scholarly journals Daily Stress Processes in a Pandemic: The Effects of Worry, Age, and Affect

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niccole A Nelson ◽  
Cindy S Bergeman

Abstract Background and Objectives In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic. Given that such a global event might affect day-to-day stress processes, the current study examined individuals’ daily stress reactivity and its moderators early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Design and Methods Two-level, multilevel models examined the daily relationship between perceived stress and negative affect, or stress reactivity, as well as the moderating effects of daily pandemic worry, age, and daily positive affect on this process. Participants included 349 individuals (Age Range = 26-89) from the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being (NDHWB) who completed a 28-day, daily diary study at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Older individuals were less stress reactive than younger individuals. Within individuals, however, stress reactivity was buffered by daily positive affect, and exacerbated by daily pandemic worry. Finally, although daily positive affect buffered daily stress reactivity, this effect was weaker on days individuals were more worried about the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussion and Implications The mobilization of positive emotion may be a promising avenue for buffering stress reactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic, although this may be limited on days individuals are particularly concerned about the pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 941-941
Author(s):  
Niccole Nelson ◽  
Cindy Bergeman

Abstract On March 13th, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a novel coronavirus, COVID-19, a pandemic. Given the day-to-day behavioral changes necessitated by this global threat, the current study examined daily stress reactivity and its potential moderators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two-level, multilevel modeling was used to examine the daily relationship between perceived stress and negative affect, as well as the moderating effects of daily positive affect, average pandemic worry, and age, on this process. Participants included 349 individuals from the young adult, midlife, and later-life cohorts of the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being who completed a 28-day, daily diary study amidst the COVID-19 pandemic (NDHWB; Age Range = 26-89). Individuals were affectively reactive to perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing higher negative affect on days of higher perceived stress. Regarding moderators, older individuals were less stress reactive than younger individuals, and the extent of individuals’ pandemic worry exacerbated their stress reactivity. Furthermore, daily positive affect buffered daily stress reactivity, regardless of pandemic worry and age. In sum, individuals who were younger or more worried about the pandemic tended to be more stress reactive than older or less worried individuals. Furthermore, daily positive affect buffered stress reactivity, and this buffering effect did not depend on age or the extent to which individuals were worried about the pandemic. Thus, mobilizing positive affect during the COVID-19 pandemic may be a promising avenue for intervention in daily stress processes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Hoda Mohamed Nafee ◽  
Eman Abd Elsamea Elguoshy ◽  
Omayma Mustafa Abu Samra

World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic in 11th of March 2020. COVID-19 that disrupts Children’s growth and development, friendships, daily routines and has a negative consequence for their well-being, development and protection. About 1 in 3 children hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States were admitted to the intensive care unit. Aim: The aim of this study was evaluating the effect of a comic story on children’s knowledge and hand washing practices about pandemic of COVID-19. Study design: A quasi-experimental design was used. Setting: Nour Al-Huda Charitable Society that caring males and females orphaned children in separate setting Sample: A convenient sample including all children in the orphanage, there was 41 children and their age range between 3 to less than 12 years. Tools of data collection: An interview questionnaire sheet as a tool one that had two parts first one concerned with sociodemographic data of children and second one assessed children’s knowledge about pandemic of COVID-19, an observational check list sheet as a tool two and had two parts; where part one assessed facilities required for applying precautionary measures inside the home, while part two assessed children’s hand washing practice inside the home. Results: there was a statistically significant differences between the total children’s knowledge regarding COVID-19 and total observed practice score regarding correct technique of hand washing pre/post comic story implementation. Conclusion: It was concluded that the implementation of a comic story had improved children’s total mean score of knowledge and hand washing practice regarding COVID-19 with statistically significant differences of both in relation to pre and post comic story implementation. Recommendations: The study recommended that to breakdown the ring of transmission of COVID-19; the collaboration between governmental and non-governmental agencies and stakeholders are main supporters for those children via appropriate  and friendly communication tools that improve their knowledge; practice and also providing those setting by funding and resources for applying precautionary measures of COVID-19 with periodical follow up for personals, setting, services and resources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 550-551
Author(s):  
Bethany Wilton-Harding ◽  
Tim Windsor

Abstract Awareness of one’s own aging has received increasing attention in the field of gerontology over the last decade. This study examines the role awareness of age-related change (AARC) may play in the association between daily stressors and well-being. Recently, individuals’ awareness of both age-related gains and age-related losses has been shown to vary on a day-to-day basis (Neupert & Bellingtier, 2017). We expected that increases in daily AARC-losses may be associated with increased emotional reactivity to daily stressors, whereas increases in AARC-gains may be associated with decreased reactivity. Data were collected in a daily diary study from a community-based sample of 152 Australian participants aged 53 to 86 (M = 69.18, SD = 5.73). Participants completed daily assessments of AARC, stressors and emotional affect (positive and negative) on their smartphones for 10 consecutive days. Analysis of within-person coupling using multilevel models indicated that daily increases in AARC-losses were associated with increased reactivity to daily stressors (represented by high negative affect and low positive affect). On the other hand, daily increases in AARC-gains were associated with decreased reactivity to daily stressors (represented by low negative affect). Results indicate that even short-term fluctuations in perceptions of aging may be an important factor to consider when investigating associations between daily stressors and well-being in older adulthood. Specifically, greater daily AARC-losses may contribute to lower emotional well-being, whereas an appreciation of positive age-related changes (AARC-gains) may play a role in mitigating emotional reactivity to daily stress experiences in older adulthood.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-81
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Shirzadfar ◽  
Narsis Gordoghli

In recent years, chronic medical problems have become increasingly prevalent. Chronic ‎illnesses challenge the view of life as a regular and continuous process, a challenge that has ‎important psychological consequences. The long duration of people suffering from these ‎diseases, the long process of treatment and the fact that there is no proper and definitive ‎treatment for most of these diseases and their associated complications have made chronic ‎diseases a detrimental factor in public health. According to the World Health Organization ‎‎(2006), the prevalence of chronic and non-communicable diseases is increasing in all countries, ‎especially developing countries, so that the major challenge for the health system in the present ‎century, is not living people, but better adapted to chronic illnesses and maintaining their ‎mental and social health and well-being Ed's life-threatening chronic physical illness.‎ Chronic pain is a pain that lasts longer than usual, and according to the criteria of the ‎International Association of Pain, this time is defined as at least 3 months to 6 months. Chronic ‎pain is such that not only faced the sick person whit the pressure of the pain but also with many ‎other pressure that affect different parts of her life. Fibromyalgia is one of the most rheumatologic disorders and one of the most resistant chronic ‎pain syndromes. Fibromyalgia is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders in adults ‎and chronic pain is one of the most common complaints in this group of patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002073142110249
Author(s):  
Huriye Toker

As seen clearly from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health is an important foreign policy and diplomatic issue connected with security, economic well-being, and international development. According to risk communication researchers, effective, transparent, and timely information sharing is the most important tool after vaccines for responding to pandemics. This study aims to start a scholarly discussion on the risk communication efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the COVID-19 outbreak. We analyzed WHO’s communication efforts during the first 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the leading international health organization, WHO was responsible for providing rapid, up-to-date, and credible information for the public and the media. The selected research items were 42 news releases and statements provided by WHO between December 31, 2019, and March 30, 2020. These were subjected to qualitative and quantitative content analyses using the NVivo 12 qualitative analysis software program for coding. The data were coded under 6 variables (date of publication, topics, frequency, wording of the COVID-19 outbreak, sourcing, and themes of the releases). While 54.7% of WHO's communications were devoted to the COVID-19 outbreak, more than half were not issued until March. That is, instead of early risk communication and clear warnings about the outbreak, WHO acted overcautiously, preferring messages related to solidarity and cooperation during the most devastating pandemic of the 21st century.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Cozzolino ◽  
Ferruccio Conte ◽  
Fulvia Zappulo ◽  
Paola Ciceri ◽  
Andrea Galassi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The novel coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2 has been declared a pandemic on March 2020, by the World Health Organization. Older individuals and patients with comorbid conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and immunologic diseases are at higher risk of contracting this severe infection. In particular, patients with advanced CKD constitute a vulnerable population and a challenge in the prevention and control of the disease. Home-based renal replacement therapies offer opportunity to manage patients remotely, thus reducing the likelihood of infection due to direct human interaction. Patients are seen less frequently, limiting the close interaction between patients and healthcare workers who may contract and spread the disease. On the other hand, while home dialysis is reasonable selection at his time due to the advantage of isolation of patients, measures must be assured to implement the program. Despite its logistical benefits, outpatient hemodialysis also presents certain challenges during times of crises such as COVID 19 pandemic and potentially future ones.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A285-A285
Author(s):  
Odalis Garcia ◽  
Danica Slavish ◽  
Jessica Dietch ◽  
Brett Messman ◽  
Ateka Contractor ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Nurses may experience frequent nightmares due to stressful work environments. Some studies estimate that 35% of nurses experience nightmares related to experiences at work. Nightmares may also exacerbate stress among nurses, although this has yet to be tested empirically. We examined daily bidirectional associations between stress severity and nightmare occurrence and severity, and whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms moderated those relationships. Methods 392 nurses (mean age = 39.54 years; SD = 11.15; 92% female; 78% White) were recruited for a larger study on sleep and vaccine response. For 14 days, upon awakening, nurses completed daily sleep diaries to assess previous-day stress severity (0 = not at all, 4 = extremely), as well as nightmare occurrence (0 = no nightmare, 1 = nightmare occurred) and nightmare severity (0 = not at all, 3 = very). PTSD symptoms were assessed at baseline using the PTSD Checklist of DSM-5 (PCL-5). Multilevel models were used to examine bidirectional, within-person associations between daily stress and nightmares, and cross-level moderation by baseline PTSD symptoms. Results Approximately 10.5% of nurses met criteria for PTSD based on PCL-5 scores. 47.2% of nurses reported at least one nightmare across the two weeks. Days with greater stress severity were associated with higher odds of experiencing a nightmare (OR = 1.22, p = 0.001), as well as greater nightmare severity that night (b = 0.09, p = 0.033). Nightmare occurrence (b = 0.15, p < 0.001) was associated with greater next-day stress severity. PTSD symptoms did not moderate daily stress and nightmare associations. Conclusion Nurses face intense occupational demands and frequent exposure to potentially traumatic events. Our results indicated nightmares and stress may occur in a bidirectional fashion among nurses. Results were similar regardless of nurses’ PTSD status. Future studies should explore whether targeting nightmares and stress may improve nurses’ health and well-being. Given the essential role that nurses play in maintaining patient health and safety, it is critical to understand the causes and consequences of their sleep-related disturbances. Support (if any):


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Rao ◽  
Kathi J. Kemper

Mind-body practices that intentionally generate positive emotion could improve health professionals’ well-being and compassion. However, the feasibility and impact of clinician training in these practices is unknown. Data were analyzed from 3 online modules offered to health professionals: ( a) Gratitude, ( b) Positive Word, and ( c) Loving-kindness/Compassion meditation. Paired t tests were used to assess pre- to posttraining changes in gratitude (Gratitude Questionnaire), well-being (World Health Organization Well-Being Index), self-compassion (Neff’s Self-Compassion Scale), and confidence in providing compassionate care (Confidence in Providing Calm, Compassionate Care Scale). The 177 enrollees included diverse practitioners (nurses, physicians, social workers, and others). Training was associated with statistically significant improvements in gratitude (38.3 ± 4.6 to 39.5 ± 3.3), well-being (16.4 ± 4.0 to 17.9 ± 4.2), self-compassion (39.5 ± 8.1 to 43.1 ± 7.6), and confidence in providing compassionate care (73.3 ± 16.4 to 80.9 ± 13.8; P < .001 for all comparisons). Brief, online training appeals to diverse health professionals and improves their gratitude, well-being, self-compassion, and confidence in providing compassionate care.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah McCue Horwitz ◽  
Philip J. Leaf ◽  
John M. Leventhal ◽  
Brian Forsyth ◽  
Kathy Nixon Speechley

The importance of psychological and social issues for children's well-being has long been recognized and their importance in the practice of pediatrics is well documented. However, many of the studies looking at this issue have emphasized psychiatric problems rather than issues commonly referred to as the new morbidity. The goal of this research was to refocus interest on the problems of the new morbidity. This study examined the rates and predictors of psychological problems in 19 of 23 randomly chosen pediatric practices in the greater New Haven area. Families of all 4- to 8-year-old children were invited to participate and to complete the Child Behavior Checklist prior to seeing a clinician. Clinicians completed a 13-category checklist of psychosocial and developmental problems based on a World Health Organization-sponsored primary care, child-oriented classification system. Of the 2006 eligible families, 1886 (94%) participated. Clinicians identified at least one psychosocial or developmental problem in 515 children (27.3%). Thirty-one percent of the children with problems received no active intervention, 40% received intervention by the clinician, and 16% were referred to specialty services. Not surprisingly, children whose problems were rated as moderate or severe were twice as likely to be referred compared with children with mild problems. Recognition of a problem was related to four characteristics: if the visit was for well child rather than acute care; if the clinician felt he or she knew a child well; if the child was male; and if the child had unmarried parents (all P ≤ .05). The data suggest that, when asked to use a taxonomy appropriate for primary care, clinicians recognize problems in many 4- to 8-year-old children (515/1886; 27.3%). This rate is considerably higher than the rates previously reported. Further, many children with identified problems (56%) were reported by their clinicians to receive some form of active intervention. Characteristics of the visit (type of visit, clinician's knowledge of a child) that influence the recognition of problems were also identified. These results suggest that investigators must define what types of problems they are interested in and under what circumstances to determine accurately what pediatric practitioners know about psychosocial and developmental problems in their young patients and families.


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