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Chang CC, Hsieh KY, Hsu ST, Wang YY, Chou FHC, Huang JJ. Understanding the mental health impacts of biological disasters: Lessons from Taiwan's experience with COVID-19. J Formos Med Assoc 2024:S0929-6646(24)00176-1. [PMID: 38519322 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.03.015] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological disasters pose a growing challenge in the 21st century, significantly impacting global society. Taiwan has experienced such disasters, resulting in long-term consequences like loss of life, trauma, economic decline, and societal disruptions. Post-disaster, mental health issues such as fear, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and stress surge, accompanied by increased suicide rates. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (also called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) pandemic, recognized as a biological disaster, triggered lockdowns and quarantines in Taiwan, causing lifestyle changes, economic recession, and so on. These shifts may elevate uncertainty about the future, intensifying mental stress and leading to a rise in various mental illnesses. This article reviews mental health studies conducted in Taiwan during the pandemic, emphasizing the need to integrate this research for future preparedness and interventions regarding the mental health impacts of biological disasters, including COVID-19. Further research is essential to explore long-term effects, interventions, and generalizability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chieh Chang
- Department of Addiction Prevention, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Ying Hsieh
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Taiwan
| | - Su-Ting Hsu
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yuan Wang
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Frank Huang-Chih Chou
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Joh-Jong Huang
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Liu J, Si TL, Chen P, Wang YY, Su Z, Cheung T, Jackson T, Xiang YT, Feng Y. Prevalence of COVID-19 fear and its association with quality of life among fire service recruits after ceasing the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1257943. [PMID: 37869198 PMCID: PMC10587416 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1257943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In December 2022, China terminated its dynamic zero-COVID policy. To date, however, no research has been conducted upon mental health issues and their relationship with quality of life (hereafter QoL) among fire service recruits since the dynamic zero-COVID policy ended. This study explored fear of COVID-19 (FOC) prevalence and correlates as well as its network structure and interconnections with QoL among fire service recruits. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used to assess fire service recruits in Beijing and Sichuan, Guangxi and Guizhou provinces of China between February 13 and 16, 2023. Fear of COVID-19 was measured using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, depression was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire, anxiety was examined using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, and QOL was evaluated with the World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief version. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore correlates of COVID-19 fear. Network analysis assessed the structure of fear of COVID-19 and its associations with QoL. Results A total of 1,560 participants were included in this study. The overall prevalence of fear of COVID-19 was 38.85% (n = 606; 95% CI = 36.42-41.32%). Being afraid of COVID-19 was significantly related to depression (OR = 1.084; p < O.OO1) and physical fatigue (OR = 1.063; p = 0.026). Fire service recruits with more fear of COVID-19 had lower QOL (F = 18.061 p < 0.001) than those with less fear of COVID-19 did. The most central symptoms included FOC6 ("Sleep difficulties caused by worry about COVID-19"), FOC7 ("Palpitations when thinking about COVID-19") and FOC2 ("Uncomfortable to think about COVID-19"). The top three symptoms negatively associated with QoL were FOC4 ("Afraid of losing life because of COVID-19"), FOC6 ("Sleep difficulties caused by worry about COVID-19") and FOC2 ("Uncomfortable to think about COVID-19"). Conclusion Over one-third of fire service recruits reported fear of COVID-19 after China's dynamic zero-COVID policy had terminated. Poorer QoL was related to fear of COVID-19. Targeting core symptoms of the fear network structure could help improve the physical and mental health of fire service recruits during public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, China Emergency General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Leong Si
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Pan Chen
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Yue-Ying Wang
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Zhaohui Su
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Teris Cheung
- School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Todd Jackson
- Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Yu-Tao Xiang
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Yuan Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Chung S, Lee HS, Jang S, Shin YW, Kim JH, Jun JY. Pandemic Grief Reaction and Intolerance of Uncertainty on the Cognitive-Behavioral Model of COVID-Related Hypochondriasis Among Firefighters. Psychiatry Investig 2023; 20:826-833. [PMID: 37794664 PMCID: PMC10555506 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2023.0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the feasibility of cognitive-behavioral model hypochondriasis regarding coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) among firefighters. In addition, we examined the possible role of their grief reaction and intolerance of uncertainty in the model of COVID-related hypochondriasis. METHODS An anonymous online survey was done on October 27-28, 2022, among firefighters who witnessed people's death. Demographic characteristics were collected, and their psychological states were assessed using rating scales such as the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12 (IUS-12). RESULTS Their OCS score was expected by the CRBS (β=0.30, p<0.001), FCV-19S (β=0.10, p<0.001), PGS (β=0.29, p<0.001), and IUS12 (β=0.04, p=0.024) (F=134.5, p<0.001). The COVID-related cognitive-behavioral model of hypochondriasis was feasible among firefighters who witnessed people's death. Their pandemic grief reaction and intolerance of uncertainty directly influenced their preoccupation with coronavirus, and viral anxiety and coronavirus reassurance-seeking behavior mediated the relationship. CONCLUSION Firefighters' viral anxiety and coronavirus reassurance-seeking behavior mediated the influence of pandemic grief reaction or intolerance of uncertainty on the preoccupation with coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seockhoon Chung
- Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Sung Lee
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soomin Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, SMG-SNU (Seoul National University) Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Wook Shin
- Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Hyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Public Health Medical Services, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Yong Jun
- Department of Psychiatry, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
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Han SW, Jung HO. Factors Influencing Infection Anxiety in Korean Male Firefighters Due to COVID-19 Infection Status. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11111623. [PMID: 37297762 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11111623] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper describes descriptive research to identify the effects of job stress, COVID-19 self-care behavior, and COVID-19 vaccination status according to the infection and non-infection of COVID-19 on anxiety about the COVID-19 infection among firefighters in South Korea. Data from 205 firefighters working at 10 fire stations were collected from 26 January to 16 February 2023. The variables used were job stress, COVID-19 self-care behavior, COVID-19 vaccination status, and COVID-19 infection anxiety. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. In subjects who were infected with COVID-19, the factors that significantly affected infection anxiety were job stress (β = 0.247, p = 0.011) and self-care behavior (β = 0.343, p = 0.011). In subjects who were not infected with COVID-19, the factors that significantly affected infection anxiety were marriage status (unmarried) (β = -0.260, p = 0.005) and self-care behavior (β = 0.374, p = 0.001). These results demonstrate that the infection anxiety of firefighters should be prevented, and their physical and mental health should be promoted by considering job stress, self-care behavior, and personal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Woo Han
- Department of Nursing, Kwangju Women's University, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju 62396, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Ok Jung
- The Research Institute of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea
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