scholarly journals Digital exclusion predicts worse mental health among adolescents during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Metherell ◽  
Sakshi Ghai ◽  
Ethan M. McCormick ◽  
Tamsin J. Ford ◽  
Amy Orben
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Internet Connection ◽  
University Of Cambridge ◽  
Digital Exclusion

AbstractBackgroundSocial isolation is strongly associated with poor mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing social restrictions disrupted young people’s social interactions and resulted in several periods during which school closures necessitated online learning. We hypothesise that digitally excluded young people would demonstrate greater deterioration in their mental health than their digitally connected peers during this time.MethodsWe analysed representative mental health data from a sample of UK 10–15-year-olds (N = 1387); Understanding Society collected the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in 2017-19 and thrice during the pandemic (July 2020, November 2020 and March 2021). We employed cross-sectional methods and longitudinal latent growth curve modelling to describe trajectories of adolescent mental health for participants with and without access to a computer or a good internet connection for schoolwork.OutcomesAdolescent mental health had a quadratic trajectory during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the highest mean Total Difficulties score around December 2020. The worsening and recovery of mental health during the pandemic was greatly pronounced among those without access to a computer, although we did not find evidence for a similar effect among those without a good internet connection.InterpretationDigital exclusion, as indicated by lack of access to a computer, is a tractable risk factor that likely compounds other adversities facing children and young people during periods of social isolation.FundingBritish Psychological Society; School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge; NIHR Applied Research Centre; Medical Research Council; Economic and Social Research Council; and Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge.

scholarly journals How is the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the mental health of parents of school-age children in the UK? A cross-sectional online survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e043397
Author(s):  
Austen El-Osta ◽  
Aos Alaa ◽  
Iman Webber ◽  
Eva Riboli Sasco ◽  
Emmanouil Bagkeris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveInvestigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on feelings of loneliness and social isolation in parents of school-age children.DesignCross-sectional online survey of parents of primary and secondary school-age children.SettingCommunity setting.Participants1214 parents of school-age children in the UK.MethodsAn online survey explored the impact of lockdown on the mental health of parents with school-age children, and in particular about feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Associations between the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLATILS), the Direct Measure of Loneliness (DMOL) and the characteristics of the study participants were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported measures of social isolation and loneliness using UCLATILS and DMOL.ResultsHalf of respondents felt they lacked companionship, 45% had feelings of being left out, 58% felt isolated and 46% felt lonely during the first 100 days of lockdown. The factors that were associated with higher levels of loneliness on UCLATILS were female gender, parenting a child with special needs, lack of a dedicated space for distance learning, disruption of sleep patterns and low levels of physical activity during the lockdown. Factors associated with a higher DMOL were female gender, single parenting, parenting a child with special needs, unemployment, low physical activity, lack of a dedicated study space and disruption of sleep patterns during the lockdown.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdown has increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness among parents of school-age children. The sustained adoption of two modifiable health-seeking lifestyle behaviours (increased levels of physical activity and the maintenance of good sleep hygiene practices) wmay help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown.

scholarly journals Therapeutic relationships within child and adolescent mental health inpatient services: A qualitative exploration of the experiences of young people, family members and nursing staff

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262070
Author(s):  
Samantha Hartley ◽  
Tomos Redmond ◽  
Katherine Berry
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Therapeutic Relationships ◽  
Staff Support ◽  
Inpatient Services ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), especially inpatient units, have arguably never been more in demand and yet more in need of reform. Progress in psychotherapy and more broadly in mental health care is strongly predicted by the therapeutic relationship between professional and service user. This link is particularly pertinent in child and adolescent mental health inpatient services where relationships are especially complex and difficult to develop and maintain. This article describes a qualitative exploration of the lived experienced of 24 participants (8 young people, 8 family members/carers and 8 nursing staff) within inpatient CAMHS across four sites in the UK. We interviewed participants individually and analysed the transcripts using thematic analysis within a critical realist framework. We synthesised data across groups and present six themes, encapsulating the intricacies and impact of therapeutic relationships; their development and maintenance: Therapeutic relationships are the treatment, Cultivating connection, Knowledge is power, Being human, The dance, and It’s tough for all of us in here. We hope these findings can be used to improve quality of care by providing a blueprint for policy, training, systemic structures and staff support.

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

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.

scholarly journals Factors influence mental health in adolescents

PUINOVAKESMAS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-69
Author(s):  
Alva Cherry Mustamu ◽  
Nur Hafni Hasim ◽  
Furaida Khasanah
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Emotional Disturbances ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Simple Logistic

The mental condition of adolescents and children in Indonesia is currently alarming. Adolescents are vulnerable to various problems at the stage of development such as mental and emotional problems related to emotional disturbances, depression, resistance and behavioral disorders. the behavior or actions that arise by each individual depends on the emotional and thought conditions that arise before they decide to do something. The research is a descriptive analytic study with cross-sectional design aimed to determine the conditions that affect mental health in 80 teenage students of SMK Negeri 1 Sorong. The measuring instrument used was a questionnaire. simple logistic regression analysis test results show that parenting style, motivation and discipline simultaneously have an effect on adolescent mental health with a significance value (0,000 <0.005). Discipline, learning motivation has an influence on adolescent mental health with a significance value (0,000 <0.005) but parenting does not affect adolescent mental health with a significance value (0.382> 0.005).  Adolescents need support including the environment to prevent mental disorders because it has a close relationship with academic success.

scholarly journals Incidence of anorexia nervosa in young people in the UK and Ireland: a national surveillance study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e027339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hristina Petkova ◽  
Mima Simic ◽  
Dasha Nicholls ◽  
Tamsin Ford ◽  
A Matthew Prina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Surveillance Study ◽  
The Uk

ObjectivesThis study aimed to estimate the incidence of DSM5 anorexia nervosa in young people in contact with child and adolescent mental health services in the UK and Ireland.DesignObservational, surveillance study, using the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System, involving monthly reporting by child and adolescent psychiatrists between 1st February 2015 and 30th September 2015.SettingThe study was based in the UK and Ireland.ParticipantsClinician-reported data on young people aged 8–17 in contact with child and adolescent mental health services for a first episode of anorexia nervosa.Main outcome measuresAnnual incidence rates (IRs) estimated as confirmed new cases per 100 000 population at risk.Results305 incident cases of anorexia nervosa were reported over the 8-month surveillance period and assessed as eligible for inclusion. The majority were young women (91%), from England (70%) and of white ethnicity (92%). Mean age was 14.6 years (±1.66) and mean percentage of median expected body mass index for age and sex was 83.23% (±10.99%). The overall IR, adjusted for missing data, was estimated to be 13.68 per 100 000 population (95% CI 12.88 to 14.52), with rates of 25.66 (95% CI 24.09 to 27.30) for young women and 2.28 (95% CI 1.84 to 2.79) for young men. Incidence increased steadily with age, peaking at 15 (57.77, 95% CI 50.41 to 65.90) for young women and 16 (5.14, 95% CI 3.20 to 7.83) for young men. Comparison with earlier estimates suggests IRs for children aged 12 and under have increased over the last 10 years.ConclusionThese results provide new estimates of the incidence of anorexia nervosa in young people. Service providers and commissioners should consider evidence to suggest an increase in incidence in younger children.Trial registration numberISRCTN12676087.

scholarly journals Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 786
Author(s):  
Celia Kwan ◽  
Mojgan Gitimoghaddam ◽  
Jean-Paul Collet
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities ◽  
Ovid Medline ◽  
Long Term Impact

Loneliness and social isolation have negative consequences on physical and mental health in both adult and pediatric populations. Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) are often excluded and experience more loneliness than their typically developing peers. This scoping review aims to identify the type of studies conducted in children with NDD to determine the effects of loneliness and/or social isolation. Three electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO) were searched from inception until 5 February 2019. Two independent reviewers screened the citations for inclusion and extracted data from the included articles. Quantitative (i.e., frequency analysis) and qualitative analyses (i.e., content analysis) were completed. From our search, 5768 citations were screened, 29 were read in full, and 12 were included. Ten were case-control comparisons with cross-sectional assessment of various outcomes, which limited inference. Autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and learning disorder were the most commonly studied NDD. This review showed that loneliness among children with NDD was associated with negative consequences on mental health, behaviour, and psychosocial/emotional development, with a likely long-term impact in adulthood. Lack of research in this area suggests that loneliness is not yet considered a problem in children with NDD. More studies are warranted using prospective designs and a larger sample size with a focus on the dynamic aspect of loneliness development.

scholarly journals Spirituality, religiosity and the mental health consequences of social isolation during Covid-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Lucchetti ◽  
Leonardo Garcia Góes ◽  
Stefani Garbulio Amaral ◽  
Gabriela Terzian Ganadjian ◽  
Isabelle Andrade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Spiritual Growth ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Religious Attendance ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Religiosity And Spirituality

Background: Evidence shows that religiosity and spirituality (R/S) are highly used in critical moments of life and that these beliefs are associated with clinical outcomes. However, further studies are needed to assess these beliefs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims: To evaluate the use of R/S during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and to investigate the association between R/S and the mental health consequences of social isolation. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in May 2020. Online surveys were carried out assessing sociodemographics, R/S measures, and social isolation characteristics and mental health consequences (hopefulness, fear, worrying and sadness). Adjusted regression models were used. Results: A total of 485 participants were included from all regions of Brazil. There was a high use of religious and spiritual beliefs during the pandemic and this use was associated with better mental health outcomes. Lower levels of worrying were associated with greater private religious activities (OR = 0.466, CI 95%: 0.307–0.706), religious attendance (OR = 0.587, CI 95%: 0.395–0.871), spiritual growth (OR = 0.667, CI 95%: 0.448–0.993) and with an increase in religious activities (OR = 0.660, CI 95%: 0.442–0.986); lower levels of fear were associated with greater private religious activities (OR = 0.632, CI 95%: 0.422–0.949) and spiritual growth (OR = 0.588, CI 95%: 0.392–0.882) and, lower levels of sadness (OR = 0.646, CI 95%: 0.418–0.997) were associated with spiritual growth. Finally, hope was associated with all R/S variables in different degrees (ranging from OR = 1.706 to 3.615). Conclusions: R/S seem to have an important role on the relief of suffering, having an influence on health outcomes and minimizing the consequences of social isolation. These results highlight the importance of public health measures that ensure the continuity of R/S activities during the pandemic and the training of healthcare professionals to address these issues.

scholarly journals School Climate, Peer Relationships, and Adolescent Mental Health: A Social Ecological Perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 0044118X2097023
Author(s):  
Emily Long ◽  
Claudia Zucca ◽  
Helen Sweeting
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
School Climate ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Based ◽  
Inclusive School ◽  
School Differences

The current study investigated peer relationship and school climate factors associated with adolescent mental health. Cross-sectional data from 2,571 fifteen-year old students in 22 Scottish secondary schools was used. Multilevel models tested for school differences in mental health, and nested linear regression models estimated peer and school effects. Results demonstrated no significant between-school variation in mental health. Peer victimization was the only peer effect associated with mental health. School-belonging, student-teacher relationships, and a perceived inclusive school climate were associated with better mental health, whereas a perceived school climate of exam pressure was associated with worse mental health. The findings highlight multiple aspects of school climate that could be targeted in school-based interventions for adolescent mental health.

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