Vicarious Racism and Vigilance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mental Health Implications Among Asian and Black Americans

Objectives Experiences of vicarious racism—hearing about racism directed toward one’s racial group or racist acts committed against other racial group members—and vigilance about racial discrimination have been salient during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined vicarious racism and vigilance in relation to symptoms of depression and anxiety among Asian and Black Americans. Methods We used data from a cross-sectional study of 604 Asian American and 844 Black American adults aged ≥18 in the United States recruited from 5 US cities from May 21 through July 15, 2020. Multivariable linear regression models examined levels of depression and anxiety by self-reported vicarious racism and vigilance. Results Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, among both Asian and Black Americans, greater self-reported vicarious racism was associated with more symptoms of depression (Asian: β = 1.92 [95% CI, 0.97-2.87]; Black: β = 1.72 [95% CI, 0.95-2.49]) and anxiety (Asian: β = 2.40 [95% CI, 1.48-3.32]; Black: β = 1.98 [95% CI, 1.17-2.78]). Vigilance was also positively related to symptoms of depression (Asian: β = 1.54 [95% CI, 0.58-2.50]; Black: β = 0.90 [95% CI, 0.12-1.67]) and anxiety (Asian: β = 1.98 [95% CI, 1.05-2.91]; Black: β = 1.64 [95% CI, 0.82-2.45]). Conclusions Mental health problems are a pressing concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from our study suggest that heightened racist sentiment, harassment, and violence against Asian and Black Americans contribute to increased risk of depression and anxiety via vicarious racism and vigilance. Public health efforts during this period should address endemic racism as well as COVID-19.

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Depression, anxiety, and stress in partners of Australian combat veterans and military personnel: a comparison with Australian population norms

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.2373 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. e2373 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Gail V. MacDonell ◽

Navjot Bhullar ◽

Einar B. Thorsteinsson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Combat Veterans ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychosocial Health ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Population Norms ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Previous Sample ◽

Comparative Population

Partners of Australian combat veterans are at an increased risk of experiencing mental health problems. The present study provides a comparative analysis of the mental health of partners of veterans with that of the Australian normative data. To compare different types of groups of partners, the study samples comprised: (a) partners of Australian combat veterans (Sample 1:n= 282, ageM= 60.79,SD= 5.05), (b) a sub-sample of partners of Australian combat veterans from the previous sample (Sample 2:n= 50;M= 60.06,SD= 4.80), (c) partners of Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) personnel (Sample 3:n= 40, ageM= 34.39SD= 7.01), and (d) partners of current serving military (non-SASR) personnel (Sample 4:n= 38, ageM= 32.37,SD= 6.20). Respondents completed measures assessing their reported levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Samples 1 and 2 comprised partners of Australian military veterans who reported significantly greater symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress than the comparative population norms. The sample of SASR personnel partners (Sample 3) reported significantly lower levels of depression and anxiety, whereas the sample with non-SASR personnel partners (Sample 4) reported a significantly greater stress symptomatology than the comparative norms. Number of deployments was found to be associated with depression, anxiety, and stress in partners of non-SASR veterans (Sample 4). Lessons and protective factors can be learnt from groups within the current military as to what may assist partners and families to maintain a better level of psychosocial health.

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Impact of Longitudinal Social Support and Loneliness Trajectories on Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in France

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182312677 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (23) ◽

pp. 12677

Author(s):

Sandy Laham ◽

Leticia Bertuzzi ◽

Séverine Deguen ◽

Irwin Hecker ◽

Maria Melchior ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Health Study ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Common Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Study

(1) Background: Little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted social support and loneliness over time and how this may predict subsequent mental health problems. This study aims to determine longitudinal trajectories of social support and loneliness in the French general population during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and study whether variations in these trajectories are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety; (2) Methods: Analyses were based on data from 681 French participants in the international COVID-19 Mental Health Study (COMET) study, collected at four periods of time between May 2020 and April 2021. Group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) was used to determine social support and loneliness trajectories. Associations between the identified trajectories and symptoms of depression and anxiety, measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), were tested through multivariate linear regression models; (3) Results: Social support trajectories revealed four stable groups: ‘poor’ (17.0%), ‘moderate’ (42.4%), ‘strong’ (35.4%) and ‘very strong’ (5.1%). Loneliness trajectories also identified four groups: ‘low stable’ (17.8%), ‘low rising’ (40.2%), ‘moderate stable’ (37.6%) and ‘high rising’ (5.0%). Elevated symptoms of depression were associated with poor social support as well as all identified loneliness trajectories, while high levels of anxiety were associated with moderate stable and high rising loneliness trajectories; (4) Conclusions: High and increasing levels of loneliness are associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety during the pandemic. Interventions to address loneliness are essential to prevent common mental health problems during the pandemic and afterwards.

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Depression, anxiety, and stress in partners of Australian combat veterans and military personnel: A comparison with Australian population norms

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1876 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Gail V MacDonell ◽

Navjot Bhullar ◽

Einar B Thorsteinsson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Combat Veterans ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychosocial Health ◽

Population Norms ◽

Female Partners ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Two Samples ◽

Previous Sample

Partners of Australian combat veterans are at an increased risk of experiencing mental health problems. For a comparative analysis of mental health of partners of veterans with that of their non-military counterparts, the study sample comprised female partners of (a) Australian combat veterans (Sample 1: n = 282, age M = 60.79, SD = 5.05), (b) a random sub-sample of partners of Australian combat veterans from the previous sample (Sample 2: n = 50; M = 60.06, SD = 4.80), (c) partners of Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) personnel (Sample 3: n = 41, age M = 34.39 SD = 7.01), and (d) partners of current serving military (non-SASR) personnel (Sample 4: n = 38, age M = 32.37, SD= [i]6.20). Respondents completed measures to assess their reported levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The two samples (Samples 1 and 2) for partners of Australian combat veterans reported significantly poorer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress than the comparative population norms. The sample of SASR personnel partners reported significantly greater levels of depression and anxiety, while the sample with non‑SASR personnel partners reported a significantly poorer symptomatology in stress than the comparative norms. Lessons and protective factors can be learnt from groups within the current military as to what may assist partners and families to maintain a better level of psychosocial health.

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Associations between food insecurity and psychotropic medication use among women living with HIV in the United States

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796020000232 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

Author(s):

Henry J. Whittle ◽

William R. Wolfe ◽

Lila A. Sheira ◽

Edward A. Frongillo ◽

Kartika Palar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Psychotropic Medication ◽

Medication Use ◽

The United States ◽

Psychotropic Medications ◽

Structural Factors ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Living With Hiv

Abstract Aims Psychotropic prescription rates continue to increase in the United States (USA). Few studies have investigated whether social-structural factors may play a role in psychotropic medication use independent of mental illness. Food insecurity is prevalent among people living with HIV in the USA and has been associated with poor mental health. We investigated whether food insecurity was associated with psychotropic medication use independent of the symptoms of depression and anxiety among women living with HIV in the USA. Methods We used cross-sectional data from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), a nationwide cohort study. Food security (FS) was the primary explanatory variable, measured using the Household Food Security Survey Module. First, we used multivariable linear regressions to test whether FS was associated with symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression [CESD] score), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD-7 score) and mental health-related quality of life (MOS-HIV Mental Health Summary score; MHS). Next, we examined associations of FS with the use of any psychotropic medications, including antidepressants, sedatives and antipsychotics, using multivariable logistic regressions adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, income, education and alcohol and substance use. In separate models, we additionally adjusted for symptoms of depression (CESD score) and anxiety (GAD-7 score). Results Of the 905 women in the sample, two-thirds were African-American. Lower FS (i.e. worse food insecurity) was associated with greater symptoms of depression and anxiety in a dose–response relationship. For the psychotropic medication outcomes, marginal and low FS were associated with 2.06 (p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36–3.13) and 1.99 (p < 0.01; 95% CI = 1.26–3.15) times higher odds of any psychotropic medication use, respectively, before adjusting for depression and anxiety. The association of very low FS with any psychotropic medication use was not statistically significant. A similar pattern was found for antidepressant and sedative use. After additionally adjusting for CESD and GAD-7 scores, marginal FS remained associated with 1.93 (p < 0.05; 95% CI = 1.16–3.19) times higher odds of any psychotropic medication use. Very low FS, conversely, was significantly associated with lower odds of antidepressant use (adjusted odds ratio = 0.42; p < 0.05; 95% CI = 0.19–0.96). Conclusions Marginal FS was associated with higher odds of using psychotropic medications independent of depression and anxiety, while very low FS was associated with lower odds. These complex findings may indicate that people experiencing very low FS face barriers to accessing mental health services, while those experiencing marginal FS who do access services are more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications for distress arising from social and structural factors.

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Predictors of cosmetic surgery and its effects on psychological factors and mental health: a population-based follow-up study among Norwegian females

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291711001267 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 617-626 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

T. von Soest ◽

I. L. Kvalem ◽

L. Wichstrøm

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Drug Use ◽

Risky Sexual Behavior ◽

Cosmetic Surgery ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Survey Study ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Limited Information ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Appearance Satisfaction

BackgroundThere is limited information about psychological predictors of cosmetic surgery and how cosmetic surgery influences subsequent changes in mental health and overall appearance satisfaction. To date, there is a lack of studies examining this issue, whereby representative population samples are assessed at an age before cosmetic surgery is typically conducted and followed up after such surgery has commonly been performed.MethodWe obtained data from a survey study following 1597 adolescent females from a representative Norwegian sample over a 13-year period. Participants provided information on cosmetic surgery, appearance satisfaction, mental health, risky sexual behavior, drug use and conduct problems at two time-points (overall response rate 67%).ResultsOf all participants, 78 (4.9%) reported having undergone cosmetic surgery, of whom 71 were operated on during the course of the study and seven before the first data collection. Symptoms of depression and anxiety [odds ratio (OR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–2.57] and a history of deliberate self-harm (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.46–5.68), parasuicide (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.53–7.08) and illicit drug use (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.07–5.82) predicted prospective cosmetic surgery. Moreover, those who underwent surgery during the course of the study experienced a greater increase than other females in symptoms of depression and anxiety (t=2.07, p=0.04) and eating problems (t=2.71, p<0.01). Patients' use of alcohol also increased more than among non-patients (t=2.47, p=0.01).ConclusionsA series of mental health symptoms predict cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery does not in turn seem to alleviate such mental health problems.

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Long-Term Outcomes of a Therapist-Supported, Smartphone-Based Intervention for Elevated Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: Quasiexperimental, Pre-Postintervention Study

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/14284 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. e14284 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marcos Economides ◽

Kristian Ranta ◽

Albert Nazander ◽

Outi Hilgert ◽

Philippe R Goldin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Intention To Treat ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Point Reduction ◽

Patient Health ◽

Common Mental Health Problems ◽

Clinically Significant

Background Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders and severely impacts one’s physical, psychological, and social functioning. To address access barriers to care, we developed Ascend—a smartphone-delivered, therapist-supported, 8-week intervention based on several evidence-based psychological treatments for depression and anxiety. A previous feasibility study with 102 adults with elevated depression reported that Ascend is associated with a postintervention reduction in depression symptoms. Objective We aimed to examine whether Ascend is associated with a reduction in symptoms of anxiety, and importantly, whether reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety are maintained up to 12-months postintervention. Methods We assessed whether the previously reported, end-of-treatment improvements seen in the 102 adults with elevated symptoms of depression extended up to 12 months posttreatment for depression symptoms (measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) and up to 6 months posttreatment for anxiety symptoms (added to the intervention later and measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7] scale). We used linear mixed effects models with Tukey contrasts to compare time points and reported intention-to-treat statistics with a sensitivity analysis. Results The intervention was associated with reductions in symptoms of depression that were maintained 12 months after the program (6.67-point reduction in PHQ-9 score, 95% CI 5.59-7.75; P<.001; Hedges g=1.14, 95% CI 0.78-1.49). A total of 60% of the participants with PHQ-9 scores above the cutoff for major depression at baseline (PHQ≥10) reported clinically significant improvement at the 12-month follow-up (at least 50% reduction in PHQ-9 score and postprogram score <10). Participants also reported reductions in symptoms of anxiety that were maintained for at least 6 months after the program (4.26-point reduction in GAD-7 score, 95% CI 3.14-5.38; P<.001; Hedges g=0.91, 95% CI 0.54-1.28). Conclusions There is limited evidence on whether outcomes associated with smartphone-based interventions for common mental health problems are maintained posttreatment. Participants who enrolled in Ascend experienced clinically significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety that were maintained for up to 1 year and 6 months after the intervention, respectively. Future randomized trials are warranted to test Ascend as a scalable solution to the treatment of depression and anxiety.

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Promoting Biculturalism in Order to Prevent Behavioral and Mental Health Problems in Immigrant Families

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190215217.013.22 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Martica Bacallao ◽

Paul Richard Smokowski

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Antisocial Behavior ◽

Relationship Quality ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Intervention Programs ◽

Acculturation Stress ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Immigrant Adolescents ◽

Increased Risk

Many immigrants experience acculturation stress, which can result in an increased risk for antisocial behavior and psychopathology. Psychodrama is one intervention that has been found to result in positive changes such as increased empathy and relationship quality and decreased aggression, depression, and anxiety, suggesting that it could be a useful modality in decreasing acculturation stress and ensuing mental health symptoms. Following an explanation of psychodrama, this chapter provides an overview of acculturation-based prevention and intervention programs that informed the creation of Entre Dos Mundos (EDM), an acculturation-based intervention that uses psychodrama techniques to decrease acculturation stress among immigrant adolescents and their parents. An example of an EDM group session illustrates the application of psychodrama techniques and their utility in decreasing acculturation stress and promoting biculturalism. In addition, a review of the literature documenting the success of EDM is provided.

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Depression, anxiety, and stress in partners of Australian combat veterans and military personnel: A comparison with Australian population norms

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1876v1 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Gail V MacDonell ◽

Navjot Bhullar ◽

Einar B Thorsteinsson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Combat Veterans ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychosocial Health ◽

Population Norms ◽

Female Partners ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Two Samples ◽

Previous Sample

Partners of Australian combat veterans are at an increased risk of experiencing mental health problems. For a comparative analysis of mental health of partners of veterans with that of their non-military counterparts, the study sample comprised female partners of (a) Australian combat veterans (Sample 1: n = 282, age M = 60.79, SD = 5.05), (b) a random sub-sample of partners of Australian combat veterans from the previous sample (Sample 2: n = 50; M = 60.06, SD = 4.80), (c) partners of Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) personnel (Sample 3: n = 41, age M = 34.39 SD = 7.01), and (d) partners of current serving military (non-SASR) personnel (Sample 4: n = 38, age M = 32.37, SD= 6.20). Respondents completed measures to assess their reported levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The two samples (Samples 1 and 2) for partners of Australian combat veterans reported significantly poorer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress than the comparative population norms. The sample of SASR personnel partners reported significantly greater levels of depression and anxiety, while the sample with non‑SASR personnel partners reported a significantly poorer symptomatology in stress than the comparative norms. Lessons and protective factors can be learnt from groups within the current military as to what may assist partners and families to maintain a better level of psychosocial health. C

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Sex and age differences in clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety among people in Australia in the first month of COVID-19 restrictions: a national survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042696 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e042696

Author(s):

Karin Hammarberg ◽

Thach Tran ◽

Maggie Kirkman ◽

Jane Fisher

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Age Differences ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Patient Health ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Sex And Age Differences ◽

Disproportionate Burden

ObjectivesTo identify sex and age differences in clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety and the factors associated with these differences among adults in Australia during COVID-19-related restrictions.DesignAnonymous online survey.SettingAustralia.ParticipantsAdults aged over 18 years living in Australia were eligible and 13 829 contributed complete data. Of these, 13 762 identified as female (10 434) or male (3328) and were included in analyses.InterventionsNone.Outcome measuresClinically significant symptoms of depression (≥10 on Patient Health Questionnaire 9) or anxiety (≥10 on Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 (GAD-7)), and experiences of irritability (GAD-7 item 6).ResultsWomen were more likely than men to have clinically significant symptoms of depression (26.3% (95% CI 25.4 to 27.1) vs 20.1% (95% CI 18.7 to 21.5), p<0.001) and anxiety (21.8% (95% CI 21.0 to 22.6) vs 14.2% (95% CI 13.0 to 15.4), p<0.001) and to have experienced irritability in the previous fortnight (63.1% (95% CI 62.1 to 64.0) vs 51.4% (95% CI 49.7 to 53.2), p<0.001). They were also more likely than men to be doing unpaid work caring for children (22.8% (95% CI 22.0 to 23.6) vs 8.6% (95% CI 7.7 to 9.6), p<0.001) and dependent relatives (9.8% (95% CI 9.2 to 10.3) vs 5.7% (95% CI 4.9 to 6.5), p<0.001) which made significant contributions to the mental health outcomes of interest. Loss of employment, fear of contracting COVID-19 and feeling a severe impact of the restrictions were associated with poorer mental health in women and men of all ages.ConclusionsRates of clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety were higher among women than men. Rather than being intrinsically more vulnerable to mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, the higher risk of symptoms of anxiety and depression among women may in part be explained by their disproportionate burden of unpaid caregiving.

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Emotion regulation difficulties and interpersonal problems during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Predicting anxiety and depression

10.31234/osf.io/g5d8r ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ole Andre Solbakken ◽

Omid V. Ebrahimi ◽

Asle Hoffart ◽

Jon T. Monsen ◽

Sverre Urnes Johnson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Interpersonal Problems ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Interpersonal Difficulties ◽

The Impact

Background: Central components of psychological functioning, such as difficulties in emotion regulation and interpersonal problems are likely to have been substantially impacted by COVID-19 and the amelioration measures of societal lock-down and social distancing. In turn, these factors are likely to predict mental health outcomes, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety throughout the pandemic and beyond. Methods: To investigate this issue, we conducted an internet-based survey with 10,061 responders at the height of lock-down (T1). After social distancing measures had been eased (T2), 4,936 responders (49.1%) completed the survey again. Results: Emotion regulation difficulties, interpersonal problems, and symptoms of depression and anxiety decreased from T1 to T2, but changes were minor. After controlling for age and gender, emotion regulation- and interpersonal difficulties were associated with anxiety and depression throughout the study period, and changes in all domains occurred in concert. More extensive problems with emotion regulation at T1 predicted greater reductions in both symptom domains as amelioration measures were eased, while the converse was true for interpersonal problems. Furthermore, the impact of initial emotion regulation difficulties on subsequent changes in both anxiety- and depressive symptoms was dependent on the level of interpersonal difficulties, so that high interpersonal problem load at T1 reversed the effect of emotion regulation difficulties on symptom development. Conclusions: The results suggest that emotion regulation- and interpersonal difficulties are highly central to mental health during the pandemic, and may be important targets for remediation to reduce mental health problems throughout the course of the pandemic and beyond.

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