scholarly journals Psychological Symptoms in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese Youth During the COVID-19 Health Crisis: A Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mireia Orgilés ◽  
Rita Francisco ◽  
Elisa Delvecchio ◽  
José P. Espada ◽  
Claudia Mazzeschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
General Duty ◽  
Impact Scale ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

AbstractAiming to slow down the spread of the COVID-19, a lockdown was declared in the first term of 2020 in many European countries, applying different restrictions measures. Although the psychological effects of home confinement in children have been described, there is a lack of longitudinal research examining the impact of the confinement over time. The present study analyzes the evolution of the psychological wellbeing of children and adolescents from three European countries with different restrictions. Parents of 624 Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese children and adolescents aged 3 to 18 years old completed the “Impact Scale of COVID-19 and Home Confinement on Children and Adolescents” two, five, and eight weeks after the lockdown. Results show a different pattern for each country. Children from Italy, the first European country that applied a lockdown, were better adapted than Spanish and Portuguese children the first two weeks after confinement but they were more psychologically impacted by home confinement at the eight-week assessment. Portuguese children, who followed a general duty of home confinement, were the best adapted to the situation, with no significant differences over time. A significant change was found in anxiety symptoms in Spanish children, with a decrease at the last assessment. Findings suggest that long confinements and hard restrictions affect children, so prevention measures should be applied during confinements to prevent psychological problems in children.

scholarly journals Psychological Symptoms and Behavioral Changes in Children and Adolescents During the Early Phase of COVID-19 Quarantine in Three European Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Francisco ◽  
Marta Pedro ◽  
Elisa Delvecchio ◽  
Jose Pedro Espada ◽  
Alexandra Morales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Behavioral Symptoms ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic forced the home confinement of the majority of population around the world, including a significant number of children and adolescents, for several weeks in 2020. Negative psychological effects have been identified in adults, but research about the impact of this type of social distancing measure on children and adolescents is scarce. The present study aimed to describe and compare the immediate psychological and behavioral symptoms associated with COVID-19 quarantine in children and adolescents from three southern European countries with different levels of restrictions (Italy, Spain, and Portugal). Parents of 1,480 children and adolescents (52.8% boys) between 3 and 18 years old (M = 9.15, SD = 4.27) participated in the study. An online survey using snowball sampling techniques was conducted during 15 days between March and April 2020, representing the early phase of the quarantine associated with COVID-19 outbreak. Parents answered questionnaires about sociodemographic data, housing conditions, immediate psychological responses during quarantine (e.g., anxiety, mood, sleep, and behavioral alterations), patterns of use of screens, daily physical activity, and sleep hours before and during the quarantine. The results revealed an increase in children's psychological and behavioral symptoms, increased screen-time, reduced physical activity, and more sleep hours/night. Italian children presented less psychological and behavioral symptoms compared with Portuguese and Spanish children. In general, hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that having an outdoor exit in the house (e.g., garden, terrace) contributed to lower levels of psychological and behavioral symptomatology. Future studies are needed to identify family and individual variables that can better predict children and adolescents' well-being during and after quarantine. Recommendations for families and implications for practice are discussed.

Longitudinal Relationships Among Fear of COVID-19, Smartphone Online Self-Disclosure, Happiness, and Psychological Well-being: Survey Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Matthes ◽  
Kevin Koban ◽  
Ariadne Neureiter ◽  
Anja Stevic
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

BACKGROUND Given that governmental prevention measures restricted most face-to-face communications, online self-disclosure via smartphones emerged as an alternative coping strategy that aimed at reducing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s psychological health. Prepandemic research demonstrated that online self-disclosure benefits people’s psychological health by establishing meaningful relationships, obtaining social support, and achieving self-acceptance, particularly in times of crisis. However, it is unclear whether these dynamics transition well to lockdown conditions where online self-disclosure must stand almost entirely on its own. Longitudinal investigations are needed to gain insights into the psychological functionalities of online self-disclosure during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the temporal associations between smartphone online self-disclosure (as a communicative behavior) and critical indicators of psychological health (including psychopathological, as well as hedonic and eudaimonic states) during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Austria. METHODS We conducted a representative 2-wave panel survey between late March/April 2020 and May 2020. A total of 416 participants completed both waves (43.1% attrition rate, given n=731 participants who completed the first wave). A partially metric measurement invariant overtime structural equation model was used to determine the temporal associations among online self-disclosure, fear of COVID-19, happiness, and psychological well-being. RESULTS The analysis revealed that fear of COVID-19 significantly predicted online self-disclosure over time (<i>b</i>=0.24, <i>P</i>=.003) and happiness over time (<i>b</i>=−0.14, <i>P</i>=.04), but not psychological well-being (<i>b</i>=0.03, <i>P</i>=.48), that is, stronger COVID-19 fears at T1 prompted more online self-disclosure and less happiness at T2. Online self-disclosure, on the other hand, significantly predicted happiness (<i>b</i>=0.09, <i>P</i>=.02), but neither fear of COVID-19 (<i>b</i>=−0.01, <i>P</i>=.57) nor psychological well-being (<i>b</i>=−0.01, <i>P</i>=.57) over time. Participants who engaged more strongly in online self-disclosure at T1 felt happier at T2, but they did not differ from less-disclosing participants concerning COVID-19 fears and psychological well-being at T2. Importantly, happiness and psychological well-being were significantly related over time (happiness T1 → psychological well-being T2: <i>b</i>=0.11, <i>P</i>&lt;.001; psychological well-being T1 → happiness T2: <i>b</i>=0.42, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that online self-disclosure might play a pivotal role in coping with pandemic stressors. With restrictions on their options, individuals increasingly turn to their smartphones and social media to disclose their feelings, problems, and concerns during lockdown. While online self-disclosure might not alleviate fears or improve psychological well-being, our results demonstrate that it made people experience more happiness during this crisis. This psychological resource may help them withstand the severe psychological consequences of the COVID-19 crisis over longer timeframes.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents Mental Health: A Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-288
Author(s):  
Dipa Ghosh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
Behaviour Score ◽  
The Impact

The emergence of a new Coronavirus Disease 2019-2022 has turned the globe down and disrupted main determinants of health. The world constitutes by more than 2.2 billion children, which is approximately 28% of the world's population. Compare to adult, this pandemic has a long -term adverse consequences among children and adolescents. The objective of this literature review was to examine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescent’s mental health. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched from 07 April 2021 to 22 April 2021. A systematic literature search was performed in accordance with PRISMA and 07 literatures were selected. Among 16,169 samples, the mean percentage of male was higher 5 by 6.11% than female of 43.89%. Depression was mentioned in three studies and the percentages were 43.7% (n=8079), 22.6% (n=2330), and 22.8% (n=3613). Anxiety was mentioned in four studies and the percentages were 37.4% (n=8079), 18.9% (n=2330), and 23.87 ± 15.79 and 29.27 ± 19.79 (n=3613) and in one study according to CAQ and NRS, the level of anxiety was 19.4% and 21.8%. The combination of anxiety and depression was 31.3%. One study mentioned that pro social behaviour score was higher in females than males. In other two studies, various psychological symptoms are mentioned such as worry, fear, helplessness, boredom, difficulty in concentration, irritability, restlessness, nervousness, feeling of loneliness and uneasiness. These psychological symptoms have long-term effect on child’s health. Therefore, as a nurse, we should take care of the child and aware that the child and their parents regarding various psychological problems and its management.

scholarly journals Coping Behaviors and Psychological Disturbances in Youth Affected by the COVID-19 Health Crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mireia Orgilés ◽  
Alexandra Morales ◽  
Elisa Delvecchio ◽  
Rita Francisco ◽  
Claudia Mazzeschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Adaptation ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Coping Behaviors ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
As If

The COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine undergone by children in many countries is a stressful situation about which little is known to date. Children and adolescents' behaviors to cope with home confinement may be associated with their emotional welfare. The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine the coping strategies used out by children and adolescents during the COVID-19 health crisis, (2) to analyze the differences in these behaviors in three countries, and (3) to examine the relationship between different coping modalities and adaptation. Participants were 1,480 parents of children aged 3–18 years from three European countries (nSpain = 431, nItaly = 712, and nPortugal = 355). The children's mean age was 9.15 years (SD = 4.27). Parents completed an online survey providing information on symptoms and coping behaviors observed in their children. The most frequent coping strategies were accepting what is happening (58.9%), collaborating with quarantine social activities (e.g., drawings on the windows, supportive applauses) (35.9%), acting as if nothing is happening (35.5%), highlighting the advantages of being at home (35.1%), and not appearing to be worried about what is happening (30.1%). Compared to Italian and Spanish children, Portuguese children used a sense of humor more frequently when their parents talked about the situation. Acting as if nothing was happening, collaborating with social activities, and seeking comfort from others were more likely in Spanish children than in children from the other countries. Compared to Portuguese and Spanish children, Italian children did not seem worried about what was happening. Overall, an emotional-oriented coping style was directly correlated with a greater presence of anxious symptoms, as well as to mood, sleep, behavioral, and cognitive alterations. Task-oriented and avoidance-oriented styles were related to better psychological adaptation (considered a low presence of psychological symptoms). Results also show that unaffected children or children with a lower level of impact were more likely to use strategies based on a positive focus on the situation. This study provides interesting data on the strategies to be promoted by parents to cope with the COVID-19 health crisis in children.

scholarly journals Efficiency Assessment of Tax Measures in the European Countries Against the Effects of COVID-19

2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
Daria Bilenko ◽  
◽  
Serhii Kozlovskyi ◽  
Natalya Ivanyuta ◽  
Viktoriia Baidala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Set Theory ◽  
Fuzzy Set Theory ◽  
Crisis Response ◽  
The Other ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Efficiency Assessment ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Impact

Ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic is not only health crisis but the economic challenge. The future of society depends on how successfully the authorities find a balance between imposition of stringent restrictions and economic development. Tax policies play a role in reducing losses caused by the COVID-19 lockdowns. All countries are taking tax measures to mitigate the impact of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on society. While the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet been defeated, it is too early to draw conclusions about which tax measures against the effects of COVID-19 are efficient. On the other hand, correct trajectory of economic recovery can be missed if not to analyze the other countries experience. The object of this study is tax measures in the European countries against the effects of COVID-19. The subject of the study is the fuzzy set theory to assess the efficiency of tax measures in the European countries against the effects of COVID-19. The aim of the study is to find out which European countries have been more succeeded in tax measures implementing and type of their immediate crisis response. The analysis is carried out in 29 European countries. The result of the study allows to state that the number of tax measures against the effects of COVID-19 does not affect their efficiency and the most popular type of immediate crisis response has been the business cash-flow enhances.

scholarly journals Modelling the evolution of COVID-19 in high-incidence European countries and regions: estimated number of infections and impact of past and future intervention measures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Fernandez-Recio
Keyword(s):  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Intervention Measures ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

A previously developed mechanistic model of COVID-19 transmission has been adapted and applied here to study the evolution of the disease and the effect of intervention measures in some European countries and territories where the disease had major impact. A clear impact of the major intervention measures on the reproduction number (Rt) has been found in all studied countries and territories, as already suggested by the drop in the number of deaths over time. Interestingly, the impact of such major intervention measures seems to be the same in most of these countries. The model has also provided realistic estimates of the total number of infections, active cases and future outcome. While the predictive capabilities of the model are much more uncertain before the peak of the outbreak, we could still reliably predict the evolution of the disease after a major intervention by assuming the afterwards reproduction number from current study. More challenging is to foresee the long-term impact of softer intervention measures, but this model can estimate the outcome of different scenarios and help planning changes in the implementation of control measures in a given country or region.

scholarly journals The Coronavirus Impact Scale: Construction, Validation, and Comparisons in Diverse Clinical Samples

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Stoddard ◽  
Elizabeth K. Reynolds ◽  
Ruth Paris ◽  
Simone Haller ◽  
Sara Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Internal Structure ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Scoring Method ◽  
Model Free ◽  
Impact Scale ◽  
Research Populations ◽  
The Impact

Objective: This study outlines the construction and initial psychometric properties of the Coronavirus Impact Scale in multiple large and diverse samples of families with children and adolescents. The scale was established to capture the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Differences in impact between samples and internal structure within samples were assessed.Method: Five hundred, seventy-two caregivers of children and adolescents or expecting mothers in diverse clinical and research settings completed the Coronavirus Impact Scale. Samples differed in developmental stage, background, inpatient/outpatient status, and primary research or clinical setting. Model free methods were used to measure the scale’s internal structure and determine a scoring method. Differences between samples in specific item responses were measured by multivariate ordinal regression.Results: The Coronavirus Impact Scale demonstrated good internal consistency in a variety of clinical and research populations. Single, immigrant, predominantly Latinx mothers of young children reported the greatest impact across groups, with elevated impact on food access and finances. Individuals receiving outpatient or inpatient care reported greater impacts on health care access. Impact was positively associated with measures of caregiver anxiety and both caregiver- and child-reported stress at a moderate effect size.Conclusion: The Coronavirus Impact Scale is a publicly available scale with adequate psychometric properties for use in measuring the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in diverse populations.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Adolescents in Africa: Aligning our Priorities to Situational Realities (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaymarlin Govender
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
High Income ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Vaccines For Children ◽  
The Impact

UNSTRUCTURED The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa is unparalleled. Most countries within Africa are facing major challenges vaccinating their populations. Lack of sufficient doses of COVID-19 vaccines, weaknesses in health infrastructure, and vaccine hesitancy are contributing to low vaccination rates among the adult population on the continent. In contrast, most high-income countries and some middle-income countries have already vaccinated more than half of their adult population and have started vaccinating children and adolescents (CA). Without sufficient COVID-19 vaccine coverage on the African continent, the prolonged social, economic, and health impacts of this public health crisis are likely to exacerbate pre-existing social-structural issues in this part of the world. In this paper, we highlight trends in SARS-CoV-2 infections among CA, compare COVID-19 vaccination patterns in Africa to high income countries, and discuss some of the benefits, challenges, and unknowns associated with vaccinating CA for COVID-19. In light of ongoing COVID-19 vaccine supply challenges and the slow progress that the African continent is making towards vaccinating the adult population, we suggest that the immediate priority for Africa is to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations among the adult population and vulnerable CA (i.e., those who are immunocompromised and/or living with comorbidities). Accelerating the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and rapidly achieving high levels of vaccination coverage in the adult population will free up capacity to vaccinate CA sooner rather than later.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document