Social Cognition, Psychological Symptoms, and Mental Health: The Model, Evidence, and Contribution of Ego Development

Introduction Staff and equipment shortages and an easily transmissible virus make working in the COVID-19 pandemic demanding physically and psychologically. Nurses on the frontlines are particularly vulnerable to the adversity of working under these conditions, particularly with regard to mental health. Thus, understanding risk and protective factors for this vulnerable and essential group is critical for identifying potential targets of interventions. We had two aims for the current study: (a) to examine work functioning and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress (PTSD) among nurses who did and did not care for patients with COVID-19; and (b) to determine if resilience and social support moderate these relationships. Methods For three weeks in July 2020, nurses across the United States were invited to participate in an online survey collecting data on demographics, resilience, social support, and screening measures of depression, PTSD, anxiety, and distracted practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression for each outcome measure. Conclusions Our findings support a growing body of research reporting that nurses are experiencing mental health sequelae during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those providing direct care to patients with the virus. We found that compared to nurses who did not care for patients with COVID-19, those who did reported increased symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. A novel contribution is our finding that nurses providing direct COVID-19 care also experienced increased levels of distracted practice, a behavioral measure of distraction linking to a potential impact on patient care. We also found that resilience and social support acted as moderators of some of these relationships. Fostering resilience and social support may help buffer the effects of providing care to patients with COVID-19 and could potentially decrease nurse vulnerability to developing psychological symptoms and impairment on the job.

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Self-Report Depression Scales in the Elderly: The Relationship between the CES-D and ZUNG

The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine ◽

10.2190/8xgr-yufh-0gvm-k4xb ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 325-338 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Bruce R. Deforge ◽

Jeffery Sobal

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Somatic Symptoms ◽

The Elderly ◽

Self Report ◽

Common Mental Health Problems ◽

Depression Scales ◽

The Relationship

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems in the elderly, but there is little consensus about the best way to assess depression in the aged. The relationship between the CES-D and the ZUNG self-report depression scales was investigated in seventy-eight elderly people with osteoarthritis (mean age 71). The correlation between the scales was r = .69, with the CES-D classifying 15 percent of the participants as depressed, as compared to 6 percent by the ZUNG. Psychological symptoms had the strongest relationship with overall depression scores on both scales. No sex differences were found on psychological items on either scale, but females reported more somatic symptoms on the ZUNG. People over age seventy-four reported more psychological symptoms than their younger counterparts.

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Palliative Care Gaps in Providing Psychological Treatment: A Review of the Current State of Research in Multidisciplinary Palliative Care

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® ◽

10.1177/1049909117723860 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 505-510 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Elissa Kozlov ◽

Bahar Niknejad ◽

M. C. Reid

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Intervention Studies ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

Psychological Treatment ◽

Future Research ◽

Psychological Outcome ◽

Current State ◽

Care Intervention

Background: Patients with advanced illness often have high rates of psychological symptoms. Many multicomponent palliative care intervention studies have investigated the efficacy of overall symptom reduction; however, little research has focused explicitly on how interventions address psychological symptoms associated with serious illness. Methods: The current study reviewed 59 multicomponent palliative care intervention articles and analyzed the mental health components of palliative care interventions and their outcomes in order to better understand the current state of psychological care in palliative care. Results: The majority of articles (69.5%) did not provide any details regarding the psychological component delivered as part of the palliative care intervention. Most (54.2%) studies did not specify which provider on the team was responsible for providing the psychological intervention. Studies varied regarding the type of outcome measure utilized; multi-symptom assessment scales were used in 54.2% of studies, mental health scales were employed in 25.4%, quality of life and distress scales were used in 16.9%, and no psychological scales were reported in 28.8%. Fewer than half the studies (42.4%) documented a change in a psychological outcome. Discussion and Conclusion: The majority of analyzed studies failed to describe how psychological symptoms were identified and treated, which discipline on the team provided the treatment, and whether psychological symptoms improved as a result of the intervention. Future research evaluating the effects of palliative care interventions on psychological symptoms will benefit from using reliable and valid psychological outcome measures and providing specificity regarding the psychological components of the intervention and who provides it.

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Social Cognition and Sense of Belonging among Institutionalized Schizophrenic Patients

Evidence-Based Nursing Research ◽

10.47104/ebnrojs3.v1i3.51 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Fatma N. Kotb

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Sense Of Belonging ◽

Addiction Treatment ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Healthy Relationships ◽

Descriptive Research ◽

Schizophrenic Patients

Context: Schizophrenia is one of the perilous mental health problems. It hinders the patient’s capability of thinking clearly, making life decisions, managing their emotions, and building healthy relationships. Aim: This study aimed to explore the relationship between social cognition and sense of belonging among institutionalized schizophrenic patients. Methods: The study used a descriptive research design to achieve the aim of this study. This research carried out in the inpatient unit of Minia Hospital for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment. A convenient sample of 100 institutionalized schizophrenic patients recruited in the current study. Three tools used to collect data of this study include socio-demographic and medical data questionnaire, Observable Social Cognition Rating Scale, and Sense of Belonging scale. Results: The main findings of this study revealed that more than three fourth of schizophrenic patients had low levels of social cognition, and sense of belonging. There was a significant positive relationship between social cognition and sense of belonging of institutionalized schizophrenic patients. Conclusion: The current study concluded that institutionalized schizophrenic patients have a positive connection between their social cognition and a sense of belonging. Recommendations: The study recommended that, schizophrenic patient in a very high need for psycho-educational program for improving their cognitive abilities, which will improve their social cognition and interaction with others and enhance their sense of belonging.

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Exploring the quality of life and psychological symptoms of university students in Cyprus during the Covid-19 pandemic

JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH ◽

10.24297/jssr.v17i.9112 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

pp. 110-121

Author(s):

Hadjicharalambous Demetris ◽

Loucia Demetriou ◽

Koulla Erotocritou

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Family Income ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Negative Impact ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Well Being ◽

Idioms Of Distress

The onset of the infectious disease Covid19 originating in Wuhan, China, took over the world in December 2019 and was declared a pandemic in January 2020. Empirical evidence resulting from relevant research illustrated that the effects of the pandemic itself but also of the strict measures to contain the spread of the virus on the mental health and well-being of affected populations were just as unanticipated as the pandemic itself. Data led to the identification of six idioms of distress: (1) Demoralization and pessimism towards the future, (2) anguish and stress, (3) self-depreciation, (4) social withdrawal and isolation, (5) somatization, (6) withdrawal into oneself. Our research explores the psychological impact of the Covid19 pandemic on college students and their quality of life. The study took place in Cyprus with 356 young participants, whereas 256 were female (72%) and 100 were male (28%). They all completed the General Health Questionnaire-28 and the Life Satisfaction Inventory (LSI). The present study's findings revealed that six factors, including residence without family, the deterioration of the financial situation of the family, the loss of employment, the deterioration of social relationships, young age, and gender, have significantly affected in a negative way the mental health and quality of life of young people. Research findings revealed that the strict lockdown and physical/social isolation measures had a significant adverse effect on our sample, whereas participants showed increased symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and somatization. Young adults who lost their jobs during the pandemic or had a significant decrease in their family income, and students who stayed away from their families, experienced a negative impact on their quality of life and had to cope with more mental health problems.

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Identifying Psychological Symptoms Based on Facial Movements

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2020.607890 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoyang Wang ◽

Yilin Wang ◽

Mingjie Zhou ◽

Baobin Li ◽

Xiaoqian Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Criterion Validity ◽

Microsoft Kinect ◽

Facial Movements

Background: Many methods have been proposed to automatically identify the presence of mental illness, but these have mostly focused on one specific mental illness. In some non-professional scenarios, it would be more helpful to understand an individual's mental health status from all perspectives.Methods: We recruited 100 participants. Their multi-dimensional psychological symptoms of mental health were evaluated using the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) and their facial movements under neutral stimulation were recorded using Microsoft Kinect. We extracted the time-series characteristics of the key points as the input, and the subscale scores of the SCL-90 as the output to build facial prediction models. Finally, the convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion validity, and the split-half reliability were respectively assessed using a multitrait-multimethod matrix and correlation coefficients.Results: The correlation coefficients between the predicted values and actual scores were 0.26 and 0.42 (P < 0.01), which indicated good criterion validity. All models except depression had high convergent validity but low discriminant validity. Results also indicated good levels of split-half reliability for each model [from 0.516 (hostility) to 0.817 (interpersonal sensitivity)] (P < 0.001).Conclusion: The validity and reliability of facial prediction models were confirmed for the measurement of mental health based on the SCL-90. Our research demonstrated that fine-grained aspects of mental health can be identified from the face, and provided a feasible evaluation method for multi-dimensional prediction models.

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Subjective Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Schizotypy and General Mental Health in Germany and the United Kingdom, for Independent Samples in May and in October 2020

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.667848 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Daimer ◽

Lorenz Mihatsch ◽

Lisa Ronan ◽

Graham K. Murray ◽

Franziska Knolle

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United Kingdom ◽

General Population ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Financial Burden ◽

Strong Impact ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Symptom Index ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

The Impact

Studies reported a strong impact on mental health during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in March–June, 2020. In this study, we assessed the impact of the pandemic on mental health in general and on schizotypal traits in two independent general population samples of the United Kingdom (May sample N: 239, October sample N: 126; participation at both timepoints: 21) and in two independent general population samples of Germany (May sample N: 543, October sample N: 401; participation at both timepoints: 100) using online surveys. Whereas general psychological symptoms (global symptom index, GSI) and percentage of responders above clinical cut-off for further psychological investigation were higher in the May sample compared to the October sample, schizotypy scores (Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire) were higher in the October sample. We investigated potential associations, using general linear regression models (GLM). For schizotypy scores, we found that loneliness, use of drugs, and financial burden were more strongly corrected with schizotypy in the October compared to the May sample. We identified similar associations for GSI, as for schizotypy scores, in the May and October samples. We furthermore found that living in the United Kingdom was related to higher schizotypal scores or GSI. However, individual estimates of the GLM are highly comparable between the two countries. In conclusion, this study shows that while the general psychological impact is lower in the October than the May sample, potentially showing a normative response to an exceptional situation; schizotypy scores are higher at the second timepoint, which may be due to a stronger impact of estimates of loneliness, drug use, and financial burden. The ongoing, exceptional circumstances within this pandemic might increase the risk for developing psychosis in some individuals. The development of general psychological symptoms and schizotypy scores over time requires further attention and investigation.

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App-Based Delivery of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques: Cross-Sectional Study of App User Self-Ratings (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.18545 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Dawson Church ◽

Peta Stapleton ◽

Debbie Sabot

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Mobile Apps ◽

Emotional Intensity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Therapeutic Benefits ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Emotional Freedom Techniques ◽

Distress Scale

BACKGROUND The burgeoning area of mobile health (mHealth) has experienced rapid growth in mobile apps designed to address mental health issues. Although abundant apps offer strategies for managing symptoms of anxiety and stress, information regarding their efficacy is scarce. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effect of an mHealth app on user self-ratings of psychological distress in a sample of 270,461 app users. The Tapping Solution App guides users through the therapeutic protocols of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), an evidence-based psychophysiological intervention that combines acupressure with elements of cognitive and exposure therapies. METHODS App users provided self-ratings of emotional intensity before and after app sessions (termed “tapping meditations”) using an 11-point Subjective Units of Distress scale. App user data for 23 tapping meditations, which addressed psychological symptoms of anxiety and stress, were gathered between October 2018 and October 2019, totaling 380,034 completed app sessions. RESULTS Across 12 anxiety-tapping meditations, the difference in emotional intensity ratings from presession (mean 6.66, SD 0.25) to postsession (mean 3.75, SD 0.30) was statistically significant (<i>P</i><.001; 95% CI −2.92 to −2.91). Across 11 stress-tapping meditations, a statistically significant difference was also found from presession (mean 6.91, SD 0.48) to postsession (mean 3.83, SD 0.54; <i>P</i><.001; 95% CI −3.08 to −3.07). The results are consistent with the literature on the efficacy of Clinical EFT for anxiety and stress when offered in conventional therapeutic formats. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of the mHealth app in the immediate reduction of self-rated psychological distress. As an adjunct to professional mental health care, the app promises accessible and convenient therapeutic benefits.

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Acute mental health presentations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2021.970 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Naaheed Mukadam ◽

Andrew Sommerlad ◽

Jessica Wright ◽

Abigail Smith ◽

Aleksandra Szczap ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Interrupted Time Series ◽

Psychiatric Services ◽

Psychotic Symptoms ◽

Duration Of Symptoms ◽

Mental Capacity Act

Background A number of community based surveys have identified an increase in psychological symptoms and distress but there has been no examination of symptoms at the more severe end of the mental health spectrum. Aims We aimed to analyse numbers and types of psychiatric presentations to inform planning for future demand on mental health services in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method We analysed electronic data between January and April 2020 for 2534 patients referred to acute psychiatric services, and tested for differences in patient demographics, symptom severity and use of the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA), before and after lockdown. We used interrupted time-series analyses to compare trends in emergency department and psychiatric presentations until December 2020. Results There were 22% fewer psychiatric presentations the first week and 48% fewer emergency department presentations in the first month after lockdown initiated. A higher proportion of patients were detained under the MHA (22.2 v. 16.1%) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (2.2 v. 1.1%) (χ2(2) = 16.3, P < 0.0001), and they experienced a longer duration of symptoms before seeking help from mental health services (χ2(3) = 18.6, P < 0.0001). A higher proportion of patients presented with psychotic symptoms (23.3 v. 17.0%) or delirium (7.0 v. 3.6%), and fewer had self-harm behaviour (43.8 v. 52.0%, χ2(7) = 28.7, P < 0.0001). A higher proportion were admitted to psychiatric in-patient units (22.2 v. 18.3%) (χ2(6) = 42.8, P < 0.0001) after lockdown. Conclusions UK lockdown resulted in fewer psychiatric presentations, but those who presented were more likely to have severe symptoms, be detained under the MHA and be admitted to hospital. Psychiatric services should ensure provision of care for these patients as well as planning for those affected by future COVID-19 waves.

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Emotional Distress in Cancer Patients During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.755965 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Patricia Toquero ◽

Carmen Blanco Fernández ◽

María Pilar López Martí ◽

Berta Hernández Marín ◽

E. Beatriz Vera Cea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Emotional Distress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Tumor Type ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Psychological Symptomatology

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused mental health problems worldwide. The psychopathological implications of COVID-19 in cancer patients have rarely been addressed. Considering the increased vulnerability of oncology patients, this issue needs to be addressed to improve the long-term mental health status of these patients.Methods: We conducted a prospective study in outpatients under active cancer treatment during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A semi-structured 24-question survey was designed to measure baseline sociodemographic, psychosocial and COVID-19 exposure characteristics. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure psychological symptoms. A descriptive and analytical univariate analysis of the variables studied was performed. We used the Z-score to compare different populations (experimental and historical control cohort).Results: 104 patients were included, the majority of which were women (64.4%), were above 65 years of age (57.7%), had either lung and breast cancer (56.7%), had advanced disease (64%) and were undergoing chemotherapy (63.5%). 51% of them expressed greater fear of cancer than of COVID-19 infection or both.In relation to HADS, 52.8% of emotional distress, 42.3% of anxiety and 58.6% of depression rates were detected. The main factors related with higher rates of psychological symptomatology were history of previous psychotropic drug consumption and the adoption of additional infection prevention measures because they considered themselves at risk of severe COVID-19 infection (p = 0.008; p = 0.003 for emotional distress, p = 0.026; p = 0.004 for anxiety, and p = 0.013; p = 0.008 for depression). Tumor type, stage, oncologic treatment or rescheduling of cancer treatments were not related to higher levels of psychological symptomatology.Comparison of our results with another population of similar characteristics was not significant (Z score = −1.88; p = 0.060).Conclusions: We detected high rates of emotional distress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among cancer patients in active treatment (52.8%). This was higher and clinically relevant than observed in a comparable population (42.5%), although not significant. Cancer itself is the main factor of concern for cancer patients, above and beyond the emotional distress generated by COVID-19 pandemic.

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