scholarly journals Coronavirus disease 2019: achieving good mental health during social isolation

2020 ◽  
Vol 217 (2) ◽  
pp. 408-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rowan Diamond ◽  
John Willan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Good Mental Health

SummaryThe coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to unprecedented disruption to the normal way of life for people around the globe. Social distancing, self-isolation or shielding have been strongly advised or mandated in most countries. We suggest evidence-based ways that people can maintain or even strengthen their mental health during this crisis.

scholarly journals Responding to challenges for people with psychotic illness: Updated evidence from the Survey of High Impact Psychosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera A Morgan ◽  
Anna Waterreus ◽  
Vaughan Carr ◽  
David Castle ◽  
Martin Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
High Impact ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Psychotic Illness ◽  
Violent Victimisation

Objective: The objective is to summarise recent findings from the 2010 Australian Survey of High Impact Psychosis (SHIP) and examine their implications for future policy and planning to improve mental health, physical health and other circumstances of people with a psychotic disorder. Methods: Survey of High Impact Psychosis collected nationally representative data on 1825 people with psychotic illness. Over 60 papers have been published covering key challenges reported by participants: financial problems, loneliness and social isolation, unemployment, poor physical health, uncontrolled symptoms of mental illness, and lack of stable, suitable housing. Findings are summarised under the rubric of participant-ranked top challenges. Results: The main income source for the majority (85%) of participants was a government benefit. Only one-third was employed, and the most appropriate employment services for this group were under-utilised. High rates of loneliness and social isolation impacted mental and physical health. The rate of cardiometabolic disease was well above the general population rate, and associated risk factors were present from a very young age. Childhood abuse (30.6%), adult violent victimisation (16.4%) and alcohol and substance abuse/dependence (lifetime rates of 50.5% and 54.5%, respectively) complicated the clinical profile. Treatment with medication was suboptimal, with physical health conditions undertreated, a high rate of psychotropic polypharmacy and underutilisation of clozapine in chronic persistent psychotic illness. Only 38.6% received evidence-based psychosocial therapies. In the previous year, 27.4% had changed housing and 12.8% had been homeless, on average for 155 days. Conclusion: Money, social engagement and employment are the most important challenges for people with psychotic illness, as well as good physical and mental health. An integrated approach to recovery is needed to optimise service delivery and augment evidence-based clinical practice with measures to improve physical health and social circumstances. Meeting these challenges has the potential to reduce costs to government and society, as well as promote recovery.

scholarly journals Time-Dependent Effects of Exposure to Nature and Perceived Behavioral Control over Social Distancing in Shared Open Spaces on Psychological Distress of Residents during Pandemic of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyyedeh Fatemeh Mousavinia
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
The Body ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Positive Effects

Abstract Background: Further research into the influence of the COVID-19 epidemic on mental health is needed. Some research has highlighted the positive effects of nature exposure on mental health, as well as the importance of subjective assessments of green spaces. Methods: Considering both private and semi-public environments, the current longitudinal study examines the moderating effects of exposure to nature and perceived behavioral control over social distancing on the relationship between perceived interior crowding, social isolation, and psychological distress. Finally, it investigates whether these connections change through time. During the Iranian national lockdowns, data from 718 middle-aged women who completed an online questionnaire survey in two waves were used. Results and Conclusion: The findings of structural equation modeling back up the idea that social isolation plays a key role in the association between perceived interior crowding and psychological distress. Multi-Group Analysis revealed that exposure to nature reduced the negative effects of perceived interior crowding on psychological distress, as predicted. Nevertheless, this relationship is time-dependent and nature exposure during the time did not necessarily assist in reducing negative impacts. The current research adds to the body of knowledge by identifying perceived behavioral control as a buffer against the adverse effects of social isolation on psychological distress over time. These findings provide for a better understanding of psychological processes and could help in the promotion of design policies in the event of a pandemic.

scholarly journals Short-term changes in behaviors resulting from COVID-19-related social isolation and their influences on mental health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nestor Asiamah ◽  
Frank Frimpong Opuni ◽  
Edwin Mends-Brew ◽  
Samuel Worlanyo Mensah ◽  
Henry Kofi Mensah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Social Distancing

Abstract Withdrawing from social activities abruptly can be associated with anxiety and mental health struggles, but this behavior is unavoidable when an infectious disease such as Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading. With many governments taking to social distancing protocols, short-term changes in behaviors and their influences on health are expected. This study adopted a correlational research approach to assess the behavioral outcomes of the social distancing protocols and its influences on mental health. An online survey hosted by Survey Monkey was utilized to collect data from residents of three cities under a COVID-19 mandatory lockdown. A total of 621 surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis, with a sensitivity analysis utilized to select potential covariates for the final regression model. Findings indicate that reduced physical activity time, increased sedentary behavior time, and a change in sexual activity and smoking frequency are some short-term changes in behavior resulting from social isolation during the lockdown. An increase in sedentary behavior made a negative influence on mental health (β = -0.85; t = -46.76, p = 0.000). The only change in behavior that has a positive influence on mental health is substance use. For the most part, changes in behaviors in the short-term attributable to COVID-19 social isolation were associated with lower mental health scores. Our findings imply that COVID-19 social distancing measures should be rolled out alongside public education programs for discouraging unhealthy changes in behaviors.

scholarly journals Addiction care in crisis: evidence should drive progressive policy and practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 215 (6) ◽  
pp. 702-703
Author(s):  
Kamaldeep S. Bhui ◽  
Peter Byrne ◽  
Diane Goslar ◽  
Julia Sinclair
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
National Government ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Good Mental Health ◽  
Specialist Services ◽  
Health Specialist ◽  
Progressive Policy ◽  
Addiction Care

SummaryAddictions are challenging health and social problems that need to be addressed to preserve and promote good mental health and ensure that individuals within society lead healthy and productive lives. Tackling addictions is complex and requires communities, public health, specialist services, and local and national government to act in unison and implement evidence-based interventions. This editorial raises systemic issues that need attention and proposes a range of systemic options.

scholarly journals Increase in Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Association with Mental Health: Findings from the JACSIS 2020 Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8238
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Murayama ◽  
Ryo Okubo ◽  
Takahiro Tabuchi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Asian Populations ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
Good Mental Health ◽  
Socially Isolated

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is assumed to have caused an increase in the number of socially isolated people. However, the prevalence of social isolation during the pandemic has not been well studied, particularly among Asian populations. This study investigated changes in the prevalence of social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and examined its association with mental health among the general Japanese population. Data were obtained from a large-scale, web-based nationwide survey conducted from August to September 2020 (n = 28,000; aged 15–79 years). Social isolation was defined as less frequent contact with people other than co-residing family members. We assessed the participants’ frequency of contact in January (before the pandemic) and August 2020 (during the pandemic). Mental health outcomes included psychological distress, suicidal ideation, loneliness, and fear of COVID-19. We analyzed the data of 25,482 respondents. The weighted prevalence (95% confidence interval) of social isolation was 21.2% (20.7–21.7%) and 27.9% (27.3–28.4%) before and during the pandemic, respectively. The prevalence of social isolation increased by 6.7 (6.3–7.0) percentage points during the pandemic. Older people and men had the greatest increase in the prevalence of social isolation. People who became socially isolated during the pandemic had greater loneliness and fear of COVID-19 than those who were consistently not socially isolated since before the pandemic. This study suggested that social isolation had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Our findings highlight the importance of developing immediate measures against social isolation to maintain good mental health.

scholarly journals Review of Sleep Problems Related to Social Distancing and Home Confinement During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-91
Author(s):  
Wan Seok Seo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Home School ◽  
Sleep Patterns ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The World ◽  
Sleep Difficulties ◽  
At Home

Since the first outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in December 2019, we have experienced many changes that we have never ex- perienced before. Governments around the world have instituted various forms of social isolation measures to prevent the spread of COV- ID-19. These measures include social distancing, home confinement, quarantine, and lockdown. Unfortunately, these measures have in- creased the ambiguity of the economic situation and the uncertainty regarding the future. For many individuals, these actions resulted in changes in routines at home, school, and work; changes in roles at home, mental health, and physical activity; and changes in circadian cues. All of these alterations resulted in disruptions in sleep patterns and sleep difficulties. In this paper, the alterations in sleep patterns and the sleep difficulties related to social isolation policies would be reviewed. These include social distancing and home confinement. Finally, meth- ods to improve sleep problems also reviewed.

scholarly journals What predicts adherence to COVID-19 government guidelines? Longitudinal analyses of 51,000 UK adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam Wright ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Daisy Fancourt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Longitudinal Analyses ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Voluntary Cooperation

AbstractIn the absence of a vaccine, governments have focused on social distancing, self-isolation, and increased hygiene procedures to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Compliance with these measures requires voluntary cooperation from citizens. Yet, compliance is not complete, and existing studies provide limited understanding of what factors influence compliance; in particular modifiable factors. We use weekly panel data from 51,000 adults across the first three months of lockdown in the UK to identify factors that are related to compliance with COVID-19 guidelines. We find evidence that increased confidence in government to tackle the pandemic is longitudinally related to higher compliance, but little evidence that factors such as mental health and wellbeing, worries about future adversities, and social isolation and loneliness are related to changes in compliance. Our results suggest that to effectively manage the pandemic, governments should ensure that confidence is maintained, something which has not occurred in all countries.

scholarly journals “Communitas in Crisis”: An Autoethnography of Psychosis Under Lockdown

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110252
Author(s):  
Alison Fixsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Ward

In this article, I use autoethnography to examine time spent on an acute psychiatric ward during the COVID-19 lockdown. I employ the device of “communitas in crisis” to emphasize the precarious nature of this experience and the extent to which, for myself at least, informal social interactions with fellow patients and “communitas” were significant features of my hospital experience and subsequent discharge. I suggest that a lack of emphasis on inpatient to inpatient relationships in the recovery literature is an omission and a reflection of psychiatry’s authority struggles with both service users and professionals, along with a general perception of psychosis as individual rather than as a socially constructed phenomenon. I also suggest that, especially in the wake of greater social distancing, mental health and social services should safeguard against psychological and social isolation by creating more spaces for struggling people to interact without fear or prejudice.

scholarly journals Public perceptions and experiences of social distancing and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a UK-based focus group study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e039334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon N Williams ◽  
Christopher J Armitage ◽  
Tova Tampe ◽  
Kimberly Dienes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Early Stages

ObjectiveThis study explored UK public perceptions and experiences of social distancing and social isolation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignThis qualitative study comprised five focus groups, carried out online during the early stages of the UK’s stay at home order (‘lockdown’), and analysed using a thematic approach.SettingFocus groups took place via online videoconferencing.ParticipantsParticipants (n=27) were all UK residents aged 18 years and older, representing a range of gender, ethnic, age and occupational backgrounds.ResultsQualitative analysis revealed four main themes: (1) loss—participants’ loss of (in-person) social interaction, loss of income and loss of structure and routine led to psychological and emotional ‘losses’ such as loss of motivation, loss of meaning and loss of self-worth; (2) criticisms of government communication—participants reported a lack of trust in government and a lack of clarity in the guidelines around social distancing and isolation; (3) adherence—participants reported high self-adherence to social distancing guidelines but reported seeing or hearing of non-adherence in others; (4) uncertainty around social reintegration and the future—some participants felt they would have lingering concerns over social contact while others were eager to return to high levels of social activity.Most participants, and particularly those in low-paid or precarious employment, reported feeling that the social distancing and isolation associated with COVID-19 policy has had negative impacts on their mental health and well-being during the early stages of the UK’s ‘lockdown’.ConclusionsA rapid response is necessary in terms of public health programming to mitigate the mental health impacts of COVID-19 social distancing and isolation. Social distancing and isolation ‘exit strategies’ must account for the fact that, although some individuals will voluntarily or habitually continue to socially distance, others will seek high levels of social engagement as soon as possible.

scholarly journals An e-mental health intervention to support burdened people in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: CoPE It

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 647-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Bäuerle ◽  
Johanna Graf ◽  
Christoph Jansen ◽  
Nora Dörrie ◽  
Florian Junne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Health Intervention ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mental Health Intervention ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Abstract The outbreak of the novel SARS CoV-2-virus (COVID-19) is pushing national and international healthcare systems to their limits. The aspect of mental health issues, which has been neglected (so far) in times of social isolation and governmental restrictions, now demands innovative and situation-based approaches to support psychological burdened people. The developed e-mental health intervention ‘CoPE It’ offers manualized, evidence-based psychotherapeutic/psychological support to overcome psychological distress in times of COVID-19. E-mental health approaches offer great possibilities to support burdened people during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic effectively.

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