Physical Distancing and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Factors Associated With Psychological Symptoms and Adherence to Pandemic Mitigation Strategies

In this epidemiological investigation, we assessed the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 10,061 adults participated in the study. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were 2 to 3 times higher compared with prepandemic samples. Participants who predominantly socially distanced themselves revealed substantially higher symptoms than their counterparts. Females, ethnic and sexual-orientation minorities, younger adults, unemployed individuals, and participants with a psychiatric diagnosis reported higher prevalence of psychological symptoms. Worry about prolonged duration of physical-distancing protocols and frustration of autonomy was associated with elevation in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Increased competence to deal with the pandemic crisis was associated with fewer adverse symptoms. Physical exercise, experiencing nature, and distraction with activities were associated with reduced depressive symptoms but not anxiety. The extent of information access about the pandemic was associated with reduced anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, adherence to mitigation protocols was investigated. Younger adults and males reported lowest adherence. Altruistic attitudes, in addition to mandatory as opposed to voluntary adherence, were associated with higher adherence rates. Worrying about the health of significant others was associated with higher adherence rates, whereas worry about duration of pandemic protocols was associated with lower adherence rates.

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The mental health impact of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at impeding viral transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic in a general adult population and the factors associated with adherence to these mitigation strategies

10.31234/osf.io/kjzsp ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Omid V. Ebrahimi ◽

Asle Hoffart ◽

Sverre Urnes Johnson

Keyword(s):

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Adult Population ◽

Information Access ◽

Health Impact ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

General Adult Population

This epidemiological investigation assesses the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 10,061 adults participated in the study. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were two to three times higher compared to pre-pandemic samples. Those who predominantly socially distanced themselves revealed substantially higher symptoms than their counterparts. Females, ethnic and sexual orientation minorities, younger adults, unemployed individuals, and those with a psychiatric diagnosis reported higher prevalence of psychological symptoms. Worry about prolonged duration of physical distancing protocols and frustration of autonomy was associated with elevation in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Increased competence to deal with the crisis was associated with less adverse symptoms. Physical exercise, experiencing nature, and distraction with activities were associated with less depressive symptoms, but not anxiety. The extent of information access about the pandemic was associated with reduced anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, adherence to mitigation protocols was investigated. Younger adults and males reported lowest adherence. Altruistic attitudes, in addition to mandatory as opposed to voluntary adherence was associated with higher adherence. Worrying about significant others’ health was associated with higher, while worry about duration of pandemic protocols was associated with lower adherence rates.

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Loneliness, Depression, and Anxiety Experienced by the Israeli Population During the First COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross-sectional Survey

Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal ◽

10.5041/rmmj.10449 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jason Brafman ◽

◽

Robert Lubin ◽

Revital Naor-Ziv ◽

Sarah Rosenberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Contact ◽

Electronic Media ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Israeli Population ◽

Prevalence Of Depression ◽

Younger Generation

This research letter presents our study, which sought to evaluate the differences in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness between younger and older generations at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the younger generation is generally less accustomed to facing and dealing with adversity and illness, we hypothesized that adolescents and younger adults would have a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and loneliness as compared to the older generation. It must be emphasized that this survey was conducted during the first COVID-19 lockdown that occurred in Israel from mid-March 2020 to early May 2020. This was a time when businesses were closed, individuals and families were isolated at home with very limited social contact, and feelings of fear and panic were fueled by the electronic media.

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Assessment on Occurrences of Depression and Anxiety and Associated Risk Factors in the Infertile Chinese Men

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988317695901 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 767-774 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Bin Yang ◽

Jianchao Zhang ◽

Yuxia Qi ◽

Pu Wang ◽

Ronghuan Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Short Form ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Male Population ◽

Chinese Men ◽

Prevalence Of Depression

The prevalence of depression and anxiety in the Chinese male population with infertility is still uncertain. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and a combination of both psychological symptoms was 20.8%, 7.8%, and 15.4%, respectively in 771 infertile Chinese men in the current study by the Mental Health Inventory–5 and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory–Short Form questionnaires. Differences in demographics (age, education, and income) had no noticeable impact on the development of psychological symptoms. Clinical factors such as concomitant disorders (varicocele, epididymal cyst, and erectile dysfunction) were identified as risk factors associated with depressive symptoms ( OR = 1.47; 95% CI [1.14, 1.90]; p < .001) and both depressive and anxiety symptoms ( OR = 1.56; 95% CI [1.17, 2.08]; p < .001). An infertility duration over 2 years was associated with a high risk of anxiety symptoms ( OR = 3.94; 95% CI [1.20, 12.93], p < .02). Other clinical conditions such as type of treatment and quality of sperm were not significant risk factors for psychological symptoms. This study provides evidence that Chinese men of reproductive age who suffer from infertility are vulnerable to psychological distress.

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Depression and anxiety symptoms in 17 teams of female football players including 10 German first league teams

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2017-098033 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (8) ◽

pp. 471-477 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Astrid Junge ◽

Birgit Prinz

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Football Players ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Generalised Anxiety Disorder ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Prevalence Of Depression

BackgroundInformation on the prevalence of mental health problems of elite athletes is inconclusive, most probably due to methodological limitations, such as low response rates, heterogeneous samples.AimsTo evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of depression and anxiety symptoms in high-level female football players.MethodsFemale football players of 10 German first league (Bundesliga) and 7 lower league teams were asked to answer a questionnaire on players’ characteristics, the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale.ResultsA total of 290 players (184 first and 106 lower league players) took part in the study. The CES-D score indicated mild to moderate symptoms of depression in 48 (16.6%) and severe symptoms in 41 (14.1%) players. The GAD-7 score indicated an at least moderate generalised anxiety disorder in 24 (8.3%) players. The prevalence of depression symptoms and generalised anxiety disorders was similar to the female general population of similar age. However, significantly more second league players reported symptoms of depression than first league players, and thus the prevalence of depression symptoms in second league players was higher than in the general population. Only a third of the 45 (15.7%) players who stated that they currently wanted or needed psychotherapeutic support received it.ConclusionThe prevalence of depression and generalised anxiety symptoms in elite football players is influenced by personal and sport-specific variables. It is important to raise awareness of athletes’ mental health problems in coaches and team physicians, to reduce stigma and to provide low-threshold treatment.

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Blended Care-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety in Real-World Settings: Pragmatic Retrospective Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.18723 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Anita Lungu ◽

Janie Jihee Jun ◽

Okhtay Azarmanesh ◽

Yan Leykin ◽

Connie E-Jean Chen

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽

Real World ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Care Intervention ◽

Blended Care ◽

Over Time

BACKGROUND The past few decades saw considerable advances in research and dissemination of evidence-based psychotherapies, yet available treatment resources are not able to meet the high need for care for individuals suffering from depression or anxiety. Blended care psychotherapy, which combines the strengths of therapist-led and internet interventions, can narrow this gap and be clinically effective and efficient, but has rarely been evaluated outside of controlled research settings. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the effectiveness of a blended care intervention (video-based cognitive behavior therapy and internet intervention) under real-world conditions. METHODS This is a pragmatic retrospective cohort analysis of 385 participants with clinical range depression and/or anxiety symptoms at baseline, measured using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), who enrolled in blended care psychotherapy treatment. Participants resided in the United States and had access to the blended care intervention as a mental health benefit offered through their employers. Levels of depression and anxiety were tracked throughout treatment. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the change in symptoms over time. The effects of age, gender, and providers on participants’ symptom change trajectories were also evaluated. Paired sample t-tests were also conducted, and rates of positive clinical change and clinically significant improvement were calculated. RESULTS The average depression and anxiety symptoms at 6 weeks after the start of treatment were 5.94 and 6.57, respectively. There were significant linear effects of time on both symptoms of depression and anxiety (β=–.49, <i>P</i><.001 and β=–.64, <i>P</i><.001). The quadratic effect was also significant for both symptoms of depression and anxiety (β=.04, P<.001 for both), suggesting a decelerated decrease in symptoms over time. Approximately 73% (n=283) of all 385 participants demonstrated reliable improvement, and 83% (n=319) recovered on either the PHQ-9 or GAD-7 measures. Large effect sizes were observed on both symptoms of depression (Cohen d=1.08) and of anxiety (d=1.33). CONCLUSIONS Video blended care cognitive behavioral therapy interventions can be effective and efficient in treating symptoms of depression and anxiety in real-world conditions. Future research should investigate the differential and interactive contribution of the therapist-led and digital components of care to patient outcomes to optimize care.

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THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM, NOT ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION: HOW INSOMNIA SYMPTOMS PREDICT ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.174 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S45-S45

Author(s):

Courtney J Bolstad ◽

Anisha L Thomas ◽

Michael R Nadorff

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Early Bird ◽

The Impact ◽

Insomnia Symptoms

Abstract Symptoms of insomnia are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults, yet less is known about the impact of specific forms of insomnia (i.e. onset, maintenance, and terminal insomnia). We explored how insomnia type predicted symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults (n = 133; mean age 69, range 65-89). We hypothesized that onset and maintenance insomnia would have stronger relations to depression and anxiety than terminal insomnia. Regression analyses indicated that onset insomnia was the only significant predictor of anxiety symptoms, and maintenance was the only significant predictor of depressive symptoms. Thus, our findings suggest that despite overlap between depression and anxiety, insomnia may have different mechanisms of affecting each disorder. Implications for the treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms by addressing insomnia problems will be discussed.

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The Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Overweight/Obese and Non-Overweight/Non-Obese Children/Adolescents in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16030340 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 340 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Simeng Wang ◽

Qi Sun ◽

Lingling Zhai ◽

Yinglong Bai ◽

Wei Wei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meta Analysis ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Middle School Student ◽

Chinese Economy ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Obese Children ◽

Prevalence Of Depression ◽

Scale Types

With the dramatic growth of the Chinese economy, the number of children/adolescents with being overweight/having obesity is increasing, which has a certain impact on their psychology, such as depression and anxiety symptoms. Our purpose was to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the prevalence and odds ratios of depression and anxiety symptoms among overweight/obese children/adolescents and non-overweight/obese children/adolescents in China. As of July 2018, the three most comprehensive computerized academic databases in China have been systematically screened, namely China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI) databases, Wanfang databases and Vip databases. The same operations are performed in PubMed and Web of Science (SCIE) databases without language restrictions. Case-control studies on prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in overweight/obese children/adolescents in China were analyzed. Study selection and evaluation were performed independently by three authors. Unweighted prevalence, pooled random-effects estimates of odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were all calculated. A total of 11 eligible studies involving 17,894 subjects were included. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in overweight/obese children/adolescents was significantly higher than that in non-overweight/non-obese children/adolescents (depression: 21.73% vs. 17.96%, OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.87, p = 0.003; anxiety: 39.80% vs. 13.99%, OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.79, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses conducted according to scale types showed that scale types have certain significance to evaluate the relationship between depression symptoms and overweight/obesity. The OR of depression symptoms between overweight/obese children/adolescents and non-overweight/non-obese children/adolescents was greatest on the Middle School Student Mental Health Scale (MSSMHS) was 2.06 (95% CI: 1.41, 3.02, I2 = 0.00%), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.84, 1.25, I2 = 0.00%), and Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) was 1.21 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.42, I2 = 0.00%). We concluded that the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in overweight/obese children/adolescents in China is higher than that in the non-overweight/obese children/adolescents. The results of the study indicate that the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among overweight/obese children/adolescents in Chinese medical institutions should receive more attention. Physical exercise and psychological interventions should be strengthened to prevent psychological problems. However, because of some clear limitations (no clinical interview and few studies), these results should be interpreted with caution.

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How do parents' depression and anxiety, and infants' negative temperament relate to parent–infant face-to-face interactions?

Development and Psychopathology ◽

10.1017/s0954579416000390 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 697-710 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Evin Aktar ◽

Cristina Colonnesi ◽

Wieke de Vente ◽

Mirjana Majdandžić ◽

Susan M. Bögels

Keyword(s):

Facial Expressions ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Clinical Interviews ◽

Face To Face ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Interactive Behavior ◽

Facial Expressions Of Emotion ◽

Neutral Affect

AbstractThe present study investigated the associations of mothers' and fathers' lifetime depression and anxiety symptoms, and of infants' negative temperament with parents' and infants' gaze, facial expressions of emotion, and synchrony. We observed infants' (age between 3.5 and 5.5 months, N = 101) and parents' gaze and facial expressions during 4-min naturalistic face-to-face interactions. Parents' lifetime symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed with clinical interviews, and infants' negative temperament was measured with standardized observations. Parents with more depressive symptoms and their infants expressed less positive and more neutral affect. Parents' lifetime anxiety symptoms were not significantly related to parents' expressions of affect, while they were linked to longer durations of gaze to parent, and to more positive and negative affect in infants. Parents' lifetime depression or anxiety was not related to synchrony. Infants' temperament did not predict infants' or parents' interactive behavior. The study reveals that more depression symptoms in parents are linked to more neutral affect from parents and from infants during face-to-face interactions, while parents' anxiety symptoms are related to more attention to parent and less neutral affect from infants (but not from parents).

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