scholarly journals Adapting the UCLA 3-item loneliness scale for community-based depressive symptoms screening interview among older Chinese: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e041921
Author(s):  
Tianyin Liu ◽  
Shiyu Lu ◽  
Dara K Y Leung ◽  
Lesley C Y Sze ◽  
Wai Wai Kwok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Community Screening ◽  
Loneliness Scale ◽  
Older Chinese

ObjectiveLoneliness is a significant and independent risk factor for depression in later life. Particularly in Asian culture, older people may find it less stigmatising to express loneliness than depression. This study aimed to adapt a simple loneliness screen for use in older Chinese, and to ascertain its relevance in detecting depressive symptoms as a community screening tool.Design, setting and participantsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 1653 older adults aged 60 years or above living in the community in Hong Kong. This was a convenient sample recruited from four local non-governmental organisations providing community eldercare or mental healthcare services. All data was collected by trained social workers through face-to-face interviews.MeasuresLoneliness was measured using an adapted Chinese version of UCLA 3-item Loneliness Scale, depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and social support with emotional and instrumental support proxies (number of people who can offer help). Basic demographics including age, gender, education and living arrangement were also recorded.ResultsThe average loneliness score was 3.9±3.0, and it had a moderate correlation with depressive symptoms (r=0.41, p<0.01). A loneliness score of 3 can distinguish those without depression from those with mild or more significant depressive symptoms, defined as a PHQ-9 score of ≥5 (sensitivity 76%, specificity 62%, area under the curve=0.73±0.01). Loneliness explained 18% unique variance of depressive symptoms, adding to age, living arrangement and emotional support as significant predictors.ConclusionA 3-item loneliness scale can reasonably identify older Chinese who are experiencing depressive symptoms as a quick community screening tool. Its wider use may facilitate early detection of depression, especially in cultures with strong mental health stigma.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov NCT03593889

scholarly journals Prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.Tasdik Hasan ◽  
Sahadat Hossain ◽  
Farhana Safa ◽  
Afifa Anjum ◽  
Abid Hasan Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
List Type ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

ABSTRACTObjectivesIn addition to risking their physical well-being, frontline physicians are enduring significant emotional burden both at work and home during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms and to identify associated factors among Bangladeshi physicians during the COVID-19 outbreak.Methods and designA cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted between April 21 and May 10, 2020. Outcomes assessed included demographic questions, COVID-19 related questions, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).ResultsThe survey was completed by 412 Bangladeshi physicians. The findings revealed that, in terms of standardized HADS cut-off points, the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among physicians was 67.72% and 48.5% respectively. Risk factors for higher rates of anxiety or depressive symptoms were: being female, physicians who had experienced COVID-19 like symptoms during the pandemic, those who had not received incentives, those who used self-funded PPE, not received adequate training, lacking perceived self-efficacy to manage COVID -19 positive patients, greater perceived stress of being infected, fear of getting assaulted/humiliated, being more connected with social media, having lower income levels to support the family, feeling more agitated, less than 2 hours of leisure activity per day and short sleep duration. All these factors were found to be positively associated with anxiety and depression in unadjusted and adjusted statistical models.ConclusionsThis study identifies a real concern about the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among Bangladeshi physicians and identifies several associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the vulnerability of the physicians in this extraordinary period whilst they are putting their own lives at risk to help people infected by COVID-19, health authorities should address the psychological needs of medical staff and formulate effective strategies to support vital frontline health workers.STHRENGHTS & LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDYThis study reports a novel and concerning findings on the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms with identification of several important associated factors among Bangladeshi physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.The cross-sectional nature of the study design could not establish causal relationship between the dependent and independent variables.This study was carried out by conducting a web-based survey, which might generate sampling bias by excluding the physicians who do not have access to internet or inactive in social medias, and thus limit the generalizability of the findings.

scholarly journals Association between Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Depressive Symptoms: A Multi-center Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenyu Wei ◽  
Junqi Liang ◽  
Kai Cao ◽  
Leying Wang ◽  
Christophe Baudouin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Meibomian Gland ◽  
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression

Abstract Increased prevalence of depression has been found in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD); however, specific conditions of patients suffered from MGD and depression remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of depression in patients with MGD and analyze the risk factors of depression in MGD patients. In this multi-center cross-sectional study, we enrolled 830 MGD patients and 114 normal controls. Demographic information was collected by designed questionnaires about lifestyle habits, systemic and ocular medical history. Ophthalmic examinations were performed in a formal order. Depression symptoms were evaluated with a questionnaire survey using a modified self-rating depression scale (M-SDS). The correlations between the M-SDS score and demographic and clinical information were analyzed. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) was higher in the MGD group. There were 78 cases (9.4%) with depressive symptoms in the MGD group whereas there were 4 cases (3.5%) in controls. Similarly, M-SDS was higher in the MGD group. The characteristics of depression in the MGD group included: crying spells, sleep disturbance and depressed appetite. Some systemic diseases (OSAHS, allergy, skin disease) and the use of contact lenses was correlated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms in MGD patients.

scholarly journals Psychosocial health of school-aged children during the initial COVID-19 safer-at-home school mandates in Florida: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. McKune ◽  
Daniel Acosta ◽  
Nick Diaz ◽  
Kaitlin Brittain ◽  
Diana Joyce- Beaulieu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Home School ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
K 12 ◽  
At Home

Abstract Background Given the emerging literature regarding the impacts of lockdown measures on mental health, this study aims to describe the psychosocial health of school-aged children and adolescents during the COVID-19 Safer-at-Home School mandates. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2020 (n = 280) among K-12 students at a research school in North Central Florida. Bivariate analysis and logistic and multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine socio-demographic and knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) predictors of indicators of anxiety-related, depressive, and obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)-related symptoms. Outcomes (anxiety, OCD, and depressive related symptoms) were measured by indices generated based on reported symptoms associated with each psychosocial outcome. Results Loss of household income was associated with increased risk for all three index-based outcomes: depressive symptoms [aOR = 3.130, 95% CI = (1.41–6.97)], anxiety-related symptoms [aOR = 2.531, 95%CI = (1.154–5.551)], and OCD-related symptoms [aOR = 2.90, 95%CI = (1.32–6.36)]. Being female was associated with being at higher risk for depressive symptoms [aOR = 1.72, 95% CI = (1.02–2.93)], anxiety-related symptoms [aOR = 1.75, 95% CI = (1.04–2.97)], and OCD-related symptoms [aOR = 1.764, 95%CI = (1.027–3.028)]. Parental practices protective against COVID-19 were associated with children being at higher risk of depressive symptoms [aOR = 1.55, 95% CI = (1.04–2.31)]. Lower school level was associated with children being at higher risk of anxiety-related and OCD-related symptoms. Conclusions As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, schools should prioritize mental health interventions that target younger, female students, and children of families with income loss. Limiting the spread of COVID-19 through school closure may exacerbate negative psychosocial health outcomes in children, thus school administrators should move quickly to target those at greatest risk.

scholarly journals The prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms in frontline nurses under COVID-19 pandemic based on a large cross-sectional study using the propensity score-matched method

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyan Wang ◽  
Xiaoling Dai ◽  
Zichuan Yao ◽  
Xianqing Zhu ◽  
Yunzhong Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Introduction To explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the associated risk factors in frontline nurses under COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 20, 2020 to March 20, 2020 and involved 562 frontline nurses. The effective response rate was 87.68%. After propensity score matched, there were 498 participants left. Extensive characteristics, including demographics, dietary habits, life-related factors, work-related factors, and psychological factors were collected based on a self-reported questionnaire. Specific scales measured the levels of sleep quality, physical activity, depressive symptoms, perceived organization support and psychological capital. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were determined by binary paired logistic regression. Results Of the nurses enrolled in the study, 50.90% had depressive symptoms. Three independent risk factors were identified: poor sleep quality (OR = 1.608, 95% CI: 1.384–1.896), lower optimism of psychological capital (OR = 0.879, 95% CI: 0.805–0.960) and no visiting friend constantly (OR = 0.513, 95% CI: 0.286–0.920). Conclusions This study revealed a considerable high prevalence of depressive symptoms in frontline nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak, and identified three risk factors, which were poor sleep quality, lower optimism of psychological capital, and no visiting friend constantly. Protecting mental health of nurses is important for COVID-19 pandemic control and their wellbeing. These findings enrich the existing theoretical model of depression and demonstrated a critical need for additional strategies that could address the mental health in frontline nurses for policymakers.

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