Substance and Internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic in China

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has adversely influenced human physical and mental health, including emotional disorders and addictions. This study examined substance and Internet use behavior and their associations with anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online self-report questionnaire was administered to 2196 Chinese adults between February 17 and 29, 2020. The questionnaire contained the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), questions on demographic information, and items about substance and Internet use characteristics. Our results revealed that males consumed less alcohol (p < 0.001) and areca-nut (p = 0.012) during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Age, gender, education status, and occupation significantly differed among increased substance users, regular substance users, and nonsubstance users. Time spent on the Internet was significantly longer during the pandemic (p < 0.001) and 72% of participants reported increased dependence on the Internet. Compared to regular Internet users, increased users were more likely to be younger and female. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age <33 years (OR = 2.034, p < 0.001), increased substance use (OR = 3.439, p < 0.001), and increased Internet use (OR = 1.914, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with depression. Moreover, anxiety was significantly related to female gender (OR = 2.065, p < 0.001), “unmarried” status (OR = 1.480, p = 0.017), nonstudents (OR = 1.946–3.030, p = 0.001), and increased substance use (OR = 4.291, p < 0.001). Although there was a significant decrease in social substance use during the pandemic, more attention should be paid to increased Internet use. Increased Internet use was significantly associated with both anxiety and depression, and increased substance use was related to depression. Professional support should be provided to vulnerable individuals to prevent addiction.

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The psychological burden experienced by Chinese citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak: prevalence and determinants

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09723-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhengjia Ren ◽

Yuchu Zhou ◽

Yanhong Liu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Media ◽

Survey Methodology ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Media Exposure ◽

Self Report ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Psychological Burden ◽

Item Scale

Abstract Background The present study is aims to investigate the prevalence and determinants of depression and anxiety among the general population in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in China. Methods A cross-sectional self-report survey methodology was used to gather the following data from Chinese citizens: sociodemographic information, physical and mental health disorder history, daily online time, social media exposure, feeling toward social media exposure, perception of the disease, infection cases in the local area, and previous experiences with stressful life incidents. Levels of anxiety and depression were self-reported employing the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item scale, respectively. Results Among the 6130 participants, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 7.1 and 12%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that psychological disturbances were associated with gender, people with religious background, being a medical professional, having physical or mental health disease, difficulty accessing medical aids, experience with traumatic incidents, the perceived possibility of sequelae after being cured of COVID-19, daily online time, the source of the information relevant to COVID-19, frequency of receiving information regarding COVID-19, and negative feelings triggered by social media. Conclusions There needs to be a consistent message from authorities to reduce the panic and confusion of the public, and to decrease public exposure to persistently negative information. It is necessary to help people transform their negative experiences into positive changes especially for individuals with physical illness, individuals with mental health disorders, and medical professionals.

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Identification of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Patients With Cancer: Comparison Between Short and Long Web-Based Questionnaires (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.11387 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Susanne Mattsson ◽

Erik Martin Gustaf Olsson ◽

Maria Carlsson ◽

Birgitta Beda Kristina Johansson

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Intervention Study ◽

Self Report ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

The Internet ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Web Based ◽

Patients With Cancer

BACKGROUND Physicians and nurses in cancer care easily fail to detect symptoms of psychological distress because of barriers such as lack of time, training on screening methods, and knowledge about how to diagnose anxiety and depression. National guidelines in several countries recommend routine screening for emotional distress in patients with cancer, but in many clinics, this is not implemented. By inventing screening methods that are time-efficient, such as digitalized and automatized screenings with short instruments, we can alleviate the burden on patients and staff. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare Web-based versions of the ultrashort electronic Visual Analogue Scale (eVAS) anxiety and eVAS depression and the short Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) with Web-based versions of the longer Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale-Self-report (MADRS-S) and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory- State (STAI-S) with regard to their ability to identify symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer. METHODS Data were obtained from a consecutive sample of patients with newly diagnosed (<6 months) breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer or with recurrence of colorectal cancer (N=558). The patients were recruited at 4 hospitals in Sweden between April 2013 and September 2015, as part of an intervention study administered via the internet. All questionnaires were completed on the Web at the baseline assessment in the intervention study. RESULTS The ultrashort and short Web-based-delivered eVAS anxiety, eVAS depression and HADS were found to have an excellent ability to discriminate between persons with and without clinical levels of symptoms of anxiety and depression compared with recommended cutoffs of the longer instruments MADRS-S and STAI-S (area under the curve: 0.88-0.94). Cutoffs of >6 on HADS anxiety and >7 hundredths (hs) on eVAS anxiety identified patients with anxiety symptoms with high accuracy. For HADS depression, at a cutoff of >5 and eVAS depression at a cutoff of >7 hs, the accuracy was very high likewise. CONCLUSIONS The use of the short and ultrashort tools, eVAS and HADS, may be a suitable initial method of Web-based screening in busy clinical settings. However, there are still a proportion of patients who lack access to the internet or the ability to use it. There is a need to find solutions for this group to find all the patients with psychological distress.

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Psychological Morbidity among Psychoactive Substance Users in a Rehabilitation Centre in Nigeria

International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health ◽

10.9734/ijtdh/2019/v39i330205 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Dada Mobolaji Usman ◽

Lawal Rahman ◽

Ohaeri Jude ◽

Oluwole Lateef ◽

Obadeji Adetunji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Psychoactive Substance ◽

Rehabilitation Centre ◽

Substance Users ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Female Sex ◽

Long Duration ◽

Multiple Substance

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression among psychoactive substance users in a rehabilitation centre. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in a rehabilitation centre in Lagos state, Nigeria. Methodology: All the inhabitants of the centre who agreed to participate in the study were included in the study. However, individuals who had stayed at the centre for less than a week were excluded from the study because the effect of use or withdrawal effects of some of the drugs may mimic depressive or anxiety symptoms. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) (anxiety modules) were used to asses for depression and anxiety disorder respectively. Results: A total of seventy six people participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 17 to 52 years (mean= 25.9 years SD= 8.4). A high number of the subjects were males (72.4%), single (78.7%) and unemployed (64.5%). Almost all the subjects (92.1%) were introduced to the use of psychoactive substances by friends/peers. Only 4 (5.3%) subjects reported injection drug use (IDU). 53.9% of the subjects had an anxiety disorder. While 68.4% had depression. The factors associated with having anxiety disorder were female sex, older age, being divorced/ separated/widowed, unemployment, multiple substance use, long duration of use of alcohol, cocaine and heroin. Factors associated with depression included; young age of onset of substance use, female sex, being separated or divorced or widowed, unemployment, long duration/ frequency of use of substances and multiple substance use. Conclusion: This study has shown that there is a high rate of anxiety and depression among psychoactive substance users.

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Relationship between Assumed Differential Socialization and Emotional Disorders in Women: A Form of Covert Social Violence

The Spanish Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1017/sjp.2020.50 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 ◽

Author(s):

Agustina María Vinagre-González ◽

Marta Evelia Aparicio-García ◽

Jesús M. Alvarado

Keyword(s):

Marital Status ◽

Emotional Disorders ◽

Gender Norms ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Female Gender ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Social Violence ◽

Gender Asymmetry ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Women suffer different forms of violence, both explicit and covert, due to gender asymmetry. This study analyzes the relationship between the internalization of norms assigned to the female gender understood as a form of covert social violence and the presence of anxiety and depression. 286 women were evaluated with the Inventory of Concealed Social Violence (IVISEM) to measure the internalization of gender norms, the Inventory of Situations and Responses to Anxiety (ISRA), to measure anxiety, and the Three-Dimensional Depression Questionnaire (CTD) to measure depression. In addition, the possible influence of some variables such as maternity, age and marital status on the internalization of norms and on the presence of emotional alterations is discussed. The findings showed the relationship between IVISEM factors and the seven health indicators measured. Age appeared as a modulating variable in relation to cognitive anxiety and depression and marital status is related to all depression factors. The results show that women's internalization of gender norms can be understood as hidden social violence, since it was associated with high scores in anxiety and depression.

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Social Media, Physical and Mental Health During a COVID-19 Lockdown

International Journal of Psychological Research and Reviews ◽

10.28933/ijprr-2021-03-2805 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 48

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Internet Use ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Correlation Analyses ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Reported Data ◽

Depression Scales

Social media including texting, internet use, and Facebook time have differential effects but those have not been studied during the social isolation of lockdowns when they might be more prevalent. In this Survey Monkey study, as many as 98% of 260 respondents reported texting, 100% using the internet, and 91% being on Facebook. The percentiles for those using the different media “a lot” were 45%, 77% and 42% respectively. Correlation analyses suggested that texting and internet use were positively related to Connecting Scale scores. However, internet use was also positively related to scores on Stress, Anxiety and Depression Scales and Facebook use was positively related to not only scores on Stress, Anxiety and Depression Scales but also to scores on Fatigue, Sleep Disturbance and PTSD scales. ANOVAS based on comparisons between groups reporting no to moderate use versus “a lot” of use were confirmatory of the correlation analyses. These results are limited by their being self-reported data from a non-representative, cross-sectional sample. Nonetheless, they highlight the positive and negative effects of different social media during a COVID-19 lockdown.

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Profile of Justice-Involved Marijuana and Other Substance Users: Demographics, Health and Health Care, Family, and Justice System Experiences

Substance Abuse Research and Treatment ◽

10.1177/1178221817729381 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 117822181772938

Author(s):

Nikki Freeman ◽

Justin Landwehr ◽

Tasseli McKay ◽

James Derzon ◽

Anupa Bir

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Justice System ◽

Primary Alcohol ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Substance Users ◽

Use Patterns ◽

Care Family ◽

User Groups ◽

Hard Drugs

Substance users are more likely to have co-occurring health problems, and this pattern is intensified among those involved with the criminal justice system. Interview data for 1977 incarcerated men in 5 states from the Multi-site Family Study on Incarceration, Parenting, and Partnering that was conducted between December 2008 and August 2011 were analyzed to compare pre-incarceration substance use patterns and health outcomes between men who primarily used marijuana, primarily used alcohol, primarily used other drugs, and did not use any illicit substances during that time. Using regression modeling, we examined the influence of substance use patterns on physical and mental health. Primary marijuana users comprised the largest portion of the sample (31.5%), closely followed by nonusers (30.0%), and those who primarily used other drugs (30.0%); primary alcohol users comprised the smallest group (19.6%). The substance user groups differed significantly from the nonuser group on many aspects of physical and mental health. Findings suggest that even among justice-involved men who are not using “hard” drugs, substance use merits serious attention. Expanding the availability of substance use treatment during and after incarceration might help to promote physical and mental health during incarceration and reentry.

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Interaction of Socioeconomic Status with Risky Internet Use, Gambling and Substance Use in Adolescents from a Structurally Disadvantaged Region in Central Europe

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17134803 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (13) ◽

pp. 4803

Author(s):

Benjamin Petruzelka ◽

Jaroslav Vacek ◽

Beata Gavurova ◽

Matus Kubak ◽

Roman Gabrhelik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Substance Use ◽

Central Europe ◽

Internet Use ◽

Addictive Behavior ◽

Behavioral Addiction ◽

The Internet ◽

Substance Addiction ◽

Addiction Risk ◽

Problematic Gambling

Background and aims: The current level of knowledge concerning the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on internet use, gambling, and substance use in structurally disadvantaged regions is scarce. The objective of this study was an investigation of the relationship between SES and risky internet use, gambling and substance use in a structurally disadvantaged region in Central Europe. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among high school students (n = 1063) in a Czech structurally disadvantaged region in autumn 2017. Binary Logistic Regression models were applied to data from the modified Excessive Internet Use scale (mEIUS), a standard tool for measuring the risk of addictive behavior on the internet and the risk of excessive gaming. Other data were collected using the Lie/Bet (problematic gambling), CAGE (acronym of the key words: cut, angry, guilty and eye-opener), and the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) (problematic alcohol/cannabis use) tools. Results: There were statistically significant differences between at-risk and not-at-risk groups in addictive behavior on the internet and gaming, while none were found in problematic gambling. Individual dimensions of SES showed significant effects on substance use. Regarding parenting styles, significant differences were found only in the risk of addictive behavior on the internet or gaming between the authoritarian and authoritative styles. Being engaged in behavioral addictions with one´s parents increased the odds of the behavioral addiction risk and decreased the odds of the substance addiction risk. Engagement with one´s parents in substance addictions decreased the odds of the behavioral addiction risk and increased the odds of the substance addiction risk. Discussion and Conclusions: The results point at specific relations between SES and the risk of addictive behaviors on the internet and gaming within structurally disadvantaged regions. The results of SES and/or structurally disadvantaged region measures obtained in research, policy-making, and care-provision may improve the focus of actions taken.

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Confirmatory factor analysis and psychometric properties of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale−30 (RCADS-30) in clinical and non-clinical samples

Revista de Psicopatología y Psicología Clínica ◽

10.5944/rppc.vol.22.num.3.2017.19332 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 183 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jose Antonio Piqueras ◽

David Pineda ◽

María Martin-Vivar ◽

Bonifacio Sandín

Keyword(s):

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Emotional Disorders ◽

Child Anxiety ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Separation Anxiety Disorder ◽

Self Report ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Compulsive Disorder

Abstract: The 30-item shortened version of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-30) is a self-report instrument to assess symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. This study examined the factor structure, reliability, and construct validity of the RCADS-30, based on a sample of children and adolescents in clinical and community settings. Results provide evidence for (a) the six factors of the scale (separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depressive disorder), (b) reliability (alpha and omega), and (c) convergent and discriminant validity against self-report and clinical interview criteria. The RCADS-30 demonstrated sound psychometric properties and that it is a suitable instrument to assess depression and anxiety disorder symptoms. Based on established cut-off scores, the scale also showed adequate capacity to differentiate emotional disorders from other mental disorders or the absence of diagnosis.Resumen: Análisis factorial confirmatorio y propiedades psicométricas de la Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-30) en muestras clínicas y no clínicas. La versión abreviada de 30 ítems de la Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-30) es un instrumento de autoinforme para evaluar síntomas de los trastornos de ansiedad y depresivos. Este estudio examinó la estructura factorial, la fiabilidad y la validez de constructo de la RCADS-30 en una muestra de niños y adolescentes procedentes de muestras clínicas y comunitarias. Los resultados aportan evidencia sobre (a) los seis factores de la escala (trastorno de ansiedad de separación, trastorno de ansiedad generalizada, trastorno de pánico, fobia social, trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo, y trastorno depresivo mayor), (b) fiabilidad (alfa y omega), y (c) validez convergente y discriminante sobre autoinformes y entrevista clínica. La RCADS-30 demostró poseer buenas propiedades psicométricas y ser adecuada para evaluar los síntomas de los trastornos de ansiedad y depresivos. Sobre la base de puntos de corte establecidos, la escala mostró adecuada capacidad para diferenciar los trastornos emocionales de otros problemas mentales o la ausencia de diagnóstico.

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The Relationships Among Social Capital, HIV Self-Management, and Substance Use in Women

Western Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/0193945919842874 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 4-13

Author(s):

Allison R. Webel ◽

Carolyn Smith ◽

Joseph Perazzo ◽

J. Craig Phillips ◽

Hamed Al Battashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Substance Use ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Self Report ◽

Qualitative Description ◽

Self Management ◽

Substance Users ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Depth Interview ◽

Living With Hiv

Women living with HIV (WLHIV) face unique challenges to successfully self-manage HIV including substance use and limited social capital. We conducted a 6-month mixed-methods study to describe how social capital influences HIV self-management and substance use among WLHIV. Participants completed a self-report survey and in-depth interview at baseline, and 3 and 6 months. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to examine quantitative relationships. Qualitative data were analyzed using qualitative description. Current substance users reported lower social capital compared with past substance users (2.63 vs. 2.80; p = .34). Over time, substance use and social capital were associated with HIV self-management (Wald χ2 = 28.43; p < .001). Qualitative data suggest that HIV self-management is influenced by overlapping experiences with social capital, including influential trust, community, and value of self can be complicated by ongoing substance use. Social capital can facilitate improved HIV self-management; however, substance use and trauma can weaken this relationship.

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Mobile Phone, Computer, and Internet Use Among Older Homeless Adults: Results from the HOPE HOME Cohort Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.10049 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Maria C Raven ◽

Lauren M Kaplan ◽

Marina Rosenberg ◽

Lina Tieu ◽

David Guzman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Substance Use ◽

Executive Function ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Internet Use ◽

The Internet ◽

Homeless Adults ◽

Phone Access

BACKGROUND The median age of single homeless adults is approximately 50 years. Older homeless adults have poor social support and experience a high prevalence of chronic disease, depression, and substance use disorders. Access to mobile phones and the internet could help lower the barriers to social support, social services, and medical care; however, little is known about access to and use of these by older homeless adults. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the access to and use of mobile phones, computers, and internet among a cohort of 350 homeless adults over the age of 50 years. METHODS We recruited 350 participants who were homeless and older than 50 years in Oakland, California. We interviewed participants at 6-month intervals about their health status, residential history, social support, substance use, depressive symptomology, and activities of daily living (ADLs) using validated tools. We performed clinical assessments of cognitive function. During the 6-month follow-up interview, study staff administered questions about internet and mobile technology use. We assessed participants’ comfort with and use of multiple functions associated with these technologies. RESULTS Of the 343 participants alive at the 6-month follow-up, 87.5% (300/343) completed the mobile phone and internet questionnaire. The median age of participants was 57.5 years (interquartile range 54-61). Of these, 74.7% (224/300) were male, and 81.0% (243/300) were black. Approximately one-fourth (24.3%, 73/300) of the participants had cognitive impairment and slightly over one-third (33.6%, 100/300) had impairments in executive function. Most (72.3%, 217/300) participants currently owned or had access to a mobile phone. Of those, most had feature phones, rather than smartphones (89, 32.1%), and did not hold annual contracts (261, 94.2%). Just over half (164, 55%) had ever accessed the internet. Participants used phones and internet to communicate with medical personnel (179, 64.6%), search for housing and employment (85, 30.7%), and to contact their families (228, 82.3%). Those who regained housing were significantly more likely to have mobile phone access (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.81, 95% CI 1.77-8.21). Those with ADL (AOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.31-0.92) and executive function impairment (AOR 0.49; 95% CI 0.28-0.86) were significantly less likely to have mobile phones. Moderate to high risk amphetamine use was associated with reduced access to mobile phones (AOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10-0.72). CONCLUSIONS Older homeless adults could benefit from portable internet and phone access. However, participants had a lower prevalence of smartphone and internet access than adults aged over 65 years in the general public or low-income adults. Participants faced barriers to mobile phone and internet use, including financial barriers and functional and cognitive impairments. Expanding access to these basic technologies could result in improved outcomes.

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