scholarly journals Family responsibilities and mental health of kindergarten educators during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Ontario, Canada

Author(s):  
Natalie Spadafora ◽  
Caroline Reid-Westoby ◽  
Molly Pottruff ◽  
Magdalena Janus

The present cross-sectional study, conducted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada, addressed the association between family responsibilities and mental health (depression and anxiety) among kindergarten educators. Participants comprised 1,790 (97.9% female) kindergarten educators (73.6% kindergarten teachers; 26.4% early childhood educators) across Ontario. Results revealed that educators were more likely to report moderate levels of depressive symptoms if they had the responsibility of caring for their own children, and more likely to report moderate levels of depressive and anxious symptoms if they had the responsibility of caring for an older adult. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-300
Author(s):  
Zeinab Alizadeh ◽  
Hamidreza Roohafza ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Nizal Sarrafzadegan

Purpose This study aimed to examine the association of shift work with depression and anxiety in a large sample of formal and contractual employees of a mill steel company, Isfahan, Iran. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was performed in 2014 among 3,060 formal and contractual employees of a mill steel company Isfahan, Iran, randomly selected from 16,000 people. Data gathering was done by some validated Iranian version of self-administered questionnaires including, International Physical Activity – Short Form, Effort–Reward Imbalance, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Logistic regression was used as the main statistical method. Findings The results showed individuals in the rotating shift compared with day shift had a higher risk of depression (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.12–1.84). Whereas after adjustment for various confounders, this relationship was not significant (OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 0.81–1.76). Anxiety was not associated with shift work, both in crude and adjusted models (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.81–1.44) and (OR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.67–1.19), respectively. Research limitations/implications Owing to the cross-sectional design of this study, cause–effect relationships could not be inferred from our findings. All the data used in the present analysis were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Practical implications Although our findings did not show significant association between shift work and mental health, further studies are suggested for obtaining informative data worldwide in this regard among workforce particularly among industrial employees. Originality/value Few studies have addressed the effects of shift work on mental health among industrial employees worldwide, and there is no study in developing countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad Saqlain ◽  
Malik Muhammad Umair ◽  
Furqan Khurshid Hashmi ◽  
Hamid Saeed ◽  
...  

Introduction: Anxiety and depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) can lead to non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), morbidity, and mortality. Therefore, assessing the stigma, social support, and other determinants of anxiety and depression in PLWHA are important for developing further interventions.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 505 PLWHA, approached through systematic sampling, who paid routine visits to the ART center, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad. Data was collected by pretested validated hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Version 26 of the SPSS was used to apply Logistic regression analysis to identify determinants, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was calculated to assess the magnitude of the relationships.Results: In PLWHA, the prevalence of co-morbid depression and anxiety was 80%. Separately, 89.9% had depression, and 80.3% had anxiety. Use of illicit drugs [AOR = 1.87, 95% CI (1.01, 3.27)], low social support [AOR = 1.21, 95% CI (1.02, 2.25)], being male [AOR = 2.21, 95% CI (1.11, 5.49)], and HIV related stigma [AOR = 2.48, 95% CI (1.25, 6.02)] were significant predictors of depression. Having detectable viral load [AOR = 3.04, 95% CI (1.04, 8.86)], young age [AOR = 5.31, 95% CI (1.19, 29.39)], no formal education [AOR = 21.78, 95% CI (4.03, 117.62)], low [AOR = 1.70, 95% CI (1.12, 6.93)] or moderate [AOR = 2.20, 95% CI (1.79, 6.09)] social support, illicit drugs addiction [AOR = 1.17, 95% CI (1.03, 2.55)], and HIV stigma [AOR = 54.3, 95% CI (21.20, 139.32)] had a remarkable association with anxiety.Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of anxiety and depression among PLWHA, the Pakistan Ministry of Health should focus more on monitoring mental health, expanding mental health services, and developing interventions based on identified factors to treat depression and anxiety among PLWHA.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Badrah S Alghamdi ◽  
Yasser AlAtawi ◽  
Fahad S. AlShehri ◽  
Haythum O. Tayeb ◽  
Hanin Abo Abo Taleb ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread to over 150 countries worldwide. Since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Saudi Arabia, cases have continued to escalate exponentially. The COVID-19 outbreak has had a negative effect on mental health and well-being. The study aim was to investigate the effects of the strict national regulations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the population’s mental health. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of Saudi residents. Participants completed an online questionnaire after 1 month of a nationwide 24-hour curfew. We measured psychological distress using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). We ran binary logistic regression analyses to detect variables that significantly predicted DASS-21 scores. Results The sample comprised 2252 Saudi residents. The DASS-21 score means and standard deviations for depression and anxiety for the whole sample (10.73 ± 10.29 and 6.98 ± 8.30, respectively) were in the range of mild depression and anxiety. In contrast, the mean DASS-21 stress score was within the normal range (11.97 ± 10.80). The mean stress score for healthcare workers was within normal range (13.70 ± 10.68), but was significantly higher than the mean score for the public (11.56 ± 10.89; P = .0006). Several variables (e.g. age, gender and history of contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases) were significantly associated with higher DASS-21 scores. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has created a psychological burden. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement emergency psychological interventions to reduce the negative psychosocial effects of the pandemic on public mental health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dereseh BA ◽  
◽  
Abraha M ◽  
Haile K ◽  
Fanta T ◽  
...  

Background: Since December 2019, an outbreak of corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has widely and rapidly spread in China and around the world. Since 31 December 2019 and as of 30 April 2020, more than 25,000,000 cases of COVID-19 and 800,000 deaths have been reported. The grim epidemic has caused increasing public panic and mental health stress. Mental health is becoming an issue that cannot be ignored, while trying to control the outbreak. Cross sectional study was conducted to assess magnitude and factors associated depression among patients with COVID-19 in St. Peter Specialized Hospital Treatment Centers Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 Patients with COVID-19 admitted at St. Peter Specialized Hospital COVID-19 treatment center. The Anxiety and Depression was assessed through face to face interviews by trained psychiatry nurses using 14-items Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Correlates for depression & anxiety were assessed using a structured questionnaire and Oslo social support scale. Result: A total of 373 participants were volunteer to be included in the study which makes the response rate88.4%. The mean age of the respondents was 37.46 (±SD=16.09) years. This study revealed that the Magnitude of Depression 36.5 % (136) and Anxiety 21.2 % (79) among COVID-19 patients. By using Multivariate (Anxiety) Logistic Regression, Patients who were Male (AOR 5.01, 95%CI (2.11, 11.87)), Housewife (AOR 11.43, 95%CI ( 2.67, 48.90)), Selfemployed (AOR 2.45,, 95%CI (1.07, 5.60)), having Diagnosed Chronic illness (AOR 2.56, 95%CI (1.19, 5.53)), having COVID-19 Symptoms for below 7 days and for 8-14 days ((AOR 3.21, 95%CI (1.21, 8.58)) & AOR 3.70, 95%CI (1.55, 8.84)) respectively) and those who had Poor/low Social Support (AOR 3.42, 95%CI (1.21, 9.63)) had Statistically Significant Association with Anxiety. By using Multivariate (Depression) Logistic Regression, Patients who were 41 and above years of old (AOR 3.95, 95% CI (1.80, 8.69)), had Monthly Income of less than 1000 birr (AOR 2.99, 95%CI (1.11, 8.05)), Having COVID-19 Symptoms for 8-14 days (AOR 2.63, 95% CI (1.34, 5.17)) and who had Poor Social Support (AOR 3.13, 95% CI (1.34, 7.30)) were Statistically Significant Associated with Depression. Conclusion: In the current study area the magnitude of depression and anxiety was high. Factors like sex, Job, having Diagnosed Chronic illness, Duration of COVID-19 symptom and social support with anxiety and factors such as age, income, duration of COVID-19 symptom and social support had statistically significant associated with depression.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Tsaras ◽  
Aristides Daglas ◽  
Dimitroula Mitsi ◽  
Ioanna V. Papathanasiou ◽  
Foteini Tzavella ◽  
...  

Several studies report that psychiatric nursing is a highly stressful occupation. The ways that nurses use in order to deal with stressful situations have a serious effect on their psychological mood and their health status. The purpose of this study was to investigate the coping strategies in predicting of depression and anxiety among mental health nurses working in public psychiatric hospitals. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Athens, Greece from April to May 2017. A questionnaire consisting of the socio-demographic and work-related characteristics, the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2, and the 38-items Ways of Coping Questionnaire - Greek version, was completed by a total of 110 mental health nurses. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the logistic regression model. Coping strategies focused on the problem (positive re-evaluation, positive approach, problem solving, and seeking social support) were the most commonly used by the mental health nurses. Strategies focused on emotion (prayer/daydream, prayer, avoidance/escape, resignation, and denial) were positively associated with depression and anxiety outcomes. Also, the coping skills of problem solving (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR=0.402), and seeking social support (AOR=3.719) were significant predictors only for elevated anxiety symptoms. The results from the study demonstrated the importance of coping behaviours in mental health problems of psychiatric nurses.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdallah Y Naser ◽  
Eman Zmaily Dahmash ◽  
Rabaa Al-Rousan ◽  
Hassan Alwafi ◽  
Hamzeh Mohammad Alrawashdeh ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe emergence of COVID-19 global pandemic coupled with high transmission rate and mortality has created an unprecedented state of emergency worldwide. This global situation may have a negative impact on the psychological well-being of individuals which in turn impacts individuals’ performance.MethodsA cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in Jordan between 22nd and 28th of March 2020 to explore the mental health status (depression and anxiety) of the general population, healthcare professionals, and university students during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to assess depression and anxiety among the study participants. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of depression and anxiety.ResultsThe prevalence of depression and anxiety among the entire study participants was 23.8% and 13.1%, respectively. Anxiety was most prevalent across university students 21.5%, followed by healthcare professionals 11.3%, and general population 8.8%. Females among healthcare professionals and university students, divorced healthcare professionals, pulmonologists, and university students with history of chronic disease were at higher risk of developing depression. Females, divorced participants among the general population, and university students with history of chronic disease and those with high income (≥1500 JD) were at higher risk of developing anxiety.ConclusionsDuring outbreaks, individuals are put under extreme stressful condition resulting in higher risk of developing anxiety and depression particularly for students and healthcare professionals. Policymakers and mental healthcare providers are advised to provide further mental support to these vulnerable groups during this pandemic.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e054263
Author(s):  
Siwen Zheng ◽  
Amanda L Ngo ◽  
Michele R Forman ◽  
Anna L Barcellos ◽  
Lauren Liao ◽  
...  

ObjectiveHousehold food insufficiency (HFIS) is a major public health threat to children. Children may be particularly vulnerable to HFIS as a psychological stressor due to their rapid growth and accelerated behavioural and cognitive states, whereas data focusing on HFIS and childhood mental disorders are as-yet sparse. We aimed to examine the associations of HFIS with depression and anxiety in US children.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThe 2016–2018 National Survey of Children’s Health, a nationally-representative study.ParticipantsPrimary caregivers of 102 341 children in the USA.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPhysician diagnosed depression and anxiety were assessed by questionnaires administered to primary caregivers of 102 341 children. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated adjusted OR (aOR) for current depression or anxiety associated with HFIS measured through a validated single-item instrument.ResultsAmong children aged 3–17 years, 3.2% and 7.4% had parent-reported physician-diagnosed current depression and anxiety, respectively. Compared with children without HFIS, children with HFIS had approximately twofold higher weighted prevalence of anxiety or depression. After adjusting for covariates, children with versus without HFIS had a 1.53-fold (95% CI 1.15 to 2.03) and 1.48-fold (95% CI 1.20 to 1.82) increased odds of current depression and anxiety, respectively. Associations were slightly more pronounced among girls (aOR (95% CI): depression 1.69 (1.16 to 2.48); anxiety 1.78 (1.33 to 2.38)) than boys (1.42 (0.98 to 2.08); 1.32 (1.00 to 1.73); both P-for-interaction <0.01). The associations did not vary by children’s age or race/ethnicity.ConclusionsHFIS was independently associated with depression and anxiety among US children. Girls presented slightly greater vulnerability to HFIS in terms of impaired mental health. Children identified as food-insufficient may warrant mental health assessment and possible intervention. Assessment of HFIS among children with impaired mental health is also warranted. Our findings also highlight the importance of promptly addressing HFIS with referral to appropriate resources and inform its potential to alleviate childhood mental health issues.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-170
Author(s):  
Zeinab Alizadeh ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Mehri Rejali ◽  
Hamid Afshar ◽  
Ammar Hassanzadeh Keshteli ◽  
...  

AbstractAssociation of lifestyle-related factors and mental health has been less studied in Middle Eastern countries. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of two common mental health problems, i.e., depression and anxiety, and their lifestyle determinants in a large sample of Iranian population.This study was conducted within the framework of SEPAHAN population based cross-sectional study (N=4763(. The General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) was used to assess physical activity and the Iranian-validated version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was applied to screen for anxiety and depression. Logistic regression was used as the main statistical method for data analysis by SPSS version 16.0. A P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.The risk of anxiety and depression was 2.5 (OR=2.56,95% CI: 1.97-3.33) and 2.21(1.83-2.67) times higher in women than men, respectively. With every one-year increase in the age, the risk of anxiety decreased by 2% (OR=0.98,95% CI:0.97-0.99). Individuals with higher education had 56% lower risk of anxiety (OR=0.44,95% CI: 0.36-0.55) and 46% depression (OR=0.54,95% CI: 0.46-0.64) than the undergraduate group, and the risk of depression in the inactive (less than one hour of activity per week) group was 27% higher than the active group (OR=1.27,95% CI: 1.06-1.51). The risk of anxiety in the non-smoker group was 65% (OR=0.35,95% CI: 0.20-0.59) and depression was 64% lower than among smokers (OR=0.34,95% CI:0.22-0.53). In the ex-smoker group, the risk of anxiety was 60% (OR=0.40,95% CI:0.19-0.85) and depression was 59% lower than for the smoker group (OR=0.41,95% CI: 0.24-0.73).This current study’s results demonstrated significant associations between unhealthy lifestyle factors and increased risk of anxiety and depression. Hence, special attention must be paid to preventive intervention programmes aiming to enhance healthy lifestyle among at-risk populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Tester-Jones ◽  
Mathew P. White ◽  
Lewis R. Elliott ◽  
Netta Weinstein ◽  
James Grellier ◽  
...  

Abstract Exposure to natural environments is associated with a lower risk of common mental health disorders (CMDs), such as depression and anxiety, but we know little about nature-related motivations, practices and experiences of those already experiencing CMDs. We used data from an 18-country survey to explore these issues (n = 18,838), taking self-reported doctor-prescribed medication for depression and/or anxiety as an indicator of a CMD (n = 2698, 14%). Intrinsic motivation for visiting nature was high for all, though slightly lower for those with CMDs. Most individuals with a CMD reported visiting nature ≥ once a week. Although perceived social pressure to visit nature was associated with higher visit likelihood, it was also associated with lower intrinsic motivation, lower visit happiness and higher visit anxiety. Individuals with CMDs seem to be using nature for self-management, but ‘green prescription’ programmes need to be sensitive, and avoid undermining intrinsic motivation and nature-based experiences.


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