Worries about COVID-19 infection and psychological distress at work and while commuting

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined the relationship between worry about COVID-19 infection in general, in the workplace and while commuting to work and psychological distress in the midst of a rapid outbreak of COVID-19 in Japan.MethodsThis cross-sectional, internet monitor study was conducted on December 22– 26, 2020. Subjects were collected from throughout Japan. Out of a total of 33,302 participants, 26,841 people were included in the study after removing those providing fraudulent responses. The subjects were asked single-item questions about whether they were worried about COVID-19 infection in general, at work and while commuting to work. Kessler 6 (K6) was used to assess psychological distress. The odds ratios (ORs) of psychological distress associated with worry about infection were estimated using a multilevel logistic model nested in the prefecture of residence, with adjustment for sex, age, education, equivalent household income, occupation, number of business establishments, smoking status, alcohol consumption, frequency of telecommuting, use of public transportation, perceived assessment of workplace infection control efforts, presence of infection among acquaintances, and experience of being a close contact. Psychological distress was defined as a K6 score of 5 or higher and 13 or higher.ResultsMultivariate analysis showed that the OR of severe psychological distress associated with general worry about COVID-19 infection was 1.10 (95% CI 1.00–1.22). The OR was significantly higher in association with worry about infection in the workplace at 1.71 (95%CI 1.53–1.92) and worry about infection while commuting at 1.49 (95%CI 1.32–1.67).ConclusionsThe present study suggests the need for psychological intervention to reduce worry about infection in response to public mental health challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Tobacco Smoking and Use of Smokeless Tobacco and Their Association with Psychological Distress and Other Factors in a Rural District in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Environmental and Public Health ◽

10.1155/2019/1424592 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fakir M. Amirul Islam ◽

Alexandra Walton

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Smokeless Tobacco ◽

Tobacco Smoking ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Rural District ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Face To Face ◽

Rural Bangladesh ◽

Low Levels

Background. Tobacco smoking and use of smokeless tobacco are the most preventable cause of death in Bangladesh. The prevalence of psychological distress is increasing globally. This paper reports the smoking status and their association with psychological distress and other factors in a rural district, Narail, of Bangladesh. Materials and Methods. Data were collected from 2425 adults of age 18–90 years. Smoking status along with sociodemographic characteristics and measures of psychological distress using the Kessler 10-item questionnaire were collected using a face-to-face data collection method. Results. The crude (age-standardized) prevalence of ever smoking was 27.1 (24.3)% that includes current 25.6 (23.7) and smoker 1.5 (0.6)%, and the prevalence of smokeless tobacco (SLT) was 23.5 (13.4)%. The prevalence of ever smoking was the highest in daily labourers (62.9%) and SLT use was the highest in widowed people (47.2%). After adjustment for covariates, no education (odds ratio (OR): 3.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57–9.07 for females and OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.87–3.87 for males) compared to at least secondary level of education and daily labours (OR: 6.66, 95% CI: 1.67–26.6 for females and OR: 5.12, 95% CI: 1.30–20.19 for males) compared to housework were associated with higher prevalence of ever smoking. Any level of psychological distress, such as mild psychological distress, was associated with at least double the prevalence of tobacco smoking in females (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.67–3.83) but not in males (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.80–1.56). Psychological distress was not associated with SLT use. Conclusions. Prevalence of both smoking and SLT use was high, particularly in daily labourers, people with no education, and females with psychological distress in rural Bangladesh. Appropriate intervention programs should especially target those of low levels of education and laborious occupations for increasing awareness for the cessation of smoking in rural Bangladesh.

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The association between loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic and psychological distress

10.1101/2021.04.08.21255118 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yusuke Konno ◽

Masako Nagata ◽

Ayako Hino ◽

Seiichiro Tateishi ◽

Mayumi Tsuji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Educational Level ◽

Logistic Model ◽

Type Number ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Family Time ◽

Single Item ◽

Online Study ◽

Multilevel Logistic Model

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between loneliness and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional, online study from 22 to 26 December 2020. A total of 27,036 participants, all employed at the time of the survey, were included in the analysis. Participants were asked if they felt loneliness in a single-item question. The Kessler 6 (K6) was used to assess psychological distress defined as K6 scores of 5 or higher, and 13 or higher. The odds ratios (ORs) of psychological distress associated with loneliness were estimated using a multilevel logistic model nested in the prefecture of residence, with adjustment for age, sex, marital status, equivalent income, educational level, smoking, alcohol consumption, job type, number of workplace employees, and cumulative incidence rate of COVID-19 in the prefecture. Communication with friends, acquaintances, and family was strongly associated with psychological distress, so we adjusted for these factors and eating meals alone. Results showed a significant association between loneliness and psychological distress (OR = 36.62, 95%CI = 32.95-40.69). Lack of friends to talk to, lack of acquaintances to ask for help, and lack of people to communicate with through social networking sites were all strongly associated with psychological distress, as were family time and solitary eating. Even after adjusting for these factors, loneliness was still strongly associated with psychological distress (OR = 29.36, 95%CI = 26.44-32.98). The association between loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic and psychological distress indicates the need for intervention.

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Serum FGF21 levels are altered by various factors including lifestyle behaviors in male subjects

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-02075-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kaori Nakanishi ◽

Chisaki Ishibashi ◽

Seiko Ide ◽

Ryohei Yamamoto ◽

Makoto Nishida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Examination ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Consumption Frequency

AbstractFibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 has various functions, including glucose and lipid metabolism. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate specific conditions that might influence the functions of FGF21. 398 men who underwent a health examination were enrolled in this study. Physical and biochemical parameters and information on several lifestyle behaviors were obtained from all subjects. FGF21 levels correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP), uric acid, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and HbA1c. Moreover, FGF21 levels were significantly associated with lifestyle behaviors, including smoking status and breakfast and alcohol consumption frequency. Multivariable regression analysis showed that age, ALT, γ-GTP, smoking status, and breakfast and alcohol consumption frequency were independent variables for FGF21 levels. Assessment among the non-obese and obese groups showed that FGF21 levels correlated with WC, SBP, and TC only in the non-obese group. Thus, serum FGF21 levels were affected by several factors, including lifestyle behaviors, age, and liver function. To assess the functions of FGF21 in individuals, considering these factors would be essential.

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Food Insecurity and Psychological Distress Among Former and Current Smokers With Low Income

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.1177/0890117118784233 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 199-207 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jin E. Kim-Mozeleski ◽

Janice Y. Tsoh

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Low Income ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Short Form ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

California Health Interview Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Distress Scale

Purpose: To examine how food insecurity and psychological distress interact in its association with smoking and to explore how food insecurity and psychological distress are associated with quitting smoking using quit ratio estimates. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Data from the 2015 California Health Interview Survey. Participants: A total of 3007 lower income adults who have ever smoked. Measures: Ever smoking was defined as smoking 100+ cigarettes in the entire lifetime, with current smoking defined as smoking “every day” or “some days” and former smoking defined as smoking “not at all.” Psychological distress and food insecurity were measured by the 6-item K6 Psychological Distress Scale and the 6-item Food Security Survey Short Form, respectively. Analysis: Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine correlates of smoking status. Quit ratios (percentage of ever smokers who have quit) were calculated across study variables. Results: Reporting food insecurity with psychological distress was independently associated with lower odds of being a former smoker, compared to reporting food security without psychological distress. The quit ratio was lower among ever smokers reporting food insecurity with distress (41%) compared to ever smokers reporting food security without distress (63%). Conclusions: Specific conditions of impoverishment, such as food insecurity, interact with psychological distress in its association with continued smoking. Interventions to reduce socioeconomic disparities in smoking should consider the interacting role of food insecurity and psychological distress.

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Is the needle as risky as the knife? The prevalence and risks of body dysmorphic disorder in women undertaking minor cosmetic procedures

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0004867421998753 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000486742199875

Author(s):

Toni D Pikoos ◽

Susan L Rossell ◽

Nicky Tzimas ◽

Simone Buzwell

Keyword(s):

Treatment Outcome ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Cosmetic Surgery ◽

Online Survey ◽

Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

The Body ◽

Treatment Motivation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Unrealistic Expectations

Objectives: Body dysmorphic disorder is commonly considered a contraindication for major cosmetic surgery, but whether body dysmorphic disorder relates to poorer outcomes from minor cosmetic treatment remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder in clients seeking non-surgical cosmetic procedures and to examine whether body dysmorphic disorder clients are vulnerable in minor cosmetic settings. Vulnerability was explored in terms of psychological distress, unrealistic expectations and motivations for treatment outcome, and reduced satisfaction with past cosmetic procedures. Method: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 154 women seeking minor cosmetic procedures which included the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire – Dermatology Version to screen for body dysmorphic disorder, and measures of cosmetic treatment motivation, expectations and satisfaction. Results: Roughly 25% of women in the current sample screened positive for a potential body dysmorphic disorder diagnosis. Participants with suspected body dysmorphic disorder demonstrated higher levels of psychological distress and more unrealistic expectations and motivations for cosmetic treatment, such as improving social or romantic relationships. However, body dysmorphic disorder participants reported similar levels of satisfaction with past minor cosmetic treatments to the non–body dysmorphic disorder group. Conclusion: While the relationship between body dysmorphic disorder and treatment outcome warrants further investigation in prospective research tracking satisfaction and adverse reactions over time, this preliminary evidence suggests clients with suspected body dysmorphic disorder display several vulnerabilities in non-surgical cosmetic settings. Given the rapidly increasing accessibility of minor cosmetic procedures, further research is needed to determine their safety for clients with body dysmorphic disorder. Detection of body dysmorphic disorder in non-surgical cosmetic settings could facilitate earlier psychological intervention, promoting superior long-term outcomes.

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The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health: a web-based study among Romanian adults (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.26858 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Popa ◽

Teodora Tetia ◽

Mihaela Boanca ◽

Monica Ungureanu ◽

Ana Maria Holicov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Close Contact ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Family Doctor ◽

Severe Depression ◽

Daily Consumption ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Exclusion Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

The Family

BACKGROUND In Romania, as in other parts of the world, the family doctor is the first to make contact with the healthy patient and is also the first to notice even the smallest pathological changes. In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the patient's communication with the family doctor became even closer and some behavioral changes could be easily noticed. OBJECTIVE To assess the symptoms of anxiety and depression in the Romanian population using the social media platforms in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We conducted an anonymous, web-based cross-sectional survey consisting of 31 questions related to general characteristics (age, gender, education, inhabitancy, residence, smoking status and alcohol consumption) and adapted GAD-7 (7-item General Anxiety Disorders questionnaire) and PHQ-9 (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire). This questionnaire was sent to the volunteers in an electronic format through a social network (Facebook, Twitter). The data collected was statistically processed using IBM SPSS v25.0. The inclusion criteria were age over 18 years and no history of chronic disease. The exclusion criteria consisted in the absence of mental illness diagnosis. RESULTS : From the 1254 respondents, 1232 cases were selected for statistical analysis after applying the exclusion criteria. The mean age was 35.94 (SD = 11.4, 95%CI=10.9-11.9) with the minimum of 18 years and the maximum of 97 years. 84.9% (N= 1046) from all study participants are female and 79.13% (N= 975) live in the urban area. 79.1%(N=974) of the respondents had higher education (university and above). 27.4% of the respondents are smokers, 62.9% drink alcohol at parties or on special occasions, while 4.1% have daily consumption. 188(15.25%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 from which, 31(16.66%) males and 157(15%) females. A percentage of 12.8% (N=158) was quarantined as close contact of a person who tested positive for the SARS-CoV2 infection. N=170 (13.8%) reported moderate symptoms of anxiety during the last 2 weeks before the survey while N=96 (7.8%) had severe anxiety. 22.2% (N=274) of the participants reported moderate symptoms of depression while 10.1% (N=125) had moderately severe symptoms and 6.6% (N=81) could be diagnosed with severe depression. A greater likelihood of screening for depression diagnosis was associated with the age between 25-34 years (OR=0.90, 95%CI=0.86-0.94, P<.001), 35-44 years (OR=0.88, 95%CI=0.84-0.93, P<.001) and 45-54 years (OR=0.87, 95%CI=0.82-0.92, P<.001). Also there was observed a tendency for women to be more prone to high levels of anxiety (OR=1.21, 95%CI=1.08-1.35, P< .001) and depression (OR=2.16, 95%CI=1.51-308, P< .005). CONCLUSIONS Regarding the high prevalence of depression and anxiety, especially in women, appropriate measures for the risk categories should be applied. In the new social context created by the Covid-19 pandemic, screening for psychiatric and psychological disorders should be performed by telemedicine. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN14652655

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Related Health Factors of Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17113947 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 3947 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Juan Gómez-Salgado ◽

Montserrat Andrés-Villas ◽

Sara Domínguez-Salas ◽

Diego Díaz-Milanés ◽

Carlos Ruiz-Frutos

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Close Contact ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Predictive Variables ◽

Student’S T ◽

High Level

Measures to prevent and contain the COVID-19 health crisis include population confinement, with the consequent isolation and interruption of their usual activities. The aim of the study is to analyse psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this, a cross-sectional observational study with a sample of 4180 people over the age of 18 during quarantine was developed. Variables considered were sociodemographic variables, physical symptoms, health conditions, COVID-19 contact history and psychological adjustment. The data were collected through a self-developed questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Bivariate analyses were performed, including Chi-Squared test and Student’s T-test. Predictive ability was calculated through logistic regression. Results obtained showed a high level of psychological distress (72.0%), with a higher percentage in women and people of lower middle age. Statistically significant differences were found in the variable working situation (χ² = 63.139, p ≤ 0.001, V = 0.123) and living with children under the age of 16 (χ² = 7.393, p = 0.007, V = 0.042). The predictive variables with the highest weight were sex (OR = 1.952, 95% IC = (1.667, 2.286)), presence of symptoms (OR = 1.130, 95% CI = (1.074, 1.190)), and having had close contact with an individual with confirmed COVID-19 (OR = 1.241, 95% CI = (1.026, 1.500)). These results could enrich prevention interventions in public health and, in particular, in mental health in similar pandemic situations.

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Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 During the First Nationwide Lockdown in Vietnam: Web-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.24776 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽

Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽

Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽

Thanh Vo Van ◽

Toi Phung Lam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

General Population ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Survey Study ◽

Limited Information ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged <18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts. CLINICALTRIAL

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Mediation of Coping Strategies among Patients with Advanced Cancer

Clinical Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/10547738211003276 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105477382110032

Author(s):

Nurul Huda ◽

Yun-Yen ◽

Hellena Deli ◽

Malissa Kay Shaw ◽

Tsai-Wei Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Correlational Research ◽

Resampling Procedure ◽

Relationship Of ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

The Relationship

The purpose of this study was to test the mediating effects of coping on relationships of psychological distress and stress with anxiety, depression, and quality of life. A cross-sectional and correlational research study was used to recruit a sample of 440 patients with advanced cancer in Indonesia. A bootstrap resampling procedure was used to test the significance of the total and specific indirect effects of coping. Data analysis showed that problem-focused coping (PFC) mediated relationships of psychological distress and stress on depression, anxiety and functional well-being. PFC also mediated the relationship between stress and social well-being. Emotional-focused coping (EFC) mediated the relationship of stress with physical and emotional well-being. EFC also mediated the relationships between psychological distress and physical well-being. Thus, proper assessments and interventions should be tailored and implemented for patients in order to facilitate their use of coping strategies when needed in stressful situations.

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