scholarly journals 1360Health impacts of a 4 month community-wide lockdown: a prospective longitudinal study in Victoria, Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Griffiths ◽  
Luke Sheehan ◽  
Caryn van Vreden ◽  
Dennis Petrie ◽  
Malcolm Sim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Background In response to the second wave of COVID-19 in Australia a 4 month community-wide lockdown resulted in Victoria, Australia. We explored the health impacts during lockdown and following its conclusion. Methods A cohort of 898 working-age Australians enrolled in a national longitudinal cohort study, completing surveys prior to, during, and following a Victorian lockdown during the southern hemisphere winter and early spring 2020. Mixed linear regression models examined health outcomes during and following the lockdown. Generalised estimating equations assessed changes in several determinants of health such as social interactions, engagement in work and finances. Results The Victorian lockdown had negative consequences for mental health and increased levels of psychological distress. These health impacts coincided with greater social isolation and cessation of work. Following the conclusion of lockdown, outcomes assessing mental health, work and social interactions had recovered to an extent whereby no significant long-lasting effects were identified compared to pre-lockdown conditions. Conclusions Extended community lockdowns have adverse health consequences. Governments should weigh the potential health impacts of lockdown with the benefits of reducing COVID-19 transmission. Services and programs to reduce the negative impacts of lockdown may include increases in mental health care, encouraging safe social interactions and financial support to maintain employment relationships. Longer-term follow-up is required to identify any persistent health effects of community lockdowns. Key messages Lockdowns result in adverse health consequences, and some quickly recover. Timely services and programs are encouraged to reduce negative impacts of lockdowns such as mental health supports and promoting safe interactions.

scholarly journals Mental health consequences of urban air pollution: prospective population-based longitudinal survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Bakolis ◽  
Ryan Hammoud ◽  
Robert Stewart ◽  
Sean Beevers ◽  
David Dajnak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Purpose The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently ranked air pollution as the major environmental cause of premature death. However, the significant potential health and societal costs of poor mental health in relation to air quality are not represented in the WHO report due to limited evidence. We aimed to test the hypothesis that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with poor mental health. Methods A prospective longitudinal population-based mental health survey was conducted of 1698 adults living in 1075 households in South East London, from 2008 to 2013. High-resolution quarterly average air pollution concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm (PM10) and < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) were linked to the home addresses of the study participants. Associations with mental health were analysed with the use of multilevel generalised linear models, after adjusting for large number of confounders, including the individuals’ socioeconomic position and exposure to road-traffic noise. Results We found robust evidence for interquartile range increases in PM2.5, NOx and NO2 to be associated with 18–39% increased odds of common mental disorders, 19–30% increased odds of poor physical symptoms and 33% of psychotic experiences only for PM10. These longitudinal associations were more pronounced in the subset of non-movers for NO2 and NOx. Conclusions The findings suggest that traffic-related air pollution is adversely affecting mental health. Whilst causation cannot be proved, this work suggests substantial morbidity from mental disorders could be avoided with improved air quality.

scholarly journals Depression and Anxiety Symptoms of British Adoptive Parents: A Prospective Four-Wave Longitudinal Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 5153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Anthony ◽  
Amy L. Paine ◽  
Katherine H. Shelton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Adoptive Parents ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Parental Anxiety ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Adoptive Families ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

The mental health of birth parents has gained attention due to the serious negative consequences for personal, family, and child outcomes, but depression and anxiety in adoptive parents remains under-recognized. Using a prospective, longitudinal design, we investigated anxiety and depression symptoms in 96 British adoptive parents over four time points in the first four years of an adoptive placement. Depression and anxiety symptom scores were relatively stable across time. Growth curve analysis showed that higher child internalizing scores and lower parental sense of competency at five months post-placement were associated with higher initial levels of parental depressive symptoms. Lower parental sense of competency was also associated with higher initial levels of parental anxiety symptoms. Parents of older children and those with higher levels of parental anxiety and sense of competency at five months post-placement had a steeper decrease in depressive symptoms over time. Support for adoptive families primarily focuses on child adjustment. Our findings suggest that professional awareness of parental mental health post-placement may be necessary, and interventions aimed at improving parents’ sense of competency may be beneficial.

scholarly journals Sibling Bullying: A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Associations with Positive and Negative Mental Health during Adolescence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Toseeb ◽  
Dieter Wolke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Early Adolescence ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Late Adolescence ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

AbstractSibling bullying is associated with poor mental health outcomes, but the relevance of specific bullying roles remains unclear. Data from a population-based study (n = 17,157, 48% female) focusing on early (11 years), middle (14 years), and late (17 years) adolescence were analyzed. Associations between sibling bullying roles in early adolescence and positive and negative mental health outcomes in late adolescence were investigated. Generally, bullying, irrespective of role, was associated with poorer mental health outcomes in late adolescence. As the frequency of bullying victimization increased between early and middle adolescence so did the severity of mental health outcomes in late adolescence. The developmental trajectories of externalizing problems were influenced by bullying in early adolescence. Sibling bullying, irrespective of role, is associated with poor mental health outcomes.

scholarly journals Sibling Bullying: A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Associations with Positive and Negative Mental Health during Adolescence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Toseeb ◽  
Dieter Wolke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Early Adolescence ◽  
Late Adolescence ◽  
Positive Mental Health ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
Externalising Problems ◽  
Developmental Course ◽  
Bullying Victimisation ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Internalising Problems

It is well documented that sibling bullying is associated with poor mental health. The prospective longitudinal relationships between sibling bullying and both positive and negative mental health remain unclear. Additionally, the developmental course of negative mental health after sibling bullying involvement is yet to be investigated. Regression models were fitted to data from a UK-based Millennium Cohort Study (n=17,157, 48% female). Adolescents self-reported on sibling bullying in early- (age 11 years) and mid-adolescence (14 years) and on positive (general well-being and self-esteem) and negative mental health (internalising problems, externalising problems, psychological distress, and self-harm) in late adolescence (17 years). Primary caregivers also reported on internalising and externalising problems throughout adolescence. Sibling bullying involvement as a victim-only or bully-victim in early adolescence was associated with more symptoms of negative mental health and lower levels of positive mental health in late adolescence compared to those not involved in any sibling bullying. Being a bully-only was associated with externalising problems but no other aspect of mental health in late adolescence. Persistent sibling bullying victimisation in early- and mid-adolescence was associated with more symptoms of negative mental health and reduced positive mental health in late adolescence. Finally, the developmental course of externalising, but not internalising, problems during adolescence differed depending on the sibling bullying role in early adolescence. These findings suggest that, if causality can be established, sibling bullying in early adolescence likely affects the developmental course of externalising problems and has a detrimental effect both positive and negative mental health in late adolescence.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the mental health status of undergraduate medical students in a COVID-19 treating medical college: a prospective longitudinal study

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10164
Author(s):  
Ilango Saraswathi ◽  
Jayakumar Saikarthik ◽  
K. Senthil Kumar ◽  
Kumar Madhan Srinivasan ◽  
M. Ardhanaari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Background The COVID-19 pandemic is found to affect the mental health of the population. Undergraduate medical students are especially prone to mental health disorders and hence could be more vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic. Methods A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on 217 undergraduate medical students in a medical college at Chennai, India. Depression, anxiety, and stress levels were recorded using Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 Items (DASS21) before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in India in December 2019 and June 2020, respectively. In the follow-up survey, in addition to DASS21, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess sleep quality and a self-administered questionnaire to assess the impact of COVID-19 related stressors were used. The self-administered questionnaire assessed the status of COVID-19 testing, interactions with COVID-19 patients, self-perceived levels of concerns and worries related to academics (COVID-19-AA (academic apprehensions)) and those pertaining to the self and family/friends (COVID-19-GA (general apprehensions)). Cross-sectional and longitudinal comparison of overall scores of depression, anxiety, and stress and scores stratified by gender, year of study, place of residence and monthly family income were performed. Predictors for depression, anxiety, and stress during COVID-19 were investigated using adjusted binary logistic regression analysis and results were expressed as adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI). A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The average scores of depression, anxiety, and stress during the baseline survey were 7.55 ± 7.86, 4.6 ± 6.19 and 7.31 ± 7.34 with the prevalence (95% Cl) of 33.2% [27–39.9%], 21.2% [16–27.2%] and 20.7% [15.5–26.7%]; in follow-up survey, the mean scores were 8.16 ± 8.9, 6.11 ± 7.13 and 9.31 ± 8.18 with the prevalence being 35.5% [29.1–42.2%], 33.2% [27–39.9%] and 24.9% [19.3–31.2%] for depression, anxiety, and stress respectively. There was a significant increase in both the prevalence and levels of anxiety and stress (P < 0.001), with depression remaining unchanged during COVID-19, irrespective of gender, year of study, place of residence and family’s monthly income. Poor sleep quality, higher levels of baseline depression, anxiety, and stress, higher COVID-19-GA, COVID-19 patients in family/friends and direct interactions with COVID-19 patients were found to be significant predictors of negative mental health in undergraduate medical students. COVID-19-AA was not significantly associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic appears to negatively affect the mental health of the undergraduate medical students with the prevalence and levels of anxiety and stress being increased, and depression symptoms remaining unaltered. Addressing and mitigating the negative effect of COVID-19 on the mental health of this population is crucial.

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