Psychological well-being and risk perceptions of mothers in Kyiv, Ukraine, 19 years after the Chornobyl disaster

Background: The Chornobyl nuclear power plant explosion in April 1986 was one of the worst ecological disasters of the 20th century. As with most disasters, its long-term mental health consequences have not been examined. Aims: This study describes the psychological well-being and risk perceptions of exposed women 19–20 years later and the risk factors associated with mental health. Methods: We assessed Chornobyl-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive episode (MDE) and overall distress among three groups of women in Kyiv, Ukraine ( N = 797): mothers of small children evacuated to Kyiv in 1986 from the contaminated area near the plant (evacuees); mothers of their children’s classmates (neighbourhood controls); and population-based controls from Kyiv. Risk perceptions and epidemiologic correlates were also obtained. Results: Evacuees reported poorer well-being and more negative risk perceptions than controls. Group differences in psychological well-being remained after adjustment for epidemiologic risk factors but became non-significant when Chornobyl risk perceptions were added to the models. Conclusions: The relatively poorer psychological well-being among evacuees is largely explained by their continued concerns about the physical health risks stemming from the accident. We suggest that this is due to the long-term, non-resolvable nature of health fears associated with exposure.

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Rapid Triage of Mental Health Risk in Emergency Medical Workers: Findings From Typhoon Haiyan

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2017.37 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 19-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Lauren Sylwanowicz ◽

Merritt Schreiber ◽

Craig Anderson ◽

Carlos Primero D. Gundran ◽

Emelie Santamaria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

The Philippines ◽

Stepped Care ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Patient Health ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Subclinical Depression

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the ability of a novel responder mental health self-triage system to predict post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in emergency medical responders after a disaster.MethodsParticipants in this study responded to Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines in November 2013. They completed the Psychological Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (PsySTART) responder triage tool, the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) shortly after responding to this disaster. The relationships between these 3 tools were compared to determine the association between different risk exposures while providing disaster medical care and subsequent levels of PTSD or depression.ResultsThe total number of PsySTART responder risk factors was closely related to PCL-5 scores ≥38, the threshold for clinical PTSD. Several of the PsySTART risk factors were predictive of clinical levels of PTSD as measured by the PCL-5 in this sample of deployed emergency medical responders.ConclusionsThe presence of a critical number and type of PsySTART responder self-triage risk factors predicted clinical levels of PTSD and subclinical depression in this sample of emergency medical workers. The ability to identify these disorders early can help categorize an at-risk subset for further timely “stepped care” interventions with the goals of both mitigating the long-term consequences and maximizing the return to resilience. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:19–22)

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The Impact of COVID-19 Concerns on the Mental Health of Older Adults: A Rapid Review

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2691 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 727-728

Author(s):

Sophia Perez ◽

Alexandria Nuccio ◽

Ashley Stripling

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Rapid Review ◽

Future Research ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

English Language Journal ◽

The Impact

Abstract The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic continues to drastically impact older adults. Despite COVID-19 being linked to increased social isolation and loneliness, more research is needed on the psychological effects associated with older adults’ concerns of the pandemic. The current review explores associations between the COVID-19 Pandemic and older adults’ mental health to increase awareness and understanding. For this rapid review, empirical peer-reviewed source documents were identified through a computerized search using APA PsycInfo and Google Scholar bibliographical databases covering the years 2019 to 2021. The following keywords and combinations were used: “older adults,” “COVID-19,” and “mental health effects.” Relevant exclusion criteria were applied, and all related English-language journal articles were read. 47 articles met inclusion criteria. Eight associated COVID-19 stress with loneliness, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and poor psychological well-being, with three additional articles reporting elevations in women. Three articles revealed mixed findings regarding the impact of age on psychological variables. 13 articles evaluated changes among those with psychological/psychiatric diagnoses, and six explored physical activity and depression. Of the remaining articles, two concentrated on nutrition; seven examined routines, behaviors, and societal or risk perceptions; two evaluated coping mechanisms; and three examined emotional distress changes. Understanding COVID-19’s psychological impact on older adults will take time. This rapid review revealed mixed findings regarding COVID-19 related concerns on older adults’ psychological well-being, with multiple demographic variables uniquely impacting these outcomes. It is imperative that future research explore older adults’ risks and develop interventions related to the psychological impact of COVID-19.

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Prevalence and changes in boredom, anxiety and well-being among Ghanaians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10998-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Godfred O. Boateng ◽

David Teye Doku ◽

Nancy Innocentia Ebu Enyan ◽

Samuel Asiedu Owusu ◽

Irene Korkoi Aboh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Psychometric Evaluation ◽

Well Being ◽

Population Based ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sociocultural Factors ◽

Medical Conditions ◽

Psychological Well Being

Abstract Background The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with several adverse health outcomes. However, few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have examined its deleterious consequences on mental health. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence and changes in boredom, anxiety and psychological well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Methods Data for this study were drawn from an online survey of 811 participants that collected retrospective information on mental health measures including symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, boredom, and well-being. Additional data were collected on COVID-19 related measures, biosocial (e.g. age and sex) and sociocultural factors (e.g., education, occupation, marital status). Following descriptive and psychometric evaluation of measures used, multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationships between predictor variables and boredom, anxiety and psychological well-being scores during the pandemic. Second, we assessed the effect of anxiety on psychological well-being. Next, we assessed predictors of the changes in boredom, anxiety, and well-being. Results Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 63.5% reported better well-being, 11.6% symptoms of anxiety, and 29.6% symptoms of boredom. Comparing experiences before and during the pandemic, there was an increase in boredom and anxiety symptomatology, and a decrease in well-being mean scores. The adjusted model shows participants with existing medical conditions had higher scores on boredom (ß = 1.76, p < .001) and anxiety (ß = 1.83, p < .01). In a separate model, anxiety scores before the pandemic (ß = -0.25, p < .01) and having prior medical conditions (ß = -1.53, p < .001) were associated with decreased psychological well-being scores during the pandemic. In the change model, having a prior medical condition was associated with an increasing change in boredom, anxiety, and well-being. Older age was associated with decreasing changes in boredom and well-being scores. Conclusions This study is the first in Ghana to provide evidence of the changes in boredom, anxiety and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings underscore the need for the inclusion of mental health interventions as part of the current pandemic control protocol and public health preparedness towards infectious disease outbreaks.

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Psychological well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS under the new epidemic characteristics in China and the risk factors: a population-based study

International Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ijid.2014.07.010 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. 147-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Wei Sun ◽

Ming Wu ◽

Peng Qu ◽

Chunming Lu ◽

Lie Wang

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Well Being ◽

Population Based ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

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Abuse, mistreatment and neglect

Mental Health in Later Life ◽

10.1332/policypress/9781447305729.003.0007 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 115-128

Author(s):

Alisoun Milne

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Older People ◽

Learned Helplessness ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Related Literature ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Institutional Abuse

Between 2% and 10% of all older people are estimated to be victims of abuse. Isolation, frailty, dementia and dependency are all risk factors. Abuse and mistreatment occur in all contexts - family members are often implicated in domestic settings and paid workers in care settings. Whatever its aetiology abuse, in all its guises, has profoundly negative mental health consequences, including depression, anxiety, learned helplessness and post-traumatic stress disorder. These are pronounced in situations where exposure to abuse has been long term. At present all ‘types’ of abuse - domestic abuse, sexual violence, institutional abuse, abuse by a relative -are managed under the institutional umbrella of ‘safeguarding’. This model not only uncouples abuse from its (often) lifecourse roots but tends to foreground age as its defining dimension. Most policy related literature does not refer to frailty, socioeconomic disadvantage, gender, or issues of power. As power lies at the very heart of abuse of older people in all contexts this is a profound oversight. Policy and practice responses struggle to accommodate the complex causes of abuse, structural issues, or the perspective of the older person. They also fail to engage with a discourse of rights and social justice.

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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological well-being of students in an Italian university: a web-based cross-sectional survey

Globalization and Health ◽

10.1186/s12992-021-00680-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Leonardo Villani ◽

Roberta Pastorino ◽

Enrico Molinari ◽

Franco Anelli ◽

Walter Ricciardi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Well Being ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Self Rating ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Italy was the first European country to implement a national lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Worldwide, this pandemic had a huge impact on the mental health of people in many countries causing similar reaction in terms of emotions and concerns at the population level. Our study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological well-being in a cohort of Italian university students. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in the period immediately after the first lockdown through the administration of a questionnaire on the personal websites of students attending their undergraduate courses at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. We used the Patient-Health-Engagement-Scale, Self-Rating-Anxiety-Scale, and Self-Rating-Depression-Scale to assess engagement, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms of our sample. Results The sample size was 501 subjects, of which 35.33% were classified as anxious and 72.93% as depressed. Over 90% of respondents had good understanding of the preventive measures despite over 70% suffered from the impossibility of physically seeing friends and partners. Around 55% of students would have been willing to contribute much more to face the pandemic. An increase in the occurrences of anxiety was associated with being female, being student of the Rome campus, suffering from the impossibility of attending university, being distant from colleagues, and being unable of physically seeing one’s partner. Performing physical activity reduced this likelihood. Conclusion University students are at risk of psychological distress in the case of traumatic events. The evolution of the pandemic is uncertain and may have long-term effects on mental health. Therefore, it is crucial to study the most effective interventions to identify vulnerable subgroups and to plan for acute and long-term psychological services to control and reduce the burden of psychological problems.

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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety and depression symptoms of young people in the global south: evidence from a four-country cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049653 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. e049653

Author(s):

Catherine Porter ◽

Marta Favara ◽

Annina Hittmeyer ◽

Douglas Scott ◽

Alan Sánchez Jiménez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Young People ◽

Emotional Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Low Middle Income Countries

ObjectiveTo provide evidence on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young people who grew up in poverty in low/middle-income countries (LMICs).DesignA phone survey administered between August and October 2020 to participants of a population-based longitudinal cohort study established in 2002 comprising two cohorts born in 1994–1995 and 2001–2002 in Ethiopia, India (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Peru and Vietnam. We use logistic regressions to examine associations between mental health and pandemic-related stressors, structural factors (gender, age), and lifelong protective/risk factors (parent and peer relationship, wealth, long-term health problems, past emotional problems, subjective well-being) measured at younger ages.SettingA geographically diverse, poverty-focused sample, also reaching those without mobile phones or internet access.Participants10 496 individuals were approached; 9730 participated. Overall, 8988 individuals were included in this study; 4610 (51%) men and 4378 (49%) women. Non-inclusion was due to non-location or missing data.Main outcome measuresSymptoms consistent with at least mild anxiety or depression were measured by Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (≥5) or Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (≥5).ResultsRates of symptoms of at least mild anxiety (depression) were highest in Peru at 41% (32%) (95% CI 38.63% to 43.12%; (29.49–33.74)), and lowest in Vietnam at 9% (9%) (95% CI 8.16% to 10.58%; (8.33–10.77)), mirroring COVID-19 mortality rates. Women were most affected in all countries except Ethiopia. Pandemic-related stressors such as health risks/expenses, economic adversity, food insecurity, and educational or employment disruption were risk factors for anxiety and depression, though showed varying levels of importance across countries. Prior parent/peer relationships were protective factors, while long-term health or emotional problems were risk factors.ConclusionPandemic-related health, economic and social stress present significant risks to the mental health of young people in LMICs where mental health support is limited, but urgently needed to prevent long-term consequences.

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