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Kaim A, Tov MS, Kimhi S, Marciano H, Eshel Y, Adini B. A longitudinal study of societal resilience and its predictors during the Israel-Gaza war. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024. [PMID: 38515210 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
This study assesses the resilience of Israeli society during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and pinpoints factors that influence this resilience in prolonged national crises. A longitudinal study was carried out with two surveys, both using the same questionnaire to gage societal, community, and individual resilience levels, along with hope, morale, distress, perceived threats, and government support. The initial survey was administered 5 days after the war escalated and the second 1 month later. The study's results reveal a decline in societal resilience over time. The regression analysis identified four major associations at both resilience measurement points. The key variables are community resilience and hope, both contributing positively. Attitudes towards government support (specifically being a government supporter vs. an opponent) also played a role. Additionally, there was a negative association with levels of religiosity, particularly distinguishing between ultra-orthodox and secular individuals. In the temporal analysis predicting future resilience (from data at the first time point to predict resilience at the second time point), societal resilience at the first measurement was the strongest forecaster of its resilience at the second measurement. Additionally, the main continuous variable from the previous analysis, community resilience, continued to be an influential and positive forecaster in the time-based analysis. The research suggests that the initial unifying effect of the conflict, similar to a "Rally around the flag" phenomenon, may be short-lived. The study underlines the importance of community strength, hope, government support, and religious considerations in shaping societal resilience in the face of conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arielle Kaim
- ResWell Research Collaboration, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Maya Siman Tov
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shaul Kimhi
- ResWell Research Collaboration, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, Tel-Hai, Israel
| | - Hadas Marciano
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, Tel-Hai, Israel
- The Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yohanan Eshel
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, Tel-Hai, Israel
- Psychology Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Bruria Adini
- ResWell Research Collaboration, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Rogers CJ, Cutler B, Bhamidipati K, Ghosh JK. Preparing for the next outbreak: A review of indices measuring outbreak preparedness, vulnerability, and resilience. Prev Med Rep 2023; 35:102282. [PMID: 37333424 PMCID: PMC10264331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for relevant metrics describing the resources and community attributes that affect the impact of communicable disease outbreaks. Such tools can help inform policy, assess change, and identify gaps to potentially reduce the negative outcomes of future outbreaks. The present review was designed to identify available indices to assess communicable disease outbreak preparedness, vulnerability, or resilience, including articles describing an index or scale developed to address disasters or emergencies which could be applied to addressing a future outbreak. This review assesses the landscape of indices available, with a particular focus on tools assessing local-level attributes. This systematic review yielded 59 unique indices applicable to assessing communicable disease outbreaks through the lens of preparedness, vulnerability, or resilience. However, despite the large number of tools identified, only 3 of these indices assessed factors at the local level and were generalizable to different types of outbreaks. Given the influence of local resources and community attributes on a wide range of communicable disease outcomes, there is a need for local-level tools that can be applied broadly to various types of outbreaks. Such tools should assess both current and long-term changes in outbreak preparedness with the intent to identify gaps, inform local-level decision makers, public policy, and future response to current and novel outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Rogers
- Heluna Health 13300 Crossroads Pkwy N #450, City of Industry, CA 91746, United States
- Department of Health Sciences, California State University, Northridge, CA, United States
| | - Blayne Cutler
- Heluna Health 13300 Crossroads Pkwy N #450, City of Industry, CA 91746, United States
| | - Kasturi Bhamidipati
- Heluna Health 13300 Crossroads Pkwy N #450, City of Industry, CA 91746, United States
- Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, United States
| | - Jo Kay Ghosh
- Heluna Health 13300 Crossroads Pkwy N #450, City of Industry, CA 91746, United States
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Kimhi S, Eshel Y, Marciano H, Adini B. Impact of the war in Ukraine on resilience, protective, and vulnerability factors. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1053940. [PMID: 37397735 PMCID: PMC10311639 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1053940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
War or armed conflict is one of the most severe human-made adversities. The current study examines the resilience, protective, and vulnerability factors of a sample of Ukrainian civilians, during the current Russian-Ukrainian war. The level of resilience and coping indicators were compared with the responses of an Israeli sample following an armed conflict in May 2021. The data were collected by an internet panel company. A representative sample of Ukrainian residents (N = 1,001) responded to an online questionnaire. A stratified sampling method was employed regarding geographic distribution, gender, and age. The data concerning the Israeli population (N = 647) were also collected by an internet panel company during a recent armed conflict with Gaza (May 2021). Three notable results emerged in this study: (a) The Ukrainian sample reported significantly higher levels of the following: Distress symptoms, sense of danger, and perceived threats, compared with the Israeli sample. However, despite these harsh feelings, the Ukrainian respondents reported substantially higher levels of hope and societal resilience compared, to their Israeli counterparts, and somewhat higher individual and community resilience. (b) The protective factors of the respondents in Ukraine (level of hope, wellbeing, and morale), predicted the three types of resilience (individual, community, and social) better than the vulnerability factors (sense of danger, distress symptoms, and level of threats). (c) The best predictors of the three types of resilience were hope and wellbeing. (d) The demographic characteristics of the Ukrainian respondents hardly added to the prediction of the three types of resilience. It appears that a war that threatens the independence and sovereignty of a country may, under certain conditions, enhance the societal resilience and hope of the population under risk, despite a lower sense of wellbeing and higher levels of distress, sense of danger, and perceived threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaul Kimhi
- School of Public Health, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yohanan Eshel
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel Hai, Israel
| | - Hadas Marciano
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, Tel Hai, Israel
- Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Bruria Adini
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and ResWell Research Collaboration, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Adini B, Kimhi S. Perspective: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic concerning the resilience of the population. Isr J Health Policy Res 2023; 12:19. [PMID: 37131246 PMCID: PMC10153045 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-023-00557-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A vital stakeholder in the successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic is the public. The degree of involvement of the population in managing the pandemic, and the leadership perception of the public, had a direct impact on the resilience of the population and level of adherence to the issued protective measures. MAIN BODY Resilience refers to the ability to 'bounce back' or 'bounce forward' following adversity. Resilience facilitates community engagement which is a crucial component of combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The article highlights six insights recognized in studies conducted in Israel during and following the pandemic concerning the resilience of the country's population. (1) Contrary to varied adversities in which the community serves as an important support system to the individuals, this type of support was substantially impaired during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the need to maintain isolation, social distancing, and lockdowns. (2) Policy-making during the pandemic should be based on evidence-based data, rather than on assumptions made by decision-makers. This gap led the authorities during the pandemic to adopt measures that were ineffective, such as risk communication based on 'scare tactics' concerning the virus, when the highest risk perceived by the public was political instability. (3) Societal resilience is associated with the public's behavior, such as with vaccine hesitancy and uptake. (4) Factors that affect the levels of resilience include, among others, self-efficacy (impacts individual resilience); social, institutional, and economic aspects as well as well-being (impact community resilience); and hope and trust in the leadership (impact societal resilience). (5) The public should be perceived as an asset in managing the pandemic, thus becoming a vital part of the 'solution'. This will lead to a better understanding of the needs and expectations of the population and an applicable 'tailoring' of the messages that address the public. (6) The gap between science and policymaking must be bridged, to achieve optimal management of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Improving preparedness for future pandemics should be based on a holistic view of all stakeholders, including the public as a valued partner, connectivity between policymakers and scientists, and strengthening the public's resilience, by enhancing trust in authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruria Adini
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and ResWell Research Collaboration, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Shaul Kimhi
- ResWell Research Collaboration, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Eshel Y, Kimhi S, Marciano H, Adini B. Demographic factors, partial social belonging and psychological resources associated with coping. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1154659. [PMID: 37077847 PMCID: PMC10106560 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1154659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The present study investigates the role of perceived partial social belonging (PPSB) in determining societal and individual resilience and positive and negative coping indicators. It is assumed that most people aspire to belong and be integrated into their society. A sense of only partial belonging is therefore distressing for them. Methods Two hypotheses are examined in the current study: (a) A higher level of PPSB will predict a lower level of resilience and a higher level of psychological symptoms. (b) PPSB will mediate the associations between three stress-evoking demographic characteristics (younger age, low income, and gender) and the lower psychological resilience and higher distress associated with these demographic characteristics. These hypotheses were examined using a sample of the Israeli Jewish public (N = 1,502) who responded to an anonymous questionnaire about the investigated issues. The data were collected by an internet panel company possessing a database of more than 65,000 residents, representing the varied components of the Israeli society. Results The findings supported our hypotheses: (a) PPSB negatively predicted societal and individual resilience and hope and positively predicted distress symptoms and sense of danger. (b) PPSB mediated the effects of the investigated demographic variables on these psychological variables. Conclusion These results are discussed in association with the concept of belonging competencies. Our findings display that being unsure about one's belonging to a desired social group, has a major role in increasing psychological distress and sense of danger and in reducing hope and both individual and societal resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohanan Eshel
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, Tel Hai, Israel
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shaul Kimhi
- ResWell Research Collaboration, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hadas Marciano
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, Tel Hai, Israel
- The Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Bruria Adini
- ResWell Research Collaboration, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Gilbar O, Gelkopf M, Greene T. Perceived stress during COVID-19: Community resilience three years before the pandemic as a protective factor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION : IJDRR 2022; 82:103337. [PMID: 36213695 PMCID: PMC9529673 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Research indicates that stress increased across the globe after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Community resilience has been suggested as a central protective factor for stress related to disasters and emergency crises. This study examined the contribution of community resilience reported three years prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, together with related worries and personal risk factors, to perceived stress among Israeli adults following the first wave of COVID-19 in Israel. We performed a two-period 3-year longitudinal study (Period 1 [P1]: July-September 2017; Period 2: [P2] May-June 2020). The final sample included 578 participants. Participants completed a community resilience self-report questionnaire during P1 as well as measures regarding perceived stress and COVID-19 worries during P2. Using linear hierarchical regression, we tested the additional explanatory effect of community resilience and found it to be negatively associated with perceived stress. While health-related worries were not significantly associated with perceived stress, worries related to the functioning of governmental and health institutions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly associated with perceived stress. Additionally, being single, living in a smaller residence and income reduction during the pandemic predicted higher perceived stress. The current study highlights the potential buffering role of community resilience in protecting against COVID-19 stress. Assessing community resilience may help identify vulnerable groups, and focusing on community building may be an effective strategy to mitigate stress in future disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ohad Gilbar
- University of Haifa, Department of Community Mental Health, Israel
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, School of Social Work, Israel
| | - Marc Gelkopf
- University of Haifa, Department of Community Mental Health, Israel
| | - Talya Greene
- University of Haifa, Department of Community Mental Health, Israel
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Kimhi S, Eshel Y, Marciano H, Adini B. Impact of societal resilience on vaccine hesitancy and uptake: Lessons learned from the Israeli experience. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION : IJDRR 2022; 79:103181. [PMID: 35873193 PMCID: PMC9293373 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccine hesitancy threatens COVID-19 pandemic management. Increasing vaccine uptake is important to containment of the virus, and achievement of herd immunity. OBJECTIVE To identify factors of resilience, distress, and well-being that impact vaccine hesitancy and uptake. METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted during the pandemic's fourth wave. The data were collected by an internet panel company. A representative sample of Israeli residents (N = 2002) answered an online questionnaire. A stratified sampling method was employed regarding geographic distribution, gender, and age. As vaccine hesitancy poses a threat to the effective management of the pandemic, the outcome measures included vaccine hesitancy and uptake (dependent variables), and resilience, distress, and well-being (independent variables). RESULTS 24% of respondents reported a high level of vaccine hesitancy; 68% received 3 vaccines; 5% did not receive any vaccine. Six predictors together explained 22% of vaccine hesitancy and 15% of vaccine uptake.Path analysis indicated that: (a) Societal resilience was the best predictor of vaccine hesitancy and uptake: the higher the societal resilience, the lower vaccine hesitancy, and the higher vaccine uptake. (b) The higher sense of danger, the higher vaccine hesitancy, and the lower vaccine uptake. (c) The higher level of religiosity, the lower vaccine uptake. (d) The higher the family income, the lower level of vaccine hesitancy. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that public attitudes are primarily influenced by the degree of trust in the leadership and other components of societal resilience. Further research should investigate the impact of transparency concerning COVID-19 decision-making on vaccine hesitancy and uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaul Kimhi
- Multinational Resilience & Well-being Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Yohanan Eshel
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel Hai and University of Haifa, Israel
| | - Hadas Marciano
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, The Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making (IIPDM), University of Haifa, Israel
| | - Bruria Adini
- Head of the Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, Multinational Resilience & Well-being Research Center, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
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Eshel Y, Kimhi S, Marciano H, Adini B. Conspiracy claims and secret intentions as predictors of psychological coping and vaccine uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 151:311-318. [PMID: 35526447 PMCID: PMC9057981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign led to hesitancy, deferment and un-resolving resistance of certain groups or individuals worldwide. Reasons for these reactions include distrust in the COVID-19 vaccine that was developed rapidly, lack of trust in governing entities and unrealistic optimism (UO). Each of these reasons may involve claims of secret intentions or conspiracy theories. The present study examined the role of three different explanations for vaccine hesitancy and rejection, in predicting psychological coping, distress, and level of vaccine uptake, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Blaming the vaccine and its producers, blaming the state's authorities, and expressing criticism in UO terms, which may hint of some secret intention that underlies the vaccination request. The research was conducted on a sample of 2002 Israeli adults who responded to an anonymous questionnaire about vaccine hesitancy and psychological coping. We assumed that conspiracy theories aimed at the medical and the governing authorities, and the UO insinuations of covert intentions of these authorities, represent two different psychological processes. UO responses to adversity are aimed at reducing anxiety attributing covert intentions to the authorities and the pharmaceutical companies is an expression of anxiety. Three major hypotheses are examined. First, stronger criticism of the vaccine will be associated with a lower level of vaccination. Second, more extreme criticism of the political and the medical authorities for requesting vaccination, raised as a reason for vaccine hesitation will positively predict a higher level of anxiety and negatively predict the extent of good psychological coping. A stronger opposition to the vaccine in terms of UO will be positively associated with a greater scope of resilience and coping and will be negatively linked to indicators of distress. Results supported these hypotheses and enhanced the ongoing discussion on the contribution of UO to psychological adjustment, by illustrating its beneficial effects on this adjustment. Conspiracy Theories and Secret Intentions as Predictors of Psychological Coping and Vaccine Uptake throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic in Israel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohanan Eshel
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel Hai and University of Haifa, Israel.
| | - Shaul Kimhi
- ResWell - Multinational Resilience & Well-being Research Collaboration, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
| | - Hadas Marciano
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, The Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making (IIPDM), University of Haifa, Israel. https://
| | - Bruria Adini
- Head of the Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, ResWell -Multinational Resilience & Well-being Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
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The Association between the Sense of Coherence and the Self-Reported Adherence to Guidelines during the First Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Israel. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19138041. [PMID: 35805697 PMCID: PMC9265674 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Social distancing became a central strategy employed to limit the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We explore self-reported adherence (SRA) and factors associated with SRA among Israeli adults at the end of the first national lockdown in Israel. (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional consumer panel survey of 820 Israeli adults aged 18 to 70 in May and June 2020. We collected data on the SRA to the social distancing measures, sociodemographic variables, perceptions of pandemic-related danger and of protection provided by the social distancing measures, as well as Sense of Coherence (SoC). (3) Results: 60% of respondents reported complying with 7 measures. Higher SoC was associated with higher SRA (p = 0.04), and was related to income, marital status, age, profession, and education. The SRA was higher among Jews than Arabs (Jews: Mean = 10.5, SD = 4.5; Arabs: Mean = 9.1, SD = 4.1, p < 0.001) and among males (Males: Mean = 10.8, SD = 4.7; Females: Mean = 9, SD = 4.1; p = 0.003). SoC, perception of protection and perception of danger were associated with higher SRA (p = 0.42, p < 0.001 and p = 0.005 respectively). Single people reported higher levels of SRA than people in relationships (Partnered: Mean = 9.7, SD = 4.2, Non-partnered: Mean = 10.9, SD = 4.7, p = 0.033). (4) Conclusions: At the time of exit from the first lockdown, compliance with social distancing measures was high, with Jewish, single and male Israelis more likely to adhere to the guidelines. We identified the populations at risk for non-adherence and associated factors, reporting for the first time the correlation between SoC and SRA. Further research is needed to assess the role of these factors in Jewish and Arab populations.
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Shah P, Hardy J, Birken M, Foye U, Rowan Olive R, Nyikavaranda P, Dare C, Stefanidou T, Schlief M, Pearce E, Lyons N, Machin K, Jeynes T, Chipp B, Chhapia A, Barber N, Gillard S, Pitman A, Simpson A, Johnson S, Lloyd-Evans B. What has changed in the experiences of people with mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: a coproduced, qualitative interview study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2022; 57:1291-1303. [PMID: 35267053 PMCID: PMC8908744 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02254-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to understand how the experiences of people in the UK with pre-existing mental health conditions had developed during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS In September-October 2020, we interviewed adults with mental health conditions pre-dating the pandemic, whom we had previously interviewed 3 months earlier. Participants had been recruited through online advertising and voluntary sector community organisations. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted by telephone or video-conference by researchers with lived experience of mental health difficulties, and, following principles of thematic analysis, were analysed to explore changes over time in people's experience of the pandemic. RESULTS We interviewed 44 people, achieving diversity of demographic characteristics (73% female, 54% White British, aged 18-75) and a range of mental health conditions and service use among our sample. Three overarching themes were derived from interviews. The first theme "spectrum of adaptation" describes how participants reacted to reduced access to formal and informal support through personal coping responses or seeking new sources of help, with varying degrees of success. The second theme describes "accumulating pressures" from pandemic-related anxieties and sustained disruption to social contact and support, and to mental health treatment. The third theme "feeling overlooked" reflects participants' feeling of people with mental health conditions being ignored during the pandemic by policy-makers at all levels, which was compounded for people from ethnic minority communities or with physical health problems. CONCLUSION In line with previous research, our study highlights the need to support marginalised groups who are at risk of increased inequalities, and to maintain crucial mental and physical healthcare and social care for people with existing mental health conditions, notwithstanding challenges of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisha Shah
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Jackie Hardy
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Mary Birken
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Una Foye
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 18 DeCrespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Rachel Rowan Olive
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Patrick Nyikavaranda
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Ceri Dare
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Theodora Stefanidou
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Merle Schlief
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Eiluned Pearce
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Natasha Lyons
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Karen Machin
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Tamar Jeynes
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Beverley Chipp
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Anjie Chhapia
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Nick Barber
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Steven Gillard
- Centre for Mental Health Research, City, University of London, 1 Myddelton Street, London, EC1R 1UW, UK
| | - Alexandra Pitman
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Alan Simpson
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 18 DeCrespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Sonia Johnson
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Brynmor Lloyd-Evans
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK.
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Bodas M, Peleg K, Stolero N, Adini B. Risk Perception of Natural and Human-Made Disasters-Cross Sectional Study in Eight Countries in Europe and Beyond. Front Public Health 2022; 10:825985. [PMID: 35252099 PMCID: PMC8896349 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.825985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Each year, emergency and disaster situations claim a heavy toll in human lives and economic loss. Civilian populations that are more aware and prepared for emergencies are more resilient. The aim of this study was to explore similarities and differences in risk perception of emergencies and disasters across different societies and its association with individual resilience. A cross sectional study that explored attitudinal factors, as expressed by diverse samples of target countries across Europe and beyond, took place during the months of January-February 2021. Diverse samples (N ≥ 500) of adults from 8 countries (Italy, Romania, Spain, France, Sweden, Norway, Israel, and Japan) were engaged in this study. This study used the Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self-Measure (iPRISM) tool to assess risk perception. The results suggest that for the overall sample (N = 4,013), pandemics were the risk of which participants showed the highest concern, followed by critical infrastructure fail, social disturbance, natural hazards, and extreme weather events. It was found that religiosity is associated with risk perception, with highly religious and non-religious reporting elevated risk perception (F = 5.735, df = 2, p = 0.003), however country-specific analysis revealed that this finding varies depending on local contexts. The analysis also revealed differences in risk perception depending on age and type of risk. The results of this study present that there are commonalities and differences between societies across Europe and beyond concerning societal resilience at large, including risk perception. The dependency of risk perception on local context suggests that a regional-based approach for disaster risk reduction may be called for to adapt and adjust to local socio-cultural characteristics of each population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Bodas
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Israel
- National Center for Trauma and Emergency Medicine Research, The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kobi Peleg
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Israel
- National Center for Trauma and Emergency Medicine Research, The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nathan Stolero
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Bruria Adini
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Israel
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Eshel Y, Kimhi S, Marciano H, Adini B. Belonging to Socially Excluded Groups as a Predictor of Vaccine Hesitancy and Rejection. Front Public Health 2022; 9:823795. [PMID: 35127631 PMCID: PMC8810499 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.823795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The scientific call for vaccination against the COVID-19 pandemic has met hesitancy, postponement, and direct opposition of parts of the public in several countries. Mistrusting the COVID-19 vaccine, distrusting the authorities, and unrealistic optimism, are three major reasons employed in justifying vaccine hesitancy. The present study examines two major issues. First, it strives to identify individuals that are unwilling to adhere to the vaccination process, more strongly question the effectiveness and necessity of the COVID-19 vaccine, and wonder about potential covert reasons for its administration. Second, it investigates associations between such “conspiracy” claims and the actual rejection of the vaccine. We assume that individuals belonging to social groups which are partly excluded by the general society will be less willing to fulfill the demands of this society, more inclined to reject the vaccine and associate it with some hidden conspiracy. A relatively large sample of the Israeli public (N = 2002) has responded to an anonymous questionnaire pertaining, among other things, to vaccine hesitancy and the individual level of vaccine uptake. Previous research has mainly examined the reasons for vaccine hesitancy. The present study's results indicate that three out of four social exclusion criteria (young adulthood, low level of income, and orthodox religiosity) have negatively predicted vaccine uptake and positively predicted three types of reasoning for vaccine hesitancy. Young adulthood was the strongest predictor of vaccine rejection. Attempts at convincing hesitating individuals to uptake this vaccine have often failed in many countries. As varied reasons underlie vaccine refusal, it is suggested that the approach to different vaccine rejecting groups should not be generic but rather tailor-made, in an attempt to influence their perceptions and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohanan Eshel
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel Hai and University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shaul Kimhi
- Multinational Resilience and Well-Being Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hadas Marciano
- Stress and Resilience Research Center, Tel-Hai College, The Institute of Information Processing and Decision Making (IIPDM), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Bruria Adini
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Management, Multinational Resilience and Well-Being Research Center, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- *Correspondence: Bruria Adini
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Gidron Y, Levy E, Farchi M, Rapaport C. Effects of an automatized psychological inoculation (PI) intervention on anxiety, resilience and adherence to COVID-19 recommendations. Psychol Health 2021; 38:541-554. [PMID: 34595960 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2021.1984485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The covid-19 pandemic calls for adherence to multiple health behaviours. While authorities mostly use health information to deal with these issues, such an approach may be insufficient. This study examined the effects of a cognitive method, namely psychological inoculation (PI) + health information (experimental) versus health information alone (control) on anxiety, resilience and adherence. DESIGN A randomized controlled trial was used. Participants were assigned to the experimental or control conditions, all provided on an automatized computerized system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES These included anxiety, adherence to the Covid-19 Israeli health ministry's recommendations, and mental resilience. Participants were assessed before, immediately after and a week after the interventions. RESULTS Controls increased only in adherence at 1 week compared to baseline. In contrast, those in the PI increased in resilience and adherence and reported lower anxiety immediately after treatment compared to baseline levels. In the PI condition, degree of refuting challenging sentences correlated with less anxiety. CONCLUSIONS Results showed better immediate improvements in anxiety, resilience and intention to adhere in the experimental condition compare to the controls. Authorities may wish to add PI to help the public deal with the effects of such a pandemic and to increase adherence to health recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yori Gidron
- Department of Nursing, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel
| | - Einav Levy
- Department of Social Work, Tel-Hai College, Qiryat Shemona, Israel.,The Israeli School of Humanitarian Action, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Moshe Farchi
- Department of Social Work, Tel-Hai College, Qiryat Shemona, Israel
| | - Carmit Rapaport
- Department of Nursing, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel.,Department of Geography, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel
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