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Roland A, Staring L, Van Puyvelde M, McGlone F, Mairesse O. Sleep, Mental Health, and the Need for Physical and Real-Life Social Contact with (Non-)Family Members during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Bayesian Network Analysis. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3954. [PMID: 38999517 PMCID: PMC11242234 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13133954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The forced social isolation implemented to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus was accompanied by a worsening of mental health, an increase in insomnia symptoms, and the emergence of 'skin hunger'-an increased longing for personal touch. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of the interconnection between sleep, mental health, and the need for physical (NPC) and real-life social contact (NRL-SC). Methods: A total of 2827 adults participated in an online survey during the second COVID-19 lockdown. A Bayesian Gaussian copula graphical model (BGCGM) and a Bayesian-directed acyclic graph (DAG) were estimated, and mixed ANOVAs were carried out. Results: NPC with non-family members (t(2091) = 12.55, p < 0.001, d = 0.27) and relational lifestyle satisfaction (t(2089) = 13.62, p < 0.001, d = 0.30) were lower during the second lockdown than before the pandemic. In our BGCGM, there were weak positive edges between the need for PC and RL-SC on one hand and sleep and mental health on the other. Conclusions: During the second lockdown, people craved less physical contact with non-family members and were less satisfied with their relational lifestyle than before the pandemic. Individuals with a greater need for PC and RL-SC reported poorer mental health (i.e., worry, depression, and mental fatigue).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Roland
- Brain, Body and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Brussels University Consultation Center, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Louise Staring
- Brain, Body and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Vital Signs and PERformance Monitoring (VIPER), LIFE Department, Royal Military Academy, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Martine Van Puyvelde
- Brain, Body and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Vital Signs and PERformance Monitoring (VIPER), LIFE Department, Royal Military Academy, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Clinical and Lifespan Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- School of Natural Sciences & Psychology, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Francis McGlone
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, School of Science, Aalto University, 00076 Espoo, Finland
| | - Olivier Mairesse
- Brain, Body and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Brussels University Consultation Center, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Vital Signs and PERformance Monitoring (VIPER), LIFE Department, Royal Military Academy, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratoire de Psychologie Médicale et Addictologie, CHU/UVC Brugmann, 1020 Brussels, Belgium
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Dong Y, Chen M, Wu Z, Zhang Z. Covid-19 psychological pressures, depression and FOMO: the mediating role of online social support and emotional regulation. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:116. [PMID: 38431605 PMCID: PMC10908053 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01610-2] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The spread of the coronavirus has led to significant anxiety among university students, resulting in various mental health problems that could potentially impact their academic performance. METHOD To examine the mediating role of emotional regulation and online social support in the relationships between COVID-19 psychological pressures, depression, and the fear of missing out (FoMO) among young adult university students, a cross-sectional research design was employed using an online survey. The sample consisted of 521 full-time university students from China, currently enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. RESULTS Findings revealed that more than half (55.09%, n=287) of the university students experienced COVID-19 psychological pressures. These pressures directly contributed to increased levels of depression (β = 0.339, p < .001) and fear of missing out (β = 0.236, p < .001). Moreover, online social support and emotional regulation exhibited partial mediating effects on the association between COVID-19 psychological pressures, depression, and the fear of missing out. The results indicated that COVID-19 psychological pressures were linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms and a greater fear of missing out among university students. CONCLUSIONS However, the provision of timely and adequate online social support, as well as the implementation of emotional regulation strategies, mitigated the negative effects of the pandemic on students' social and emotional well-being. Consequently, this led to reduced levels of depression and fear of missing out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Dong
- School of Education, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China.
- School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang, 330000, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Min Chen
- School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang, 330000, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhigang Wu
- School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang, 330000, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zilin Zhang
- Historic Building Division, China Construction First Division Group Huajiang Construction Co., Ltd, Jingdezhen, 333099, Jiangxi, China
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Hasenack B, Meijer LL, van Harmelen A, Overvliet KE, Keizer A. Longing for touch post-COVID-19: current observations and future directions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22131. [PMID: 38092847 PMCID: PMC10719239 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49113-1] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have reported an association between the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing regulations and longing for touch (LFT; i.e., a discrepancy between actual touch frequency and one's desire to be touched). However, less is known about the prevalence and severity of LFT in the general population in the absence of social distancing regulations. The aim of this study was therefore to exploratively compare data collected during and after the pandemic. Pandemic data was collected online in an international sample (n = 1982), of which a matched subsample (n = 115) was used in the reported analyses. Post-pandemic data was collected one week after social distancing regulations restrictions were lifted in the Netherlands (n = 60) and when virtually no restrictions were in place (n = 55). The severity of LFT was significantly higher during the pandemic than afterwards. Although there were no significant differences in the general prevalence of LFT, significantly more participants reported high levels of LFT (score of 75-100) during the pandemic. We cautiously conclude that, although LFT may have peaked during the pandemic, a large portion of the general population desires to experience more interpersonal touch, even in the absence of social distancing regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Hasenack
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Larissa L Meijer
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna van Harmelen
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Krista E Overvliet
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anouk Keizer
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Brooks SK, Greenberg N. The Well-Being of Companion Animal Caregivers and Their Companion Animals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3294. [PMID: 37894018 PMCID: PMC10604194 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
It is important to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal caregivers and their companion animals in order to inform responses to future crises. Prior research is inconsistent, with the benefits of animal companionship believed to be overstated. In this scoping review, we searched four electronic databases and hand-searched reference lists of included studies. Over 4000 citations were found, and 122 were included in the review. Reflecting on the pre-COVID literature, quantitative evidence of the association between psychological well-being and animal companionship during the pandemic was mixed, with numerous positive, negative, and null findings reported. Studies highlighted the benefits of animal companionship during the pandemic, with animals reported to provide their caregivers with a routine, a sense of greater purpose, a positive distraction from COVID-19, companionship, and emotional support. However, participants also reported concerns about meeting animals' needs, fears of animals catching or spreading the virus, and financial worries. Concerns about what would happen to animals if caregivers were hospitalized led some to delay COVID-19 testing or treatment. Animals also experienced benefits (such as increased companionship and calmer mood) and negative impacts (such as increased clinginess and separation anxiety). Companion animals should be a key consideration in emergency preparedness plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha K. Brooks
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RJ, UK
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