Ring Theory of Personhood, may facilitate its understanding by practitioners and aid its implementation in populations with multiple vulnerabilities, such as dementia patients, during an infectious outbreak that generates significant social and medical changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sorin Hostiuc
- Department of Legal Medicine and Bioethics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Eduard Drima
- Medical Clinical Department, Dunărea de Jos University, 800201 Galați, Romania;
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Rice KG, Arana F, Wetstone H, Aiello M, Durán B. Predicting and Moderating COVID-Fear and Stress among College Students in Argentina and the USA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6510. [PMID: 37569050 PMCID: PMC10418435 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected mental health worldwide and college students were particularly vulnerable to its adverse effects. This longitudinal study was designed to highlight and compare the COVID experiences of college students in Argentina and the USA (N = 361). Specifically, we examined individual factors (gender, emotional regulation, and social support) assessed prior to the pandemic for their role as predictors or moderators of COVID-fear and psychological stress during the first months of the pandemic. The results supported measurement invariance for brief measures of COVID-fear and indicated that, overall, COVID-fear was highest during the second wave of the study (March-April 2020), lowest during the third wave (June 2020), and then rose again during the fourth wave (September 2020). Several interaction effects emerged, revealing important country-level differences in COVID-fear effects for the emotion regulation and social support factors. More so in the Argentina sample than in the USA sample, higher levels of social support at Time 1 were associated with increases in the effect of COVID-fear on stress among students. We discussed the implications of these and other findings for future cross-cultural pandemic-related stress studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth G. Rice
- Ken Matheny Center for the Study of Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA; (H.W.); (M.A.); (B.D.)
| | - Fernán Arana
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1052, Argentina;
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Psicología, Buenos Aires C1033, Argentina
| | - Hannah Wetstone
- Ken Matheny Center for the Study of Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA; (H.W.); (M.A.); (B.D.)
| | - Michelle Aiello
- Ken Matheny Center for the Study of Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA; (H.W.); (M.A.); (B.D.)
| | - Barbara Durán
- Ken Matheny Center for the Study of Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA; (H.W.); (M.A.); (B.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Koh LY, Ng C, Wang X, Yuen KF. Social media engagement in the maritime industry during the pandemic. TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE 2023; 192:122553. [PMID: 37038470 PMCID: PMC10077063 DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The maritime sectors are suffering severe disruptions as a result of COVID-19. Maritime companies have turned to social media to interact with partners and clear up confusion. However, not every social media post receives the same engagement levels especially during a pandemic. For a more holistic analysis of social media engagement during a pandemic, the Protection Motivation Theory and classical theories such as user gratification and media richness theories were included. The research uses hierarchical regression analysis on information gathered from Facebook posts about COVID-19 made by eighteen different companies from four distinct maritime sectors. It was found that the rate of stakeholder engagement is highly influenced by informational, relational, and entertaining content as well as content that fosters self-efficacy, severity, and vulnerability. Additionally, the stakeholder engagement rate is greatly influenced by posts with greater vividness and fluency, which are characterized by providing external links. This is the first study to look into why stakeholders interact with posts linked to COVID-19 on social media. The findings will help maritime organisations use social media as a management and communication instrument.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Le Yi Koh
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Chloe Ng
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Xueqin Wang
- Department of International Logistics, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kum Fai Yuen
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Politi E, Van Assche J, Lüders A, Sankaran S, Anderson J, Green EG. Does threat trigger prosociality? The relation between basic individual values, threat appraisals, and prosocial helping intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37359649 PMCID: PMC10262135 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04829-1] [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] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Prosociality is often considered as quintessential in coping with the threats of health emergencies. As previous research has suggested, prosocial behaviors are shaped by both dispositional factors and situational cues about the helping situation. In the present research, we investigated whether "bonding" types of prosociality, helping directed towards close others within one's social network, and "bridging" types of prosociality, helping directed towards vulnerable people across group boundaries, are predicted by basic individual values and threat appraisals concerning COVID-19. During the pandemic, we conducted a cross-sectional study in the US and India (Ntotal = 954), using the Schwartz value inventory and a multifaceted measure of threat assessment to predict prosocial helping intentions. After controlling for other value and threat facets, self-transcendence values and threat for vulnerable groups uniquely predicted both bonding and bridging types of prosociality. Furthermore, threat for vulnerable groups partially mediated the effect of self-transcendence on prosocial helping intentions: People who endorsed self-transcendent values were particularly concerned by the effect of the pandemic on vulnerable groups, and thus willing to engage in prosocial behaviours to help those in need. Our findings support the idea that prosociality is stimulated by empathic concerns towards others in need and underline the importance for future research to consider the broad spectrum of threats appraised by people during health emergencies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-023-04829-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Politi
- Center for Social and Cultural Psychology, Faculty of Psychology & Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 B, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Social Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jasper Van Assche
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Social and Cultural Psychology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Adrian Lüders
- Department of Communication Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sindhuja Sankaran
- Center for Social Cognitive Studies, Jagiellonian University Krakow, Kraków, Poland
- Psychology institute, Sai University, Channai, India
| | - Joel Anderson
- School of Behavioral and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Eva G.T. Green
- Laboratory of Social Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kukafka R, Millery M, Pan S, Silverman TB, Zhang T, McGuinness JE, Crew KD, Aguirre AN. Cognitive and emotional factors related to COVID-19 among high-risk ethnically diverse adults at the onset of the New York City outbreak: A cross-sectional survey. HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 10:245. [PMID: 37220604 PMCID: PMC10189716 DOI: 10.1057/s41599-023-01679-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among high-risk, racially/ethnically diverse adults at the point in time when New York City (NYC) became the COVID-19 pandemic's global epicenter. The study objective was to assess the threat and coping appraisals (cognitive factors known to correspond with people's willingness to adopt behaviorally focused interventions) and levels of distress, anxiety, and intolerance for uncertainty (emotional factors). Survey respondents were recruited in April 2020 using an online survey with unpaid recruitment on the GetHealthyHeights.org community-oriented website. We also recruited participants that engaged in previous research studies to gain survey responses from community members at higher risk for COVID-19 complications due to comorbidities compared to the general population. Analysis was performed to test for differences in survey responses by comorbidities, age, race, ethnicity, and employment status. Results show that the devastating effects of the pandemic appear to have uniquely impacted minority respondents, who reported significantly higher levels of anxiety and were significantly more likely to report having little control over whether they will get COVID-19 compared with White/non-Hispanic respondents. Minority respondents also had significantly higher mean scores on the behaviorally focused dimension of the intolerance of uncertainty (IU) scale, which measures avoidance and paralysis in the face of uncertainty. In multivariate analysis, IU predicted anxiety levels, and this association was not mediated by cognitive factors (threat and coping appraisals). By conducting this survey early in the pandemic, our study uniquely evaluated cognitive and emotional factors among a racially/ethnically diverse group of NYC residents during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings suggest the need to acknowledge the disparities that appear to exist in pandemic response and for culturally tailored messaging and interventions. Few studies have reported differences by race and ethnicity during pandemic exposure. Therefore, further research on factors that may influence pandemic response among minority populations is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Kukafka
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Mari Millery
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Samuel Pan
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Thomas B. Silverman
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Tianmai Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Julia E. McGuinness
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Katherine D. Crew
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Alejandra N. Aguirre
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Bharti T, Mishra N, Ojha SC. Mindfulness and Subjective Well-Being of Indian University Students: Role of Resilience during COVID-19 Pandemic. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:bs13050353. [PMID: 37232590 DOI: 10.3390/bs13050353] [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: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is presently a global health issue that negatively affects the mental health and well-being of students globally. The latest investigations have recognized the role of mindfulness in individual subjective well-being. This study explores the mediating role of resilience in the overall relationship between mindfulness and subjective well-being among Indian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data was collected between 10 August 2020 to 24 October 2020 via a self-administered questionnaire from 589 university students in India. Results revealed that resilience has a partial mediating role between mindfulness and subjective well-being. The results substantiate that resilience has an important role in mindfulness, exercising its advantageous effects on mental health of the students in higher education institutions. This research adds to the knowledge base of mindfulness and subjective well-being of university students, especially in contingent times. Lastly, the study contributes to the existing mindfulness theory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teena Bharti
- Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya, Bihar 823234, India
| | - Nidhi Mishra
- Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya, Bihar 823234, India
| | - Satish Chandra Ojha
- School of Entrepreneurship and Management (formerly STEP-HBTI), Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur 208002, India
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mendes R, Baccon WC, Laranjeira C. Fear of COVID-19, Mental Health and Resilient Coping in Young Adult Male Inmates: A Portuguese Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20085510. [PMID: 37107792 PMCID: PMC10138818 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Inmates are highly exposed to mental and physical disorders. Therefore, periodic screening of their mental health and other health risks is required. This study aims to investigate the perceived fear of COVID-19 and the psychological impact of the pandemic in a sample of young adult male inmates. An institutional-based quantitative cross-sectional study design was performed. Data collection took place from July to September 2022 at a juvenile prison in the central region of Portugal. Data were collected using questionnaires on demographic and health characteristics; fear of COVID-19; depression, anxiety and stress levels; and resilient coping. The sample included 60 male inmates imprisoned for over 2 years. Stress was the most common symptom among inmates (75%), followed by anxiety (38.3%) and depression (36.7%). The mean score on the Fear of COVID-19 Scale was 17.38 ± 4.80, indicating relatively low fear levels. Low resilient scores were found in 38 participants (63.3%). Participants reported moderately high ranges of 3.62 ± 0.87 regarding mental health perception, 3.73 ± 0.95 for physical health perception, and 3.27 ± 0.82 for global health concerning the previous month. The Pearson correlation matrix indicated significant and moderate to strong correlations between fear of COVID-19 and mental health-related variables (p < 0.001). The predicting factors of fear of COVID-19 were identified by deploying a multiple linear regression model. We found four predictors: age, perception of mental health, and overall levels of anxiety and stress (R2 = 0.497). Fear of a given scenario or factor may shift with time. Therefore, long-term research is needed to evaluate whether fear of COVID-19 is adaptive or long-reactive in victims. Our study can assist policymakers, mental health and public health experts, and others in recognizing and managing pandemic-related fears and mental health symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rute Mendes
- Estabelecimento Prisional de Leiria, Avenida da Comunidade Europeia, No 1-Apartado 460, 2410-755 Leiria, Portugal
- School of Health Sciences of Polytechnic, University of Leiria, Campus 2, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
| | - Wanessa Cristina Baccon
- Postgraduate Nursing Program, State University of Maringá, Av. Colombo, 5790-Zona 7, Maringá 87020-900, PR, Brazil
| | - Carlos Laranjeira
- School of Health Sciences of Polytechnic, University of Leiria, Campus 2, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
- Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Rua de Santo André—66–68, Campus 5, Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Évora, 7000-801 Évora, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Chen SW, Rice S, Storey K, Keglovits M, Devine M, Yan Y, Stark S. COVID-19: Factors Predicting Depressive Symptoms in People Aging With Long-Term Physical Disabilities. OTJR-OCCUPATION PARTICIPATION AND HEALTH 2023; 43:194-201. [PMID: 35786098 PMCID: PMC10076235 DOI: 10.1177/15394492221107557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may be greater than that of the viral infection. This impact is likely greater for disadvantaged groups such as people with long-term physical disabilities (PwLTPD). This cross-sectional study used a multiple linear regression model to examine factors associated with depressive symptoms and to understand their relative importance during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The model explained 58% of the variance in depressive symptoms. Anxiety was the most important predictor, accounting for 8% of variance. Higher levels of anxiety, loneliness, and financial stress; prior diagnosis of depression; and non-Black race predicted a higher level of depressive symptoms in PwLTPD during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Occupational therapy practitioners should strategically acknowledge predictors of depression that cannot be modified and actively address those that can be modified through evidence-based interventions to improve depressive symptoms in PwLTPD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan Rice
- Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | | | - Yan Yan
- Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Morgado-Toscano C, Gómez-Salgado J, Fagundo-Rivera J, Navarro-Abal Y, Rodríguez-Jiménez L, Climent-Rodríguez JA, Allande-Cussó R. Anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in the UK general population: A cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e33045. [PMID: 36897683 PMCID: PMC9997195 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000033045] [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: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
There is still a generalized feeling of uncertainty in the population due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as restrictions on daily routines and social contact, accompanied by a large number of infections, negatively affect different areas of people's lives and, therefore, their mental health. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in the general UK population, using the Anxiety and Fear to COVID-19 Assessment Scale (Ansiedad y Miedo al COVID-19) (AMICO) scale. A descriptive, cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire was conducted in a sample of the UK general population in 2021. Socio-demographic and employment variables were included. The AMICO scale was included to measure fear and anxiety about COVID-19. The relationship between variables was studied with a categorical regression analysis. In general, participants regarded themselves as well-informed about the pandemic, although 62.6% had only received 1 dose of the vaccine. Regarding the AMICO scale the total score was 4.85 (out of 10; standard deviation 2.398). Women showed higher scores for the AMICO than men. The bivariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in relation to self-confidence, amount of information received, and vaccination variables as related to the mean AMICO scores. An average level of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 is shown in the general UK population, which is lower than most of the studies that assessed the impact of the pandemic on the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Morgado-Toscano
- Health Sciences Doctorate School, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Juan Gómez-Salgado
- Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Holst J, van de Pas R. The biomedical securitization of global health. Global Health 2023; 19:15. [PMID: 36871029 PMCID: PMC9985490 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-023-00915-y] [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: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted the course in the global health debate further towards health security and biomedical issues. Even though global health had already played a growing role in the international policy agenda, the pandemic strongly reinforced the interest of the media, the general public and the community in cross-border infectious diseases. This led to a strengthening of the already dominant biomedical understanding of global health and the securitization of health in foreign policy. METHODS This paper critically provides a narrative, iterative review of the health security literature available to date, with a special focus on the development of the currently prevailing concept of health security and the dual trend towards the securitization and biomedicalization of global health. FINDINGS In a world increasingly determined by power asymmetries, unequal distribution of opportunities and resources, and inadequate governance structures, securitizing health has become a key feature of global governance. Health security is predominantly based on a concept that neglects the global burden of disease determined by non-communicable conditions rather than by infectious diseases. Moreover, it exhibits a trend towards biomedical solutions and neglects root causes of global health crises. CONCLUSIONS As important as health security is, the underlying concept driven by biomedical and technocratic reductionism falls short. It widely neglects the social, economic, political, commercial and environmental determination of health. Beyond improved health care and prevention, health-in-all policies are ultimately required for ensuring health security and reducing one of its main challenges, health inequalities within and between countries. Global health security must first and foremost seek to guarantee the universal right to health and therefore emphasise the social, economic, commercial and political determination of health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Holst
- Department of Health Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Leipziger Strasse 123, 36037, Fulda, Germany.
| | - Remco van de Pas
- Department of Public Health, Lecturer Global Health Policy, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Nationalestraat 155, B-2000, Antwerp, Belgium.,Centre for Planetary Health Policy, German Alliance Climate Change and Health, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Pankowski D, Wytrychiewicz-Pankowska K. Turning to Religion During COVID-19 (Part II): A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Meta-regression of Studies on the Relationship between Religious Coping and Mental Health throughout COVID-19. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2023; 62:544-584. [PMID: 36595190 PMCID: PMC9808764 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-022-01720-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the many associated socio-economic changes constitute a stressful event that required adaptation to new, dynamic, and often threatening conditions. According to the literature, coping strategies are one of the factors that determine a person's degree of adaptation to stressful situations. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on the relationship between religious coping and selected indicators of mental health. Due to the large amount of data, this work has been divided into two parts: Part I discussed the positive mental health indicators (Pankowski & Wytrychiewicz-Pankowska, 2023), while this Part II discusses negative mental health indicators. A systematic review of the databases of Science Direct, EBSCO, Cochrane, PubMed, and Google Scholar identified 33 articles related to the severity of depressive symptoms: 30 to anxiety, 23 to stress, 1 related to PTSD symptoms and peritraumatic stress, and 5 related to general negative mental health. The limitations of the research as well as further directions for exploration are discussed.Clinical trial registration This Review was pre-registered at OSF: osf.io/54ygr ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GMNFV ).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pankowski
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183 Warsaw, Poland
- University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Prevalence and influencing factors of self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Arab region: a multinational cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:180. [PMID: 36707840 PMCID: PMC9880368 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15025-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has begun with a wave of misinformation and fear of infection. This may have led people to self-medicate inappropriately. The World Health Organization describes self-medication (SM) as utilizing medicines to relieve symptoms or health conditions without consulting a physician. Inappropriate drug use is a burden on both health resources and patient health in the Arab region. This study aimed to detect the prevalence and influencing factors of self-medication among the general Arab population during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A multinational cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of ten Arab countries from early August to late October 2021. Participants aged 18 years or older could join the study via social media platforms. A convenience sampling technique was used. A developed and validated web-based questionnaire was used to collect data on self-medication practice, associated influencing factors, information sources, commonly used medications, and commonly treated conditions. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate regression analyses were applied using IBM SPSS v 26 and R v 4.0.0 software. RESULTS A total of 8163 participants completed the questionnaire, and 518 participants were excluded from the analysis due to inconsistencies in their data. Almost two-thirds (62.7%) of participants reported practicing self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the country level, Egypt had the highest prevalence of self-medication practice (72.1%), while Palestine had the lowest prevalence (40.4%). The most commonly used drugs were analgesics, antipyretics, and vitamins (86, 65.1, and 57.1%, respectively), while antitussives and antibiotics scored 47.6 and 43.3%, respectively. Experience with similar health conditions (74.6%) and urgency of the problem (47.2%) were the most frequent factors that led to self-medication. Additionally, 38.2% of the self-medicated participants (SMPs) used drugs as prophylaxis against COVID-19. Pharmacist consultation was the most common source of information about self-medication (66.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that predictors of self-medication were older age (p = 0.008), presence of chronic illness (p = 0.015), and having monthly income or medical insurance that does not cover the treatment cost (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION Self-medication is considered a common practice across the Arab population. It is necessary to regulate policies and raise awareness among the public about self-medication.
Collapse
|
30
|
Sommovigo V, Bernuzzi C, Finstad GL, Setti I, Gabanelli P, Giorgi G, Fiabane E. How and When May Technostress Impact Workers' Psycho-Physical Health and Work-Family Interface? A Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1266. [PMID: 36674020 PMCID: PMC9859582 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021266] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although a growing body of research has analyzed the determinants and effects of technostress, it is still unclear how and when technostress would impact workers' psycho-physical health and work-family interface during the pandemic. To fill this gap, this study tests the mediating mechanisms and the boundary conditions associated with the impact of technostress on workers' psycho-physical well-being and work-family conflict. A total of 266 Italian workers completed online questionnaires measuring (traditional vs. remote) working modalities, technostress, fear of COVID-19, working excessively, psycho-physical distress, work-family conflict, loss of a loved one due to COVID-19, and resilience. Structural equation models were performed. Results indicated that technostress was positively related to psycho-physical distress and work-family conflict, as mediated by fear of COVID-19 and working excessively, respectively. The loss of a loved one exacerbated the effects of fear of COVID-19 on psycho-physical health, while resilience buffered the effects of working excessively on work-family conflict. Since numerous organizations intend to maintain remote working also after the COVID-19 emergency, it is crucial to study this phenomenon during its peaks of adoption, to prevent its potential negative outcomes. The implications of these findings for theory and practice are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Sommovigo
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Bernuzzi
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Unit of Applied Psychology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Setti
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Unit of Applied Psychology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Paola Gabanelli
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Psychology Unit of Pavia Institute, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Giorgi
- Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Fiabane
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Genova Nervi Institute, 16167 Genova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Peng S, Chen J, Xu L. COVID-19 vaccination intention: The combined role of pathogen disgust and trust in government. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1024614. [PMID: 36687910 PMCID: PMC9846159 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1024614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the joint effect of pathogen disgust and trust in government on COVID-19 vaccination intention and to examine the mediating role of COVID-19 worry. The data was collected from July to September 2021 in mainland China by using Questionnaire Star, 2,244 valid cases were obtained among a total of 2,251 participants investigated, with an effective rate of 89.37%. The results indicated the following: (1) Individuals' COVID-19 vaccination intention was significantly higher when "congruence was high" than when "congruence was low", given comparable levels of pathogen disgust and trust in government. (2) There were no significant differences in individual COVID-19 vaccination intention with incongruence levels of pathogen disgust and trust in government. (3) The combination of pathogen disgust and trust in government can influence COVID-19 vaccination intention through COVID-19 worry. Findings illustrate that individuals with high trust in government and pathogen disgust have higher intentions. Trust in government and pathogen disgust positively predicted COVID-19 worry and reinforced individuals' intention to COVID-19 vaccination. The results have important implications for the future prevention and control of the new coronavirus, as well as providing a new perspective on COVID-19 vaccination intentions.
Collapse
|
32
|
Arvin M, Bazrafkan S, Beiki P, Sharifi A. A county-level analysis of association between social vulnerability and COVID-19 cases in Khuzestan Province, Iran. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION : IJDRR 2023; 84:103495. [PMID: 36532873 PMCID: PMC9747688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Social vulnerability is related to the differential abilities of socio-economic groups to withstand and respond to the adverse impacts of hazards and stressors. COVID-19, as a human risk, is influenced by and contributes to social vulnerability. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between social vulnerability and the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in the counties of Khuzestan province, Iran. To determine the social vulnerability of the counties in the Khuzestan province, decision-making techniques and geographic information systems were employed. Also, the Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationship between the two variables. The findings indicate that Ahvaz county and the province's northeastern counties have the highest levels of social vulnerability. There was no significant link between the social vulnerability index of the counties and the rate of COVID-19 cases (per 1000 persons). We argue that all counties in the province should implement and pursue COVID-19 control programs and policies. This is particularly essential for counties with greater rates of social vulnerability and COVID-19 cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Arvin
- Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahram Bazrafkan
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Beiki
- Department of Geography, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ayyoob Sharifi
- Hiroshima University, ،The IDEC Institute, the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Science, and the Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Japan
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Hong SJ, Cho H. The role of uncertainty and affect in decision-making on the adoption of AI-based contact-tracing technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231169836. [PMID: 37113258 PMCID: PMC10126652 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231169836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study explores how negative affect, perceived net equity, and uncertainty influence the public's privacy decision-making regarding the adoption of contact-tracing technology based on artificial intelligence (AI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Four hundred and eighteen adults in the US participated in the study via Amazon Mechanical Turk in August 2020. Statistical analyses were performed using the PROCESS macro. Indirect effects and their significance were estimated using bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals (CIs) with resampling set to n = 5000. Results Perceived net equity was positively associated with low levels of perceived uncertainty regarding a COVID-19 contact-tracing application and intention to adopt it. Low levels of perceived uncertainty were positively associated with intentions to adopt such an application, thereby suggesting that a perceived level of uncertainty mediates the association between perceived net equity and adoption intentions. Anxieties regarding AI technology and COVID-19 risks both moderate the associations among perceived net equity, perceived level of uncertainty, and intentions to adopt the contact-tracing technology. Conclusions Our findings highlight how the differing sources of emotion influence the associations among rational judgment, perceptions, and decision-making about new contact-tracing technology. Overall, the results suggest that both rational judgments and affective reactions to risks are important influencers of individuals' perceptions and privacy-related decision-making regarding a new health technology during the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soo Jung Hong
- Department of Communications and
New Media, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of
Singapore, Singapore
- Dr Soo Jung Hong, Assistant Professor,
Department of Communications and New Media, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
National University of Singapore, Singapore 117416.
| | - Hichang Cho
- Department of Communications and
New Media, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of
Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Birkás B, Kiss B, Coelho CM, Zsidó AN. The role of self-reported fear and disgust in the activation of behavioral harm avoidance related to medical settings. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1074370. [PMID: 36761866 PMCID: PMC9902716 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1074370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although adaptive defense mechanisms are useful in helping us avoid getting injured, they are also triggered by medical interventions and procedures, when avoidance is harmful. A body of previous results showed that both fear and disgust play a pivotal role in medical avoidance. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine the effects of experience, perceived control, and pain on medical avoidance with disgust and fear as mediating factors from an evolutionary perspective. METHODS We assessed participants' knowledge of and experience with medical procedures, former negative medical experiences, and health-related information; their life history strategy variation; pain-related fear and anxiety of medical procedures; perceived control over emotional reactions and extreme threats; disgust sensitivity; blood-injury-injection phobia and medical treatment avoidance. RESULTS We found that more knowledge, experience, and a slower life strategy were linked to a greater level of perceived control and attenuated emotional reactions. Further, better ability to control affective and stress reactions to negative experiences was linked to reduced disgust and fear of pain, and thus might mitigate the level of perceived threat, and diminish fear and disgust reactions. DISCUSSION More knowledge and experiences, better perceived control together with reduced disgust and fear of pain can decrease the probability of avoiding medical situations. Implications to treatment are discussed. Results support the importance of targeting these contextual factors in prevention to increase the likelihood of people attending regular screenings or seeking medical care when needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Béla Birkás
- Department of Behavioural Sciences, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Botond Kiss
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Carlos M Coelho
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Azores University, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.,Center for Psychology, Porto University, Porto, Portugal
| | - András N Zsidó
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Mental Health Risk Factors Related to COVID-19 among Canadian Public Safety Professionals. PSYCHIATRY INTERNATIONAL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/psychiatryint4010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Public safety personnel (PSP) are known to experience difficult and demanding occupational environments, an environment that has been complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Firefighters, paramedics, and public safety communicators were among the front-line workers that continued to serve the public throughout the course of the pandemic. The present study considered the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-reported symptoms of mental health challenges in Canadian firefighters, paramedics, and public safety communicators. Participants were firefighters (n = 123), paramedics (n = 246), and public safety communicators (n = 48), who completed an online survey, including demographics, questions related to COVID-19 exposure and worry, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Social Interaction Phobia Scale, and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5. Results revealed that risk factors for increased mental health symptom reporting were paramedic occupation, self-identified female, younger in age, COVID-19 personal contact, requirement to self-isolate, and self-perception of COVID-19 contraction (without confirmation through testing). The COVID-19 pandemic should be considered a risk factor for increased mental health symptom reporting in PSP.
Collapse
|
36
|
Segado-Fernández S, Lozano-Estevan MDC, Jiménez-Gómez B, Ruiz-Núñez C, Jiménez Hidalgo PJ, Fernández-Quijano I, González-Rodríguez L, Santillán-García A, Herrera-Peco I. Health Literacy and Critical Lecture as Key Elements to Detect and Reply to Nutrition Misinformation on Social Media: Analysis between Spanish Healthcare Professionals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:23. [PMID: 36612345 PMCID: PMC9819553 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Health misinformation about nutrition and other health aspects on social media is a current public health concern. Healthcare professionals play an essential role in efforts to detect and correct it. The present study focuses on analyzing the use of competencies associated with training in methodology, health literacy, and critical lecture in order to detect sources of health misinformation that use scientific articles to support their false information. A qualitative study was conducted between 15 and 30 January 2022, wherein the participants were recruited from active users from a nutrition conversation on Twitter, diets, and cancer and defined themselves as healthcare professionals. This study demonstrates that health literacy and critical lecture competencies allow for the detection of more misinformation messages and are associated with a high rate of responses to users that spread the misinformation messages. Finally, this study proposes the necessity of developing actions to improve health literacy and critical lecture competencies between healthcare professionals. However, in order to achieve this, health authorities must develop strategies to psychologically support those healthcare professionals faced with bullying as a result of their activity on social media debunking health hoaxes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Segado-Fernández
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Canarias, Calle Inocencio García, 1, La Orotava, 38300 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - María del Carmen Lozano-Estevan
- VALORNUT-UCM (920030) Research Group, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Jiménez-Gómez
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alfonso X el Sabio University, Avenida Universidad, 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Ruiz-Núñez
- Phd Student Program in Biomedicine, Translational Research and New Health Technologies, School of Medicine, University of Malaga Blvr. Louis Pasteur, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Pedro Jesús Jiménez Hidalgo
- Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Ctra. Gral. del Rosario, 145, 38010 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Invención Fernández-Quijano
- Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Avenida Universidad, 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain
| | - Liliana González-Rodríguez
- VALORNUT-UCM (920030) Research Group, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Azucena Santillán-García
- Nursing Department, Valencia International University, C/Pintor Sorolla 21, 46002 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ivan Herrera-Peco
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Avenida Universidad, 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Osei EA, Oti-Boadi E, Agyeman-Yeboah J, Hennor E, Ofosuwaa B, Agyeiwaa J, Elikplem R. Psychosocial experiences of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at a teaching hospital in Ghana. SAGE Open Med 2022; 10:20503121221144859. [PMID: 36561148 PMCID: PMC9768531 DOI: 10.1177/20503121221144859] [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: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The number of people affected with COVID-19 keeps rising globally resulting in increasing fear and anxiety among patients and their families. However, literature on the psychosocial experiences of these patients with COVID-19 in Africa is limited. Hence, this research explored the psychosocial experiences of patients infected with COVID-19 and undergoing treatment. Methods The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. The sampling technique chosen for this study was purposive with a sample size of 34 determined by data saturation. Participants were selected from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana, and were interviewed face-face using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Results Two main themes and seven sub-themes were generated from this study. The two themes included emotional burden of COVID-19 patients and effects of COVID-19 on patients and relatives. Sub-themes formulated under the emotional burden were reactions to COVID-19 diagnosis, suicidal thoughts, and sadness by fear of the unknown. Social restriction/isolation, stigmatization and disclosure, effect of COVID-19, and positive attitudes of staff emerged under the effect of COVID-19 on patients and relatives. Conclusion Even though the recovery rate of COVID-19 has improved since the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine, there is generally a global surge with respect to the incidence of the condition and an increasing number of patients on admission. Most interventions are targeted at the prevention of the disease than the effect of the psychosocial experience on the quality of life of the individuals affected which is equally essential. It is therefore recommended that current studies focus on improving the quality of life of those affected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evans Appiah Osei
- Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Valley View University, Oyibi, Ghana,Evans Appiah Osei, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Valley View University, Box DT 595, Oyibi 00233, Ghana.
| | - Ezekiel Oti-Boadi
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Valley View University, Oyibi, Ghana
| | | | - Emilia Hennor
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Valley View University, Oyibi, Ghana
| | - Bertha Ofosuwaa
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Valley View University, Oyibi, Ghana
| | - Joyce Agyeiwaa
- Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Davis JP, Prindle J, Saba SK, Tran DD, Lee DS, Sedano A, Castro CA, Pedersen ER. Changes in perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among American veterans. Stress Health 2022; 38:1014-1028. [PMID: 35460535 PMCID: PMC9111081 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
American veterans are a population that suffer from both context specific stressors as well as many population-specific major-life events. The present exploratory study utilises a longitudinal cohort of 1230 U.S. veterans surveyed from February 2020 through February 2021. We sought to understand heterogeneity in perceived stress, using growth mixture modelling, over this time period, how COVID-specific factors such as negative reactions to the pandemic, loneliness, and employment disruptions influence perceived stress trajectories, and how veterans vary across distal outcomes including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain, depression, sleep problems, physical health, and alcohol use disorder. Results revealed a 4-class solution: Stable High, Stable Low, Steady Increasing, and Steady Decreasing classes. In terms of COVID specific factors, negative reactions to COVID were consistently associated with perceived stress for those in the Stable High and Steady Increasing classes whereas loneliness was associated with stress trajectories for all emergent classes. Finally, in terms of our distal outcomes, results showed a relatively robust pattern with veterans in the Stable High or Steady Increasing classes reporting worse scores across all outcomes including PTSD, pain, sleep problems, physical health, depression, and alcohol use disorder. Understanding the interplay between existing vulnerabilities, ongoing stressors, and behavioural health outcomes among veterans is crucial for prevention and intervention efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan P. Davis
- Suzanne Dworak‐Peck School of Social WorkUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - John Prindle
- Suzanne Dworak‐Peck School of Social WorkUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Shaddy K. Saba
- Suzanne Dworak‐Peck School of Social WorkUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Denise D. Tran
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesUniversity of Southern CaliforniaKeck School of MedicineLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Daniel S. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesUniversity of Southern CaliforniaKeck School of MedicineLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Angeles Sedano
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesUniversity of Southern CaliforniaKeck School of MedicineLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Carl A. Castro
- Suzanne Dworak‐Peck School of Social WorkUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Eric R. Pedersen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesUniversity of Southern CaliforniaKeck School of MedicineLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
A cross-sectional survey of self-medication with Traditional Chinese Medicine for treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Complement Ther Med 2022; 71:102898. [PMID: 36372316 PMCID: PMC9650265 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate user behavioural profiles and the prevalence of self-medication with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for COVID-19 among the general public in China. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Self-administered online survey was carried out between January and June 2021 in China. RESULTS A total of 1132 complete responses were received from a nationwide sample. A considerable proportion viewed TCM to be more effective than Western medicine for treating COVID-19 (67.1 %) and stated that it is safer to use TCM (63.5 %) and easier to access TCM for treating COVID-19 (63.5 %). A total of 16.4 % (95 %CI 14.3-18.7) reported ever self-medicating with TCM to resolve COVID-19 symptoms and 12.2 % (95 % CI 10.3-14.2) ever using TCM to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lianhua Qingwen capsule/granule (53.2 %), Ganmao granule (50.5 %) and Banlangen granule (44.6 %) were most commonly used to resolve COVID-19 symptoms whereas Banlangen granule (60.1 %) was commonly used for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Older age participants, from rural areas, with chronic diseases, higher socioeconomic status, and a positive attitude towards TCM were more likely to self-medicate using TCM to resolve COVID-19 symptoms. CONCLUSION Self-medication with TCM during the COVID-19 pandemic for symptom control or prevention is prevalent. The findings of the user behavioural profile and types of TMCs commonly used in this study provide beneficial information for the development of strategies to improve public health-seeking behaviour and the performance of the country's healthcare system in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
|
40
|
Sallam M, Eid H, Awamleh N, Al-Tammemi AB, Barakat M, Athamneh RY, Hallit S, Harapan H, Mahafzah A. Conspiratorial Attitude of the General Public in Jordan towards Emerging Virus Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study Amid the 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7120411. [PMID: 36548666 PMCID: PMC9787389 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7120411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Conspiracy theories accompany the emergence of infectious diseases and the 2022 multi-country monkeypox (MPX) outbreak is no exception. It is possible that the adoption of conspiracy beliefs negatively impacts health behavior. We aimed to assess the prevalence of conspiratorial attitudes towards emerging virus infections (EVIs) and the response measures aiming to control these infections among the general public in Jordan. In addition, we assessed MPX knowledge and the belief in the role of men who have sex with men (MSM) in virus spread. The online survey data were collected during 24 May 2022-28 June 2022. The survey instrument was based on previously published scales designed to measure MPX knowledge and EVI conspiracies. A total of 611 respondents formed the final study sample, with a mean age of 44 years and a majority of females (n = 433, 70.9%). On a scale ranging from -10 to +10, the median MPX knowledge score in the study sample was +3 (interquartile range: +1 to +5). Educational level was a determinant of MPX knowledge in multivariate analysis. More than 50% of the participants agreed at least to some extent with 9 out of 12 of the EVI conspiracy items. Multivariate analysis showed that embracing conspiracy beliefs about EVIs was associated with being female, and agreeing with or having no opinion regarding the role of MSM in MPX spread. The current study revealed the high prevalence of belief in conspiracies surrounding EVIs, and its accompanying intervention measures, among the general public in Jordan. In addition, a lower level of MPX knowledge was observed compared to previous studies among university students and health professionals in the country. We recommend evaluating the impact of the widely prevalent conspiracy beliefs on health aspects in future studies. This aim is particularly relevant in the Middle Eastern countries where embracing specific conspiracy ideas is a common occurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malik Sallam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184 Malmö, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +962-79-1845186
| | - Huda Eid
- Department of Dentistry, Queen Alia Military Hospital, Amman 11731, Jordan
| | - Nour Awamleh
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Ala’a B. Al-Tammemi
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
- Migration Health Division, International Organization for Migration (IOM), The UN Migration Agency, Amman 11953, Jordan
| | - Muna Barakat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
| | - Rabaa Y. Athamneh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Zarqa University, Zarqa 13132, Jordan
| | - Souheil Hallit
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib P.O. Box 60096, Lebanon
| | - Harapan Harapan
- Medical Research Unit, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
- Tropical Disease Centre, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
- Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC), Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
| | - Azmi Mahafzah
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Emotional profiling and cognitive networks unravel how mainstream and alternative press framed AstraZeneca, Pfizer and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14445. [PMID: 36002554 PMCID: PMC9400577 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18472-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines have been largely debated by the press. To understand how mainstream and alternative media debated vaccines, we introduce a paradigm reconstructing time-evolving narrative frames via cognitive networks and natural language processing. We study Italian news articles massively re-shared on Facebook/Twitter (up to 5 million times), covering 5745 vaccine-related news from 17 news outlets over 8 months. We find consistently high trust/anticipation and low disgust in the way mainstream sources framed “vaccine/vaccino”. These emotions were crucially missing in alternative outlets. News titles from alternative sources framed “AstraZeneca” with sadness, absent in mainstream titles. Initially, mainstream news linked mostly “Pfizer” with side effects (e.g. “allergy”, “reaction”, “fever”). With the temporary suspension of “AstraZeneca”, negative associations shifted: Mainstream titles prominently linked “AstraZeneca” with side effects, while “Pfizer” underwent a positive valence shift, linked to its higher efficacy. Simultaneously, thrombosis and fearful conceptual associations entered the frame of vaccines, while death changed context, i.e. rather than hopefully preventing deaths, vaccines could be reported as potential causes of death, increasing fear. Our findings expose crucial aspects of the emotional narratives around COVID-19 vaccines adopted by the press, highlighting the need to understand how alternative and mainstream media report vaccination news.
Collapse
|
42
|
Ruiz-Núñez C, Segado-Fernández S, Jiménez-Gómez B, Hidalgo PJJ, Magdalena CSR, Pollo MDCÁ, Santillán-Garcia A, Herrera-Peco I. Bots' Activity on COVID-19 Pro and Anti-Vaccination Networks: Analysis of Spanish-Written Messages on Twitter. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10081240. [PMID: 36016126 PMCID: PMC9414970 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081240] [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: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the role of bots in the dissemination of health information, both in favor of and opposing vaccination against COVID-19. Study design: An observational, retrospective, time-limited study was proposed, in which activity on the social network Twitter was analyzed. Methods: Data related to pro-vaccination and anti-vaccination networks were compiled from 24 December 2020 to 30 April 2021 and analyzed using the software NodeXL and Botometer. The analyzed tweets were written in Spanish, including keywords that allow identifying the message and focusing on bots’ activity and their influence on both networks. Results: In the pro-vaccination network, 404 bots were found (14.31% of the total number of users), located mainly in Chile (37.87%) and Spain (14.36%). The anti-vaccination network bots represented 16.19% of the total users and were mainly located in Spain (8.09%) and Argentina (6.25%). The pro-vaccination bots generated greater impact than bots in the anti-vaccination network (p < 0.000). With respect to the bots’ influence, the pro-vaccination network did have a significant influence compared to the activity of human users (p < 0.000). Conclusions: This study provides information on bots’ activity in pro- and anti-vaccination networks in Spanish, within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter. It is found that bots in the pro-vaccination network influence the dissemination of the pro-vaccination message, as opposed to those in the anti-vaccination network. We consider that this information could provide guidance on how to enhance the dissemination of public health campaigns, but also to combat the spread of health misinformation on social media.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Ruiz-Núñez
- PhD Program in Biomedicine, Translational Research and New Health Technologies, School of Medicine, University of Malaga, Blvr. Louis Pasteur, 29010 Málaga, Spain;
| | - Sergio Segado-Fernández
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Avda Universidad, 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain; (S.S.-F.); (B.J.-G.); (M.d.C.Á.P.)
| | - Beatriz Jiménez-Gómez
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Avda Universidad, 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain; (S.S.-F.); (B.J.-G.); (M.d.C.Á.P.)
| | - Pedro Jesús Jiménez Hidalgo
- Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario de Móstoles, C/Dr. Luis Montes s/n., 28935 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - María del Carmen Águila Pollo
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Avda Universidad, 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain; (S.S.-F.); (B.J.-G.); (M.d.C.Á.P.)
| | | | - Ivan Herrera-Peco
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Avda Universidad, 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain; (S.S.-F.); (B.J.-G.); (M.d.C.Á.P.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Avda Universidad, 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
SIANI ALESSANDRO, CARTER ISABELLE, MOULTON FLORENCE. Political views and science literacy as indicators of vaccine confidence and COVID-19 concern. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2022; 63:E257-E269. [PMID: 35968072 PMCID: PMC9351406 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2.2320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The distrust, delay and refusal of vaccinations represent serious threats to global public health. As demonstrated by the dramatic worldwide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adequate vaccine coverage against infectious diseases is essential towards the preservation and function of virtually every aspect of our society. While the determinants of vaccine hesitancy and pandemic concern have been widely investigated, conflicting evidence exists with regards to their association with education levels and political views. Methods This study aimed to investigate whether science literacy levels and standpoint on social and economic matters are associated with different levels of vaccine confidence and COVID-19 concern. An online survey was circulated amongst participants recruited via convenience sampling, and data were analysed using non-parametric statistical tests. Results The survey (n = 389) highlighted that participants who studied Science at General Certificate of Secondary Education level have a lower vaccine confidence than those with both lower and higher levels of science education. Participants with neutral/centrist political views expressed lower confidence than those with a libertarian social stance or a left-wing economic stance. A higher concern with the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with lower levels of science education, libertarian social views, and left-wing economic views. Conclusions The present study provides novel insight on the educational and political factors associated with vaccine hesitancy and pandemic concern within a British population sample.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- ALESSANDRO SIANI
- Correspondence: Alessandro Siani, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry 1 Street, PO1 2DY Portsmouth (UK). Tel.: +44 2392842025 - E-mail:
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Patient and Caregiver Perceptions of Animal Assisted Activity in Orthodontics. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141862. [PMID: 35883412 PMCID: PMC9312150 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dental anxiety impacts a significant fraction of children and adults, leading to lifelong avoidance of the dentist and increased emergency dental care. Animal-assisted activity (AAA) is widely used in medicine to reduce anxiety and pain, with promise in dentistry. However, dentistry has been slow to adopt AAA, with a state dental board banning therapy animals in dental clinics due to patient concerns over dog safety, allergies, and cleanliness. Our goal was to determine how orthodontic patients and their caregivers viewed canine therapists in dental clinics to see whether AAA would be welcomed by most families. (No dog therapy occurred as part of this study, so the efficacy of AAA for dental anxiety management was not evaluated). Orthodontic patients and parents/caregivers were asked to fill out a survey about their dental anxiety and their desire for and concerns regarding therapy animals in dental clinics. More than a third of patients had moderate or greater anxiety related to dental care. A vast majority of participants believed that therapy dogs would make dental experiences more enjoyable and reduce fear, with a small minority raising concerns about cleanliness, allergies, and safety. Among patients and caregivers, there is broad acceptance and desire for AAA in dental and orthodontic settings. Future research should be aimed at determining how AAA can improve the experiences of dental patients. Abstract Dental anxiety affects up to 21% of children and 80% of adults and is associated with lifelong dental avoidance. Animal assisted activity (AAA) is widely used to reduce anxiety and pain in medical settings and has promise in dentistry. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate caregiver and patient perceptions of canine AAA in orthodontics. A cross-sectional survey consisting of pre-tested and validated questions was conducted (n = 800) including orthodontic patients (n = 352 minors, n = 204 adults) and parents/caregivers (n = 244) attending university orthodontic clinics. In this study, AAA and dog therapy were not used or tested for dental anxiety management. More than a third of orthodontic patients (37%) had moderate or greater anxiety related to care. Participants believed that therapy animals would make dental experiences more enjoyable (75%) and reduce anxiety (82%). There was little to no concern expressed regarding cleanliness (83%), allergies (81%), and safety (89%) with a therapy animal in dental settings. Almost half of the participants would preferentially select an orthodontic office offering AAA. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we assessed whether perceptions of AAA changed before and after the shutdown of dental offices, with no significant differences. Across patients and caregivers, the responses support the use of AAA in orthodontic settings with minimal concerns.
Collapse
|
45
|
Coleman ME, Manchella MK, Roth AR, Peng S, Perry BL. What kinds of social networks protect older adults' health during a pandemic? The tradeoff between preventing infection and promoting mental health. SOCIAL NETWORKS 2022; 70:393-402. [PMID: 35665241 PMCID: PMC9140769 DOI: 10.1016/j.socnet.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
When the coronavirus emerged in early 2020, older adults were at heightened risk of contracting the virus, and of suffering mental health consequences from the pandemic and from the precautions designed to mitigate it. In this paper, we examine how social networks prior to the pandemic helped to shape health beliefs, behaviors, and outcomes among older adults during its onset, focusing on (1) perceived risk of COVID-19, (2) preventative health behaviors, and (3) mental health, including loneliness, perceived stress, depression, and anxiety. Drawing on the longitudinal Social Networks in Alzheimer Disease study, we find that networks high in bridging social capital predict greater perceived risk and more precautions taken, but worse mental health. In contrast, networks high in bonding social capital predict less perceived risk and fewer precautions taken, but better mental health. We discuss this apparent tradeoff between physical and mental health.
Collapse
|
46
|
Leon Rojas D, Castorena Torres F, Garza-Ornelas BM, Castillo Tarquino AM, Salinas Silva CA, Almanza Chanona JL, Rodríguez-de-Ita J. Parents and school-aged children's mental well-being after prolonged school closures and confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico: a cross-sectional online survey study. BMJ Paediatr Open 2022; 6:10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001468. [PMID: 36053635 PMCID: PMC9257864 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine parents' and school-aged children's mental well-being after experiencing confinement and prolonged school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN Using a cross-sectional design, an online survey was applied to parents of school-aged children inquiring about their mental well-being and COVID-19 pandemic changes in their home and working lives. To assess the presence of depression, anxiety and stress in parents, the participants responded to the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 scale. To assess psychosocial dysfunction and sleep disturbances in children, participants responded to the Pediatric Symptom Checklist and the Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 209 parents answered the questionnaire, most of them were female (87.1%) with a mean age of 40 years. The prevalence of anxiety, stress and parental depression symptoms were 35.9%, 28.2% and 25.4%, respectively. Children's mean age was 8.9 years, the prevalence of children's psychosocial dysfunction was 12%, while their sleep disturbance symptoms were 59.8%. 10.5% of children were suffering both outcomes. We found a bidirectional relationship between parents' and children's mental health outcomes. Parental depression symptoms were associated with experiencing COVID-19 infection within the household, having children with pre-existing medical diagnoses, children's psychosocial dysfunction and sleep disturbances. Children's psychosocial dysfunction was associated with parental depression and changes in their school routine. Children's sleep disturbances were associated with parental anxiety, younger age, increased use of electronic devices, night-time awakenings and shorter sleep time. CONCLUSION Our results support the impact of long confinement and school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexican children and parents' mental well-being. We advocate for specific mental health interventions tailored to respond to parents and children at risk of mental well-being distress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Leon Rojas
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Morones Prieto 3000, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Fabiola Castorena Torres
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Morones Prieto 3000, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Barbara M Garza-Ornelas
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Morones Prieto 3000, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Angie Milady Castillo Tarquino
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Morones Prieto 3000, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Cynthia Anahí Salinas Silva
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Morones Prieto 3000, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - José Luis Almanza Chanona
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Morones Prieto 3000, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Julieta Rodríguez-de-Ita
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Morones Prieto 3000, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico .,Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Hospital San José, TecSalud, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
KOCAK S, KAZAK A, KARAKULLUKÇU S. Factor Affecting Fear, Anxiety and Depression During COVID-19 in Turkey: A Cross- Sectional Study. CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.33808/clinexphealthsci.984601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to research levels of fear, anxiety and depression related with the COVID-19 outbreak and the potential risk factors contributing these facts within the population of Turkey.
Methods: 377 people participated in this study. This study conducted from September to the end of December 2020. An online survey was performed by using the Individual Information Form, The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (7-35 points) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale; HAD-A (0-3 points, ≥10), HAD-D (0-3 points, ≥7).
Results: When Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale are examined, the anxiety scores of 15.9% (> 10, n = 60) and depression scores of 34.2% (> 7, n = 129) of the participants are higher than the cut-off points. HAD-A, HAD-D and COVID-Fear data were positively significantly correlated with each other (p <0.001). In regression analysis, females, those with a relative who has at least one chronic illness, those with mental disorders, and those receiving psychological support were determined as risk factors.
Conclusion: Interrelationships of mental wellbeing, and health status changing at an individual basis must be taken into consideration while evaluating psychological effects of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aysun KAZAK
- Mersin University, Vocational School of Health Sciences, Medical Services and Techniques Department, First and Emergency Aid
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Kluwe-Schiavon B, De Zorzi L, Meireles J, Leite J, Sequeira H, Carvalho S. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal: The role of personality traits and emotion regulation strategies. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269496. [PMID: 35714078 PMCID: PMC9205515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that both personality traits (PT) and emotion regulation (ER) strategies play an important role in the way people cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was two folded. First, to longitudinally investigate the psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress levels) taking in consideration PT and ER strategies in 3 different moments: during the first lockdown period (April/20), at the first deconfinement (May/20) and 1-month after the first deconfinement (Jun/20)-Experiment I. Second, to cross-sectionally evaluate the impact of the pandemic in psychological distress and the correlates with PT and ER 6-months after the first deconfinement November/20 to February/21 -Experiment II. A total of 722 volunteers (Experiment I = 180; Experiment II = 542) aged 18 years or older participated in this online survey. The findings from Experiment I show that psychological distress decreased after the lockdown period, however, neuroticism traits predicted higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, while difficulties in ER strategies were identified as a risk factor for depression and stress. For experiment II, neuroticism traits and being infected with COVID-19 were associated to higher levels of symptomatology, while unemployment and the use of emotional suppression strategies to cope with emotional situations were associated to depressive and anxiety symptoms. Although the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak decreased over time in our sample, the current findings suggest that difficulties in emotional regulation and high levels of neuroticism traits might be potential risk factors for psychiatric symptomatology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, people with difficulties in ER and neuroticism traits would benefit from psychological interventions that provide personality-appropriate support and promote emotion regulation skills during stressful events, such as the case of the global pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Kluwe-Schiavon
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, The Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Lucas De Zorzi
- CNRS, CHU Lille, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Joana Meireles
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, The Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Jorge Leite
- Portucalense Institute for Human Development, INPP, Rua Dr. António Bernardino Almeida, Portucalense University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Henrique Sequeira
- CNRS, CHU Lille, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Sandra Carvalho
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, The Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Translational Neuropsichology Lab, Department of Education and Psychology, William James Center for Research, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Çıkrıkçı Ö, Çıkrıkçı N, Griffiths M. Fear of COVID-19, stress and depression: A meta-analytic test of the mediating role of anxiety. Psychol Psychother 2022; 95:853-874. [PMID: 35670451 PMCID: PMC9348301 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the lives of millions of individuals physiologically, behaviorally, socially, and/or psychologically. Moreover, there is now much empirical evidence that mental health problems have increased during the pandemic period and these problems have various consequences. The changes in the mood states of individuals due to the pandemic underpins the rationale of the present study. The aim of the study was to identify the cross-sectional associations between fear of COVID-19, stress, anxiety, and depression by using two stage-meta-analytic structural equation modeling (TS-MASEM). DESIGN This is a meta-analytic structural equation modelling study. METHOD A systematic literature review initially identified 4840 studies. As a result of applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 studies comprising 28 samples (reporting 120 effect sizes) were eligible for inclusion in the current TS-MASEM (N = 16,452). RESULTS The results showed significant associations between fear of COVID-19, stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, the mediation role of anxiety in the association between depression and fear of COVID-19 and stress was explored. CONCLUSIONS Although the results did not allow for causal inferences regarding depression, they provide insight into the possible consequences of fear of COVID-19 and comorbid problems for clinicians and researchers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Özkan Çıkrıkçı
- Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of EducationTokat Gaziosmanpaşa UniversityTokatTurkey
| | - Neslihan Çıkrıkçı
- Department of Child Education, Pazar Vocational School of Higher EducationTokat Gaziosmanpaşa UniversityTokatTurkey
| | - Mark Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology DepartmentNottingham Trent UniversityNottinghamUK
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Rajkumar RP. Is There a Relationship Between ADHD and COVID-19 Prevalence and Mortality Indices? An Analysis of Data From 156 Countries. J Atten Disord 2022; 26:1069-1077. [PMID: 34784830 DOI: 10.1177/10870547211056894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between nation-level prevalence of ADHD and COVID-19 prevalence and mortality indices. METHOD Associations between nation-wise estimated prevalence, crude mortality rates and case-fatality ratios for COVID-19 and estimated prevalence rates for ADHD were examined, controlling for medical conditions known to be associated with COVID-19 outcome, as well as demographic, climate-related, and economic variables. RESULTS Prevalence of ADHD was positively correlated with COVID-19 prevalence and crude mortality rates on bivariate analyses, though the strength of this association was low. On multivariate regression, prevalence of ADHD was negatively associated with COVID-19 prevalence and crude mortality rates, though only the former finding was statistically significant. CONCLUSION The association between ADHD and COVID-19 prevalence and mortality at a national level is inconsistent, modest, and may be largely due to confounding factors such as age, lifestyle factors, and medical comorbidities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Philip Rajkumar
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India
| |
Collapse
|