scholarly journals COVID-19 pandemic distress among a sample of Italian psycho-oncologists: risk of isolation and loneliness

2021 ◽  
pp. 030089162199212
Author(s):  
Anna Costantini ◽  
Eva Mazzotti ◽  
Samantha Serpentini ◽  
Angela Piattelli ◽  
Dorella Scarponi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Interactive System ◽  
Distress Screening ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Peritraumatic Distress

Purpose: To measure the prevalence and characteristics of distress and hope for the future among psycho-oncologists, who faced the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency along with other healthcare workers. Methods: A web-based study was conducted among members of the Italian Society of Psycho-Oncology between May 29 and June 5, 2020. Results: A total of 237 members, aged 28–72 years, completed the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI), Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R), and HOPE questionnaires; 86.92% were female, 58.65% worked in hospitals, 21.10% were exposed to COVID-19, 11.39% experienced peritraumatic distress, and 3.38% had posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Peritraumatic distress was associated with living alone (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41–8.13), using sleep remedies (AOR 3.79; 95% CI 1.41–10.21), and the perception of being avoided by family or friends because of work (AOR 2.69; 95% CI 1.02–7.11); high HOPE-Agency scores were associated with the absence of peritraumatic stress (AOR 0.40; 95% CI 0.16–0.96) after adjustment for age and sex. Conclusions: Psycho-oncologists showed greater resilience than other healthcare workers as they are trained to help others, but also to review their own values and behavior in light of stressful events. Of interest is the association between peritraumatic distress and social isolation, real or perceived. Healthcare institutions should pay attention to the mental well-being of their employees by promoting distress screening using simple tools such as the CPDI and implementing support interventions. Psycho-oncology associations should introduce policies aimed at developing a sense of social connectedness by providing an interactive system of orientation and scientific reference.

scholarly journals Comparison of Psychological Stress Levels and Associated Factors Among Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers, and the General Public During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongrong Luan ◽  
Weidan Pu ◽  
Lilei Dai ◽  
Rui Yang ◽  
Peng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Stress ◽  
General Public ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Occupation Group ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Objective: We aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of the psychological stress experienced by healthcare workers, frontline workers, and the general public and to assess the factors associated with psychological stress in each of these groups.Methods: We conducted an online survey targeting healthcare workers, frontline workers, and the general public. Psychological stress was assessed with the revised impact of event scale (IES-R). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted.Results: We surveyed 1,336 participants (64.6% female; mean age, 36.6). The occupation group distribution of respondents was 50.7% healthcare workers, 27.2% frontline workers, and 22.1% general public. The healthcare (23.6 ± 15.8) and frontline (23.6 ± 17.8) workers had higher IES-R scores than the general public (15.3 ± 10.6; p < 0.01). Poor health perception and perception of infection avoidance were associated with psychological stress in the healthcare and frontline workers, but not in the general public.Conclusion: Both healthcare and frontline workers are suffering elevated psychological stress, compared to the general public, and this elevated stress may be related especially to their perceptions of their own health and infection risk. Interventions addressing these factors should be developed to alleviate psychological stress in these populations, and thus reduce their risk of mental illness pathogenesis.

Effects of Group Logo therapy Training on Self-Esteem, Communication Skills, and impact of event scale-revised (IES-R) in Elderly

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Soroush ◽  
Arash Ziapour ◽  
Manoj Sharma ◽  
Iran Jahanbin ◽  
Bahare Andayeshgar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
The Self ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale

Abstract Background: To evaluate the effects of group logotherapy training on the Self-Esteem, communication skills, and dealing with event in elderly. Methods: The sample of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) includes 30 elderly individuals with unstable and weak self-esteem in an Daily Center for the elderly. The Samples are selected by convenience method and divided into two equal groups, i.e. the cases and controls. The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI), Weiss and Marmar’s Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and Barton’s Communication Skills Questionnaire were instruments for data collection. After evaluating the baseline, the case group attended ten sessions of group logotherapy. During this period, the controls were only using the conventional programs of the center. At the end of the program, the baseline sessions were completed by all participants at 1 and 3-month follow-up. The collected data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures, independent t-test, and chi-square. Results: The results show that group logotherapy significantly is effect on the improvement of self-esteem, communication skills, and dealing with events in the elderly (P<0.001). However, a decrease in the effects of the trainings over time was observed in the follow-ups one and three months after the program. Conclusions: It can be concluded that group logotherapy training can be used for boosting the self-esteem, improving the communication skills, and improving proper responses to stressful events among the elderly. The durability of the benefits of these trainings requires reevaluation of this program in the long term.

Post-Hurricane Distress Scale (PHDS): A Novel Tool for First Responders and Disaster Researchers

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-89
Author(s):  
Yonatan Carl ◽  
Ediricardo Rodríguez Ortiz ◽  
Moisés Cintrón ◽  
Andy Vega ◽  
Cristina Font ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Factor Loading ◽  
Internal Reliability ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
High Risk Populations ◽  
Peritraumatic Distress ◽  
Distress Scale

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe aim of this study was the construction and validation of a novel research instrument to quantify the degree of post-hurricane trauma and distress in an affected population. The Post-Hurricane Distress Scale (PHDS) has quantitative measures of both acute and prolonged distress, attributable to meteorological and hydrological disasters.MethodsA careful evaluation of existing questionnaires, as well as extensive canvasing of the post-Maria population of Puerto Rico, availed the construction of the PHDS. The PHDS consists of 20 items, organized into 4 subscales. The PHDS was pre-validated (n=79), revised, and then distributed to a broad sampling of the post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rican population (n=597). Validation, including factor analysis, analyses of concurrent validity, discriminant validity, and internal reliability, was performed.ResultsAfter comparing various scales, factor loading profiles, concurrent validities, and models of fit, we show that the PHDS is best scored as a single 0–6 distress scale. When compared with the Traumatic Exposure Severity Scale, the PHDS shows superior concurrent validity, more accurately predicting scores for the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory, Impact of Event Scale – Revised, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Scale. The PHDS shows good internal reliability and discriminant validity.ConclusionsThe PHDS represents a novel, useful instrument for disaster first-responders and researchers. The prompt identification of high-risk populations is possible using this instrument. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:82-89)

scholarly journals Feasibility and Effectiveness of Telecounseling on the Psychological Problems of Frontline Healthcare Workers Amidst COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial from Central India

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-350
Author(s):  
Snehil Gupta ◽  
Mohit Kumar ◽  
Abhijit R. Rozatkar ◽  
Devendra Basera ◽  
Shashank Purwar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Education ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Time Effect ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

Background: Preliminary reports suggest that during the COVID-19 pandemic, telecounseling could be an effective model of psychological intervention for the frontline healthcare workers (fHCW) with psychological problems. Literature is sparse in this area, particularly from low- and middle-income countries, including India. We aimed to investigate the feasibility and the effectiveness of telecounseling (vs. general education) on the psychological problems of the fHCW over three time-points (baseline vs. end-of-session and at two and four weeks after the intervention). Methods: The study followed a single-blind, active arm versus general education, parallel-group randomized control design, with participant allocation in 1:1. Active healthcare workers (HCWs) with mild- to-severe or clinically concerning scores on any of the sub-scales of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) or Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R; represented by higher scores) were included, while those with known psychiatric illness were excluded. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test and linear-mixed effect model (group-, time, and group by time-effect) were used for analysis. Results: There were no baseline group differences (telecounseling group, active arm, n = 9; general education group, control arm, n = 10). A significant time-effect (P = 0.044 to <.001) was found on DASS-21 on intention-to-treat analysis. Per-protocol analysis, additionally, found a significant group effect on Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R; P = 0.036). A significant random effect of the participants was also found (P <.001). Conclusion: Telecounseling could be a feasible and scalable model of psychological interventions for the fHCW with psychological problems, albeit with some feasibility challenges.

Does social support from family and friends work as a buffer against reactions to stressful life events such as terminal cancer?

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
GERD INGER RINGDAL ◽  
KRISTEN RINGDAL ◽  
MARIT S. JORDHØY ◽  
STEIN KAASA
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Emotional Functioning ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Terminal Cancer ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To examine the relationship between social support and emotional functioning and stress reactions. Our hypothesis is that patients who reported a high degree of social support will experience better emotional functioning and less serious stress reactions than patients with a low degree of social support.Method: The sample was comprised of 434 patients at the Palliative Medicine Unit (PMU), University Hospital of Trondheim in Norway. The patients completed a questionnaire monthly including questions about social support from the MacAdam's Scale, subjective stress measured by the Impact of Event Scale (IES), and emotional functioning measured by the subscale in the EORTC QLQ-30.Results: Although our hypothesis was not supported at the baseline assessment, it was supported at the second assessment, 2 months later. Patients with high social support reported better emotional functioning and less serious stress reactions, in terms of lower scores on the IES avoidance subscale, than patients with a low degree of social support.Significance of the results: The mixed findings may indicate that social support has only small effects on emotional functioning and stress reactions. Our results on the second assessment indicate, however, that social support might work as a buffer against reactions toward external stressful events such as terminal cancer.

scholarly journals When Social Interaction Backfires: Frequent Social Interaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Associated With Decreased Well-Being and Higher Panic Buying

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunji Kim ◽  
Arnd Florack
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
And Behavior

The present research investigated a backfiring effect of social interaction on well-being and general confidence in Western populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across two studies, we observed that stronger self-other connectedness and frequent social communication with others during the first few weeks into the quarantine period were associated with worsened well-being and decreased general confidence. In Study 1 (n = 331), we showed that people who reported higher social connectedness and more frequent social interaction experienced declined well-being. In Study 2 (n = 327), we replicated the backfiring effect and showed that those who engaged in frequent social interaction, especially in COVID-19 related conversations, reported decreased general confidence, which mediated the accelerating effect of social interaction on panic buying. Overall, our findings indicated that frequent social interaction under a highly novel and uncertain crisis can relate to negative consequences on mental health and behavior.

When Social Interaction Backfires: Frequent Social Interaction during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period Is Associated with Decreased Well-Being and Higher Panic Buying

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunji Kim ◽  
Arnd Florack
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
And Behavior

The present research investigated a backfiring effect of social interaction on well-being and general confidence in Western populations during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Across two studies, we observed that stronger self-other connectedness and frequent social communication with others during the first few weeks into the quarantine period led to worsened well-being and decreased general confidence. In study 1 (n = 331), we showed that people who reported higher social connectedness and more frequent social interaction experienced declined well-being. In study 2 (n = 327), we replicated the backfiring effect and showed that those who engaged in frequent social interaction, especially in COVID-19 related conversations, reported decreased general confidence, which mediated the accelerating effect of social interaction on panic buying. Overall, our findings indicated that frequent social interaction under a highly novel and uncertain crisis can induce negative consequences on mental health and behavior.

scholarly journals Psychological Impact of the Quarantine-Induced Stress during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak among Italian Athletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 8867
Author(s):  
Alessandra di Cagno ◽  
Andrea Buonsenso ◽  
Francesca Baralla ◽  
Elisa Grazioli ◽  
Giulia Di Martino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Team Sport ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Induced Stress ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gender Type

The 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak caused home confinement, as well as training and sport competitions withdrawals. The prolonged inactivity impact, and lack of in-person interactions among teammates-coaches, could negatively affect athletes. Total of 1508 self-selected Italian athletes, 338 children (aged 10.52 ± 1.31), 499 adolescents (aged 14.17 ± 1.13), and 671 adults (aged 27.59 ± 10.73), completed the Impact of Event Scale (IES-8, IES-15, and IES-R, respectively). Differences by gender, type of sport (individual vs. team), and competitive level (elite vs. amateur) were examined. One-way ANOVAs showed, in adults, significant differences between genders for perceived stress impact total score (TS; p = 0.017) and avoidance behavior, with higher scores in women (p = 0.045). Between individual and team sport, significant differences were found in TS (p = 0.038) and hyperarousal (p = 0.030), with higher results in individual. Adult elite athletes showed significantly higher scores in hyperarousal (p = 0.020) than amateurs. Significant differences were found between gender in adolescents for avoidance (p = 0.011), and between competitive levels in children, for intrusion (p = 0.020). These evidences may raise awareness on distress effects of COVID-19 lockdown among athletes and suggested applying specific well-being protocols during the activity resumption, considering gender, type of sport, and competitive level.

Daily Stress and Concept of Self in Swedish Ambulance Personnel

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Jonsson ◽  
Kerstin Segesten
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Ambulance Personnel ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIntroduction:This study investigated the prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms among professional ambulance personnel in Sweden and investigated the question: “Does self-knowledge have influence on how well one copes with the effects of daily work exposure from such events?” Little is known about the variables that might be associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms in highrisk occupational groups such as ambulance service groups.Methods:Data were gathered from ambulance personnel by means of an anonymous questionnaire. Survey responses of 362 ambulance personnel from the county of Västra Götaland were analyzed. A correlation was established between post-traumatic symptoms using the impact of event scale (IES-15) and the Professional Self-Description Form (PSDF).Results:Of those who reported a traumatic situation, 21.5% scored ≥ 26 on the IES-15 subscale. Scores >26 indicate “PTSD caseness”. There were significant differences on PSDF subscales between those presenting with or without posttraumatic symptoms.Conclusions:The mental health and emotional well-being of ambulance personnel appear to be compromised by accident and emergency work. The high prevalence of PTSD symptoms in ambulance personnel indicates an inability to cope with post-traumatic stress caused by daily work experiences.

scholarly journals Personified program for correction of post-stress disorders in different categories of survivors (combatants and volunteers)

2021 ◽  
pp. 27-29
Author(s):  
Kateryna Zelenska
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stress Disorders ◽  
World Health ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Mental Trauma ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Post Stress

Combat stress has a significant impact on the individual. It is a major cause of combat mental trauma and stress disorders development. According to the World Health Organization, combat mental trauma is a direct cause of stress disorders in 80 % of survivors of hostilities, and in its long term are often observed: maladaptation, autoaggressive behavior, anxiety and depression, addiction. Against the background of use of the developed program, positive dynamics of mental state, decrease in levels of anxiety and depression, decrease in the level of groups of PTSD symptoms on the Impact of Event Scale were noted. Reducing level of maladaptation according to the method of K. Rogers and R. Diamond and level of social frustration. Thus, the developed personalized program for the correction of post-stress disorders contributes to the productive dynamics of psychopathological symptoms, reducing emotional tension, restoring a sense of psychological well-being, creating a new cognitive model of life.

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