scholarly journals Understanding the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures: an empirical model of stress.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bartholomäus Wissmath ◽  
Fred W Mast ◽  
Fabian Kraus ◽  
David Weibel
Keyword(s):  
Risk Group ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Positive Thinking ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Social Organizational ◽  
The Individual

Research suggests that epidemics and corresponding containment measures have negative consequences to the individual and cause stress. The psychological mechanisms that determine stress, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures, are not yet clear. In a survey during the lockdown in Switzerland (n=1565), we found substantially increased levels of stress in the population. In particular, individuals who did not agree with the containment measures, as well as those who saw nothing positive in the crisis, experienced even higher levels of stress. In contrast, individuals who are part of a risk group or who are working in healthcare or in essential shops experienced similar stress levels as the general public. We conducted a path analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms during lockdown. Experiencing fear of the disease is a key driver for being worried. Our model further shows that worries about the individual, social, and economic consequences of the crisis, strongly boost stress. The infection rate in the canton (i.e. state) of residence also contributes to stress. Positive thinking and perceived social, organizational, and governmental support mitigate worries and stress. To prevent stress, authorities should explain containment measures well, highlight positive aspects of the crisis, address worries, and facilitate support.

scholarly journals Understanding the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures: An empirical model of stress

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254883
Author(s):  
Bartholomäus Wissmath ◽  
Fred W. Mast ◽  
Fabian Kraus ◽  
David Weibel
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Positive Thinking ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Social Organizational ◽  
The Individual

Epidemics such as COVID-19 and corresponding containment measures are assumed to cause psychological stress. In a survey during the lockdown in Switzerland (n = 1565), we found substantially increased levels of stress in the population. In particular, individuals who did not agree with the containment measures, as well as those who saw nothing positive in the crisis, experienced high levels of stress. In contrast, individuals who are part of a risk group or who are working in healthcare or in essential shops experienced similar stress levels as the general public. The psychological mechanisms that determine stress, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures, are not yet clear. Thus, we conducted a path analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms that lead to stress. Experiencing fear of the disease is a key driver for being worried. Our model further shows that worries about the individual, social, and economic consequences of the crisis, strongly boost stress. The infection rate in the canton (i.e., state) of residence also contributes to stress. Positive thinking and perceived social, organizational, and governmental support mitigate worries and stress. Our findings indicate that containment measures increase worries and stress, especially for those who feel that these measures either are not sufficient or go too far. Thus, highlighting positive aspects of the crisis and convincing people of the effectiveness and necessity of mitigation measures can, not only promote compliance, but also reduce stress. Our model suggests that people who feel protected by the authorities have fewer worries, which can, in turn, limit the negative impact of the crisis on mental health.

scholarly journals Analysis of information and psychological impact on personality in COVID-19 pandemic conditions

2021 ◽  
pp. 66-78
Author(s):  
Оксана Георгиевна Меретукова ◽  
Светлана Владимировна Нестерова ◽  
Владимир Владимирович Харин ◽  
Олег Васильевич Стрельцов ◽  
Ольга Сергеевна Маторина
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Current Task ◽  
Psychological Influence ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Flow Of Information

В настоящей статье проанализированы теоретические аспекты информационно-психологического воздействия на личность. Основными сферами информационно-психологического воздействия являются: экономические, политические, военные и т.д. Реализация процесса информационно-психологического воздействия направлена на основные сферы жизнедеятельности индивида или социальной группы посредством средств массовой информации, социальных сетей, глобальных компьютерных сетей, слухов (фейковых новостей) и т.д. Важнейшей задачей эффективного противодействия является своевременное выявление и идентификация информационно-психологического влияния, а также точная оценка возможных деструктивных последствий, которые могут привести к информационному и психологическому вмешательству. В данной связи актуальной задачей является изучение рассматриваемых в статье вопросов. В настоящее время в связи с возрастанием потока информации из различных источников актуальность обретает разработка мер предупреждения информационно-психологического воздействия и негативных последствий в виде изменения потребностей индивида (групп людей) посредством манипуляторных действий производителей и поставщиков товаров и услуг. Авторами статьи изучена реализация процесса управления социальными системами в информационном обществе, представленная российскими и зарубежными авторами. Приведены основные понятия, классификации методов информационно-психологического воздействия, выделены и разграничены методы, оказывающие наиболее высокое воздействие на людей с критическим и некритическим восприятием информации. Важнейшими характеристиками мыслительной деятельности личности являются: самостоятельность, критичность мышления, глубина и гибкость мышления, анализ и поиск решения задач. Представлен литературный обзор и основные выводы исследователей сущности и содержания процесса информационно-психологического воздействия. Проведен анализ информационно-психологического влияния на человека (группы лиц) в период пандемии. This paper analyzes theoretical aspects of information-psychological influence on personality. The main areas of information and psychological impact include economic, political, military, etc. The implementation of the process of information and psychological impact is aimed at the main spheres of life of an individual or social group through the media, social networks, global computer networks, rumors (fake news), etc. The most important task of effective counteraction is the timely identification of information and psychological influence, as well as an accurate assessment of possible destructive consequences that can lead to information and psychological intervention. In this regard, the current task is to study the issues discussed in the paper. At present, as the flow of information from various sources increases, the development of information prevention measures becomes relevant. At present, as the flow of information from various sources increases, the development of measures to prevent information and psychological effects and negative consequences in the form of changing the needs of the individual (groups of people) through manipulative actions of manufacturers and suppliers of goods and services becomes relevant. The authors of the publication studied the implementation of the process of managing social systems in the information society, presented by Russian and foreign authors. Basic concepts, classifications of methods of information-psychological impact are given, methods having the highest impact on people with critical and non-critical perception of information are identified and delineated. The most important characteristics of a person's thought activity are independence, criticality of thinking, depth and flexibility of thinking, analysis and search for solutions to problems. Literary overview and main conclusions of researchers on essence and content of the process of information-psychological impact are presented. An analysis of the information and psychological impact on the person (groups of persons) during the pandemic was carried out.

Secondary Psychological Prevention Self-Injurious Behavior of Schoolchildren

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-24
Author(s):  
N.Kh Biletskaya ◽  
S.A. Belousova ◽  
T.A. Tetyueva
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
School Psychologist ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Individual Counseling ◽  
Counseling Training ◽  
Youth Subcultures ◽  
The Individual

This program describes the system of work of a school psychologist with students of adolescence and youthful age, as well as their immediate environment at the secondary level of prevention. The pro-gram is coordinated with the characteristics of the target group: it takes into account the cultural specificity of adolescent and youth subcultures, in which self-harm is used to create a group identity and communicate with other members of the group; the context is taken into account (peculiarities of the school environment); the level of development of adolescents (for example, their desire for inde-pendence in relations with their parents and the corresponding problems in communication with them); the trajectory of the formation of undesirable behavior. Based on the analysis of criteria for assessing self-injurious behavior, methods of its diagnosis, including those in the risk group, as well as tools for studying the existing suicidal danger were selected. Discussion of criteria and indicators for tracking the effectiveness of psychological impact is provided. In accordance with the psycholog-ical analysis of the phenomenon, individual and group forms of psychological assistance are as-sumed. The main directions of psychological influence are the formation of constructive motivation (positive values, orientation towards fulfilling social requirements and self-preservation); integration of individual experiences; improving self-regulation; increasing stress resistance and expanding personality resources; development of vital skills; elimination or reduction of manifestations of mala-daptive behavior; expansion of social ties and positive social experience of the individual. Forms of work of a psychologist: organization of the social environment; informing; active social learning (training); initiation of search / organization of alternative activities; activation of personal resources; design to minimize negative consequences; others. The main types of activities, which include students: individual counseling; training groups in order to correct negative emotionally significant situa-tions; individual work with the child’s value system; teaching social skills, methods of effective com-munication, constructive behavior in conflict situations. The main groups of applied methods: meth-ods of stimulating the motivation of behavior change; methods of correcting emotional disorders; self-regulation methods; cognitive restructuring techniques; methods of extinguishing unwanted be-havior; methods of forming positive behavior (reinforcement, rehearsal — assertiveness training, etc.).

scholarly journals Negative psycho-emotional consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in risk groups

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-74
Author(s):  
Elvira B. Karpova ◽  
Ekaterina A. Nikolaeva
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Health Group

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with a threat to somatic health and human life, poses a challenge to people’s mental health. The search for predictors of the negative consequences of the pandemic for the mental health is an urgent task for the psychological community. Objective. to test the assumption that the psychological impact of a pandemic may be more significant for people with a potentially more severe course of the disease and an increased likelihood of death (representatives of the risk group), than that of the general population, and can be accompanied by more pronounced psychoemotional disorders. Design. In the first two months after the introduction of restrictive measures for the COVID-19 epidemic, an online survey of the population was conducted on social networks using valid methods suitable for screening studies. We used a specially developed questionnaire and included psycho-diagnostic techniques in the “Google questionnaire” format. The study involved 449 people aged 12 to 82 years old, average age 30 years old, moda1 – 22 years old. The sample was divided into the main and control groups. The main group – the risk group – was 81 people, the size of the control group or the conventionally named “health group” – 368 people. Results. It was revealed that the commitment to self-isolation is not associated with the respondents’ belonging to the risk group. Despite the discovered connection between belonging to the risk group and the fear of contracting coronavirus infection, psycho-emotional disorders at a statistically significant level of significance were more often diagnosed in the “health group” (45%), and 26% in the risk group. Among the members of the risk group, a high level of experience of loneliness is less common (1% versus 8% for the “health group”). Conclusion. On the whole, the results showed a significant negative effect of the new conditions on the mental state of people. The hypothesis that people from the risk group turned out to be more susceptible to psycho-emotional distress during the period of self-isolation has not been confirmed. The most active part of the population appeared to be most vulnerable to distress. For them the current situation turned out to be frustrating to their usual needs.

scholarly journals Psychological Mechanisms of Formation and Prevention of Individual Psychological Maladjustment of the Personali

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-202
Author(s):  
Natal'ya Goncharova
Keyword(s):  
Deviant Behavior ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Psychological Maladjustment ◽  
Mechanisms Of Formation ◽  
The Individual

Relevance. Maladaptive personality behavior is one of the research subjects of deviant behavior, and from the point of view of the social-normative criterion contradicts the tasks of harmonious adaptation of a person. This makes it difficult to perform professional functions, causes industrial conflicts, disorganization of all kinds of activity and crises being an urgent problem of a psychological, social and personal nature. The study of individual psychological mechanisms and criteria for disadaptation makes it possible to determine the psychological mechanisms of its formation and to prevent the negative consequences of maladjustment using a multilevel integral analysis of its different variations. Objectives. The aim of the article is to establish the actual characteristics of individual psychological maladjustment and to determine the mechanisms of its formation as a condition for prevention. Research progress. The research specifies the current risks of personality maladjustment associated with the factors of the virtual space, isolation of the individual from the conditions of real interaction, the duration of the pandemic. The analysis of the factors determining individual psychological maladjustment, the stability of the genesis of which is noted in the overwhelming majority of studies is carried out. The study clarifies the concept of the psychological mechanism of the formation of deviant behavior in general and maladjustment in various specific spheres of human activity. Conclusions. The formation of individual psychological maladjustment of the personality is subject to the action of multilevel universal mechanisms, which are practically not discussed in current empirical works. Further studies will be needed to examine private and general mechanisms of behavior deviating from the norm as well as its consequence, that is the formation of maladaptive individual psychological characteristics. The system of multilevel integral connections being activated in accordance with the principles of consistency, stability and differentiation, acts as a mechanism of individual psychological maladjustment. To carry out the tasks of preventing individual psychological maladjustment, it is necessary to study the methodology of analyzing causal and teleological relations.

The Role of Threat and Economic Uncertainty in Support for Scottish Independence

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Kopasker
Keyword(s):  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Constitutional Change ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Economic Expectations ◽  
Scottish Independence ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Levels Of Support

Existing research has consistently shown that perceptions of the potential economic consequences of Scottish independence are vital to levels of support for constitutional change. This paper attempts to investigate the mechanism by which expectations of the economic consequences of independence are formed. A hypothesised causal micro-level mechanism is tested that relates constitutional preferences to the existing skill investments of the individual. Evidence is presented that larger skill investments are associated with a greater likelihood of perceiving economic threats from independence. Additionally, greater perceived threat results in lower support for independence. The impact of uncertainty on both positive and negative economic expectations is also examined. While uncertainty has little effect on negative expectations, it significantly reduces the likelihood of those with positive expectations supporting independence. Overall, it appears that a general economy-wide threat is most significant, and it is conjectured that this stems a lack of information on macroeconomic governance credentials.

Exploring Modes, Strategies, and Psychosocial Consequences of Cyberbullying Perpetration and Victimization Among University Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hira Kanwal ◽  
Humaira Jami
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Cyber Victimization ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Psychosocial Consequences ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Depth Interviews

The purpose of the study was to explore modes, strategies, and consequences of cyberbullying perpetration and victimization among university students. In-depth interviews of 14 volunteer university students (8 male and 6 female) were conducted who volunteered to participate in the study in which 10 participants were “cybervictims” whereas 4 were “cyberbully-victim”. Interview guide was used for conducting unstructured interviews. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed different experiences in cyberspace with respect to gender and role (cybervictim and cyberbully-victim) in experiencing cyberbullying and cyber-victimization. Three themes emerged that is psychological consequences (emotional, behavioral, and cognitive), social consequences (family and peers), and change in lifestyle (online, offline, and academic). Facebook was found to be the most prevalent mode of cyberbullying. The cyberbully-victim participants derived more happiness while bullying and had revengeful attitude; whereas, cybervictims experienced more depression, increased family surveillance, social isolation, and became aware of negative consequences of social networking sites, became more vigilant and conscious in cyberspace. Moreover, the consequences reported by cyberbully-victim were distrust on security settings, low academic achievement, and their peers learnt from their cyberspace experience. Perception of cyber-victimization was different across gender and its psychological impact was more pronounced for girls than boys. The results and implications were discussed in Pakistani context.

Tourism as a Tool for the Fulfilment of the Rights to Rest and Leisure Enshrined in Article No. 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 180-188
Author(s):  
Bianca Nicla Romano
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Universal Declaration ◽  
Title V ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Real Right ◽  
Right To Work ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Right ◽  
Italian Constitution

Art. 24 of the 1948 Declaration of Human Rights recognises and protects the right of the individual to rest and leisure. This right has to be fully exercised without negative consequences on the right to work and the remuneration. Tourism can be considered one of the best ways of rest and leisure because it allows to enrich the personality of the individual. Even after the reform of the Title V this area is no longer covered by the Italian Constitution, the Italian legal system protects and guarantees it as a real right, so as to get to recognize its existence and the consequent compensation of the so-called “ruined holiday damage”. This kind of damage has not a patrimonial nature, but a moral one, and the Tourist-Traveler can claim for it when he has not been able to fully enjoy his holiday - the essential fulcrum of tourism - intended as an opportunity for leisure and/or rest, essential rights of the individual.

scholarly journals Understanding decisions about antibiotic prescribing in ICU: an application of the Necessity Concerns Framework

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjqs-2020-012479
Author(s):  
Alyssa M Pandolfo ◽  
Robert Horne ◽  
Yogini Jani ◽  
Tom W Reader ◽  
Natalie Bidad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Out Of Hours ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Clinical Vignettes ◽  
Molecular Microbiology ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
The Individual

BackgroundAntibiotics are extensively prescribed in intensive care units (ICUs), yet little is known about how antibiotic-related decisions are made in this setting. We explored how beliefs, perceptions and contextual factors influenced ICU clinicians’ antibiotic prescribing.MethodsWe conducted 4 focus groups and 34 semistructured interviews with clinicians involved in antibiotic prescribing in four English ICUs. Focus groups explored factors influencing prescribing, whereas interviews examined decision-making processes using two clinical vignettes. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, applying the Necessity Concerns Framework.ResultsClinicians’ antibiotic decisions were influenced by their judgement of the necessity for prescribing/not prescribing, relative to their concerns about potential adverse consequences. Antibiotic necessity perceptions were strongly influenced by beliefs that antibiotics would protect patients from deterioration and themselves from the ethical and legal consequences of undertreatment. Clinicians also reported concerns about prescribing antibiotics. These generally centred on antimicrobial resistance; however, protecting the individual patient was prioritised over these societal concerns. Few participants identified antibiotic toxicity concerns as a key influencer. Clinical uncertainty often complicated balancing antibiotic necessity against concerns. Decisions to start or continue antibiotics often represented ‘erring on the side of caution’ as a protective response in uncertainty. This approach was reinforced by previous experiences of negative consequences (‘being burnt’) which motivated prescribing ‘just in case’ of an infection. Prescribing decisions were also context-dependent, exemplified by a lower perceived threshold to prescribe antibiotics out-of-hours, input from external team members and local prescribing norms.ConclusionEfforts to improve antibiotic stewardship should consider clinicians’ desire to protect with a prescription. Rapid molecular microbiology, with appropriate communication, may diminish clinicians’ fears of not prescribing or of using narrower-spectrum antibiotics.

Prediction of pre-eclampsia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1753495X2098401
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Giannakou
Keyword(s):  
Early Recognition ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Maternal Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
The Individual

Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of neonatal and maternal mortality and morbidity that complicates approximately 2–8% of all pregnancies worldwide. The precise cause of pre-eclampsia is not completely understood, with several environmental, genetic, and maternal factors involved in its pathogenesis and pathophysiology. An accurate predictor of pre-eclampsia will facilitate early recognition, close surveillance according to the individual risk and early intervention, and reduce the negative consequences of the disorder. Current evidence shows that no single test predicts pre-eclampsia with sufficient accuracy to be clinically useful. A combination of markers into multiparametric models may provide a more useful and feasible predictive tool for pre-eclampsia screening in the routine care setting than a test of either component alone. This review presents a summary of the current advances on prediction of pre-eclampsia, highlighting their performance and applicability. Key priorities when conducting research on predicting pre-eclampsia are also analyzed.

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