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Kulbin K, Jõgi AL, Pulver A, Kask K. Heterogeneous trajectories of perceived stress and their associations with active leisure: a longitudinal study during the first year of COVID-19. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1327966. [PMID: 38784577 PMCID: PMC11112114 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1327966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is a plethora of literature on the dynamics of mental health indicators throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, yet research is scarce on the potential heterogeneity in the development of perceived stress. Furthermore, there is a paucity of longitudinal research on whether active leisure engagement, which typically is beneficial in reducing stress, might have similar benefits during times of major disruption. Here we aimed to extend previous work by exploring the dynamics of change in stress and coping, and the associations with active leisure engagement over the first year of COVID-19. Methods Data from 439 adults (Mage = 45, SD = 13) in Estonia who participated in a longitudinal online study were analyzed. The participants were assessed at three timepoints: April-May 2020; November-December 2020; and April-May 2021. Results Mean stress and coping levels were stable over time. However, latent profile analysis identified four distinct trajectories of change in stress and coping, involving resilient, stressed, recovering, and deteriorating trends. Participants belonging to the positively developing stress trajectories reported higher active leisure engagement than those belonging to the negatively developing stress trajectories. Discussion These findings highlight the importance of adopting person-centered approaches to understand the diverse experiences of stress, as well as suggest the promotion of active leisure as a potentially beneficial coping resource, in future crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karel Kulbin
- School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Anna-Liisa Jõgi
- School of Educational Sciences, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
- Department of Teacher Education, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Aleksander Pulver
- School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kristjan Kask
- School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
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Hauner H, Blanken CPS, Holzapfel C. Long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle and body weight: results of representative cross-sectional surveys in adults in Germany. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1199. [PMID: 38684999 PMCID: PMC11059715 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18680-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected people's daily lives and health. Few studies have looked into the persistence of these changes. In the current study, we investigated to what extent changes in lifestyle and body weight were sustained after two years of restrictions. METHODS We performed two representative online surveys among adults living in Germany. The first survey (S1) was performed in April 2021; the second survey (S2) in June 2022. The questionnaire focused on changes in physical activity, dietary habits, body weight, and mental stress levels. The data were weighted to optimally represent the general population of Germany. Using Chi-square tests, results were compared between the two surveys, and - per survey - between subgroups based on sociodemographic factors and mental stress levels. Furthermore, binomial logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with weight gain. RESULTS A total of 1,001 (S1) and 1,005 (S2) adults completed the survey, of which 50.4% were men and 49.6% were women in both surveys. Mean body mass index (BMI) at the time of the survey was 27.4 ± 6.0 kg/m2 (S1) and 27.1 ± 5.5 kg/m2 (S2). Reduced physical activity was reported by 52% of the participants in S1 and by 40% in S2 (p < .001). Moderate to severe stress was reported by 71% of the participants in S1 and by 62% in S2 (p < .001). Less healthy eating compared to before the pandemic was reported by 16% of the participants in S1 and by 12% in S2 (p = 0.033). Weight gain was reported by 40% of the participants in S1 and by 35% in S2 (p = 0.059). Weight gain was associated with higher BMI, reduced physical activity levels, less healthy nutrition and increased consumption of energy-dense food. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that two years and three months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the adverse effects on health-related lifestyle factors and body weight still existed, albeit to a lesser degree than directly after the first year of the pandemic. Targeted strategies are needed to better support the population subgroups most likely to change their lifestyle in unfavorable ways when faced with disruptions of their everyday lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Hauner
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 62, Munich, 80992, Germany.
- Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Nutritional Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 62, Munich, 80992, Germany.
| | - Carmen P S Blanken
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 62, Munich, 80992, Germany
| | - Christina Holzapfel
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 62, Munich, 80992, Germany
- Department of Nutritional, Food and Consumer Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany
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Deenen JCW, Kools J, Greco A, Thewissen R, van de Put W, Lanser A, Joosten LAB, Verbeek ALM, van Engelen BGM, Voermans NC. Living with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy during the first two COVID-19 outbreaks: a repeated patient survey in the Netherlands. Acta Neurol Belg 2024; 124:559-566. [PMID: 38218752 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-023-02443-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) suffer from slowly progressive muscle weakness. Approximately 20% of FSHD patients end up wheelchair-dependent. FSHD patients benefit from physical activity to maintain their muscle strength as much as possible. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of FSHD patients was unknown. OBJECTIVE This study assessed changes in daily care received, perceived psychosocial stress, and worsening of FSHD complaints in 2020. Furthermore, we compared COVID-19 infection incidence and severity of symptoms between FSHD patients and non-FSHD housemates. METHODS Three online survey rounds were sent out to all adult participants of the Dutch FSHD registry regarding daily care received, perceived psychosocial stress, COVID-19 infection rate, and COVID-19 symptoms severity. They also included COVID-19-related questions regarding the participants' housemates, which served as control group. RESULTS Participation rate was 210 (61%), 186 (54%), and 205 (59%) for survey 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Care reduction was reported by 42.7%, 40%, and 28.8% of the participants in the respective surveys. Perceived psychosocial stress increased in 44%, 30%, and 40% of the participants. Compared to the 197 non-FSHD housemates, the 213 FSHD patients reported more possibly COVID-19-related symptoms (27% vs. 39%, p = 0.017) of mostly minimal severity (63%). No difference in (possible) COVID-19 infection incidence rates was found (2.0% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.527). CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted care received and increased perceived psychosocial stress in FSHD patients. However, COVID-19 infection incidence in FSHD patients was similar to their non-FSHD housemates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna C W Deenen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Kools
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Greco
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Renée Thewissen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wiecke van de Put
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anke Lanser
- Patient Representative and Chairman FSHD Advocacy Group, Patient Organization for Muscular Disease Spierziekten Nederland, Lt. Gen. van Heutszlaan 6, 3743 JN, Baarn, The Netherlands
| | - Leo A B Joosten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Strada Victor Babeș 8, 400347, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andre L M Verbeek
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, P. O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Fakhari A, Shalchi B, Rahimi VA, Naghdi Sadeh R, Lak E, Najafi A, Shayeghanmehr A. Mental health literacy and COVID-19 related stress: The mediating role of healthy lifestyle in Tabriz. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18152. [PMID: 37501969 PMCID: PMC10368831 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Data concerning the relationship between Mental Health Literacy (MHL) and COVID-19 stress are limited. The study explored the relationship between COVID-19-related stress, MHL, and healthy lifestyle and their components. The current study aimed to investigate the moderating role of a healthy lifestyle in the relationship between MHL and COVID-19-related stress among people referring to health complexes in Tabriz. Methods In this descriptive-correlational study, 1011 people who referred to health complexes in Tabriz were selected using cluster sampling and responded to the COVID-19 Stress Scale (CSS), Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (MHKQ), and Lifestyle Questionnaire (LSQ). Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling. SPSS ver.19 and LISREL ver. 8.5 statistical software is used to classify, process, and analyze data and test research hypotheses. Results The results indicated that stress caused by COVID-19 has a negative relationship with lifestyle and MHL. The relationship between lifestyle and MHL was positive, and it has the positive effect on a healthy lifestyle (with a standardized coefficient of 0.23). In addition, MHL had a negative effect on the stress related to the coronavirus (with a standard coefficient of -0.22), and the relationship between a healthy lifestyle was also negative on the stress related to the coronavirus (with a standard coefficient of -0.20). The evaluation of the hypothetical research model using fit indices showed that the hypothetical model fits the measurement model (Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.97, Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) = 0.95, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.055). All the comparative indices as well as the comparative fit index were found to be close to one and greater than 0.90. Conclusion This study highlights that healthcare providers must develop effective preventive and therapeutic interventions to deal with COVID-19-related stress and pay attention to the issue of increasing the level of MHL during international crises taking into consideration the moderating role of a healthy lifestyle, and develop educational and treatment programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Fakhari
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Shalchi
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Reza Naghdi Sadeh
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elnaz Lak
- Department of Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Atieh Najafi
- Department of Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aref Shayeghanmehr
- University of Warsaw, Poland and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Tabriz, Iran
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Ding Q, Zhao H. Long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human brain and memory. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:196. [PMID: 37380640 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01512-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants have caused several waves of outbreaks. From the ancestral strain to Omicron variant, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved with the high transmissibility and increased immune escape against vaccines. Because of the multiple basic amino acids in the S1-S2 junction of spike protein, the widespread distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in human body and the high transmissibility, SARS-CoV-2 can infect multiple organs and has led to over 0.7 billion infectious cases. Studies showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause more than 10% patients with the Long-COVID syndrome, including pathological changes in brains. This review mainly provides the molecular foundations for understanding the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 invading human brain and the molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 infection interfering with human brain and memory, which are associated with the immune dysfunction, syncytia-induced cell death, the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, microclots and biopsychosocial aspects. We also discuss the strategies for reducing the Long-COVID syndrome. Further studies and analysis of shared researches will allow for further clarity regarding the long-term health consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiulu Ding
- School of Finance and Business, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
- School of Education, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - HanJun Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Science Park, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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Al-Rawi M, Al-Jumaily AM, Lazonby A. Did You Just Cough? Visualization of Vapor Diffusion in an Office Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9928. [PMID: 36011558 PMCID: PMC9408159 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19169928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Awareness of indoor air quality (IAQ) in crowded places such as schools and offices has increased since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, countries' shifting away from containment and towards living with COVID-19 is expected to increase demand for risk mitigation via air-purification devices. In this work, we use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to investigate the impact of adding an air-purification technology on airflow in an enclosed space. We model a Polyester Filter and UV light (PFUV) dehumidifier in an office with two occupants: one infected with an airborne infectious disease, such as COVID-19; and the other uninfected. We compare three cases where the infected occupant coughs: with no device, and with the device at two different orientations. We construct a CFD model using ANSYS® 2021 Fluent and the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) for the particle treatment. Thermal comfort is assessed using the Testo 400 IAQ and comfort kit. We find that both the device operation and the placement alter the airflow contours, significantly reducing the potential for the uninfected occupant to inhale the vapour expelled by the infected occupant, potentially impacting the likelihood of disease transmission. The device improved thermal comfort measured by Predicted Mean Vote (PMV), Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Al-Rawi
- Centre for Engineering and Industrial Design (CEID), Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - Ahmed M. Al-Jumaily
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies (IBTec), Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Annette Lazonby
- Faculty of Business and Economics, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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Zanatta F, Mari S, Adorni R, Labra M, Matacena R, Zenga M, D’Addario M. The Role of Selected Psychological Factors in Healthy-Sustainable Food Consumption Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Foods 2022; 11:foods11131944. [PMID: 35804759 PMCID: PMC9265338 DOI: 10.3390/foods11131944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent precautions and dispositions adopted have triggered substantial changes in daily health-related behaviors, including food consumption habits. The psychological impact of the pandemic has been considered one of the factors affecting this transition and requiring consideration when targeting healthy-sustainable behavior preservation. The present study describes the results of a survey conducted on a convenience sample of Italian residents (n = 2272) during the first phases of pandemic. The aim was to explore the daily nutritional choices and behaviors and their transformations that occurred along with the associations with psychological factors (i.e., subjective well-being, and depression, anxiety and stress symptoms). An indicator for healthy-sustainable transition (HST index) was constructed and revealed diffused transformation in dietary habits, with a large segment of the sample adopting healthier and more sustainable dietary behaviors and others showing reduced healthy-sustainable food choices. Informative relationships with the psychological variables were then found from the correlational and regression analyses. Lower levels of anxiety, depression and stress symptomatology and higher perceived subjective well-being were significantly associated with healthier-sustainable food consumption behaviors. These findings shed light on the crucial areas to be considered in future institutional interventions, ultimately ensuring favorable conditions for both healthy diet behaviors and sustainable food consumption choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Zanatta
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (R.A.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Silvia Mari
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (R.A.); (M.D.)
- BEST4Food-Bicocca Center of Science and Technology for Food, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (R.M.)
| | - Roberta Adorni
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (R.A.); (M.D.)
| | - Massimo Labra
- BEST4Food-Bicocca Center of Science and Technology for Food, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (R.M.)
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Matacena
- BEST4Food-Bicocca Center of Science and Technology for Food, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (R.M.)
| | - Mariangela Zenga
- Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy;
| | - Marco D’Addario
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy; (S.M.); (R.A.); (M.D.)
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