scholarly journals Longitudinal Correlates of Loneliness and Psychological Distress During the Lockdown Situation due to COVID-19. Effects of Age and Self-Perceptions of Aging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Losada-Baltar ◽  
José Ángel Martínez-Huertas ◽  
Lucía Jiménez-Gonzalo ◽  
María del Sequeros Pedroso-Chaparro ◽  
Laura Gallego-Alberto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Personal Variables ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging

Abstract Objectives To longitudinally analyze the correlates of loneliness and psychological distress in people exposed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, exploring the effects of age and self-perceptions of aging (SPA). Methods A longitudinal follow-up of 1,549 participants was carried out at four different time points during the lockdown in Spain. Questions about the risk of COVID-19, age, SPA, family and personal resources, loneliness, and psychological distress were measured. Results Changes in loneliness showed a linear longitudinal trajectory through time, but changes in psychological distress showed a U-shaped relationship with time. Age was a relevant predictor of differences in distress, with older people reporting less psychological distress. Change in both dependent variables was related to change in different predictors like family and personal variables and also to negative SPA. Discussion In a stressful situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults may be more resilient to adverse mental health outcomes by using more adaptive resources that strengthen their resilience. Support is provided for the importance of stereotyped views of the aging process that, independently of chronological age, may put people at risk of suffering adverse mental health outcomes such as loneliness and psychological distress in times of crisis.

scholarly journals The Effects of Age Stereotypes on Physical and Mental Health Are Mediated by Self-perceptions of Aging

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allyson Brothers ◽  
Anna E Kornadt ◽  
Abigail Nehrkorn-Bailey ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl ◽  
Manfred Diehl
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Age Stereotypes ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Gain And Loss

Abstract Objectives Although the evidence linking views on aging (VoA) with aging outcomes is robust, little is known about how different types of VoA may interact to influence such outcomes. Therefore, this study examined two types of VoA, age stereotypes (AS), representing general VoA, and self-perceptions of aging (SPA), representing personal VoA. We operationalized SPA in terms of awareness of age-related change (AARC), distinguishing between gain- and loss-related SPA (e.g., awareness of positive and negative age-related changes, respectively). Based on theoretical reasoning, we hypothesized that AS would be an antecedent of SPA, and that the effect of AS on physical and mental health would be mediated by SPA. Method A total of 819 German and U.S. adults aged 40–98 completed a survey on VoA, physical health, and mental health at baseline and 2.5 years later. Structural equation modeling with latent variables was used to examine the effects of Time 1 AS (predictor) and Time 2 gain- and loss-related SPA (mediators) on physical and mental health outcomes. Results As hypothesized, AS predicted later SPA. Loss-related SPA mediated the effect of AS on physical health; both gain- and loss-related SPA mediated the effect of AS on mental health. Discussion Congruent with theoretical assumptions, our findings provide empirical support for a directional pathway by which AS shape later SPA. We conclude that AS and SPA may affect physical health outcomes more strongly than mental health outcomes. Studies that assess both types of VoA are needed to illuminate the pathways by which VoA influence aging outcomes.

scholarly journals Sustained negative mental health outcomes among healthcare workers over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Mediavilla ◽  
Eduardo Fernandez-Jimenez ◽  
Irene Martinez-Morata ◽  
Fabiola Jaramillo ◽  
Jorge Andreo-Jover ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Over Time

Objective: To characterize the evolution of healthcare workers' mental health status over the 1-year period following the initial COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and to examine baseline characteristics associated with resolution or persistence of mental health problems over time. Methods: We conducted an 8-month follow-up cohort study. Eligible participants were healthcare workers working in Spain. Baseline data were collected during the initial pandemic outbreak. Survey-based self-reported measures included COVID-19-related exposures, sociodemographic characteristics, and three mental health outcomes (psychological distress, depression symptoms, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms). We examined three longitudinal trajectories in mental health outcomes between baseline and follow-up assessments (namely asymptomatic/stable, recovering, and persistently symptomatic/worsening). Results: We recruited 1,807 participants. Between baseline and follow-up assessments, the proportion of respondents screening positive for psychological distress and probable depression decreased, respectively, from 74% to 56% and from 28% to 21%. Two-thirds remained asymptomatic/stable in terms of depression symptoms and 56% remained symptomatic or worsened over time in terms of psychological distress. Conclusions: Poor mental health outcomes among healthcare workers persisted over time. Occupational programs and mental health strategies should be put in place.

scholarly journals 3278 Gendered racism, psychological distress, and the strong Black woman

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 107-107
Author(s):  
Maha Baalbaki
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Strong Black Woman ◽  
Gendered Racism ◽  
Cultural Construct

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Black women experience discrimination that targets their intersecting gender and ethnic identities, termed gendered racism (Essed, 1991). The gendered racism Black women experience has been linked to negative mental health outcomes (Thomas etal., 2008). The ‘strong Black woman’ is a cultural symbol of strength depicting the Black woman as unwavered by hardships, such as gendered racism (Shorter-Gooden & Washington, 1996). However, recent research suggests that belief in the strong Black woman cultural construct is associated with negative mental health outcomes (Watson & Hunter, 2015). The goals of the current study were to (1) replicate previous findings suggesting that experiences with gendered racism is positively correlated with psychological distress, (2) replicate previous findings suggesting that belief in the strong Black woman construct is positively correlated with psychological distress, and (3) explore how experiences with gendered racism and belief in the strong Black woman construct might interact to predict distress. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A national sample of 112 Black women completed an online survey via MTurk. Survey measures included the Gendered Racial Microaggressions Scale, Strong Black Woman Cultural Construct Scale, and Psychological Distress Scale. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Pearson correlation revealed that experiences with gendered racism was positively correlated with psychological distress, r = 0.23, p = .02. Pearson correlation also revealed that belief in the strong Black woman cultural construct was positively correlated with psychological distress, r = 0.39, p < .001. Multiple linear regression revealed an interaction between experiences with gendered racism and belief in the strong Black woman construct (β = -0.18, p = .04) that predicted psychological distress, R2 = .20, F(3,108) = 8.63, p < .01. Namely, for those with high belief in the strong Black woman construct, experiences with gendered racism did not predict distress, β = -0.31, t = -0.29, p = .78. However, for those with low belief in the construct, experiences with gendered racism positively predicted distress, β = -2.57, t = 2.31, p = .02. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The results underscore the harmful effects of gendered racism and gendered racial stereotypes on Black women’s mental health outcomes. Striving to appear as the strong Black woman is not likely to help Black women overcome daily hardships. In fact, belief in the strong Black woman construct is likely to add extra difficulties.

scholarly journals Bullying in Schools and LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health: Relations with Voting for Trump

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Hobaica ◽  
Paul Kwon ◽  
Shari Reiter ◽  
Aaron Aguilar-Bonnette ◽  
Walter Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
School District ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Lgbtq Youth ◽  
Teacher Intervention ◽  
Youth Survey ◽  
Lgbtq Students ◽  
Bullying Experiences

The current study utilized the 2018 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey to explore the relations among school district political attitudes, bullying experiences, and mental health outcomes, particularly for LGBTQ+ students. Although bullying was associated with greater psychological distress (i.e., anxiety, depression, and suicidality) for all students, LGBTQ+ students experienced more bullying and psychological distress. Bullying experiences mediated the relation between LGBTQ+ identity and psychological distress. However, school district voting record moderated the relation between LGBTQ+ identity and bullying, such that LGBTQ+ students in more conservative districts, or districts with more votes for Donald Trump in the 2016 election, experienced more bullying, which was associated with greater psychological distress. Additionally, increased teacher intervention during instances of bullying was related to less bullying for LGBTQ+ students. Finally, in more conservative-leaning districts, LGBTQ+ students reported less teacher intervention, which was associated with more bullying and psychological distress. Given that political conservatism was related to higher rates of bullying and poorer mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ students, we recommend improving school-based LGBTQ+ bullying policies to prioritize the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth.

scholarly journals Association between psychological distress trajectories from adolescence to midlife and mental health during the pandemic: Evidence from two British birth cohorts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Moulton ◽  
Alice Sullivan ◽  
Praveetha Patalay ◽  
Emla Fitzsimons ◽  
Morag Henderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Poisson Model ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Birth Cohorts

Abstract Background Some studies suggest worsening mental health in the early stages of the pandemic, for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions the evidence is mixed. We examined whether different life-course trajectories of psychological distress from adolescence to midlife were associated with psychological distress, lower life satisfaction and feelings of loneliness at different stages during the pandemic. Methods This study is a secondary analysis of two nationally representative British Birth cohorts, the National Child Development Study (1958) and 1970 British Cohort Study, from birth to later mid-life. We used latent variable mixture models to identify pre-pandemic longitudinal trajectories of psychological distress and a modified poisson model with robust standard errors to estimate associations with mental health outcomes during the pandemic from May 2020 to March 2021. Findings Our analysis identified five distinct pre-pandemic trajectories of psychological distress in both cohorts. All trajectories with prior symptoms of psychological distress were associated with a greater relative risk of mental health outcomes during the pandemic. This was the case irrespective of age of onset, severity, longevity and proximal occurrence. Those who had experienced more than one prior episode of high psychological distress, and more recent occurrences, faced the greatest risk of poor mental health during the pandemic. Interpretation Whilst any prior episode of poor mental health put individuals at greater risk of severe mental health symptoms, those with chronic and more recent occurrence are likely to require greater mental health support.

scholarly journals The Psychological Distress of Food Insecurity: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Low-Income Parents and Their Coping Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 224-224
Author(s):  
Cindy Leung
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

Abstract Objectives Food insecurity increases the risks of numerous chronic disease and mental health outcomes in low-income adults; however, the mechanisms underlying these associations have not been clearly identified. Chronic, psychological stress may represent an important pathway between food insecurity and health. Using in-depth interviews, the objective of this qualitative study was to obtain a better understanding of psychological distress specific to food insecurity among adults. Methods We conducted one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with 48 parents recruited from the San Francisco Bay Area. Eligibility criteria included any experience of household food insecurity over the past 12 months, having a child in the family, and the ability to speak English fluently. An interview guide was developed by an interdisciplinary research team to specifically delve into the psychological experience of adult food insecurity. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for thematic content using the constant comparative method. Results Parents discussed six themes related to the psychological distress of food insecurity: 1) anxiety about not having enough food to meet the needs of all family members, 2) frustration over the high costs of healthful foods (e.g., fruits and vegetables), 3) embarrassment about using community food assistance, 4) fear of running out of money for food and other necessities, 5) sadness about their cyclical and chronic food situation, and 6) guilt over the inability to adequately provide for their children. Strategies that parents used to cope with food insecurity included seeking help from family and friends, relying on their faith, distracting themselves from their current situation (e.g., sleeping, cleaning, drinking), and becoming increasingly tolerant of their food situation. Conclusions Food insecurity is a source of psychological distress among parents. Psychological distress may represent a pathway by which food insecurity influences physical and mental health outcomes. Funding Sources This study was supported by a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Child Health and Human Development.

Resilience dimensions and mental health outcomes in bipolar disorder in a follow-up study

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Echezarraga ◽  
E. Calvete ◽  
A.M. González-Pinto ◽  
C. Las Hayas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Follow Up Study

scholarly journals Objective and Subjective Cognitive Function, and Relations With Quality of Life and Psychological Distress

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 306-307
Author(s):  
Hallie Nuzum ◽  
Katherine Dorociak ◽  
Shirit Kamil-Rosenberg ◽  
Peter Louras ◽  
Mandana Mostofi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Function

Abstract Objective and subjective cognitive function have been associated with decreased quality of life and increased psychological distress in older adults. The present study examined relations of objective and subjective cognition with quality-of-life and mental-health outcomes in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The sample included 98 older adults with aMCI (92.5% male, age = 70.9±9.2 years). Measures included objective cognition (i.e., attention, memory, language, visuospatial abilities, processing speed, executive function, and overall), subjective memory (Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire [MMQ]), quality of life (Dementia Quality of Life [DQoL]), and mental health (Geriatric Depression Scale, Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, and Penn State Worry Questionnaire). Objective and subjective cognition were weakly correlated (range |r| = .00–.23). Objective cognitive measures were largely uncorrelated with quality of life or mental health, with only two significant (p &lt; .05) correlations between Processing Speed and Worry (r = -.24), and Overall Cognition and DQoL Aesthetics (r = .20). Subjective cognition was more strongly correlated with quality of life, including significant (p &lt; .01) correlations between MMQ Abilities and DQoL Negative Affect (r = -.38), and MMQ Contentment and DQoL Positive Affect (r = .28). Additionally, MMQ Contentment and Abilities were significantly (p &lt; .01) negatively correlated with all three mental-health outcomes (range |r| = .28–.43). This study demonstrated that subjective memory, particularly affect and self-appraisal regarding one’s memory capabilities, is more closely related to quality-of-life and mental-health outcomes than objective cognitive performance in an aMCI sample, and, therefore, may represent important targets for intervention.

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