Is Lockdown Bad for Social Anxiety in COVID-19 Regions?: A National Study in The SOR Perspective

Researching into Chinese university students' mental health in the post-pandemic era - problems and causes

Introduction

Mental health challenges have still been widely pervasive among Chinese university students after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article aims to explore mental health challenges encountered by Chinese university students in the post-pandemic era and explain causes to these challenges using a qualitative approach.

Methods

We conducted six focus group interviews with university students in Zhuhai, China, and altogether 61 students including 43 female students, and 18 male students participated in the study.

Results

Our results indicate that sleep difficulties, anxiety, and stress are the three primary mental health challenges experienced by students. Academic pressure, social influence including peer pressure and pursuit of social acceptance, and pandemic related policies and measures are the causes to the above mental health challenges.

Discussion

The results of this study will inform the development of mental health promotion, intervention, and education activities for university students to bolster their resilience and cope with mental health problems in the post-pandemic era. Meanwhile, our results could illuminate the services stakeholders provide to university students in the future.

Problem-solving model guided by stimulus-organism-response theory: State of mind and coping styles of depressed mothers after cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND

The use of a problem-solving model guided by stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory for women with postpartum depression after cesarean delivery may inform nursing interventions for women with postpartum depression.

AIM

To explore the state of mind and coping style of women with depression after cesarean delivery guided by SOR theory.

METHODS

Eighty postpartum depressed women with cesarean delivery admitted to the hospital between January 2022 and October 2023 were selected and divided into two groups of 40 cases each, according to the random number table method. In the control group, the observation group adopted the problem-solving nursing model under SOR theory. The two groups were consecutively intervened for 12 weeks, and the state of mind, coping styles, and degree of post-partum depression were analyzed at the end of the intervention.

RESULTS

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Hamilton Depression Scale-24-item scores of the observation group were lower than in the control group after care, and the level of improvement in the state of mind was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The level of coping with illness in the observation group after care (26.48 ± 3.35) was higher than that in the control group (21.73 ± 3.20), and the level of avoidance (12.04 ± 2.68) and submission (8.14 ± 1.15) was lower than that in the control group (15.75 ± 2.69 and 9.95 ± 1.20), with significant differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Adopting the problem-solving nursing model using SOR theory for postpartum depressed mothers after cesarean delivery reduced maternal depression, improved their state of mind, and coping level with illness.

Stigma Perceptions of Public Employees Concerning Covid-19 Disease

Abstract Aim: The Covid-19 pandemic has caused people to be exposed to negative attitudes and stigma. The aim of the study was to investigate the stigma perceptions of public employees concerning Covid-19 and to determine variables thought to be related. Materials and Methods: Study adopted descriptive design was conducted between 4/11/2021 and 1/1/2022. 351 employees in two public workplaces responded to the research. The Stigmatization of Covid-19 Questionnaire was delivered to the employees through online platform. The participation rate was 63.8%. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 Package program. Results: The majority of the participants (42.5%) fell within the age group of 36-45 years. 69.2% of them were male, and 61.8% were workers. While the mean score of self-stigma associated with Covid-19 was 50.61±9.73, stigma toward others was 78.68±13.01. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of age, gender, education, marital status, history of previous Covid, and stigma toward others. Conclusion: Self-stigma perceptions of employees were low while the toward others were high. The factors such as age, gender, education, marital status, previous experience of Covid-19 affected employees’ perceptions of stigma associated with Covid-19. The findings of the study highlight the importance of intervening early to provide psychological or social support for employees.

The crisis is over, long live the crisis: mental health in emerging adulthood during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

As a multidimensional stressor, the COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant threat to mental health, with studies showing younger age groups to be particularly vulnerable. Thus, this study aimed to monitor mental health, potential risk/protective factors, and pandemic-related variables among young university students during the pandemic.

Methods

Students of the University of Greifswald (M age = 23.0 years, 73.9% female) participated in five cross-sectional online surveys in December 2020 (N = 1,127), March 2021 (N = 760), June/July 2021 (N = 531), December 2021 (N = 1,226), and December 2022 (N = 814). Sociodemographic data, depression and anxiety severity, loneliness, quality of life, coping strategies, resilience, self-esteem, and emotion regulation were measured. First, results from December 2020 were compared to pre-pandemic normative data. Second, the time course during the pandemic was analyzed. Third, linear models were calculated to examine the influence of risk and protective factures on depression and anxiety severity.

Results

Higher levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, as well as lower levels of self-esteem, physical and mental health, social relationships and well-being were found in December 2020 compared to pre-pandemic. Levels of depression and anxiety severity peaked in December 2022. Female sex, loneliness, and previous mental treatment showed associations with higher depression and anxiety severity, while higher self-esteem, resilience and use of reappraisal strategies appeared to act as protective factors.

Discussion

The study indicates the pandemic's detrimental impact on students' mental health and quality of life. Identified risk and protective factors provide guidance for tailored prevention and treatment, as well as the design of measures for future pandemics and other crisis.

Social anxiety in Finnish adolescents from 2013 to 2021: change from pre-COVID-19 to COVID-19 era, and mid-pandemic correlates

PURPOSE

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is prevalent in adolescents. Increase in levels of general anxiety since 2010's has been observed in young people. Little is known of time trends in symptoms of social anxiety during 2010's, of pre- to during-COVID-19 era changes, or of associations between social anxiety symptoms and pandemic severity, distance education, and COVID-19-related experiences in young people.

METHODS

We examined social anxiety symptoms, their temporal changes, and their associations with COVID-19 related factors in a sample of 450 000 13-to-20-year-old Finns in 2013-2021. Data from nationwide School Health Promotion study was used. Social anxiety symptoms were assessed with the Mini-SPIN using cut-off score ≥ 6 as indicator of high social anxiety. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used, controlling for gender, age, family SES, and symptoms of general anxiety and depression.

RESULTS

High-level social anxiety symptoms increased markedly from 2013/2015 to 2021 among both sexes. A steeper increase was found among females. In 2021, 47% of females self-reported high social anxiety, a two-fold increase relative to 2013/2015. No association between regional COVID-19 incidence and change in social anxiety symptoms was found. No clear associations between time spent in distance education and social anxiety symptoms were found. Fears of getting infected or transmitting coronavirus, and reports of not getting needed support for schoolwork during distance education were all associated with high social anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of high social anxiety in young people aged 13-20 has increased considerably from 2013 to 2021, especially among girls. During COVID-19 pandemic, socially anxious young people report a need for educational support and suffer from infection-related fears.

Pre-COVID resting-state brain activity in the fusiform gyrus prospectively predicts social anxiety alterations during the pandemic

BACKGROUND

Social anxiety (SA) has been linked to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but the neurobiopsychological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the neurofunctional markers for COVID-induced SA development and the potential role of COVID-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in the brain-SA alterations link.

METHODS

Before the COVID-19 pandemic (T1), 100 general college students underwent resting-state magnetic resonance imaging and behavioral tests. During the period of community-level outbreaks (T2), these students were re-contacted to undergo follow-up behavioral assessments.

RESULTS

Whole-brain correlation and prediction analyses found that pre-pandemic spontaneous neural activity (measured by fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations) in the right fusiform gyrus (FG) was positively correlated to SA alterations (T2 - T1). Mediation analyses revealed that COVID-specific PTSS mediated the effects of right FG on SA alterations.

LIMITATIONS

The results should be interpreted carefully because only one-session neuroimaging data in a sample of normal adults were included.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provide evidence for neurofunctional markers of COVID-induced SA and may help develop targeted brain-based interventions that reduce SA.

Impact of the pandemic and its containment measures in Europe upon aspects of affective impairments: a Google Trends informetrics study

BACKGROUND

In late 2019, a new virus began spreading in Wuhan, China. By the end of 2021, more than 260 million people worldwide had been infected and 5.2 million people had died because of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Various countermeasures have been implemented to contain the infections, depending on the country, infection prevalence, and political and infrastructural resources. The pandemic and the containment measures have induced diverse psychological burdens. Using internet queries as a proxy, this study examines the psychological consequences on a European level of SARS-CoV-2 containment measures.

METHODS

Using informetric analyses, this study reviews within 32 European countries a total of 28 search parameters derived from the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) as aspects of affective disorder.

RESULTS

Our results show that there are several psychological aspects which are significantly emphasized during the pandemic and its containment measures: 'anxiety', 'dejection', 'weariness', 'listlessness', 'loss of appetite', 'loss of libido', 'panic attack', and 'worthlessness'. These terms are significantly more frequently part of a search query during the pandemic than before the outbreak. Furthermore, our results revealed that search parameters such as 'psychologist', 'psychotherapist', 'psychotherapy' have increased highly significantly (p < 0.01) since the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

The psychological distress caused by the pandemic correlates significantly with the frequency of people searching for psychological and psychotherapeutic support on the Internet.

Pre-COVID brain network topology prospectively predicts social anxiety alterations during the COVID-19 pandemic

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.

Stage 2: Visual information and communication context as modulators of interpersonal coordination in face-to-face and videoconference-based interactions

Interpersonal coordination of body movement-or similarity in patterning and timing of body movement between interaction partners-is well documented in face-to-face (FTF) conversation. Here, we investigated the degree to which interpersonal coordination is impacted by the amount of visual information available and the type of interaction conversation partners are having. To do so within a naturalistic context, we took advantage of the increased familiarity with videoconferencing (VC) platforms and with limited visual information in FTF conversation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pairs of participants communicated in one of three ways: FTF in a laboratory setting while socially distanced and wearing face masks; VC in a laboratory setting with a view of one another's full movements; or VC in a remote setting with a view of one another's face and shoulders. Each pair held three conversations: affiliative, argumentative, and cooperative task-based. We quantified interpersonal coordination as the relationship between the two participants' overall body movement using nonlinear time series analyses. Coordination changed as a function of the contextual constraints, and these constraints interacted with coordination patterns to affect subjective conversation outcomes. Importantly, we found patterns of results that were distinct from previous research; we hypothesize that these differences may be due to changes in the broader social context from COVID-19. Taken together, our results are consistent with a dynamical systems view of social phenomena, with interpersonal coordination emerging from the interaction between components, constraints, and history of the system.

Factors Influencing the Purchase Intention for Online Health Popular Science Information Based on the Health Belief Model

There is a growing demand for health popular science information from the public. Online paid health popular science information provides a new channel for the public to obtain health popular science information and can meet users' demands for high-quality health popular science information. In order to improve the popularity of online paid health popular science information, it is urgent to investigate the factors influencing users' intention to pay for online health popular science information. Paid online health popular science information can provide users with higher-quality health knowledge, while monetary compensation can incentivize publishers to create and promote the sustainability of social media platforms. Therefore, paid online health popular science information is important for readers, creators, and platforms. Therefore, this study investigates the factors influencing users' intentions to purchase online health popular science information based on the health belief model (HBM). Our research data were obtained by a questionnaire and empirically analyzed by SmartPLS structural equation modeling. The results of this study indicate that the greater the perceived susceptibility, severity, and irreplaceability of health problems, the greater the intention of users to purchase health information when they read the summary portion of paid online health popular science information. And the higher the perceived risk and the more unreasonable the price of the online health popular science information, the lower the intention to purchase. Moreover, both the perceived susceptibility and perceived severity significantly attenuated the negative impacts of perceived health popular science information risk and perceived price unreasonableness on users' intentions to purchase online health popular science information. This study not only enriches and extends the application of the health belief model, but also has important positive implications for the development of online paid health popular science information.

Association Between Internet Use, Sleep, Cognition and Physical Activity Levels During COVID-19 Lockdown

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare internet usage, sleep, cognition and physical activity in college professors and collegiate students during COVID-19 lockdown and to study the association of internet overuse with sleep quality, cognition and physical activity during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Methods

A sample of 125 participants {professors (n = 52) and collegiate students (n = 73)} was recruited from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India. Criteria for inclusion were college professors and collegiate students who uses internet. Both the groups were assessed for internet usage (Internet Addiction Test), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), cognition (Cognitive Failure Questionnaire) and physical activity (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) via google forms.

Results

There was a significant difference for internet usage (p < 0.05), sleep quality (p = 0.032), cognition (distractibility, p = 0.019) and physical activity in college professors and collegiate students. It has been also reported that there was a significant association of internet usage with sleep quality and cognition and sleep quality with cognition.

Conclusion

Students have more problematic internet usage, bad sleep quality, more cognitive failures and less physical activity than college professors during pandemic lockdown. It has been also observed that problematic internet usage has correlation with sleep quality, cognition and physical activity.

COVID-19 and telemedicine: A netnography approach

The COVID-19 pandemic has consolidated some trends that already existed in our society. Perhaps one of the most visible is the transformation of society towards greater digitisation. Digitalisation has gained weight in all aspects of our lives, and from the point of view of the health system we find an example in the slow historical adoption of telemedicine, which contrasts sharply with the massive conversion to this technology as a tool for social distancing. In this sense, the homebound population is the one most affected by the pandemic and the one that could benefit the most from the use of telemedicine. Using a netnography approach and based on the stimulus-organism-response paradigm, this study proposes to analyse the evolution of perception about telemedicine using the opinions expressed on Twitter. The primary technical tasks of the study incorporate the analysis of topics and the review of emotions and positive image perception using natural language processing. Specifically, tweets about telemedicine generated by the Spanish community are analysed in this work. The findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected emotions and topics of interest related to telemedicine. This has changed the image that it had and the behaviour of the Twitter community in Spain. In conclusion, the study results suggest that changes in health systems affect people's emotions and behaviours.

Stress level and general mental state in Polish pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 pandemic may contribute to mental state worsening. Mental health disorders in pregnancy are known to have adverse outcomes both for mothers and their children. It is the first study in Poland to investigate the impact of the pandemic on stress level and general mental state in pregnant women.

METHODS

Three hundred sixteen pregnant women completed an online survey containing four instruments. The main research questions were investigated with Bayesian regression analyses.

RESULTS

We found that 37% of pregnant women presented with some mental state disorders and almost 46% with elevated emotional tension. Seventeen % had elevated stress level, 11% elevated intrapsychic stress level and 13% elevated outward stress level. Both 'being scared of lack of social support...' and 'being scared of infection...' have an impact on stress level, however the first factor is a more substantial stressor.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple pregnant women during the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented with mental state disorders and elevated stress levels. As mental state disorders contribute to adverse neonatal outcomes and maternal mortality, it is imperative to focus on pregnant women's psychological and psychiatric conditions during the pandemic. It seems crucial to use screening tests to make early psychiatric diagnoses.

Qualitative exploration of perspectives of the pharmacists working in public-sector hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic, a serious global health threat, has excruciating social and economic implications given its transmissibility, lack of therapy, and severity. In such a situation, pharmacists as frontline healthcare professionals hold a significant position to tackle. This study was designed to explore the perception and preparedness of pharmacists working in public sector hospitals amid such a pandemic in Pakistan.

METHODS

A total of 11 pharmacists were interviewed for this qualitative study design through a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim.

RESULTS

The thematic content analysis yielded six major themes; understanding of COVID-19, perceptions towards COVID-19, preventive aspects, management aspects, changes to lifestyle, and psychological aspects. Though efficient preparedness and approach to fighting against such pandemics were reported, pharmacists were found susceptible to infection and psychological stress. They also expressed lockdown as an effective measure to prevent the disease from spreading but still were concerned about its economic and social impact.

CONCLUSIONS

Adequate planning and facilities from the national level should be made available for strengthening the hospital pharmacy service that helps improve the overall healthcare system of low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan. The provision of a protective facility, incentives, and occupational health surveillance packages are deemed necessary to boost the self-esteem and morale of hospital pharmacists that safeguard the early and effective management of such disasters.

Generalized anxiety among Finnish youth from 2013 to 2021-Trend and the impact of COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Alarming levels of emotional symptoms among youth were reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies assessing these figures against the pre-pandemic developments are rare. We examined the trend of generalized anxiety (GA) in adolescents in the 2010s and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic against this trend.

METHODS

Data from the Finnish School Health Promotion study with 750,000 participants aged 13-20 between 2013 and 2021 was analyzed using GAD-7 to measure self-reported GA (cut-off ≥10). Inquiries were made about remote learning arrangements. Effects of time and COVID-19 were analyzed with logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among females, an increasing trend in GA between 2013 and 2019 was found (OR per year 1.05), and the prevalence increased from 15.5 % to 19.7 %. Among males, the trend was decreasing (OR = 0.98), with prevalence from 6.0 % to 5.5 %. Increase in GA from 2019 to 2021 was stronger in females (19.7 % to 30.2 %) than males (5.5 % to 7.8 %), while the effect of COVID-19 on GA was equally strong (OR = 1.59 vs. OR = 1.60) against the pre-pandemic trends. Remote learning was associated with elevated levels of GA, especially among those with unmet needs for learning support.

LIMITATIONS

The design of repeated cross-sectional surveys doesn't allow analyses of within individual changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the pre-pandemic trends of GA, the COVID-19 effect on it appeared equal in both sexes. The increasing pre-pandemic trend among adolescent females and the strong effect of COVID-19 on GA among both sexes warrants constant monitoring of mental health of the youth in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social Media, Anxiety and COVID-19 Lockdown Measurement Compliance

The aim of the present research was to analyze the effect of anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic in the use of social media and compliance with lockdown measures during the confinement. A total of 1723 participants (32.1% males and 77.9% females; 32.6 ± 9.2 years) were interviewed by a Spanish version of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. From the results obtained, the sample was divided into two 50th percentile groups, a high anxiety group (HAG) and a low anxiety group (LAG). We found how the LAG had lower use of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter during confinement. Also, this group presented a higher rate of leaving home during the confinement and higher values in people with whom they had lived with during confinement than high anxiety group. Regardless of the lack of results in the remaining variables, the present study nuances the high levels of anxiety experienced during COVID-19 confinement. The multifactorial analysis of factors related to the perception of anxiety during COVID-19 confinement may be a useful tool to measure multiple social behaviors when examining mental health factors. Thus, explaining and preventing the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present knowledge could be used to determine key intervention factors for reducing the perception of fear and anxiety.

Pre and Post Pandemic Depressive and Anxious Symptoms in Children and Adolescents in Northern Chile

The psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic still represent a focus of concern, especially in children and adolescents who are a group particularly vulnerable to the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due to the loss of socialization and leisure spaces. The aim of the study is to determine the variation in the levels of depressive and anxious symptomatology in children and adolescents in the North of Chile.

METHODS

A Repeated cross-sectional design (RCS) was used. The sample consisted of a total of 475 students aged 12 to 18 years (high school) from educational establishments in the city of Arica. To evaluate the changes in the mental health of students associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the same mental health measures applied to students were compared in two waves (2018-2021).

RESULTS

An increase in the symptomatology levels of depression, anxiety, social anxiety, and problems with the family, while a decrease in problems with school and peers was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that there is an increase in mental health problems associated with the periods of time in which the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the social relation spaces and classrooms of secondary school students. The observed changes point to future challenges, which include that it may be important to improve the coordination and integration of mental health professionals in educational centers and schools.

The Impact of Communication Information on the Perceived Threat of COVID-19 and Stockpiling Intention

This article investigates the role of diverse nudging communication strategies on perceived threat and stockpiling intention. Across three studies, the authors examined the various effects of “nudging” on consumer behavior. Study 1 demonstrates that a commonly used picture has a stronger impact on perceived threat than a less frequently exposed picture regardless of its accuracy. Study 2 shows that the perceived threat of COVID-19, in terms of severe health consequences, is lower when using an indirect (vs. direct) explanation of the virus, as well as when reducing the amount of information about the virus. Study 3 investigates the impact of salient negative information and childhood socioeconomic status (SES). Findings reveal that negative information about deaths associated with the virus increases the level of perceived threat and stockpiling intention, especially among people of low childhood SES.

Anxiety and Associated Factors during the COVID-19 Pandemic Confinement in the Moroccan Adult Celiac Disease Population

Introduction

The widespread lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was insured by Moroccan authorities in early 2020 to preserve the health of citizens. The lockdown and the pandemic imposed psychological effects on the population including anxiety. Celiac disease (CeD), a chronic disease among the most common inflammatory intestinal disorders, has been linked to adult emotional disturbances. Hence, CeD patients may suffer from anxiety or increase this condition due to the concomitant situation. The objective of this study was to assess COVID-19-related anxiety in a sample of adults with CeD in comparison with a matched healthy group.

Method

CeD patients (103) and matched healthy group (101) were investigated using a web-based COVID-19 and related lockdown anxiety survey. Anxiety was assessed with the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI test: Y1 for state anxiety and Y2 for trait anxiety).

Results

State anxiety was present among 65.3% of CeD and 41.6% of the comparison group, and the difference was statistically significant. CeD women suffered more from state anxiety than their compeers in the comparison group (t = 3.23; p = 0.002), and a significant correlation between good compliance to GFD and less state anxiety was found among CeD patients (r = 0.31; p = 0.002). 61.8% of CeD participants thought they were at higher risk of contamination by COVID-19, and they were mostly women (χ2 = 7.66, p < 0.006) and had significantly higher state anxiety mean scores than their compatriots who did not express these thoughts (t = 2.93; p = 0.004). Additionally, 41.5% of CeD participants had anxiety as a trait against 26.7% in the comparison group and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant.

Conclusion

Results of this survey allow a better understanding of the health-related pandemic effects on Moroccan CeD patients. It demonstrates that COVID-19 and related lockdowns had a serious impact on the psychological balance of these patients by increasing their anxiety. The survey results underlined the need to improve the psychological care of CeD patients notably by considering remote medical visits during this ongoing pandemic to provide mental health support.

Digital and physical factors influencing an individual's preventive behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan: A perspective based on the S-O-R model

COVID-19 has caused considerable stress to individuals and communities. Daily press briefings on public health during the COVID-19 pandemic have increased individuals' feelings of social pressure. Abrupt changes to a person's immediate environment, such as the changes caused by COVID-19, can substantially affect their mental health and cognitive adjustment. On the basis of the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework, we examined the effects of digital and physical stimuli related to COVID-19 in Taiwan on individuals' psychological states and preventive behavior, including social distancing and personal hygiene. The data obtained from 498 valid survey questionnaires indicated that digital and physical factors including informativeness, social pressure, and severity exerted direct effects on cognitive assimilation and anxiety, which in turn affected individuals' preventive behavior. Moreover, cognitive assimilation and anxiety had significant mediating effects on the relationships of informativeness, social pressure, and severity with individuals' preventive behavior. The results of this study indicate how digital and physical stimulus factors affect cognitive assimilation and anxiety, which influence preventive behavior during a pandemic.

Does the Power of Social Example Fade? Nudge Effect of Social Information on Individual's Donation Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Moderated Mediation Model with Three-Wave Cross-Sectional Data

Purpose

This study assesses how various social information influence individuals' money donation behaviors towards charitable funds against the COVID-19 pandemic at different stages of the pandemic. It also explores the mediating role of social anxiety and the moderating role of self-control.

Materials and Methods

This three-wave study was conducted with online survey experiments using convenience sampling at the pandemic's outbreak stage (April-June 2020), trough stage (February-March 2021), and resurgence stage (May 2022) in China. The nudge power of social information was measured by whether participants changed their initial money donation decisions after informed positive or negative social information. Self-report scales were used to measure levels of social anxiety (Social Interaction Anxiety Scale) and self-control (Self-Control Scale). The final data set included 1371 participants from 26 provinces of mainland China. Stata medeff package and SPSS PROCESS were used to analyze the data.

Results

Individuals' initial donation behaviors did not fluctuate along with the pandemic status, but the nudge effect of social information did. From outbreak stage to trough stage, the nudge power of positive social information significantly declined, but did not significantly change again at the resurgence stage. By contrast, the nudge power of negative social information did not significantly differ between outbreak and trough stage but did significantly increase at the resurgence stage. Social anxiety played a significant mediating role in the relationship between COVID-19 status and power of social information. Moreover, self-control moderated the direct effect of COVID-19 status on power of social information and the indirect effect via social anxiety.

Conclusion

Our findings enrich research on the nudge power variation of social information on individuals' donation behaviors along with the pandemic status and its potential psychological influence factors. This study also helps guide organizations to better design and carry out social information nudge mechanism.

Relational Victimization and Video Game Addiction among Female College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Social Anxiety and Parasocial Relationship

Video game addiction, a common behavioral problem among college students, has been more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic; at the same time, females' video game usage has also attracted considerable research attention. Against this background and under the perspective of social interaction, this study aimed to examine the relationship between relational victimization and video game addiction among female college students, as well as its underlying mechanism-the mediating roles of social anxiety and parasocial relationships with virtual characters. Female college students (N = 437) were recruited to complete a set of questionnaires voluntarily in June 2022. Through the mediating effect analysis, the results found that (1) relational victimization was positively associated with female college students' video game addiction; (2) social anxiety and parasocial relationships with virtual characters could independently mediate this relation; (3) social anxiety and parasocial relationships with virtual characters were also the serial mediators in this association. These findings not only expand previous studies by revealing the social motivation of video game usage and the underlying mechanism accounting for video game addiction, but also provide basis and guidance for the prevention and intervention of video game addiction in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

РОЛЬ СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ВІДСТОРОНЕННЯ ТА ВІДКИНЕННЯ У ПАТОГЕНЕЗІ СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ТРИВОЖНОГО РОЗЛАДУ: ОГЛЯД ЗАКОРДОННОЇ ЛІТЕРАТУРИ

Мета: теоретично  проаналізувати роль соціального відсторонення та відкинення у патогенезі соціального тривожного розладу як модифікуючих факторів вразливості. Методи. Пошук попередніх досліджень здійснювався за допомогою сервісів  PubMed, Web-of-Science та Research Gate за наступними критеріями: дослідження стосувалися осіб, які мали встановлений діагноз соціальний тривожний розлад або належали до субклінічної групи; була проведена первинна оцінка чи аналіз впливу соціального відсторонення та відкинення; фокусом уваги досліджень соціальна фобія та/чи соціальне відсторонення/відкинення. Результати. Опрацьовуючи дану проблематику було проаналізовано понад 214 наукових статей, з яких  переважна частина опубліковані після 2017 року. У відповідності до критеріїв було обрано 30 статей. За результатами аналізу даних встановлено, що засвоєння соціального травматичного досвіду та підвищений рівень нейротизму сприяють формуванню непродуктивних когнітивних стратегій оцінювання («передбачення катастрофи») соціальних ситуацій й себе в них та відповідних їх змісту поведінкових стратегій уникнення через страх соціального відкинення, що безпосередньо знижує соціальну ефективність особи. Недостатня усвідомленість власних емоцій та викривлені переконання навколо них, стимулюючи уникнення й соціальне відсторонення як запобіжний засіб, обумовлюють високі показники соціальної тривожності, посилюють сприйняття соціальної загрози й зменшують сприйняття контролю над нею, та як наслідок актуалізують патерни травматичного досвіду, який особа намагалася уникнути. Опанування суб’єктивного емоційного досвіду за умов обмежених ресурсів життєвих обставин (як пандемія, проблемні стосунки, тривала ситуація невизначеності тощо) підсилюють вразливість до соціального тривожного розладу як непродуктивної копінг стратегії. Висновки. Уникнення емоційного досвіду та підтримання не коригуючого досвіду стосунків через страх бути відкинутим може закріплювати дисфункційний цикл когнітивних переконань щодо себе й світу у патогенезі соціальної фобії й знаходити свій прояв у соціальній відстороненості.  Ключові слова: уникаюча поведінка, соціальна травма, ранні дисфункційні схеми, стигма, COVID-19.

Quality of Distance Learning After One and a Half Year From Its Integration Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study at the University of Jordan

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic mandated the change from face-to-face learning to distance learning. As a result, the quality of distance learning worldwide is questionable. Objectives and aims The aim of this study is to investigate the quality of distance learning among university students at the University of Jordan, as well as its determinants and obstacles. Methods A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at the University of Jordan from May 29 to July 11, 2021. Using a quantitative approach, students' attitudes toward and perceptions of online and distance education were analyzed. The Distance Education Learning Environments Survey (DELES) tool was used to evaluate the quality of distance learning during COVID-19 pandemic. IBM SPSS Version 25 was used for data analysis. Results The total number of participants was 486, and the mean total DELES score was 61.6 ± 24.6. The lowest mean of DELES score components was for the active learning component (6.9 ± 2.9). Moreover, 65.9% of the students were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied with the quality of distance learning. The quality of distance learning derived by the total DELES score was determined by several general demographics, and students' perceptions and attitudes. Conclusions The present study showed a low quality of distance learning and high levels of dissatisfaction among students at the University of Jordan. Thus, improvement of distance learning quality by filling its infrastructural defects and the implementation of its adjunct tools are required. In addition, we recommend collaboration with regional and international educational institutions to improve the quality of distance learning.

Changes in lifestyle behaviors during COVID-19 isolation in Argentina: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to identify changes in population habits induced by COVID-19 confinement in Argentina.

METHODS

An internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults in Argentina on December 2020, requesting possible changes occurring during the COVID-19 outbreak. It included 26 questions regarding general information (age, gender, location), eating habits, desire/anxiety for food or to eat between meals, weight gain, physical activity, and hours of sleep. We ran a descriptive statistical analysis of changes in habits and lifestyle during the confinement, followed by a logistic regression analysis to explore the relation between these changes and weight gain. Results: Out of 1536 survey participants, 57.1% were female, aged 38.8 ± 13.1 years. Data showed that during the outbreak, people experienced significant changes in food intake, physical activity, nutritional supplement consumption, anxiety, and sleeping disorders. These changes in behavior resulted in an elevated percentage of people (39.7%) that gained weight (average 4.8 ± 2.8 kg). Weight gain was associated with more food consumption (OR: 9.398), increased snacking between meals (OR: 1.536), anxiety about food (OR: 3.180), less practice of physical activity (OR: 0.586) and less consumption of nutritional supplements (OR: 0.762). Conclusions: COVID-19 outbreak was associated with unhealthy lifestyle changes and body weight increase. These adverse side effects could be prevented by active promotion of nutritional advice and physical activity, implementing virtual activities associated with regular mass promotion campaigns.

Personalidade, Ansiedade Social e Adaptação às Medidas de Distanciamento Durante a Pandemia

Resumo O impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 está mudando drasticamente a vida das pessoas. O distanciamento social representa evitar o contato durante o surto de uma doença para minimizar a exposição. Essa condição também pode contribuir para o agravamento de determinados transtornos mentais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar em que medida características de personalidade e ansiedade social podem contribuir para uma maior dificuldade em lidar com o distanciamento social. Foram avaliados 1.120 indivíduos por meio da Escala de Ansiedade Social de Liebowitz (LSAS), marcadores da personalidade. A análise de regressão logística mostrou que neuroticismo, ansiedade social e as horas adicionais em casa revelaram-se preditores significativos de uma maior dificuldade. Conclui-se que o transtorno de ansiedade social apresenta especificidades em sua manifestação durante a pandemia.

Awareness regarding COVID-19 and its effects on mental health among pre-professional health sciences students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for health sciences in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

In light of the outbreak caused by the COVID-19 and its impact on the physical and mental wellbeing, we explored the consequences of this pandemic on the mental health among pre-professional health sciences students and their awareness regarding the virus. A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was conducted at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Jeddah and Riyadh campuses. Data was collected from 770 participants using an online questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. The majority of the participants (87.5%) considered governmental authorities as their main source of information, and therefore, they were up to date on the general information regarding COVID-19. For findings on mental health, it was found that 61.9% were exhibiting variant degrees of depression, as well as 50% expressing signs of extremely severe anxiety. However, 50.9% of the participants expressed no signs of stress during this pandemic. An association was found between gender and mental health showing females to have higher tendencies to express signs of extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress. An association was also found between parents' marital status and anxiety. Analysis revealed that participants with separated parents were the least among the participants to show no signs of anxiety, as well as reporting the highest numbers in the "extremely severe" anxiety category. With the increased awareness and higher than normal levels of the investigated mental illnesses, we advise that proper action should be considered to address this issue.

Learning Stress, Involvement, Academic Concerns, and Mental Health among University Students during a Pandemic: Influence of Fear and Moderation of Self-Efficacy

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of students. An effective method that can enable students to cope with difficult times is to help them realize their inner potential. Following the stimulus-organism-response model, this study developed a theoretical framework that deepens our understanding of an environmental stimulus (fear of COVID-19) that is experienced by students; struggle within the organism (learning stress, learning involvement, and academic concerns); and the psychological response (psychological well-being). The findings clarified how the fear of COVID-19 affects the psychological well-being of university students and revealed the moderate role of academic self-efficacy in this process. Some systematic practical advice was provided to higher education institutions to develop effective interventions to protect the mental health of college students and establish strategies to promote their inner potential.

Emotion, analytic thinking and susceptibility to misinformation during the COVID-19 outbreak

Misinformation has become prevalent since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand why people believe and share misinformation, we conducted a nationwide survey during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. We found the indirect effects of COVID-19 risk on people's information accuracy judgment and associated information sharing intention through people's emotional states. People faced with a higher level of COVID-19 risk (measured by a 7-day moving average of daily new deaths or new cases) experienced weaker positive and stronger negative emotions, and heightened emotionality (both the positive and negative emotions) was associated with increased belief in and greater likelihood to share the COVID-19 information regardless of veracity. We also found that only the negative emotion mediated the relation between the COVID-19 risk and the truth discernment regarding accuracy judgment. However, the mediating effect of negative emotion disappeared among people with high analytic thinking ability. These findings suggest that the analytic thinking ability could moderate the destructive relationship between negative emotion and accuracy discernment. Based on a large sample, our findings provide actionable insights for the policymakers to respond to the spread of misinformation appropriately and promptly during the pandemic.

The impact of social welfare and COVID-19 stringency on the perceived utility of food apps: A hybrid MCDM approach

The COVID-19 pandemic has created enormous challenges for society due to the various ways of impacting health. This paper focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people's food consumption patterns in the online environment. We investigate food app reviews and examine whether countries with a high rate of success with COVID-19 control consume more unhealthy food through mobile apps. We also investigate whether the population of countries with low social welfare eat more unhealthy food during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to countries with high social welfare. We take a hybrid multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach to calculate indexes based on the technique for order of preference by similarity to an ideal solution, complex proportional assessment, and VlseKriterijuska Optimizacija I Komoromisno Resenje. Results show that country social welfare and success in COVID-19 control negatively affect the perceived utility of the apps. Also, success in COVID-19 control and the perceived utility of food apps positively affect the proportion of unhealthy reviews, whereas social welfare has a negative impact. The results have important implications for public health policymakers, showing that the online food environment can be an important setting for interventions that seek to incentivize healthy eating.

Dynamic Demand Evaluation of COVID-19 Medical Facilities in Wuhan Based on Public Sentiment

Medical facilities are an important part of urban public facilities and a vital pillar for the survival of citizens at critical times. During the rapid spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Wuhan was forced into lockdown with a severe shortage of medical resources and high public tension. Adequate allocation of medical facilities is significant to stabilize citizens’ emotions and ensure their living standards. This paper combines text sentiment analysis techniques with geographic information system (GIS) technology and uses a coordination degree model to evaluate the dynamic demand for medical facilities in Wuhan based on social media data and medical facility data. This study divided the epidemic into three phases: latent, outbreak and stable, from which the following findings arise: Public sentiment changed from negative to positive. Over half of the subdistricts in three phases were in a dysfunctional state, with a circular distribution of coordination levels decreasing from the city center to the outer. Thus, when facing major public health emergencies, Wuhan revealed problems of uneven distribution of medical facilities and unreasonable distribution of grades. This study aims to provide a basis and suggestions for the city to respond to major public health emergencies and optimize the allocation of urban medical facilities.

The relationship between information overload and state of anxiety in the period of regular epidemic prevention and control in China: a moderated multiple mediation model

This study aimed to examine the relationship between information overload and individual state anxiety in the period of regular epidemic prevention and control and mediating effect of risk perception and positive coping styles. Further, we explored the moderating role of resilience. 847 Chinese participated in and completed measures of information overload, risk perception, positive coping styles, state anxiety, and resilience. The results of the analysis showed that information overload significantly predicted the level of individual state anxiety (β = 0.27, p < 0.001). Risk perception partially mediate the relationship between information overload and state anxiety (B = 0.08, 95%CI = [0.05, 0.11]) and positive coping styles also partially mediate the relationship between information overload and state anxiety(B = -0.14, 95%CI = [-0.18, -0.10]). In addition, resilience moderated the mediating effects of risk perception (β = -0.07, p < 0.05) and positive coping styles (β = -0.19, p < 0.001). Resilience also moderated the effect of information overload on state anxiety (β = -0.13, p < 0.001). These results offer positive significance for understanding the internal mechanism of the influence of information overload on individual state anxiety in the epidemic environment and shed light on how to reduce people's state anxiety during an epidemic.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of anxiety disorders - a literature review

Introduction: The COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A number of psychological symptoms have been identified in people living during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of them are associated with widely understood anxiety disorders, which have always been a significant problem for mental health.

Materials and methods: The available literature was reviewed on the Pubmed platform and from other sources. The analysis included original studies, reviews, meta-analyzes and internet sources. The aim of the study was to review the literature on the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the occurrence and severity of symptoms of anxiety disorders.

Results: The studies conducted so far show that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental state of people around the world, especially in the area of anxiety disorders. Many studies indicate an increase in the prevalence of symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Research also indicates a greater incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder in society. Symptoms of somatization were also quite often observed in patients. However, the state of published studies indicates that the pandemic did not significantly affect the severity of symptoms associated with social phobia. In the context of phobic disorders, a new type has been formulated: COVID-19-related phobia.

Conclusions: The conducted literature review shows that the current COVID-19 pandemic is associated with an increase in the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety disorders in the general population. The multifaceted nature of the issue of anxiety disorders in the COVID-19 pandemic clearly indicates the need to continue research in this area.

A follow-up study on treatment effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on social anxiety disorder: Impact of COVID-19 fear during post-lockdown period

There is a paucity of research on the role of COVID-19 related fear and lockdown on social anxiety disorder (SAD). In a follow-up study during post-lockdown period, we compared social anxiety of individuals with SAD who received cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) versus psychoeducational-supportive therapy (PST) before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of COVID-19 related fear. Social anxiety severity was rated by the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and post-lockdown periods. Fear of COVID-19 was assessed during the post-lockdown period. The treatment effects in the CBT group (n = 33) were significantly better than the PST group (n = 32) at post-intervention; this was maintained at 14-months following intervention despite COVID-related lockdown. In the PST group, there was no change following the intervention; and the social phobia increased after lockdown. The CBT group had significantly less COVID-19 related fear than the PST group. Social anxiety was positively correlated with fear of COVID-19; and individuals with comorbidities had significantly more fear. Using the hierarchical multiple regression, SPIN post-intervention, COVID-19 fear, and duration of SAD predicted social anxiety severity during the post-lockdown period. In conclusion, the effect of CBT for SAD was maintained through lockdown and was associated with significantly less COVID-19 related fear.

Exploring Factors and Associate Responses for Anxiety in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Web-Based Survey in Japan

Background and Objectives

Anxiety plays an important role in psychology. An exploration of anxiety and its associated reactions may provide insight into measures for addressing mental health problems caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Data from this study provide potential correlational responses to anxiety.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using data collected via an online self-reported questionnaire was conducted in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6), we assessed anxiety levels and explored the relationship between anxiety STAI-6 score, sources of COVID-19 information, the influences of COVID-19, social anxiety symptoms, discrimination, and evaluation of the government.

Results

A total of 4,127 participants were included in the analysis. The level of anxiety was not equally distributed across the general population with respect to age, gender, educational level, occupation, income, presence of underlying disease, and location (p < 0.05). The number of sources of information on COVID-19 had a positive correlation with the STAI-6 score (Spearman’s rho = 0.176, p < 0.001). The influence of the pandemic was correlated with moderate–severe anxiety. A high level of anxiety added to social anxiety (Spearman’s rho = 0.04, p < 0.05) and discriminatory behavior (Spearman’s rho = 0.11, p < 0.01). Being female (Estimate = 0.926) and from a non-emergency area (Estimate = −0.308) was related to higher STAI scores, and higher education (Estimate = −0.305), and income (Estimate = −0.168) decreased the STAI score. The respondents who had a lower evaluative score of the preventive activities undertaken by the national and local governments had higher STAI-6 scores.

Conclusion

Our findings provide statistical evidence for the associated reaction of anxiety and that anxiety reactions may vary in predictable ways. Further studies should focus on the strategic interventions that may decrease the associated responses to anxiety, to address mental health issues due to the pandemic.

Psychological Distancing Usage Uniquely Predicts Reduced Perceived Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has presented millions of people with extraordinary challenges that are associated with significant amounts of stress. Emotion regulation is crucial during this crisis as people seek to mitigate the stress and uncertainty of the present moment. In this study, we surveyed a nationally representative sample of 297 adults from the United States on their levels of perceived stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as their level of engagement of different emotion regulation strategies during the pandemic. We performed multiple linear regression analyses to assess which regulation strategies were associated with individual differences in perceived stress. Among all emotion regulation strategies, psychological distancing, which involves thinking about stressful circumstances in an objective, impartial way, was uniquely associated with reductions in perceived stress due to COVID-19 across individuals. This effect was not moderated by age, gender, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, or trait-related difficulty in regulating emotion. Conversely, situation modification was associated with significantly greater perceived stress overall. These results suggest the broad applicability and utility of psychological distancing during pandemic-related social distancing as part of an adaptive emotion regulation toolkit and motivate the investigation of interventions involving psychological distancing in this context.

Psychoemotional Disorders and Sleep Impairments in Patients with COVID-19

Objectives. To study the prevalence of anxious-depressive disorders and sleep impairments in their structure among patients hospitalized with the new coronavirus infections (COVID-19) and to develop differential guidelines for their treatment in COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods. This report presents preliminary results from our own observations. We report here analysis of data from 119 patients (age 47–69 years, male and female) obtained at detailed interviews, including using telemedicine technologies, with evaluation on the following scales: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) for subjective assessment of asthenia, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results. Results on the HADS indicated that clinically severe anxious-depressive symptomatology was seen in 33 of 119 patients (28%) hospitalized with diagnoses of COVID-19: of these, 11% of cases (n = 13) showed clinical signs of significant anxiety only, while five (4%) showed clinically significant depression and 13% displayed increases on both the anxiety and depression subscales (n = 15). Increases on the MFI-20 scale (>20 points) were seen in 87 patients (73%) and sleep impairments on the PSQI were recorded in 32 patients (27%). Conclusions. The results of this study showed that most patients with COVID-19 had not only depressive symptomatology, but also anxious and hypochondriac disorders, asthenic symptom complex, and sleep impairments with difficulty going to sleep and poor sleep quality. Differential guidelines were developed for the treatment of these states taking account of the side effects of the drugs prescribed, interactions between drugs, and the features of the patients’ somatic condition. Drug selection must be based on the severity of the impairments found.

Social Commerce Intention, Social Interaction, and Social Support

A higher number of socially anxious users were found as more users joined social network sites. Since social commerce has become an important issue, this study investigated the effect of social anxiety on online users’ social commerce intention. Online social interactions are hypothesized to influence social commerce intention directly or indirectly through online social support. 427 effective samples were collected from Facebook users, and the results confirmed most of the causal effects. The study also tested the moderating effect of social anxiety on the causal effects. Of the eight relationships, social anxiety significantly moderates six of them. The relationships between online social interaction and emotional support and between online social interaction and social commerce intention are stronger for users with higher social anxiety. For users with lower social anxiety, the relationship between social support and the receiving of social commerce intention is stronger. The research findings lead to significant theoretical contributions and managerial implications.

Attachment security predicts adolescents' prosocial and health protective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic

Prosocial and health protective behaviors are critical to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, yet adolescents have been difficult to engage. Attachment security promotes adolescents' capacities to navigate stress, and influences prosocial and health behaviors. Drawing on a diverse sample of 202 adolescents (48% female; 47.5% Latinx) this study evaluated relations among attachment, mental health, and prosocial and health protective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attachment security (age 12) predicted adolescents' (age 15) COVID-19 prosocial (f2  = .201) and health protective behaviors (f2  = .274) during the pandemic via smaller-than-expected increases in mental health symptoms above pre-pandemic levels (age 14). Findings highlight the importance of attachment for supporting adolescents' mental health responses to life stressors and promoting prosocial and health protective behaviors.

COVID-19 Pandemic, Personality and Geriatric Population: Proposed Pragmatism

The elderly population is a sensitive and delicate cohort of society who is being compelled to bear the significant smoulders of disruptive social behavior of humankind amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim for this review was (1) to find out the root of disruption of societal integrity and self-centeredness by analyzing the spokes of HEXACO; (2) to delineate their possible relationships with the formation of Neuroticism and eventually Psychopathy, which have endangered human civilization the most in this pandemic; and (3) to search for the potential ways to get rid of these dark times. The constellation of different negative human behaviors probably originate from the negative deflection of components of the HEXACO model of personality towards the genesis of the dark triad. COVID-19 pandemic and upsurge of the dark triad in the form of Neuroticism, Narcissism and Machiavellianism potentially portend major mental health threats. Cultivation and practice of positive emotions and triumph of honesty, humility and humanity are imperative to save the mankind from the savagery of this pandemic.

Risk Perception and Protective Behavior in the Context of COVID-19: a Qualitative Exploration

As a result of the devastating health effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, the lockdown has been considered a safety measure in many countries. In Pakistan, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in February 2020. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate people's risk perception and protective behavior during the lockdown. Twenty-two (22) participants from eight big cities across Pakistan were interviewed. A six-step reflective thematic analysis was used for data analysis. The study focused on risk perception and protective behaviors. Our main analytical goal was to understand how risk perception shapes human behavior in the context of lockdown, pandemic-related information flow, and corresponding meaning-making. The study revealed that people influenced by information and advice campaigns form a perception of risk that has shaped their protective behavior. They used familiar means of coping with distress, including the search for strength through religious belief practices and following the precautions recommended by health professionals through the media.

Sustained Effects of Government Response on the COVID-19 Infection Rate in China: A Multiple Mediation Analysis

Many scholars have considered the relationship between the government response to COVID-19, an important social intervention strategy, and the COVID-19 infection rate. However, few have examined the sustained impact of an early government response on the COVID-19 infection rate. The current paper fills this gap by investigating a national survey performed in February 2020 and infection data from Chinese cities surveyed 1.5 years after the outbreak of COVID-19. The results suggest that the Chinese government's early response to COVID-19 significantly and sustainedly reduced China's COVID-19 infection rate, and that this impact worked through risk perception, the adoption of protective action recommendations (PARs), and the chain-mediating effects of risk perception and the adoption of PARs, respectively. These findings have important practical value. In demonstrating how government response and infection rate at the macro level are connected to the behaviour of individuals at the micro level, they suggest feasible directions for curbing the spread of diseases such as COVID-19. When facing such public health emergencies, the focus should be on increasing the public's risk perception and adoption of PARs.

Multiple time measurements of multidimensional psychiatric states from immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic to one year later: a longitudinal online survey of the Japanese population

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly affected the mental health of both infected and uninfected people. Although most psychiatric disorders have highly overlapping genetic and pathogenic backgrounds, most studies investigating the impact of the pandemic have examined only single psychiatric disorders. It is necessary to examine longitudinal trajectories of factors that modulate psychiatric states across multiple dimensions. About 2274 Japanese citizens participated in online surveys presented in December 2019 (before the pandemic), August 2020, Dec 2020, and April 2021. These surveys included nine questionnaires on psychiatric symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Multidimensional psychiatric time-series data were then decomposed into four principal components. We used generalized linear models to identify modulating factors for the effects of the pandemic on these components. The four principal components can be interpreted as a general psychiatric burden, social withdrawal, alcohol-related problems, and depression/anxiety. Principal components associated with general psychiatric burden and depression/anxiety peaked during the initial phase of the pandemic. They were further exacerbated by the economic burden the pandemic imposed. In contrast, principal components associated with social withdrawal showed a delayed peak, with human relationships as an important risk modulating factor. In addition, being female was a risk factor shared across all components. Our results show that COVID-19 has imposed a large and varied burden on the Japanese population since the commencement of the pandemic. Although components related to the general psychiatric burden remained elevated, peak intensities differed between components related to depression/anxiety and those related to social withdrawal. These results underline the importance of using flexible monitoring and mitigation strategies for mental problems, according to the phase of the pandemic.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chinese Postgraduate Students' Mental Health

To understand the mental health status of Chinese postgraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic, we used three online questionnaires: self-rating anxiety (SAS) scale, self-rating depression (SDS) scale, and social avoidance and distress (SAD) scale. A total of 3137 postgraduate students from different regions of China participated in our study. We explored the relationship between participant characteristics and mental health using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). We found that the proportions of respondents with severe, mild, and moderate depression were 1.4%, 10.48%, and 21.99%, respectively, and the corresponding proportions of respondents with anxiety were 1.56%, 4.65%, and 14.69%, respectively. A one-way ANOVA revealed that the mental health statuses of the participants were different between the subgroups based on majors, classes, degree types, and the method of communication with advisors and students. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects on interaction and the method of communication with advisors and peers. These findings suggest that the mental health of postgraduate students should be monitored during the pandemic, especially when they are unable to communicate directly with their advisors or peers, and targeted psychological counselling must be focused on anxiety and depression.

Ethnocentrism Effects on Consumers’ Behavior during COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has upset everyone’s normal daily activities, generating psychiatric disorders and changing consumers’ preferences. Among others, the agri-food sector has experienced strong changes and, during the lockdown period, Italian consumers modified their purchasing habits in response to the fear and uncertainty generated by the spread of the virus. In order to find out the main consequences of the shock suffered during the period and to understand which factors have affected purchasing choices, an online survey was conducted on 286 Italian consumers. The results show that ethnocentrism has been the factor that most has influenced consumers’ behavior during the lockdown period and that consumers will continue to prefer national agri-food products when pandemic will be over, constituting a deep change to future eating habits.

Social Connectivity, Sentiment and Participation on Twitter during COVID-19

In a transnational context defined by the irruption of COVID-19 and the social isolation it has generated around the world, social networking sites are essential channels for communicating and developing new forms of social coexistence based on connectivity and interaction. This study analyzes the feelings expressed on Twitter through the hashtags #YoMeQuedoEnCasa, #stayhome, #jeresteàlamaison, #restealamaison, #stoacasa, #restaacasa, #ficaemcasa, #euficoemcasa, #ichbleibezuHause and #Bleibzuhause, and the communicative and social processes articulated from network participation, during the lockdown in 2020. Through Gephi software, the aspects underlying the communicative interaction and the distribution of the network at a global level are studied, with the identification of leaderships, communities and connectivity nodes. As a result of this interaction, the emergence of social and organizational links derived from community participation and motivated by the common interest of preserving health and general wellbeing through collective action is detected. The study notes the presence of feelings of solidarity, a sense of community and social support among connected crowds who, despite being in geographically dispersed settings, share similar concerns about the virus effect.

Dialogic gathering of films. Promoting meaningful online interactions during COVID-19 confinement

A broad body of scientific literature exists on the effects that COVID-19 related confinement has had on the population: mental health problems, isolation, and problems concerning cohesion and employment, among others. However, there is a gap in the literature on the actions that reverse some of the effects generated during lockdown. This article collects the results of a study conducted with 53 people participating in a dialogic gathering of films (DGF) that was held online during two months of confinement. The data from the survey show that the development of this DGF generated improvements in 1) personal welfare and attitudes concerning the management of confinement, 2) living together and online relationships, 3) motivation and creativity in the professional domain, and 4) openness to a diversity of perspectives and realities, which improves the understanding, argumentation and positioning in social, scientific and ethical debates.

Subjective Distress about COVID-19 and Its Social Correlates: Empirical Evidence from Hubei Province of China

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic generates negative psychological effects such as distress. Social influences on subjective distress associated with COVID-19 remain understudied in the Chinese context. Wuhan with its surrounding areas in Hubei province was not only the locale where first COVID-19 cases were detected in the world but was also the hardest hit across China. Data from Hubei provide a unique opportunity to investigate COVID-19-related subjective distress and its social correlates.

METHODS

We use original data (N=3,465) from the General Social Survey on COVID-19 in Hubei, China, conducted in August 2020. Regression analysis is employed to examine the impact of socioeconomic status, family structure, and social policies on COVID-19-related subjective distress measured by the Impact of Event-Scale-Revised (IES-R).

RESULTS

First, individuals with higher socioeconomic status are not more immune to distress, and actually it is those better-educated ones who are more distressed. Second, family structure influences distress. Divorced and widowed individuals are more prone to distress than those who are married or single. Those living with COVID-19-infected family members or living with a larger family are particularly more distressed. Third, stricter lockdown measures promote real and perceived protection and also increase individuals' psychological distance from the disease, thereby reducing subjective distress.

LIMITATIONS

The sample is not totally random so we should use caution when generalizing the findings to the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings contribute to our understanding of mental health disparity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Certain social groups are at a higher risk of distress than others.

COVID-19 lockdown consequences on body mass index and perceived fragility related to physical activity: A worldwide cohort study

Background

This paper is a follow‐up study continuing the COVISTRESS network previous research regarding health‐related determinants.

Objective

The aim was to identify the main consequences of COVID‐19 lockdown on Body MassIndex and Perceived Fragility, related to Physical Activity (PA), for different categories of populations, worldwide.

Design

The study design included an online survey, during the first wave of COVID‐19 lockdown, across different world regions.

Setting and participants

The research was carried out on 10 121 participants from 67 countries. The recruitment of participants was achieved using snowball sampling techniques via social networks, with no exclusion criteria other than social media access.

Main outcome measures

Body MassIndex, Physical Activity, Perceived Fragility and risk of getting infected items were analysed. SPSS software, v20, was used. Significance was set at P < .05.

Results

Body MassIndex significantly increased during lockdown. For youth and young adults (18‐35 years), PA decreased by 31.25%, for adults (36‐65 years) by 26.05% and for the elderly (over 65 years) by 30.27%. There was a high level of Perceived Fragility and risk of getting infected for female participants and the elderly. Correlations between BMI, Perceived Fragility and PA were identified.

Discussion and Conclusions

The research results extend and confirm evidence that the elderly are more likely to be at risk, by experiencing weight gain, physical inactivity and enhanced Perceived Fragility. As a consequence, populations need to counteract the constraints imposed by the lockdown by being physically active.