Unemployment and Psychological Distress among Young People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Psychological Resources and Risk Factors

Exploring the unemployment crisis among speech therapists and audiologists in South Africa: perspectives on institutional roles, professional bodies, and the path to job creation

BACKGROUND

Despite the critical need for speech therapists and audiologists to meet various healthcare demands, including those outlined in the National Health Insurance Bill, unemployment among these professionals in South Africa remains a growing concern. Previous studies indicate that 16% of newly graduated speech therapists and audiologists are unemployed within the first year after completing community service, with this figure increasing to 19% by the second year. However, little is known about the lived experiences of unemployment among these professionals.

PURPOSE

To explore the lived experiences of unemployed speech therapists and audiologists after community service, including their perceptions of job creation efforts by the government, universities, and professional bodies and their reflections on their chosen field of study and considerations of alternative career paths.

METHODS

A non-probability purposive sampling strategy was employed to recruit participants who met the inclusion criteria. Participants consisted of speech therapists and audiologists who were either currently unemployed or had experienced unemployment within the last five years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online to collect qualitative data. Data were analysed qualitatively, following Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three key subthemes emerged from the data on the lived experiences of participants: (1) social and lifestyle changes, (2) mental health concerns, and (3) financial strain. Participants also shared their perspectives on job creation, emphasizing the need for universities to better prepare graduates for the private sector and for professional boards and heads of departments to advocate more effectively for the profession. Despite their challenges, participants expressed a strong commitment to their profession, with many seeking alternative roles within the field and expressing no regrets about their career choices.

DISCUSSION

The findings reveal the multifaceted challenges faced by unemployed speech therapists and audiologists in South Africa, spanning systemic, social, financial, and psychological domains. Participants' experiences highlight the importance of coordinated efforts by the government, universities, professional bodies, and the private sector to address unemployment and create sustainable career pathways.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the urgent need for systemic interventions to support unemployed speech therapists and audiologists. Efforts must focus on enhancing graduate employability, promoting advocacy for job creation, and developing alternative opportunities within the profession. Addressing these issues is essential for aligning the workforce with the nation's healthcare needs and ensuring that speech therapists and audiologists can contribute effectively to the healthcare system.

Emotional Intelligence, Mental Health, and Well-Being Outcomes in the Unemployed: The Moderating Role of Age

The main goal of this study was to examine the moderating role of age in the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and mental health indicators among unemployed individuals. A sample of 401 unemployed participants were evaluated per EI, depressive symptoms, and happiness. Moderation analyses showed that age moderated the relationship between EI and depressive symptoms after controlling for gender and length of unemployment, showing a stronger association among the younger participants with lower EI scores. However, this pattern was not found for happiness. These findings address knowledge gaps regarding age-EI interactions within mental health contexts and age's moderating effect on unemployment. Also, the importance of developing targeted EI training interventions to mitigate the negative mental health effects of unemployment is highlighted, especially among vulnerable demographic groups like the young unemployed.

Patterns among factors associated with myocardial infarction: chi-squared automatic interaction detection tree and binary logit model

BACKGROUND

Although mortality from myocardial infarction (MI) has declined worldwide due to advancements in emergency medical care and evidence-based pharmacological treatments, MI remains a significant contributor to global cardiovascular morbidity. This study aims to examine the risk factors associated with individuals who have experienced an MI in Türkiye.

METHODS

Microdata obtained from the Türkiye Health Survey conducted by Turkish Statistical Institute in 2019 were used in this study. Binary logistic regression, Chi-Square, and CHAID analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors affecting MI.

RESULTS

The analysis identified several factors associated with an increased likelihood of MI, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, chronic disease status, male gender, older age, single marital status, lower education level, and unemployment. Marginal effects revealed that elevated hyperlipidemia levels increased the probability of MI by 4.6%, while the presence of hypertension, diabetes, or depression further heightened this risk. Additionally, individuals with chronic diseases lasting longer than six months were found to have a higher risk of MI. In contrast, factors such as being female, having higher education, being married, being employed, engaging in moderate physical activity, and moderate alcohol consumption were associated with a reduced risk of MI.

CONCLUSION

To prevent MI, emphasis should be placed on enhancing general education and health literacy. There should be a focus on increasing preventive public health education and practices to improve variables related to healthy lifestyle behaviours, such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

Association of Perceived Stress, Social Support, and Self-Esteem with E-Cigarette Use Among U.S. College-Aged Young Adults

BACKGROUND

Given that college life is a major life-changing and stressful event for many young adults, they may use e-cigarettes to manage their stress, which in the long run could be detrimental to their health. Furthermore, perceived social support and self-esteem are important factors that might influence young adults' e-cigarette use behavior. This cross-sectional study examines the associations of perceived stress, social support, and self-esteem with e-cigarette use among U.S. college-aged young adults.

METHODS

Students (aged 18-24 years, n = 220) attending Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania between February-May 2023 were recruited to complete an online survey. The outcome variables were current (past 30 days) and ever e-cigarette users, while the explanatory variables were perceived stress, perceived social support, self-esteem, and socio-demographics. Data was analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

About 30.1% and 55.0% of participants were current users and ever users of e-cigarettes, respectively. Participants who perceived high stress (vs. low stress) were 12.4 (Adjusted Odds ratio (aOR) = 12.39, p = 0.02) and 7.4 (aOR = 7.37, p = 0.04) times more likely to be current users and ever users of e-cigarettes, respectively. For every one-unit increase in self-esteem score, the likelihood of participants being current e-cigarette users decreased by 7% (OR = 0.93, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Perceived stress and self-esteem are significantly associated with e-cigarette use among college-aged young adults. Public health efforts should focus on stress reduction, healthy coping strategies, and improving self-esteem in order to prevent e-cigarette use among this population.

University students' sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Hawai'i

Objectives: This study assessed undergraduates' sleep in Hawai'i during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether demographic characteristics, health locus of control, substance use and campus features related to sleep outcomes. Implications are considered for programs to support students' sleep and health during pandemic conditions. Participants: About 1,288 undergraduate students from six universities in Hawai'i. Methods: Surveys assessing sleep, emotional wellbeing, ethnicity, body mass index, locus of health control, and substance use. Results: Students' reported increased sleep time but decreased sleep quality during the pandemic. Sleep disruption related to anxiety, depression, ethnicity, substance use, BMI, health locus of control, class rank, and whether students lived at home. All campuses were associated with disrupted sleep, regardless of size, location, religious affiliation, term structure, or method of instruction. Conclusions: In response to public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, all Hawai'i universities should screen students for sleep disruption, emotional adjustment, social isolation and substance misuse. Programs to promote sleep and behavioral health appear particularly warranted for graduating seniors, Pacific Islanders, students with high BMI, and students who commute to college.

Associations of non-employment with common mental disorder subcomponents among working age population: analysis of national data from 1993, 2000, 2007 and 2014

BACKGROUND

Associations between employment status and mental health are well-recognised and such associations may have multiple modifying factors which may also contribute to variations in results.

AIMS

We aimed to investigate associations between non-employment and CMD subcomponents and the extent of their variation across age groups using nationally representative data in Britain.

METHOD

We used a series of national mental health surveys of adults living in private households: the British National Surveys of Psychiatric Morbidity of 1993, 2000, 2007 and 2014. Employment status was the primary exposure of interest. Presence or absence of each fourteen symptoms of common mental disorder (CMD), as the primary outcome, was ascertained identically in all surveys from the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). Odds ratio for the association between exposure and outcome and population attributional fractions (PAFs) for each association was calculated.

RESULTS

Within the highest-risk 45 to 54 years age group, all odds ratios were statistically significant and strongest associations were observed with panic symptoms (OR = 2.33), followed by depressive symptoms (1.90), worry about physical health (1.84), depression (1.82), forgetfulness (1.82) and somatic symptoms (1.70). In the 55 to 64 years age group, highest population attributable fractions were observed for non-employment as a hypothetical risk factor for panic symptoms (51.7%), phobias (44.2%), forgetfulness (39.5%), depressive symptoms (38.5%), worries about physical health (37.9%) and somatic symptoms (36.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

The particularly high impact in middle-aged, pre-retirement groups of non-employment on CMD suggests a policy focus on alleviating stressors and providing support for those made redundant and/or compelled to take unwanted early retirement.

Perceived Infant Discomfort Linked to Lower Maternal Oral Health Quality of Life: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: We aimed to explore whether there is an association between maternal perceived infant discomfort due to suggestive gastrointestinal alterations and oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) through a survey. Materials and Methods: The present study included two main phases involving Portuguese-speaking parents with full-term infants aged 2-12 weeks old who were not previously hospitalized in a neonatal nursery. First, the original French Infant Colic Questionnaire (ColiQ) was translated, cross-culturally adapted and validated to Portuguese (ColiQ-PT). Then, a survey was distributed, and included sociodemographics, the ColiQ-PT, an oral health value scale, OHRQoL, self-perceived periodontal status, and smoking and oral health habits. Data were analyzed through inferential, correlation and multivariate logistic models in this cross-sectional study. Results: The ColiQ-PT revealed reliability and validity. From a total of 421 responses, higher infant discomfort was correlated with less maternal professional dental care prioritization (ρ = -0.096, p < 0.05). Self-perceived periodontitis correlated with all items of OHRQoL (p < 0.001), all seven OHIP-14 domains, and with the physical (p < 0.001), psychological (p = 0.006), and social (p = 0.011) super-domains. While the infant-related score was associated with baby age (p = 0.023) and physical pain (p = 0.040) related to OHRQoL, the parent score was associated with education (p = 0.005), unemployment (p = 0.035), and physical pain (p = 0.017). The total ColiQ-PT score was significantly associated with more deteriorated social disability related to maternal OHRQoL (ρ = -0.130, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Perceived infant discomfort seems to be linked to maternal deteriorated OHRQoL. This finding highlights the importance of prioritizing oral health in postpartum care. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying this association and to develop targeted interventions.

Psychological responses and factors associated with depression and anxiety in entry personnel under quarantine during pandemic in China

Background

The global COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted critical concerns surrounding mental health. Social isolation measures, such as the quarantine of incoming travelers, are essential public health strategies for the prevention and control of infectious diseases. However, quarantine can lead to adverse psychological outcomes, including feelings of confinement, boredom, perceived scarcity of supplies and information, financial hardship, and social stigma. This study aims to assess the mental states of quarantined individuals, investigate the factors affecting their mental well-being, and examine their coping mechanisms, with the objective of providing recommendations to enhance mental health in anticipation of future outbreaks, such as Disease X.

Methods

We surveyed 327 individuals in quarantine from September 22, 2020 to January 9, 2021, collecting general demographic data and information related to COVID-19. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales, respectively, while stress coping was evaluated with a simplified version of the Cope scale. We analyzed the relationships between independent variables and mental health outcomes.

Results

Among the individuals undergoing entry quarantine, 27.8% reported symptoms of depression, and 20.5% reported symptoms of anxiety. Students were more likely to experience depression compared to those with permanent jobs or no occupation. Significant risk factors for both depression and anxiety included pre-existing health conditions, lack of medical insurance, concerns about shortages of daily necessities during quarantine, and high scores for "guilt and self-blame." Additionally, participants who worried about the impact of the epidemic on their studies or work, and those with high scores for "denial," were more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms. On the other hand, participants who were concerned about potential rejection or discrimination from the outside world after quarantine were more prone to anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion

Attention should be paid to the negative psychological reactions of the entry quarantined personnel, especially those with pre-existing health conditions, those without medical insurance, and students studying abroad. Accurate and effective epidemic dynamic information and preventive and control measures can be provided to the public to prevent fear and stigma against quarantined personnel.

The mediator role of the feeling of personal unaccomplishment in the effect of unemployment anxiety on depression: a research on business faculty students in Türkiye

Background

This study aims to determine how the unemployment anxiety of university students affects their depression level. It also examines the mediating role of the feeling of personal unaccomplishment between these effects.

Methods

The data was analyzed using the PROCESS method. The research was conducted on 843 students attending different public or foundation (private) universities in Türkiye. Random sampling was used to select the participants.

Results

As a result of the analysis, it was determined that there is a positive, significant, moderate (R = 0.509, p < 0.01) relationship between unemployment anxiety and depression and a positive, significant and weak relationship between unemployment anxiety and feeling of personal unaccomplishment (R = 0.102, p < 0.01), there is a positive, significant, and weak (R = 0.184, p < 0.01) relationship between feeling of personal unaccomplishment and depression. Unemployment anxiety of university students had significant and positive effects on their depression level and significant and positive effects on feelings of personal unaccomplishment of students.

Conclusion

As a result of the mediating variable analysis, it was determined that the feeling of personal unaccomplishment has a partial mediator role in the relationship between unemployment anxiety and depression.

Mental well-being of children and adolescents during COVID-19: evidence from the Italian context and possible future developments

The article aims to discuss the increased emergence of mental health problems among children and adolescents, as an outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic.The results of a research study conducted among various professionals, such as psychiatrists and psychologists specialized in childhood and adolescence, are presented. The study, which uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, investigates the main consequences of the physical social distancing measures undertaken by the Italian government during the pandemic. The results are in line with the main evidence highlighted by international research and underline the particularly negative effects of the pandemic emergency on the mental health of minors. It reports how the limitation of intersubjective relationships and the forced digitalization of relationships has triggered or caused the emergence of multiple and varied disorders of the psyche, also linked to the area of reference (e.g., metropolitan, urban o remote areas), the socio-economic and cultural fragility of families, as well as the presence of previous mental issues within them. Finally, the research emphasizes how the understanding and management of the psychic health of these population groups, also from a health organization point of view, will be crucial to address the medium and long-term effects of such emerging issues among younger cohorts.

Social determinants of health and their relation to suboptimal health status in the context of 3PM: a latent profile analysis

Background

Suboptimal health is identified as a reversible phase occurring before chronic diseases manifest, emphasizing the significance of early detection and intervention in predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM/3PM). While the biological and genetic factors associated with suboptimal health have received considerable attention, the influence of social determinants of health (SDH) remains relatively understudied. By comprehensively understanding the SDH influencing suboptimal health, healthcare providers can tailor interventions to address individual needs, improving health outcomes and facilitating the transition to optimal well-being. This study aimed to identify distinct profiles within SDH indicators and examine their association with suboptimal health status.

Method

This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 16 to September 23, 2023, in five regions of China. Various SDH indicators, such as family health, economic status, eHealth literacy, mental disorder, social support, health behavior, and sleep quality, were examined in this study. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify distinct profiles based on these SDH indicators. Logistic regression analysis by profile was used to investigate the association between these profiles and suboptimal health status.

Results

The analysis included 4918 individuals. Latent profile analysis revealed three distinct profiles (prevalence): the Adversely Burdened Vulnerability Group (37.6%), the Adversity-Driven Struggle Group (11.7%), and the Advantaged Resilience Group (50.7%). These profiles exhibited significant differences in suboptimal health status (p < 0.001). The Adversely Burdened Vulnerability Group had the highest risk of suboptimal health, followed by the Adversity-Driven Struggle Group, while the Advantaged Resilience Group had the lowest risk.

Conclusions and relevance

Distinct profiles based on SDH indicators are associated with suboptimal health status. Healthcare providers should integrate SDH assessment into routine clinical practice to customize interventions and address specific needs. This study reveals that the group with the highest risk of suboptimal health stands out as the youngest among all the groups, underscoring the critical importance of early intervention and targeted prevention strategies within the framework of 3PM. Tailored interventions for the Adversely Burdened Vulnerability Group should focus on economic opportunities, healthcare access, healthy food options, and social support. Leveraging their higher eHealth literacy and resourcefulness, interventions empower the Adversity-Driven Struggle Group. By addressing healthcare utilization, substance use, and social support, targeted interventions effectively reduce suboptimal health risks and improve well-being in vulnerable populations.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13167-024-00365-5.

The mental health impact of the October 7th terror attack on Jews and Arabs in Israel: A nationwide prospective study

INTRODUCTION

On October 7, 2023, Israeli citizens came under an unprecedented terrorist attack that impacted the entire country. Recent research has begun to document the mental health impact of the attack but has yet to address the question of whether the attack had a differential impact across ethnic communities. In this nationwide prospective cohort study, we aimed to determine possible differences in psychopathology between Jews and Arabs in the post-October 7th attack. Specifically, we aimed to understand the role ethnicity may play in changes in probable PTSD, depression, and anxiety diagnoses from pre- to post-attack.

METHODS

The sample comprised 656 participants (332 female, 50.7%) aged 18-85 (M = 41.01, SD = 13.72). Of this cohort, 557 participants (84.9%) were Jews, and 99 (15.1%) were Arabs, reflecting their national proportionality. Validated self-report questionnaires were completed to assess PTSD, depression, and anxiety at two time points: August 20 to 30th, 2023 (T1; 6-7 weeks before the attack) and November 9-19, 2023 (T2; 5-6 weeks after the attack).

RESULTS

At T2, Arab Israeli participants reported significantly higher prevalences of probable PTSD, depression, and anxiety diagnoses than Jewish Israeli participants. A series of hierarchical logistic regressions revealed that, compared with Jews, Arab participants presented with higher prevalence of probable PTSD (OR = 2.53 95% CI = 1.46-4.37, p < 0.0001), depression (OR = 1.68 95% CI = 1.35-3.01, p < 0.0001) and anxiety (OR = 6.42 95% CI = 3.95-10.52, p < 0.0001), controlling for prevalences of probable diagnoses at T1 as well as for trauma-related variables.

DISCUSSION

Citizens belonging to the Arab ethnic minority in Israel were found to be at higher risk for psychopathology in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack compared with their Jewish majority counterparts. Thus, it becomes critical to employ culturally sensitive assessments and interventions following the attack to prevent the development of chronic symptoms and disorders.

Potential categories of employment stress among rural college students and their relationship to employment psychology

Background

Psychological problems related to employment are among the most common psychological problems faced by rural college students. Employment stress is an important factor affecting the development of psychological health in employees; thus, reducing employment stress can improve the psychological state of employment.

Objective

This study aimed to understand the potential profiles of employment stress among rural college students to determine the relationship between different profiles and employment psychology.

Methods

This study was conducted in a higher education institution in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China between June and December 2023, and 249 rural college students participated. The Employment Stress Scale and Employment Psychology Scale were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using latent profile analysis, independent sample t-tests, and binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

The results showed that rural university students were categorized into low-level (49.80%) and high-level (50.21%) employment stress groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the employment psychology of rural college students in the low- and high-level groups (p < 0.001). Juniors/seniors were more likely to be classified in the high-level group (OR = 0.477, p = 0.011).

Conclusion

Intervention programs should be developed and implemented to address the characteristics of employment stress among rural college students with different profiles to promote the healthy development of their attitudes toward employment.

Impact of Stress during COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: A Study on Dispositional and Behavioral Dimensions for Supporting Evidence-Based Targeted Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic caused critical mental health issues and lifestyle disruptions. The aim of this study was to explore, during the lockdown of second-wave contagions in Italy, how stress was affected by dispositional (personality factors and intolerance to uncertainty) and behavioral (coping strategies) dimensions, how these variables differed among sex, age, educational, professional, and health groups, and how the various changes in work and daily routine intervened in the psychological impact of the emergency. Our results highlight that women, the youngs, students/trainees, those with chronic diseases, those who stopped their jobs due to restrictions, and those who left home less than twice a week were more stressed, while health professionals showed lower levels of the same construct. Those with higher levels of stress used more coping strategies based on avoidance, which positively correlated with age, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and intolerance to uncertainty, and negatively with openness. Stress levels also positively correlated with agreeableness, conscientiousness, intolerance to uncertainty, and seeking of social support, and negatively with openness, a positive attitude, and a transcendent orientation. Finally, stress was predicted mainly by behavioral dimensions. Our results are discussed and framed within the literature, as important insights for targeted intervention strategies to promote health even in emergencies.

A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of Nurses' and Family Members' Perceptions on Priority and Satisfaction in Meeting the Needs of Family Members at the Emergency Department

INTRODUCTION

Family members experience considerable physiological, psychological, and emotional pressure when accompanying a critically ill relative in the emergency department. The culture and context of care influence the needs of the family, and a thorough understanding of these needs by health care professionals is essential to providing patient- and family-centered care. This study aimed to compare nurses' and family members' perceptions of the priorities of family member needs and their satisfaction with meeting those needs in the emergency department.

METHODS

A comparative, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Participants were 140 family members of patients receiving care and 122 nurses working in the emergency department in hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Science, in Iran. The data were collected through Critical Care Family Needs Inventory-ED and analyzed with SPSS Statistics software.

RESULTS

Family members rated their care needs as significantly greater than did nurses (129.45 [31.5] vs 124.45 [24.8], P = .003). Families rated their needs as having been met significantly less than the nurses estimated (103.6 [17.6] vs 110.8 [19.61], P < .05).

DISCUSSION

The perceived importance of the patient's family's needs differed from the viewpoints of the patient's family members and the nurses. In addition, emergency nurses overestimated the extent to which family members' needs were met compared with family members. To more adequately gauge and meet the needs of family members, nurses need to acquire more knowledge about patient family needs in the emergency department.

Associations Between Psychopathological Symptom Severity Amid the Pandemic and the Childhood Sociodemographic Environment

It is well-documented that childhood socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with various health conditions in adulthood. Here, we examine the extent to which childhood SES is associated with COVID-19 pandemic anxiety and depression. Participants (n = 212), recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk, were assessed for depression and anxiety in February 2022 for both the current context and retrospective self-perceived early pandemic depression and anxiety (April 2020). Participants also reported childhood SES and current demographics. Consistent with predated findings, we show a strong, positive correlation between depression and anxiety under both conditions. Paternal unemployment in childhood was associated with increased anxiety, while maternal occupation was not. High household education in childhood was generally associated with greater anxiety and depression, similar to past studies examining education levels and depression. However, the shift from high school to post-secondary degrees (trade school and associate's) was associated with decreased anxiety and depression, which may reflect "essential work" careers, therefore indicating a dualism. Growing up in crowded, de-individualized spaces was associated with lower anxiety and depression, suggesting better conditioning for the imposition of COVID-19 quarantines. Pandemic-related unemployment was associated with an increase in anxiety and depression. Strong political views, regardless of ideology, were associated with increased anxiety. Finally, participants in our cohort perceived their mental health to be worse in the early pandemic for anxiety and depression, up 6.6% and 7.9%, respectively. Our work suggests a complex relationship between SES, demographics, and anxiety and depression during the pandemic. These findings emphasize the importance of exploring the dynamics between early SES and mental health in adulthood, particularly during extended societal stressors.

The impact of COVID-19 and long COVID on sexual function in cisgender women

BACKGROUND

Research suggests that COVID-19 impairs sexual function in men, but little is known about the impact of COVID-19 (or long COVID) on sexual function in women.

AIM

We sought to compare the sexual function of cisgender women who had never had COVID-19, who had COVID-19 but not long COVID, and who had long COVID, and assessed whether long COVID symptoms and/or emotional distress mediate the relationship between COVID-19 history and sexual function.

METHODS

In total, 2329 adult cisgender women were recruited online as study participants. Half of these women reported having had COVID-19, and the other half reported never having had COVID-19. Of those who had COVID-19, 25% (n = 170) reported having long COVID. We compared the mean Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores by using t-tests for each of the primary comparison categories (never COVID vs COVID and only COVID vs long COVID). Four path models were used to test the hypotheses that (1) long COVID symptoms or (2) depression, anxiety, and/or stress assessed with the subscales of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) mediated the relationship between COVID-19 and sexual function.

OUTCOMES

Sexual function was measured with the FSFI, long COVID symptoms were assessed using the Centers for Disease Control working symptom set, and emotional distress was measured with the DASS-21.

RESULTS

In total, 1313 participants provided data suitable for analysis. The never-COVID group (n = 645, 49.1%) had higher scores on the Desire, Arousal, Lubrication, and Satisfaction subscales of the FSFI (mean [M] [SD] FSFI total Mnever COVID = 27.98 [4.84] vs MCOVID = 27.05 [5.21]) than the combined only-COVID (n = 498, 37.9%) and long-COVID (n = 170, 12.9%) groups. The FSFI subscale scores were significantly higher in the only-COVID group than in the long-COVID group for the Arousal, Lubrication, and Orgasm and lower for the Pain subscales and higher for overall sexual function (FSFI total Monly COVID = 27.49 [5.00] vs Mlong COVID = 25.77 [5.61]. None of the proposed mediation models had adequate model fit.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Clinicians treating cisgender women who have COVID-19 should consider proactively discussing sexual function with their patients and offering available resources.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

In this study we used a large and diverse sample, but this sample did not include transgender or gender-diverse persons. This study was also correlational; as such, causal conclusions cannot be drawn. Further, the mechanism of action remains unexplained.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings suggest the following: (1) COVID-19 infection is associated with impaired sexual function in cisgender women, and (2) that women with long COVID experienced incrementally more impaired sexual function than women with COVID-19 who did not develop long COVID.

Facebook addiction and sleep problems in peruvian university students after the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have reported an increase in sleep problems and problematic use of social media platforms such as Facebook among university students. This study assessed Facebook addiction and sleep problems among Peruvian university students following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the factors associated with these issues.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 352 participants from different regions of Peru. The Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS-4) and the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) were used to assess sleep problems and Facebook addiction, respectively. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated using a simple Poisson regression with robust variance.

Results

The study found that 16.2 % of the participants were addicted to Facebook and 12.5 % reported sleep problems. The results also showed that older age (PR: 0.99; 95 % CI: 0.98-0.99) and physical activity (PR: 0.81; 95 % CI: 0.70-0.94) were associated with a lower likelihood of having sleep problems, while being physically active (PR: 0.55; 95 % CI: 0.33 to 0.90) was associated with a lower probability of having Facebook addiction problems.

Conclusions

The Peruvian university students who participated in this study reported sleep problems in one-eighth of the sample, and one in six university students reported Facebook addiction problems. The frequency of presenting Facebook addiction and sleep problems was lower in those with older age and engaging in physical activity.

Parents' Beliefs about Medicines and Their Influence on Inhaled Corticosteroid Adherence in Children with Asthma

The most widespread chronic condition observed amid children globally is asthma. Only half of children with asthma adhere to their prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) therapy. Parents' emotions and perspectives regarding asthma have an impact on inhalation corticosteroid adherence. The participants in this study were 148 parents of children with asthma, with the aim to redintegrate their beliefs about medicines in general and specifically of ICS and the impact on ICS adherence in children with asthma. Children were mostly male (66.9%), older than five years (58.8%), parents were female, mean age 38, employed, and with a history of consumption of some form of corticosteroids. Parents' answers show that 50% of them disagreed with the statement that medicines are addictive, and 90% agree that medicine helps many to live better. A percentage of 77.7% of parents acknowledge that their child's health relies on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), and 86.5% of parents agree that these medications safeguard their child from worsening health. Most of the parents (93.2%) adhere to the guidelines and instructions of the doctor. In summary, parents who hold the belief that medicines are neither overused nor harmful tend to exhibit a higher adherence. Furthermore, those with elevated adherence levels express lower levels of concern regarding the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in their children's asthma therapy.

Resilience and Disaster: Flexible Adaptation in the Face of Uncertain Threat

Disasters cause sweeping damage, hardship, and loss of life. In this article, we first consider the dominant psychological approach to disasters and its narrow focus on psychopathology (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder). We then review research on a broader approach that has identified heterogeneous, highly replicable trajectories of outcome, the most common being stable mental health or resilience. We review trajectory research for different types of disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, we consider correlates of the resilience trajectory and note their paradoxically limited ability to predict future resilient outcomes. Research using machine learning algorithms improved prediction but has not yet illuminated the mechanism behind resilient adaptation. To that end, we propose a more direct psychological explanation for resilience based on research on the motivational and mechanistic components of regulatory flexibility. Finally, we consider how future research might leverage new computational approaches to better capture regulatory flexibility in real time.

Multidimensional social support and associations between COVID-19 stress and depressive/anxiety outcomes among Hispanic/Latinx and White first-year college students

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to greater depression and anxiety among college students. Social support may alleviate this risk. We examined how social support from family, friends, and romantic partners may influence internalizing psychopathology outcomes associated with COVID-19-related stressful events. Participants: Participants were first-years (N = 425, 34.8% Hispanic/Latinx, 74.9% female) enrolled in a United States public university. Methods: Participants completed an online survey in Fall of 2020. Linear regression models examined associations between COVID-19 stressors, social support, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and differences between White and Hispanic/Latinx students. Results: Reported COVID-19 stressors were associated with elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms and higher among Hispanic/Latinx students. Family and friend support were negatively associated with both internalizing outcomes. Partner support was negatively associated with depression and more predictive among White students whereas friend support was for Hispanic/Latinx students' anxiety. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the importance of social connectedness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Socioeconomic risk factors for long-term opioid use: A national registry-linkage study

BACKGROUND

Opioid use has increased substantially as a treatment for chronic pain, although harms from long-term opioid therapy outweigh the benefits. More knowledge about factors associated with long-term opioid use is needed. We aimed to investigate the association between socioeconomic status and long-term opioid use in the period 2010-2019.

METHODS

This was a nested case-control study in which the cases were all persons ≥18 years with long-term opioid use, that is use of opioids for more than 3 months (N = 215,642). Cases were matched on gender, age and index year (first long-term use period) with four controls who filled at least one opioid prescription, but never developed long-term opioid use in the study period (N = 862,568). We performed a logistic regression analysis adjusted for relevant confounders, stratified on age groups (18-67 years and 68 years and above).

RESULTS

In the younger age group, long-term opioid use was associated with low education (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 1.54; 95% confidence interval, CI [1.51-1.57]), low income (1.33 [1.31-1.36]), being unemployed (1.40 [1.38-1.42]) and receiving disability pension (1.36 [1.33-1.38]). Weaker associations were found for living in a single-person household or in a dense geographical area. Similar associations were found for the older age group.

CONCLUSION

We found that low socioeconomic status was associated with long-term opioid use both among people in working age and older people. These results indicate a need for social and financial support for non-pharmacological treatment of chronic pain among people with lower socioeconomic status.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study shows that people with low socioeconomic status are at higher risk of developing long-term opioid use. In the clinical setting, physicians should consider socioeconomic status when prescribing opioids for chronic pain. Non-pharmacological treatment options funded by public health services should be prioritized to those with low socioeconomic status as long-term opioid use in chronic pain patients is not recommended.

Content specificity of attentional bias to COVID-19 threat-related information in trait anxiety

Introduction

Anxious individuals selectively attend to threatening information, but it remains unclear whether attentional bias can be generalized to traumatic events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies suggested that specific threats related to personal experiences can elicit stronger attentional bias than general threats. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between content-specific attentional bias and trait anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Attentional bias was assessed using the dot-probe task with COVID-19-related, general threat-related, and neutral words at two exposure times, 200 and 500 ms.

Results

We found participants with high trait anxiety exhibited attentional bias toward COVID-19- related stimuli and attentional bias away from general threat-related stimuli, while participants with low trait anxiety showed attentional bias away from both types of stimuli.

Discussion

Results suggest that individuals with high trait anxiety show a content-specific attentional bias to COVID-19-related information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from the innate attentional bias toward biological threats, individuals with high trait anxiety may also learn from trauma and develop trauma-specific attentional bias.

Psychological Help-Seeking Status for Living with Mental Health Conditions in Türkiye: Using a Multivariate Probit Model

BACKGROUND/AIM

Mental disorders constitute a significant public health concern, contributing significantly to the overall disease burden. Individuals experiencing mental distress often delay or avoid seeking psychological help or do not seek help due to varying factors. This study examines the factors affecting individuals' preferences, particularly young people, in seeking psychological help in Türkiye.

METHODS

This study utilized microdata from the Türkiye Health Survey conducted by TURKSTAT in 2016 and 2019. The factors influencing decisions to consult with a psychologist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist were determined by multivariate probit regression analysis. The Türkiye Health Survey employed a stratified two-stage cluster sampling method, surveying 17,242 individuals over the age of 15 in 9470 households in 2016 and 17,084 individuals over the age of 15 in 9470 households in 2019.

RESULTS

The analysis findings indicated that, in the entire sample, women are more likely to seek psychological help, while younger women are less likely to do so. In the entire sample, as the education level increased, the probability of individuals receiving psychological help increased, while it decreased for young people. It was determined that people who use tobacco and alcohol are more likely to receive psychological help than others. It was also determined that individuals who perceive their health status as good, especially those who are both young and perceive their health status as good, are less likely to seek psychological help.

CONCLUSIONS

The significance and impact of the variables on the probability of individuals seeking psychological help vary for both the entire sample and young people. There may be various restrictions in getting psychological help, and people may resort to informal methods instead of professionals to cope with their existing problems. In developing preventive strategies to safeguard mental health, factors related to young people's and individuals' psychological help-seeking status should be prioritized, and more attention should be paid to them.

Decline in emergency department visits during the COVID-19 quarantine

BACKGROUND

Emergency department (ED) visits can be divided into urgent and non-urgent. A delay in seeking medical help, especially in urgent cases, can lead to fatal consequences, along with a higher rate of complications and morbidity. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spread led to restrictions and eventually quarantines. We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 spread and quarantine on ED visits rates comparing to parallel periods in preceding years (2013-2019). In addition, we compared this decrease to holidays and weekends, times in which a decrease in ED visits is seen.

METHODS

This was a descriptive retrospective study. Causes of ED referrals were divided into urgent and non-urgent, then into different subcategories including infectious, cardiac, etc. RESULTS: For the spring COVID-192020 quarantine period, a 56.3% decrease of mean ED visits per day was seen, as compared to preceding years (55.7% and 98.9% respectively). This decrease was also statistically evident when comparing the urgent and non-urgent causes separately and for all sub-categories. This pattern of decrease also showed statistical evidence of fewer ED visits during holidays for most comparisons, in which lower ED visit rates are expected. Significantly lower rates of ED visits were demonstrated during the COVID-19 quarantine period, as compared to preceding years and main holidays and weekends, a decrease that was also demonstrated for urgent life-threatening causes.

CONCLUSION

Our findings can be used to inform a wide range of stakeholders, including regional planners, historians, sociologists, and international healthcare organizations. Healthcare providers should understand the reasons for this ED visit decline pattern, attempt to address patients' concerns, and increase awareness regarding alarming symptoms in urgent medical situations.

The trends of psychosomatic symptoms and perceived stress among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: Four cross-sectional nationwide surveys, 2020-2023

An unseen wave of vast infection was detected in China in December 2022, and healthcare workers faced inevitable challenges and heavy stress. We aimed to present a dynamic mental health map and, most importantly, provide a timely report of the current situation in healthcare workers. The current study conducted four national cross-sectional online surveys from February and March 2020, Apr 2022, and Jan 2023. The Psychosomatic Symptom Scale (PSSS) and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) were used to assess psychosomatic symptoms and perceived stress. Fourteen thousand nine hundred forty-five participants (8578 healthcare workers and 6367 others) participated in the surveys. The prevalence of psychosomatic syndrome, reflected by PSSS, was 19.3% (Wave1), 22.9% (Wave2), 36.4% (Wave3), and 60.7% (Wave4) among healthcare workers, compared to 24.0% (Wave1), 35.7% (Wave2), 34.2% (Wave3) and 50.5% (Wave4) among the others. In addition, healthcare workers exhibited lower PSSS total scores at the beginning but higher in later waves. Despite their infection status, they now suffer from more severe psychosomatic symptoms than the rest of society. Our findings suggest that healthcare workers in China have now experienced severe psychosomatic symptoms and tremendous stress. Therefore, there is an urgent need to utilize social support for them.

Job loss and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial increases in unemployment; however, the association between these job losses and psychological distress is not well documented. Our study reports on this association from a cohort study, with a particular focus on educational differences in both the likelihood of job loss and its potential implications for mental health.

METHODS

Utilizing data from a large prospective cohort study of parents in Norway (n = 58,982), we examined changes in psychological distress within four groups of respondents: those who during the first wave of COVID-19 had (i) no change in their employment situation, (ii) worked from home, (iii) been furloughed, or (iv) lost their job.

RESULTS

Psychological distress increased in all groups. In z-scores relative to pre-pandemic levels, the increases were (i) 0.47 [95%-CI: 0.45-0.49] among respondents with no change in their employment situation, (ii) 0.51 [95%-CI: 0.49-0.53] among respondents who worked from home, (iii) 0.95 [95%-CI:0.91-0.99] among those furloughed, and (iv) 1.38 [95%-CI: 1.16-1.59] among those who permanently lost their job, corresponding to increases of 89%, 95%, 170%, and 185%, respectively. While respondents without university education had a 2 to 3 times higher risk of job loss, the negative impact of job loss on psychological distress was similar across educational levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants exposed to job loss during the pandemic experienced a stronger increase in symptoms of depression or anxiety compared to those who remained employed. Although higher education lowered the risk of losing work, it did not substantially diminish the impact on mental health from losing work.

Do Income and Employment Uncertainty Affect Couple Stability? Evidence for France During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Economic uncertainty and family dynamics are strictly connected. The increasing uncertainty generated by the Covid-19 pandemic is thus likely to affect couple relationships and stability, with potential opposite effects. Using data from the nationally representative EPICOV survey, that followed individuals throughout the first year of pandemic in France, we examined separation rates and how these were associated with different measures of employment and income uncertainty, including both pre-pandemic conditions and changes occurred during and after the first lockdown in Spring 2020 in France. Our results show increased rates of separation, especially among younger people, during the 6 months after the first lockdown, and a return to rates more similar to those observed in usual times, afterwards. Individuals who were unemployed and had lower income before the beginning of the pandemic were more likely to separate soon after the lockdown, while changes in employment conditions due to the lockdown were not linked with a higher separation risk. The job protection and the income compensation provided by the French state, as well a less stigmatising effect of unemployment occurred during the covid crisis, may explain the absence of effect. Self-declared deterioration in financial condition, especially when declared by men, was associated with higher separation risk for the whole year of observation.

Have COVID-19 Stimulus Packages Mitigated the Negative Health Impacts of Pandemic-Related Job Losses? A Systematic Review of Global Evidence from the First Year of the Pandemic

Social protection can buffer the negative impacts of unemployment on health. Have stimulus packages introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic mitigated potential harms to health from unemployment? We performed a systematic review of the health effects of job loss during the first year of the pandemic. We searched three electronic databases and identified 49 studies for inclusion. Three United States-based studies found that stimulus programs mitigated the impact of job loss on food security and mental health. Furloughs additionally appeared to reduce negative impacts when they were paid. However, despite the implementation of large-scale stimulus packages to reduce economic harms, we observed a clear pattern that job losses were nevertheless significantly associated with negative impacts, particularly on mental health, quality of life, and food security. We also observe suggestive evidence that COVID-related job loss was associated with child maltreatment, worsening dental health, and poor chronic disease outcomes. Overall, although we did find evidence that income-support policies appeared to help protect people from the negative health consequences of pandemic-related job loss, they were not sufficient to fully offset the threats to health. Future research should ascertain how to ensure adequate access to and generosity of social protection programs during epidemics and economic downturns.

Enhancing human resilience beyond COVID-19-related stress: public responses to multi-benefits of home gardening

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a public health crisis globally. Against the backdrop of global resilience, studies have demonstrated the therapeutic value of home gardening as a measure to strengthen human health. However, there is a lack of comparative studies on its benefits across countries. Studies need to examine the role of home gardening in improving public health in various societies to understand and encourage this practice broadly and effectively. We chose Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam as case studies, which have suffered substantial pandemic impacts, with millions of infections and thousands of deaths. We explored and compared the perceptions of people on home gardening and its health benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted online surveys in three countries between May 1 and September 30, 2022, with a total of 1172 participants. Data were collated on perceived pandemic stress, challenges and solutions in gardening, home gardening intentions, and mental and physical health benefits. In these countries, we found that perceived pandemic stress positively affects home gardening intentions, whereby the motivation of Vietnamese people is the highest. Challenges hinder gardening intentions, while the solutions only positively affect gardening intentions in Taiwan and Vietnam. Home gardening intentions positively affect mental and physical health, whereby there are higher mental health benefits in Taiwanese people than in Thai people. Our findings potentially support public health recovery and promote healthy lifestyles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From economic difficulties to psychological maladjustment in Italian women during the Covid-19 pandemic: does marital dissatisfaction moderate or mediate this association?

Introduction

The empirical study about the negative impact of economic difficulties due to Covid- 19 on the psychological well-being of Italian women by considering perceived stress and marital satisfaction is an area worthy of investigation. The study explored these variables by hypothesizing that marital satisfaction (DAS) could moderate or mediate the links between economic difficulties, perceived stress (PSS), and psychological maladjustment (PGWBI).

Methods

A total of 320 Italian women completed an online survey about the study's variables during the lockdown period. Women's perceptions of economic difficulties due to COVID- 19 restrictions were detected through an ad-hoc specific question. Perceived stress, marital satisfaction and psychological maladjustment were assessed by standardized questionnaires (Perceived Stress Scale 10, Dyadic Satisfaction Scale and Psychological General Well-being Inventory).

Results

39.7% of women who answered the online survey said that the Covid-19 significantly impacted their family income. Results indicated that marital satisfaction did not moderate the associations investigated. Conversely, data showed how economic difficulties (X) predicted lower psychological maladjustment through the mediation of perceived Stress (M1), which, in turn, was associated with higher levels of marital dissatisfaction (M2).

Conclusion

The results of the present study confirm the significant role of marital dissatisfaction in explaining the indirect effects of economic difficulties on psychological maladjustment in women. In particular, they indicated a significant spillover effect which transmitted strains experienced in one domain (economic difficulties) to another (the dissatisfaction of the couple), which in turn affected the psychological maladjustment.

Construct validity of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in patients with COVID-19 and its demographic and medical correlates

Introduction

The present cross sectional study aimed to evaluate the construct and criterion validity, reliability, and gender and age differences of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in 2020. The criterion validity was assessed via its link with perceived stress, sleep quality, daily life activities, and demographic and medical characteristics.

Methods

A total of 328 COVID-19 patients (55.8% men; Mage = 50.49, SD = 14.96) completed the GHQ-12, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Activities of Daily Life (ADL)-Katz Scale, and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL).

Results

Among 13 factorial models, the three-factor model (successful coping, self-esteem, and stress) was shown to have the best fit. GHQ-12 was positively associated with PSQI, PSS, Hyperlipidemia, psychiatry disorders, hospitalization duration, the change in sleep time, and use of sleeping pills, and negatively correlated with educational level, and the number of family members. The GHQ-12 also had a negative correlation with ADL and IADL in over 60 years of age group. Females scored higher on total GHQ-12 scores, compared to males. Finally, the hospitalization duration was longer for patients over 60 (mean = 8.8 days, SD = 5.9) than patients under 60 (mean = 6.35 days, SD = 5.87).

Discussion

Overall, the findings provided evidence that mental distress in patients with COVID-19 is correlated with high perceived stress, low sleep quality, low ADL and IADL, and a range of demographic features and medical conditions. Designing psychological interventions for these patients that target the aforementioned correlates of mental distress is warranted.

Loneliness and trust issues reshape mental stress of expatriates during early COVID-19: a structural equation modelling approach

OBJECTIVES

To explore relationship among perceived stress regarding loneliness, interpersonal trust and institutional trust of expatriates during the early COVID-19 period (from 30^th March to 30^th May 2020).

METHODS

Data from  21,439 expatriates were extracted from COVIDiSTRESS global survey. The outcome variable was perceived stress. The explanatory variables were age, perceived loneliness, trust (interpersonal and institutional). Pairwise correlation, and structural equation modelling were used to determine relationship among outcome and explanatory variables.

RESULTS

The majority of the expatriates were female (73.85%), married (60.20%), had college degree (47.76%), and employed (48.72%). Over 63% of the total expatriates reported that the COVID-19 pandemic changed their lives. The average age of the respondents was 40.4 years (± 13.7), and the average score of perceived stress, loneliness, interpersonal and institutional trust were 25.5, 7.4, 14.2 and 40.4, respectively. We found a moderate correlation of perceived stress with age, perceived loneliness, interpersonal trust and institutional trust (p < 0.001). They were also found moderately related to each other. Structural equation modelling evaluated that a lack of trust can cause loneliness among expatriates, which later lead to perceived stress. Interpersonal trust was more likely to be associated with stress than institutional trust, whereas perceived loneliness mediated between both trusts and perceived stress.

CONCLUSION

Perceived stress can be reduced through trusting others and alleviating the loneliness. Making strong linkage among migrants as well as between migrants and local community is important to ensure proper mental wellbeing of expatriates.

The effect of resource loss on depression and peritraumatic distress during the early period of the COVID-19: considering the pandemic-situational and social context

BACKGROUND

The public experienced loss of resources, including their health and property during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Conservation of Resources (COR) theory is a useful tool to explain the effect of resource loss on mental health. This paper examines the effect of resource loss on depression and peritraumatic distress considering the situational and social context of the COVID-19 pandemic applying COR theory.

METHODS

An online survey was conducted for Gyeonggi residents when the second wave of COVID-19 in South Korea declined (5 October to 13 October 2020); 2,548 subjects were included in the hierarchical linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

COVID-19 infection-related experiences, resource losses (e.g., financial burden, deterioration of health, and decline of self-esteem), and fear of stigma were related to elevated levels of peritraumatic distress and depression. Risk perception was associated with peritraumatic distress. Reduced income or job loss were related to depression. Social support was a protective factor for mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that we need to focus on COVID-19 infection-related experiences and loss of daily resources in order to understand mental health deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, it is important to monitor the mental health of medically and socially vulnerable groups and those who have lost resources due to the pandemic and to provide them with social support services.

From fearful to hopeful: A thematic content analysis of COVID-19 survivors' YouTube videos

COVID-19 survivors experienced a spectrum of emotions as a result of surviving the said disease. Employing thematic content analysis, the researchers characterized the various emotional manifestations among recovered COVID-19 patients, which are crucial indicators of their mental well-being postinfection. From March 2020 to June 2021, data was collated from 31 Filipino COVID-19 Survivors' YouTube videos. 51.61% of the videos were posted in 2020 and 48.39% were posted in 2021 where 70.97% of the survivors were female while 29.03% were male. 579 primary codes emerged and were narrowed down into sixteen themes where Hope (18.83%) arose as the most predominant emotion followed by Gratitude (14.68%), Joy and Relief (14.16%), Faith (11.57%), Plight Response (10.88%), Sadness (10.88%), Fear (6.39%), and nine others (12.61%).

Back Onside protocol: A physical activity intervention to improve health outcomes in people who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment

Given the effects of physical activity on people's mental and physical health, a better understanding is needed of how physical activity interventions may impact the health of people who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment. This has added urgency in the context of rising rates of poverty-related unemployment in the UK in 2022. The current paper details the protocol used in the evaluation of the Back Onside Programme; a community-based programme delivered by the Bradford Bulls Foundation in the Bradford District. The Programme supports people from low socio-economic backgrounds who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment to maintain regular physical activity through a ten-week physical activity intervention. This pilot study evaluates how a physical activity intervention may impact the mental and physical health of people who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment in an uncontrolled pragmatic pilot study. Four cohorts run back-to-back between May 2021 and May 2022, with separate groups for men (N = 100) and women (N = 60). Physical and wellbeing assessment at baseline and post-intervention is conducted. If the intervention works in this context for these individuals, it will be a promising low-cost community-based intervention for people who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment.

COVID-19 unemployment and access to statin medications in the United States

Objective

To quantify the effect of the unemployment created by COVID-19 on access to (sales of) statin drugs in the United States population.

Methods

Approximately half a billion transactions for statin drugs in the United States between January 2018 and September 2020 are analyzed. We studied the potential causal relation between abnormal levels of unemployment during the first wave of COVID-19 in the U.S. and abnormal levels of sales of statin products (both variables defined at the state/week level). Variables are analyzed using the Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) method, which exploits comparisons of statin sales between states where, given the occupational distribution of their workforce, unemployment was more structurally vulnerable to mobility restrictions derived from COVID-19 against states where it was less structurally vulnerable.

Results

While we do not find unemployment effects on statin sales on most of the population, our estimates link COVID-fueled unemployment with a sharp sales reduction among Medicaid-insured populations, particularly those in working age. For the period between March and August of 2020, these estimates imply a 31% drop of statin sales among this population.

Discussion

COVID-fueled unemployment may have had a negative and significant effect on access to statin populations among Medicaid-insured populations.

The impact of COVID-19 on youth mental health: A mixed methods survey

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented profound disruptions to young people at a critical period of psychosocial development. The current study aimed to explore the perceived negative and positive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people's mental health and wellbeing across a spectrum of clinical needs. A cross-sectional online survey including both quantitative and qualitative responses captured positive and negative impacts of COVID-19 across 593 young people with and without mental health care needs. Findings revealed high levels of clinical depression (48%), anxiety (51%), and loneliness in both samples. Approximately 75% of young people in primary mental health care services, and over 80% in the general population, reported a negative impact on work, non-work activities and mental health and wellbeing. Open-ended responses reflected positive impacts in the domains of greater capacity for self-care and reflection due to the decreased pressures of daily life. Negative impacts reflected worsening mental health, disruptions to key developmental milestones regarding relationships with self and others, and limited capacity for self-care. Together, these data highlight the critical need for early intervention support for the psychosocial impacts experienced by young people due to the pandemic, particularly among those with existing mental health care needs.

Continuous Exposure to Terrorism during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Moderated Mediation Model in the Israeli Context

This study tested the role of perceived social support as a moderating factor in the mediation of COVID-19-related concerns in the association between continuous traumatic stress (CTS) and depression. The study participants were 499 college students who responded to an anonymous online questionnaire. Measures included the assessment of prior continuous exposure to threats of terrorism, COVID-19-related distress, perceived social support and depressive symptoms. The results demonstrated that COVID-19-related concerns mediated the relationship between continuous exposure to threats of terrorism and depression symptoms, and that perceived social support moderated the association between COVID-19-related concerns and depression. The implications of the study highlight the role of prior exposure to traumatic stress as a risk factor for depression and the role of social support as a protective factor. These results point to the need to develop accessible and non-stigmatic mental health services for populations exposed to other types of continuous traumatic stress.

Family functioning buffers the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for children's quality of life and loneliness

COVID-19 resulted in mass quarantine measures early in the pandemic. This disruption of daily life widened inequities and made children one of the most vulnerable populations during the crisis. This national, cross-sectional "COVID-Kids" study collected data from almost 500 parent-child dyads using standardized measures to better understand the effects of COVID exposure and impact on children's quality of life and loneliness. Data were collected via social media from May to July 2020. According to parent proxy and child self-report, United States children experienced worse quality of life (p < 0.0001; d = 0.45 and 0.53) and greater child-reported loneliness (p < 0.0001) when compared to normative, healthy samples (i.e., children who do not have a chronic medical condition). Older children (r = 0.16, p = 0.001) and female children (r = 0.11, p = 0.02) reported greater loneliness. Higher child-reported family functioning scores were associated with better quality of life (r = 0.36, p < 0.0001) and less loneliness (r = -0.49, p < 0.0001). Moderated mediation analyses indicated the indirect effect of parent COVID impact on the association between COVID exposure and child quality of life was weaker in the context of better family functioning. Results of this study raise concern for the short-and long-term sequelae of the pandemic on the physical and mental health of children. Healthcare providers and researchers must find new and innovative ways to protect the well-being of children. Strengthening family functioning may buffer the effects of the pandemic and improve overall quality of life in our "COVID Kids."

Moderation of the association between COVID-19-related income loss and depression by receipt of financial support: Repeated cross-sectional surveys of young adults in Canada and France (2020-2021)

Background

To mitigate the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on financial resources, governments and family/friends mobilized financial support interventions (e.g., emergency aid funds) and assistance. However, little is known about how financial assistance alleviated mental health problems. This study aimed to investigate the moderating effect of financial support from the government or from family/friends on the association between income loss and depression among young adults.

Methods

Two online cross-sectional surveys among young adults ages 18-29 living in Canada and France were conducted in 2020 (n = 4,511) and 2021 (n = 3,329). Moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (cut-off score: ≥10). Two logistic regression models were performed for each survey with an interaction term between income loss and financial support (government or family/friends modeled separately), controlling for demographics.

Results

Overall, half reported depressive symptoms (2020/2021: 53.5%/45.6%), and over a third lost income (2020/2021: 10.2%/11.6% all income, 37.7%/21.6% some income). In 2020, 40.6% received government financial support (17.7% in 2021) while family/friends support was received by 12% (in both surveys). In both surveys, among those who received governmental financial support, income loss was associated with depression, whether participants lost all their income (e.g., 2020: Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) 1.75, 95% Confidence Interval [1.29-2.44]), or some of their income (e.g., 2020: AOR 1.45 [1.17-1.81]). However, among those who received family/friends financial support, income loss was no longer significantly associated with depression in both cycles, whether participants lost all their income (e.g., 2020: AOR 1.37 [0.78-2.40]), or some of their income (e.g., 2020: AOR 1.31 [0.86-1.99]).

Conclusions

Association between income loss and depression was moderated by receipt of family/friends financial support but not by receipt of government financial support. Financial support interventions may help to mitigate the negative effects of income loss on young adults mental health during periods of economic crisis.

Optimism and fear of COVID-19 in higher education students: the mediating role of general anxiety

Higher education students have faced several changes in their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore the effect of dispositional optimism in students' fear of COVID-19 and to test the mediating role of general anxiety in the relationship between optimism and fear. Using an online survey, data were collected during the second wave of the pandemic in Portugal. The sample included 312 higher education students (76% females) aged 18-25 years old, who completed measures of dispositional optimism, general anxiety and fear of COVID-19. The results showed that higher optimism and lower general anxiety reduce fear of COVID-19. Moreover, the link between optimism and fear is fully mediated by general anxiety, showing that optimism reduces fear of COVID-19 indirectly through the reduction of students' anxiety. The role of optimism, anxiety and fear in higher education students is discussed and topics for further research are presented.

Varieties of 'new normal': Employment experiences among youth with and without disabilities during the reopening stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Working and volunteering in the reopening stages of the COVID-19 pandemic has looked different depending on the location, employment sector and nature of the job. Although researchers have begun exploring the impacts on adults, little is known about what the transition to a 'new normal' in the reopening stages has been like for youth, especially those with disabilities.

OBJECTIVE

To explore and compare the experiences and perspectives of youth with and without disabilities who were working, volunteering or seeking work during the re-opening stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

METHODS

We used a qualitative design involving semi-structured interviews with 16 youth (seven with a disability, nine without), aged 15-29 (mean 22 years). Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Five main themes were identified: (1) Mixed views on being onsite in the reopening stages; (2) Mixed views on remaining remote; (3) Hybrid model as the best of both worlds; (4) Mixed views on COVID-19 workplace safety in the reopening stages; and (5) Hopes, dreams and advice for the future. Apart from the first main theme, there were more similarities than differences between youth with and without disabilities.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights that youth encountered various work and volunteer arrangements during the reopening stages of the pandemic, and the personal preferences for particular models depend largely on their employment sector. The areas of agreement among youth highlight some longer-term impacts of the pandemic shutdowns and point to the need for greater mental health and career supports.

Mental toll on working women during the COVID-19 pandemic: An exploratory study using Reddit data

COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment associated with increased anxiety, stress, and loneliness impacting the well-being of various groups of people (based on gender and age). Given the increased unemployment rate, this study intends to understand if the different dimensions of well-being change across age and gender. By quantifying sentiment, stress, and loneliness with natural language processing tools and one-way, between-group multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) using Reddit data, we assessed the differences in well-being characteristics for age groups and gender. We see a noticeable increase in the number of mental health-related subreddits for younger women since March 2020 and the trigger words used by them indicate poor mental health caused by relationship and career challenges posed by the pandemic. The MANOVA results show that women under 30 have significantly (p = 0.05) higher negative sentiment, stress, and loneliness levels than other age and gender groups. The results suggest that younger women express their vulnerability on social media more strongly than older women or men. The huge disruption of job routines caused by COVID-19 alongside inadequate relief and benefit programs has wrecked the economy and forced millions of women and families to the edge of bankruptcy. Women had to choose between being home managers and financial providers due to the countrywide shutdown of schools and day-cares. These findings open opportunities to reconsider how policy supports women's responsibilities.

On the Frontlines: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Workers' Well-Being

The crisis created by the spread of COVID-19 brought increasing needs and referrals to social welfare services in many countries. However, at the same time, social services suffered from staff cutbacks and service closures, resulting in significant workload increases to address the hardships associated with the pandemic. This article investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Israeli social workers' well-being, using a mixed-methods design with a sample of 2,542 licensed social workers. Findings show that over 70 percent of social workers suffered from at least one health problem related to their work. Path analysis findings indicated that social workers who experienced greater service restrictions reported a greater decrease in job satisfaction and experienced higher levels of stress and work-related problems. Machine learning emotion-detection analysis revealed that the pandemic affected their lives, causing feelings of fear, frustration, and sadness. This article demonstrates how social workers whose work was characterized by greater service restrictions were less satisfied with their jobs, more stressed, and experienced greater job-related health problems, and concludes with a discussion of the implications for social work practice in times of crisis.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on almost all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leaving no country unaffected. It has caused a shift in political agendas, but also in lines of research. At the same time, the world is trying to make the transition to a more sustainable economic model. The research objectives of this paper are to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the fulfilment of the SDGs with regard to the research of the scientific community, and to analyze the presence of the Circular Economy (CE) in the literature. To this end, this research applies bibliometric analysis and a systematic review of the literature, using VOSviewer for data visualization. Five clusters were detected and grouped according to the three dimensions of sustainability. The extent of the effects of the health, economic and social crisis resulting from the pandemic, in addition to the climate crisis, is still uncertain, but it seems clear that the main issues are inefficient waste management, supply chain issues, adaptation to online education and energy concerns. The CE has been part of the solution to this crisis, and it is seen as an ideal model to be promoted based on the opportunities detected.

Determining Factors of Psychosocial Wellbeing Among People With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mediating Role of Social Support

This study aimed to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the stress levels and life satisfaction of individuals with disabilities and what role social support plays in mitigating these impacts. Data from individuals with disabilities (n= 600) were extracted from a larger international cross-sectional survey study. Regression analyses were conducted to examine how personal and environmental factors contributed to stress levels and life satisfaction changes during the pandemic. Mediation analyses were used to test whether social support mediated the association between stress level and life satisfaction. The negative impact of the pandemic, having a psychiatric disability, being a female, and being younger significantly predicted stress levels. Moreover, the negative impact of the pandemic and stress levels significantly predicted life satisfaction. The relationship between stress levels and life satisfaction was mediated by social support from significant others and friends. There is an urgent need to provide training and education for healthcare professionals, families, and caregivers on the basic aspects of mental health care, developing time-limited and culturally-sensitive mental health interventions, and strategies for expanding the social support system for the population. Broad dissemination of effective therapeutic strategies is crucial in mitigating the negative psychosocial impact of the pandemic.

Identifying correlates of suicide ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional analysis of 148 sociodemographic and pandemic-specific factors

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a global health crisis, with disproportionate effects on vulnerable sociodemographic groups. Although the pandemic is showing potential to increase suicide ideation (SI), we know little about which sociodemographic characteristics or COVID-19 experiences are associated with SI. Our United States-based sample (n = 837 adults [mean age = 37.1 years]) completed an online survey during August-September 2020. The study utilized an online convenience sample from a prior study, which was enriched for exposure to trauma and experiences of posttraumatic stress symptoms. We assessed SI using the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Traditional (i.e., logistic regression) and machine learning (i.e., LASSO, random forest) methods evaluated associations of 148 self-reported COVID-19 factors and sociodemographic characteristics with current SI. 234 participants (28.0%) reported SI. Twenty items were significantly associated with SI from logistic regression. Of these 20 items, LASSO identified seven sociodemographic characteristics (younger age, lower income, single relationship status, sexual orientation other than heterosexual as well as specifically identifying as bisexual, non-full-time employment, and living in a town) and six COVID-19 factors (not engaging in protective COVID-19 behaviors, receiving mental health treatment (medication and/or psychotherapy) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, socializing during the pandemic, losing one's job due to COVID-19, having a friend with COVID-19, and having an acquaintance with COVID-19) associated with SI. Random forest findings were largely consistent with LASSO. These findings may inform multidisciplinary research and intervention work focused on understanding and preventing adverse mental health outcomes such as SI during and in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Female Sexual Function Index and Female Behavioral Changes: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study in Thailand

Sexual health alterations are associated with disasters. Consequently, the COVID-19 pandemic may affect female sexual function. This study aimed to determine the COVID-19 pandemic effect on female sexual function and to know the risk of female sexual dysfunction. This online, cross-sectional, observational research was conducted during the pandemic period. A logistic regression model was used to investigate the associations between outcomes and potential risk factors. In total, 432 sexually active women participating in the region affected by the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed. The overall findings of our study are that 60 percent of females were at risk for female sexual dysfunction. The average FSFI score was 21.27 ± 7.17. Comparing female sexual behavior before and during the COVID-19 pandemic reveals a significant decrease in the frequency of having sex per week, foreplay duration, and coital duration. In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with the development of RFSD are age greater than 45 years (adjusted odds ratios (AOR) 15.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.67-62.07), body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 (AOR 3.26, 95%CI 1.23-8.67), jobs as a healthcare provider (AOR 8.45, 95%CI 3.66-19.53), previous COVID-19 infection within the previous three months (AOR 36.81, 95%CI 10.93-123.98), and screened-positive anxiety (AOR 13.07, 95%CI 4.75-35.94). COVID-19 influences female sexual behavior and may increase the risk of sexual dysfunction in women. Concern for the effects of female sexual quality of life in high-risk individuals is essential.