The prevalence of psychological distress and relationships with social fragmentation and isolation: a geospatial study and survey in rural Australia

AbstractPurposeThere is limited data on the effects of social isolation on rural mental health. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of psychological distress in a rural area of Australia while exploring the association between psychological distress and social isolation at the individual and area level.MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey of 408 adult volunteers was conducted across rural south-eastern New South Wales from October 2019 to April 2020. The Kessler 10 was used to measure psychological distress, while area-level social fragmentation was assessed using the family (ANSFIfam) and mobility (ANSFImob) components of the Australian Neighbourhood Social Fragmentation Index. The number of different occupations of people known socially was used to assess individual-level social isolation. Spatial analysis was performed to identify any spatial autocorrelation.ResultsThe prevalence of high psychological distress in the sample was 29%. Using logistic regression models, there was little evidence of a relationship between high psychological distress and ANSFIfam (odds ratio (OR)=0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.93–1.03), or ANSFImob (OR=1.04, 95%CI=0.99–1.09). High psychological distress also did not appear to be associated with number of occupations known socially (OR=1.00, 95%CI=0.99–1.00). There was no significant spatial autocorrelation of psychological distress or social fragmentation at the postal area level.ConclusionThe results suggest that social fragmentation or isolation may not have a significant effect on psychological distress in a rural setting. Nevertheless, further investigation of the effects of social isolation on mental health in rural areas is warranted.

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The association between living in socially fragmented neighbourhoods and psychological distress among immigrant and non-immigrant people aged 45 and over in NSW, Australia

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0004867420981414 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 000486742098141

Author(s):

Hossein Tabatabaei-Jafari ◽

Tehzeeb Zulfiqar ◽

Jennifer Welsh ◽

Nasser Bagheri

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Economic Advantage ◽

Socioeconomic Disadvantage ◽

Health Concern ◽

Health Issues ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Psychological Distress ◽

Social Fragmentation ◽

Mental Health Issues

Objective: Immigrants’ mental health is a growing public health concern. Neighbourhood characteristics in the host society may contribute to the poor mental health observed among immigrants. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between neighbourhood-level social fragmentation and socioeconomic characteristics with psychological distress among immigrants and non-immigrants living in Australia. Methodology: We conducted cross-sectional secondary data analysis of 228,039 participants from the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study, with psychological distress measured with the Kessler 10 (K10) and area-level social fragmentation and economic advantage/disadvantage measured at the statistical area level 1 (areas containing approximately 400 people). Multilevel logistic models were used to examine the extent to which differences across the least and most fragmented and economic advantage/disadvantage neighbourhoods contributed to the prevalence of high psychological distress (K10 score ⩾ 22). Results: Immigrants accounted for about 23% of the sample. Slightly more immigrants (34.8%) compared to non-immigrants (32.9%) lived in fragmented areas. Although immigrants were over represented in areas with socioeconomic advantage (40% vs 33.9%), the prevalence of high psychological distress in neighbourhoods with higher social fragmentation and socioeconomic disadvantage was higher in immigrants than non-immigrants. Immigrants had 17% (95% confidence interval = [12%, 22%]) higher odds of having high psychological distress compared to non-immigrants. There was no evidence of an interaction between social fragmentation or socioeconomic disadvantage and immigrant status. Living in fragmented or socioeconomically disadvantaged areas was associated with higher psychological distress among immigrants and non-immigrants. English as a second language and low annual income were significant predictors of psychological distress in immigrants over and above area-level characteristics. Conclusion: Immigrants are vulnerable to mental health issues, but the characteristics of the area they live in are also important. Helping immigrants settle into well-integrated and economically advantaged areas may decrease the possibility of mental health issues.

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Social isolation and psychological distress among southern US college students in the era of COVID-19

10.1101/2021.12.31.21268596 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Danielle Giovenco ◽

Bonnie E Shook-Sa ◽

Bryant Hutson ◽

Laurie Buchanan ◽

Edwin B Fisher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

North Carolina ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Southern Us ◽

Chapel Hill ◽

Clinically Significant

Objective: To examine the prevalence of psychological distress and its association with social isolation among University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) students. Methods A cross-sectional survey was emailed to all students in June 2020. Students reported self-isolating none, some, most, or all of the time and were screened for clinically significant symptoms of depression (CSSD). Data were weighted to the UNC-CH population. Results: 7,012 students completed surveys-64% reported self-isolating most or all of the time and 64% reported CSSD. Compared to those self-isolating none of the time, students self-isolating some of the time were 1.78 (95% CI 1.37-2.30) times as likely to report CSSD, and students self-isolating most and all of the time were 2.12 (95% CI 1.64-2.74) and 2.27 (95% CI 1.75-2.94) times as likely to report CSSD, respectively. Conclusions: Universities should prioritize student mental health and prepare support services to mitigate mental health consequences of the pandemic.

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Older adults experiences of technology use for socialization during the COVID-19 pandemic: A random cross-sectional survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.28010 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kristen R. Haase ◽

Theodore Cosco ◽

Lucy Kervin ◽

Indira Riadi ◽

Megan E. O'Connell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

British Columbia ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Technology Use ◽

Random Sampling ◽

Population Based ◽

Critical Approach ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

BACKGROUND Technology has become the most critical approach to maintain social connectedness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older adults (over age 65) are perceived as most physiologically vulnerable to COVID-19 and at risk of secondary mental health challenges related to social isolation imposed by virus containment strategies. To mitigate concerns regarding sampling bias we used a random sampling of older adults to understand uptake and acceptance of technologies to support socialization during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE To conduct a random population-based assessment of the barriers and facilitators to engaging in technology use for virtual socialization amongst older adults in the Canadian province of British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional population-based survey using random-digit dialing to participants over age 65 living in British Columbia. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with open-text responses analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Respondents included 400 older adults with an average age of 72 years old and 63.7% female. Most respondents (89.5%) were aware of how to use technology to connect with others and slightly more than half (56%) reported using technology differently to connect with others during the pandemic. 55.9% of respondents reported adopting new technology since the beginning of the pandemic. Older adults reported key barriers to using technology including: (1) lack of access (including finance, knowledge, and age); (2) lack of interest (including a preference for telephone, and a general lack of interest in computers); and (3) physical barriers (resultant of cognitive impairments, stroke, and arthritis). Older adults reported numerous facilitators, including: (1) knowledge of technologies (whether self-taught or via external courses); (2) reliance on others (family, friends, and general internet searching); (3) technology accessibility (including environments, user-friendly technology, and receiving clear instructions); and (4) social motivation (because everyone else is doing it). CONCLUSIONS Much data on older adults use of technology is limited by sampling biases, but the current study that used random sampling demonstrated that older adults used technology to mitigate social isolation during the pandemic. Virtual socialization is most promising to mitigate potential mental health effects related to virus containment strategies. Addressing barriers by mobilizing telephone training and task lists, and mobilizing facilitators described by participants such as facilitated socialization activities are important strategies that can be implemented within and beyond the pandemic to bolster the mental health needs of older adults.

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Protecting the front line: a cross-sectional survey analysis of the occupational factors contributing to healthcare workers’ infection and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042752 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. e042752 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tsion Firew ◽

Ellen D Sano ◽

Jonathan W Lee ◽

Stefan Flores ◽

Kendrick Lang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Front Line ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Burn Out ◽

The Usa

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with significant occupational stressors and challenges for front-line healthcare workers (HCWs), including COVID-19 exposure risk. Our study sought to assess factors contributing to HCW infection and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA.DesignWe conducted a cross sectional survey of HCWs (physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), non-clinical staff) during May 2020. Participants completed a 42-item survey assessing disease transmission risk (clinical role, work environment, availability of personal protective equipment) and mental health (anxiety, depression and burn-out).SettingThe questionnaire was disseminated over various social media platforms. 3083 respondents from 48 states, the District of Columbia and US territories accessed the survey.ParticipantsUsing a convenience sample of HCWs who worked during the pandemic, 3083 respondents accessed the survey and 2040 participants completed at least 80% of the survey.Primary outcomePrevalence of self-reported COVID-19 infection, in addition to burn-out, depression and anxiety symptoms.ResultsParticipants were largely from the Northeast and Southern USA, with attending physicians (31.12%), nurses (26.80%), EMTs (13.04%) with emergency medicine department (38.30%) being the most common department and specialty represented. Twenty-nine per cent of respondents met the criteria for being a probable case due to reported COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test. HCWs in the emergency department (31.64%) were more likely to contract COVID-19 compared with HCWs in the ICU (23.17%) and inpatient settings (25.53%). HCWs that contracted COVID-19 also reported higher levels of depressive symptoms (mean diff.=0.31; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.47), anxiety symptoms (mean diff.=0.34; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.52) and burn-out (mean diff.=0.54; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.71).ConclusionHCWs have experienced significant physical and psychological risk while working during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the urgent need for increased support for provider physical and mental health well-being.

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Mental health and risk behaviors of children in rural China with different patterns of parental migration: a cross-sectional study

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health ◽

10.1186/s13034-019-0298-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Feng Wang ◽

Jingjing Lu ◽

Leesa Lin ◽

Xudong Zhou

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Future Research ◽

Emotional Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Full Data ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Left Behind ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background One in seven members of China’s population are migrants. There are an estimated 41 million children left behind in rural areas who are living without one or both of their parents. The impact of two- and single-parent migration on child mental health and risk behaviors is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the mental health and risk behaviors among children whose parents are either both migrating (B-LBC), have one parent migrating (O-LBC) or those whose parents do not migrate (N-LBC). Methods This study was a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire conducted in rural areas with high proportions of left behind children (LBC) in Anhui Province, southeast China. The tools used were the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires, Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the Young’s Internet Addiction Test for Chinese. Results Full data were available for 699 B-LBC, 552 O-LBC and 741 N-LBC. After adjusting for gender, age, grade, number of siblings and self-rated socio-economic status, B-LBC were significantly more likely to have higher emotional symptoms scores (B(SE) = 0.36(0.11), p < 0.01), higher hyperactivity scores (B(SE) = 0.22(0.11), p < 0.01) and higher total difficulties scores (B(SE) = 0.79(0.29), p < 0.01) than N-LBC. B-LBC were also more likely to be an addicted internet user (OR(95%CI) = 1.91(1.33, 2.76), p < 0.01) compared to N-LBC. However, there were no identified differences between O-LBC and N-LBC or between O-LBC and B-LBC in any measures. Conclusions Our findings found that living with one parent or both parents was associated with better mental health and fewer risk behaviors than was being separated from both parents. Future research is needed to consider the implications of these findings for policies and programs to protect LBC, especially for those with two migrating parents.

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Perceived Barriers to Mental Health Services among the Elderly in the Rural of Vietnam: A Cross Sectional Survey in 2019

Health Services Insights ◽

10.1177/11786329211026035 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 117863292110260

Author(s):

Nguyen Hang Nguyet Van ◽

Nguyen Thi Khanh Huyen ◽

Mai Thi Hue ◽

Nguyen Thanh Luong ◽

Pham Quoc Thanh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Important Indicator

While the burden of neurological and mental disorders has been drastically increased in Vietnam, the current mental healthcare services do not meet the public demand. In order to determine perceived barriers to the use of mental health services, we conducted a cross-sectional study on 376 elderly people from a rural district in Hanoi, Vietnam. We found that depression may be an important indicator of the need for formal and informal community and home care mental health services. Barriers to mental healthcare access were categorized into 7 groups namely stigma, emotional concerns, participation restrictions, service satisfaction, time constraints, geographic and financial conditions, and availability of services. The most significant barriers are the limited availability of and accessibility to health professionals and services in rural areas. Our study highlights the urgent efforts that need to be made in order to enhance availability of mental healthcare services in rural areas of Vietnam.

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A gender comparison of the psychological distress of medical students in Nigeria during the Coronavirus pandemic: A cross-sectional survey

10.1101/2020.11.08.20227967 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Oluwaseun Mercy Idowu ◽

OyinOluwa Gloria Adaramola ◽

Boluwatife Samson Aderounmu ◽

Ifeoluwa Delight Olugbamigbe ◽

Olaoluwa Ezekiel Dada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Gender Differences ◽

At Risk ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Medical Students ◽

Large Scale ◽

Online Survey ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

AbstractBackgroundThe Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as a large scale stressor could have negative distress on the mental health on medical students. Since gender differences in mental health may exist between males and females, it would prove interesting to see if a large scale stressor such as the pandemic will cause variances in the psychological distress between both genders.This study assessed and compared the psychological distress of COVID-19 among male and female medical students in medical schools in South-Western NigeriaMaterials and methodsA cross-sectional online survey using was carried out among 1010 medical students from three largest universities in south western Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents were purposively selected, data was obtained on participants demographic and psychological distress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 21 statistical software, chi square was used to assess gender differences, multivariate regression analysis assessed the predictors of psychological distress among both gendersand p values less than 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsFemale medical students are at a higher risk of psychological distress compared to their male counterparts (p<0.005). Females were almost twice at risk of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic than males (OR=1.534, 95% p=0.003). Females with a positive history of mental illness were five times more at risk of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to females with no previous mental health history (OR=5.102, p=0.002)ConclusionFemales were at higher risk of psychological distress compared to male students. Gender specific interventions addressing psychological distress among medical students are recommended.

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Prevalence and social determinants of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-31493/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Chan Hang Saing ◽

Kiesha Prem ◽

Ponha Uk ◽

Navy Chann ◽

Pheak Chhoun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Prolonged Exposure ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Capital City ◽

People Who Use Drugs ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Psychological Distress

Abstract Background: People who use drugs are at a disproportionately higher risk of mental disorders due to prolonged exposure to psychosocial challenges. However, studies on mental health among people who use drugs in resource-constrained countries are scarce. This study sheds light on the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia.Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study in the capital city and 11 provinces in 2017. The Respondent Driven Sampling method was adapted to recruit 1677 people who used drugs for face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Psychological distress was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A total score of GHQ-12>2 indicated high psychological distress. We performed a multiple logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with psychological distress. Results: We included 1598 participants in the analyses, with a mean age of 28.6 years (SD= 7.8). Of the total, 42% had high psychological distress – 50% in women and 37% in men. The adjusted odds of having high psychological distress were significantly higher among participants who were 25-34 years old and 35 years and above, had been to a drug rehabilitation center, had been insulted by family members, and had been sexually harassed/abused by someone when they were growing up. The odds of having high psychological distress were significantly lower among participants who were male, lived in their own dwelling, reported injecting as the mode of the first drug use, and had someone taking care of them when they got sick.Conclusions: This study documents a high prevalence of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia. Intervention programs that attempt to address mental health problems among people who use drugs in resource-limited settings should be gender- and age-sensitive and target more marginalized subpopulations. Mental health services can be integrated into HIV and harm-reduction programs for people who use drugs.

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Self-compassion buffers the adverse mental health impacts of COVID-19-related threats: Results from a cross-sectional survey at the first peak of Hong Kong’s outbreak

10.31234/osf.io/5vdpz ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Bobo Hi Po Lau ◽

Cecilia Lai-Wan Chan ◽

Siu-Man Ng

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Interpersonal Relationships ◽

Demographic Variables ◽

Health Impacts ◽

Perceived Benefits ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Self Compassion

COVID-19 has brought tremendous and abrupt threats to various aspects of our daily lives, from school and work to interpersonal relationships. Self-compassion is put forth as a salutogenic perspective on oneself that buffers the adverse mental health impacts of these threats. During the peak of a local outbreak in Hong Kong in Spring 2020, 761 participants completed questionnaires on self-compassion, perceived threats, as well as perceived benefits and psychological distress. Controlling for demographic variables, negative indicators of self-compassion (aka self-coldness) was found to intensify the impacts of threats on psychological distress. The positive indicators of self-compassion also moderated the link between threats and perceived benefits, such that perceived benefits tend to be less related to threats in participants with higher self-compassion. Our findings highlight the impacts of both positive and negative indicators of self-compassion on the adjustment to such unprecedented challenges, and point to the possibility of enhancing people’s resilience through fostering self-compassion and alleviating self-coldness.

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Factors Associated with Psychological Distress among Filipinos during Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic Crisis

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2020.5146 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (T1) ◽

pp. 309-313

Author(s):

Roy Rillera Marzo ◽

Emilio Quilatan Villanueva III ◽

Erwin Martinez Faller ◽

Aries Moralidad Baldonado

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Critical Role ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Reactions ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Peritraumatic Distress

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, psychological reactions of the population play a critical role in both the spread of the disease and the occurrence of emotional distress and social disorder. AIM: This study aimed to measure the prevalence and severity of psychological distress to evaluate the current mental health burden on society that leads to the provision of a concrete basis for tailoring and implementing relevant mental health intervention policies to efficiently and effectively respond to the challenges brought by the pandemic. METHODS: An anonymous, internet-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to April 2020. In this regard, a structured online questionnaire was utilized to collect sociodemographic data and the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the sociodemographic and prevalence of CPDI among respondents. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant predictors of distress. RESULTS: Most of the respondents did not feel distressed about COVID-19 (52.1%), whereas 39.5% and 8.4% had mild-to-moderate and severe distress. The regression analysis demonstrated that higher religion and faithfulness levels, lower levels of education, and living in Mindanao (unlike those living in the Visayas) were associated with lower levels of psychological distress among the Filipino respondents during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Policy-makers and practitioners in the in Filipino society need to consider key factors such as religion, education, and the region where they live in to reduce psychological distress among Filipinos.

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