The effect of the 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak on social relationships: A cross-sectional study in Jordan

Background: Social relationships refer to the existing associations between family members, friends, neighbours, co-workers, and other associates. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing has been imposed by the curfew program in Jordan. Aim: To evaluate the effects of social distancing on the social relationships of the Jordanian population. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in Jordan between the 6th and the 30th of May, 2020. Our questionnaire was constructed to explore the population’s perception of the quarantine period, how it is affecting their relationship with others, and the characteristics of their social relationships and communication with various population categories, including family members and work colleagues. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of better social relationships and communication. Results: A total of 4,301 participants were involved in this study. The average score of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on social relationships among the whole study population was 5.68 (SD: 2.33) out of 10 (equal to 56.8%), which indicates the marginal strength of the social relationships. Around 31.6% of the participants reported that their social relationships were affected to a high degree by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants who were aged 36–45 were positively affected in terms of their social relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is negatively affecting social relationships, which could ultimately lead to negative health implications. Decision-makers are advised to provide educational campaigns that improve the sociological health of the general population.

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Gender-based approach on the social impact and mental health in Spain during COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044617 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e044617

Author(s):

Constanza Jacques-Aviñó ◽

Tomàs López-Jiménez ◽

Laura Medina-Perucha ◽

Jeroen de Bont ◽

Alessandra Queiroga Gonçalves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Social Impact ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

The Social ◽

Gender Based

ObjectiveLockdown has impacts on people’s living conditions and mental health. The study aims to assess the relations between social impact and mental health among adults living in Spain during COVID-19 lockdown measures, taking a gender-based approach into account.Design, setting and participantsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among adults living in Spain during the lockdown of COVID-19 with an online survey from 8 April to 28 May 2020. The main variable was mental health measured by Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale for anxiety and the Patient Health Questionnaire for depression. Sex-stratified multivariate ordinal logistic regression models were constructed to assess the association between social impact variables, anxiety and depression.ResultsA total of 7053 people completed this survey. A total of 31.2% of women and 17.7% of men reported anxiety. Depression levels were reported in 28.5% of women and 16.7% of men. A higher proportion of anxiety and depression levels was found in the younger population (18–35 years), especially in women. Poorer mental health was mainly related to fear of COVID-19 infection, with higher anxiety levels especially in women (adjusted ordinal OR (aOR): 4.23, 95% CI 3.68 to 4.87) and worsened economy with higher levels of depression in women (aOR: 1.51, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.84), and perceived inadequate housing to cope with lockdown was especially associated with anxiety in men (aOR: 2.53, 95% CI 1.93 to 3.44).ConclusionThe social impact of the lockdown is related to gender, age and socioeconomic conditions. Women and young people had worse mental health outcomes during lockdown. It is urgent to establish strategies for public health emergencies that include mental health and its determinants, taking a gender-based approach into account, in order to reduce health inequities.

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Family engagement amidst COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study from Pakistan

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20213006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 3805

Author(s):

Mohsina Hussain ◽

Komal A. Rahim ◽

Fatima Shafiq ◽

Anita Allana ◽

Shelina Bhamani

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Family Engagement ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Early Years ◽

Basic Unit ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Media Advocacy ◽

The Social ◽

Continued Learning

Background: Family engagement in the early years of a child’s life is one of the most powerful predictors of a child’s development. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, family engagement has been affected in numerous ways. Thus, this study aims to identify the perception of parents on the change in dynamics of family engagement between parents and their children during the pandemic in Pakistan.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was followed using an online survey. The survey was administered to parents to assess their perception related to the effect of COVID-19 on family engagement as a whole.Results: The 90 parents participated in this online survey majority of whom had children aged 9 years and above (n=30). Most of the parents talked to their children daily, had one mealtime together, watched Television, and spent time with each other daily. There were some statements over which the parents marked ‘frequently’ and ‘hardly ever’ such as doing exercise, reading to the child, and supervising screen time. Results of the study show that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected interactions between parents and their children.Conclusions: Family is the basic unit of society. It plays a significant role in establishing life-long positive relationships. Family is a child’s first exposure to a nurturing environment and impactful engagements which helps in growth and mental development. COVID-19 has posed an overwhelming burden and affected the social interactions of parents with children. Social media advocacy and schools have supported in providing resources for continued learning with the participation of other members of the family.

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Postpartum depression and breastfeeding practices during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Mexican mothers: a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-443381/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mariana Chávez-Tostado ◽

Karla V Chavez ◽

Genny López-Valenzuela ◽

Diana Mercedes Hernández-Corona ◽

Tonatiuh González-Heredia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postpartum Depression ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Skin Contact ◽

Breastfeeding Practices

Abstract BackgroundThe incidence of mental disorders during major events is higher in prenatal and postnatal women than in the general population. The COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent lockdown, and social distancing may have caused changes in newborn mothers’ mental health, postpartum depression (PPD), and breastfeeding practices. There is no information about this topic in Mexican mothers who have delivered newborns during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The objective of this study was to explore whether quarantine measures, social distancing, and hospital containment policies altered the incidence rates of PPD, breastfeeding adherence, and skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in women giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included women who delivered a healthy baby at term in February to July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed an anonymous online survey incorporating the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.ResultsA total of 211 participants were included; their mean age was 30.5 ± 4.6 years and the gestational age at the time of delivery was 38.3 ± 2.0 weeks. Sixty (28.4%) participants reported PPD, and 196 (92.9%) reported breastfeeding their baby during COVID-19. Mothers with PPD had lower levels of exclusive breastfeeding (P = 0.66) and breastfeeding with formula (P = 0.29). Only 23 participants (10.9%) stopped breastfeeding because of issues with latching (30.4%). SSC was reported by 63% of participants and was more frequent immediately after birth (46%). Mothers with PPD reported less frequent SSC (P = 0.001) and later initiation of SSC (P = 0.001) after childbirth. Mothers who initiated SSC used exclusive breastfeeding more frequently during the first 48 h after birth (P = 0.004).ConclusionsWe found a higher prevalence of PPD in new mothers during the pandemic. Mothers reporting PPD were less likely to initiate SSC after birth. These findings suggest that the pandemic and the measures adopted to fight its spread may have harmed maternal well-being during pregnancy and after delivery. Women giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic represent a vulnerable population that may need focused health care. SSC is a simple, cost-effective intervention that may help reduce the incidence of PPD.Trial registrationThis cross-sectional study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04769700).

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Perceived social support and burden of care of male and female caregivers of patient with schizophrenia

Indian Journal of Psychiatric Social Work ◽

10.29120/ijpsw.2017.v8.i1.7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

Narendra Kumar Singh ◽

Nishant Goyal

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Family Members ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Burden Of Care ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Male And Female ◽

The Social ◽

The Difference

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with a high familial, social and economic burden. Schizophrenia is also associated with a high level of disability which may create impediments on the social and economic areas of the patients as well as on their respective family networks. Families with schizophrenia may encounter problems such as impairment of health and well being of other family members, restriction of social activities of the family members and shrinking of support from the social network. Aims: The present study examined the difference in perceived social support and burden of care between the male and female caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study examining the difference in perceived social support and burden of care between the male and female caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 60 (30 male and 30 female) caregivers of the patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia as per ICD-10-DCR. Results and Conclusion: This study revealed that male caregivers perceived more social support and less burden of care as compared to female caregivers. Key words: Gender, social support, burden

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Self-Perceived Life Satisfaction during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126234 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6234

Author(s):

Christina Brogårdh ◽

Catharina Sjödahl Hammarlund ◽

Frida Eek ◽

Kjerstin Stigmar ◽

Ingrid Lindgren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Online Survey ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sexual Life ◽

Life Domains ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Life Satisfaction

Currently, there is limited knowledge on how the Swedish strategy with more lenient public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced people’s life satisfaction. Here, we investigated self-reported life satisfaction during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, and perceived changes in life satisfaction in relation to various sociodemographic factors. A total of 1082 people (mean age 48 (SD 12.2); 82% women) responded to an online survey during autumn 2020 including the “Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11”. A majority (69%) were satisfied with life as a whole, and with other important life domains, with the exception of contact with friends and sexual life. An equal share reported that life as a whole had either deteriorated (28%) or improved (29%). Of those that perceived a deterioration, 95% considered it to be due to the pandemic. Regarding deteriorated satisfaction with life as a whole, higher odds were found in the following groups: having no children living at home; being middle aged; having other sources of income than being employed; and having a chronic disease. The Swedish strategy might have contributed to the high proportion of satisfied people. Those who perceived a deterioration in life satisfaction may, however, need attention from Swedish Welfare Authorities.

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Knowledge, training and willingness to perform bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation among university students in Chongqing, China: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046694 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. e046694

Author(s):

Jiani Mao ◽

Feng Chen ◽

Dianguo Xing ◽

Huixian Zhou ◽

Ling Jia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Average Score ◽

Willingness To Participate ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Bystander Cpr ◽

Secondary Outcomes ◽

Cpr Training

ObjectiveTo evaluate knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among Chinese college students and their attitude towards participating in CPR training and willingness to perform bystander CPR.DesignA cross-sectional study.ParticipantsA total of 1128 college students were selected through a multistage stratified random sampling method from 12 universities in Chongqing, China.Primary and secondary outcomesPrimary outcomes included CPR knowledge and willingness to participate in training and perform bystander CPR; secondary outcomes included CPR training experience and obstacles to training and performing CPR.ResultsThe average score on CPR knowledge was 2.078 (±1.342). Only 45.5% of the respondents were willing to participate in CPR training. Women, respondents who were postgraduate or above, with liberal arts as major and with high CPR knowledge level were more willing to participate in CPR training. A total of 47.2% of the respondents were willing to provide simple assistance, such as checking the consciousness and breathing of the patient and dialling 120 (medical emergency call). Only 34.1% indicated their willingness to perform bystander CPR on strangers. Perceived behavioural control, behavioural attitudes and subjective norms are positive predictors of willingness to provide bystander CPR.ConclusionsCPR knowledge and training rate were low among Chongqing college students. Willingness to participate in training and perform bystander CPR was also low. Improving legislation, strengthening training programmes, incorporating CPR training into the school curriculum and reshaping the social and public culture of offering timely help to those in need are recommended strategies to improve bystander CPR performance.

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Factors associated with family functioning in patients with heart failure and their family members: An international cross‐sectional study

Journal of Advanced Nursing ◽

10.1111/jan.14810 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mahdi Shamali ◽

Hanne Konradsen ◽

Erla K. Svavarsdottir ◽

Mohsen Shahriari ◽

Audur Ketilsdottir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Family Functioning ◽

Family Members ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Patients With Heart Failure

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Evaluating the Association Between Artificial Sweetener Intake and Indicators of Stress and Anxiety

International Quarterly of Community Health Education ◽

10.1177/0272684x211022150 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0272684X2110221

Author(s):

Benjamin Miller ◽

Paul Branscum

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Online Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety Reduction ◽

Artificial Sweetener ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Very High

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) consumption and stress and anxiety, among a sample of college students. Two-hundred and twenty-seven students from a large mid-western university participated in this cross-sectional study. Students completed an online survey that evaluated NNS using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Stress and anxiety were evaluated using previously validated instruments. Most students reported very low/low/average concern for stress (63.9%), and had low/moderate anxiety (82.3%). Participants experiencing high and very high levels of stress had significantly higher NNS consumption compared to those with a very low and low risk, and concern for stress ( p < .046; d = 0.28). There was no difference however for NNS intake and anxiety. Reduction of artificial sweetener intake may be associated with stress levels among college students. However, more research is needed to examine any causal relationship between artificial sweetener intake and stress.

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Dissociation, Cognitive Reflection and Health Literacy Have a Modest Effect on Belief in Conspiracy Theories about COVID-19

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105065 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5065

Author(s):

Vojtech Pisl ◽

Jan Volavka ◽

Edita Chvojkova ◽

Katerina Cechova ◽

Gabriela Kavalirova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Online Survey ◽

Digital Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Conspiracy Theories ◽

Cognitive Reflection ◽

Variance Explained ◽

Modest Effect

Understanding the predictors of belief in COVID-related conspiracy theories and willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 may aid the resolution of current and future pandemics. We investigate how psychological and cognitive characteristics influence general conspiracy mentality and COVID-related conspiracy theories. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from an online survey of a sample of Czech university students (n = 866) collected in January 2021, using multivariate linear regression and mediation analysis. Sixteen percent of respondents believed that COVID-19 is a hoax, and 17% believed that COVID-19 was intentionally created by humans. Seven percent of the variance of the hoax theory and 10% of the variance of the creation theory was explained by (in descending order of relevance) low cognitive reflection, low digital health literacy, high experience with dissociation and, to some extent, high bullshit receptivity. Belief in COVID-related conspiracy theories depended less on psychological and cognitive variables compared to conspiracy mentality (16% of the variance explained). The effect of digital health literacy on belief in COVID-related theories was moderated by cognitive reflection. Belief in conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 was influenced by experience with dissociation, cognitive reflection, digital health literacy and bullshit receptivity.

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