scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on mental health and quality of life: Is there any effect? A cross-sectional study of the MENA region

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0249107
Author(s):  
Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri ◽  
Mo’ath F. Bataineh ◽  
Maysm N. Mohamad ◽  
Abir Ajab ◽  
Amina Al Marzouqi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Support ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis that has changed the life of millions globally. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the pandemic on mental health and quality of life among the general population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. A total of 6142 adults from eighteen countries within the MENA region completed an online questionnaire between May and June 2020. Psychological impact was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the social and family support impact was assessed with questions from the Perceived Support Scale (PSS). The IES-R mean score was 29.3 (SD = 14.8), corresponding to mild stressful impact with 30.9% reporting severe psychological impact. Most participants (45%–62%) felt horrified, apprehensive, or helpless due to COVID-19. Furthermore, over 40% reported increased stress from work and financial matters. Higher IES-R scores were found among females, participants aged 26–35 years, those with lower educational level, and participants residing in the North Africa region (p<0.005). About 42% reported receiving increased support from family members, 40.5% were paying more attention to their mental health, and over 40% reported spending more time resting since the pandemic started. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mild psychological impact while it also encouraged some positive impact on family support and mental health awareness among adults in the MENA region. Clinical interventions targeted towards vulnerable groups such as females and younger adults are needed.

scholarly journals Severe psychological impact and impaired quality of life after a spontaneous haemoperitoneum in pregnancy in women with endometriosis and their partners

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168
Author(s):  
A.M.F. Schreurs ◽  
M.C.I. LIER ◽  
D.B.M. Koning ◽  
C.W.A. Brals ◽  
M.A. De Boer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Psychological Help ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
In Pregnancy

Background: Spontaneous Haemoperitoneum in Pregnancy (SHiP) is a rare, but life-threatening complication of pregnancy that occurs predominantly in the third trimester of pregnancy and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Recently the largest case series in literature was published describing 11 Dutch cases of SHiP in women with endometriosis. Purpose: To investigate experiences, psychological impact, and quality of life after SHiP. Methods: A mixed-methods study was performed in women with a history of SHiP and their partners, including all known cases in the Netherlands between 2007 to 2015. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were organized between 2016 and 2017 and analysed thematically with a framework approach. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires investigating the impact of the event (Impact of Event Scale) and Quality of Life (RAND-36). Results: Out of a total of 11 known cases, 7 women agreed for be individually interviewed. From these, all women described a freeze response at the moment of SHiP, combined with either an anxious reaction or a survival mode mind-set. All women received psychological help after SHiP. Still, the feeling of not being heard by the medical staff was present in all women. Other themes such as postpartum period, bonding with their child, effect on daily life, reviving the event, and future pregnancies were also identified in the interviews. In regard to their partners, 3 were interviewed, hence no saturation was achieved. Finally, the questionnaires showed lower Quality of Life and an impact score of ≥ 8/10. Conclusion: SHiP had a profound impact on women and their partners. Dedicated psychological help should be offered to all women after experiencing SHiP.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Quality of Life among Local Residents in Liaoning Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingfei Zhang ◽  
Zheng Feei Ma
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Liaoning Province ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Our study aimed to investigate the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and quality of life among local Chinese residents aged ≥18 years in Liaoning Province, mainland China. An online survey was distributed through a social media platform between January and February 2020. Participants completed a modified validated questionnaire that assessed the Impact of Event Scale (IES), indicators of negative mental health impacts, social and family support, and mental health-related lifestyle changes. A total of 263 participants (106 males and 157 females) completed the study. The mean age of the participants was 37.7 ± 14.0 years, and 74.9% had a high level of education. The mean IES score in the participants was 13.6 ± 7.7, reflecting a mild stressful impact. Only 7.6% of participants had an IES score ≥26. The majority of participants (53.3%) did not feel helpless due to the pandemic. On the other hand, 52.1% of participants felt horrified and apprehensive due to the pandemic. Additionally, the majority of participants (57.8–77.9%) received increased support from friends and family members, increased shared feeling and caring with family members and others. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mild stressful impact in our sample, even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing. These findings would need to be verified in larger population studies.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on a cohort of patients treated with clozapine

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Y. Fahy ◽  
B Dineen ◽  
C McDonald ◽  
B Hallahan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Beck Anxiety Inventory ◽  
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives: To examine the psychological and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions on a cohort of patients with severe and enduring mental illness treated with clozapine. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 63 individuals attending a clozapine clinic within the Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services to determine the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on anxiety and depressive symptoms, social and occupational functioning and quality of life, utilising Likert Scale data. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) were additionally utilised to measure anxiety symptoms cross-sectionally. Results: Anxiety symptoms were low with a median Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score of 4.0 and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) score of 4.0. Likert scale measurements recorded only a modest adverse impact of COVID-19 restrictions on anxiety and depressive symptoms, quality of life and occupational and social functioning. Free-text comments from patients (n=55), were grouped into five themes (neutral impact (n=22), negative psychological impact (n=13), negative social impact (n=11), positive psychological impact (n=5), and media coverage inducing anxiety (n=4)). Conclusions: Three months into the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions, the impact on individuals with treatment resistant psychotic disorders attending a clozapine clinic has been modest, with preliminary evidence demonstrating minimal increases in subjective symptoms of anxiety and reduced social functioning. Reduced social engagements and supports attainable both within the community and from mental health services was noted by some participants.

Quality of Life and Mental Health of Infertile Women Affected by Endometriosis: A Narrative Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-244
Author(s):  
Cristina Zarbo ◽  
Agostino Brugnera ◽  
Rita Secomandi ◽  
Ilario Candeloro ◽  
Chiara Malandrino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Stress Perception ◽  
Infertile Women ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Treatment ◽  
General Quality ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Test Outcomes

Objective: Infertility has a severe impact on quality of life and mental health. This condition could be exacerbated by the existence of comorbid medical disease, like endometriosis. The aim of this critical narrative review is the examination of the state of the art about the quality of life and mental health in infertile women with endometriosis. Methods: We performed a rigorous and systematic search for studies on multiple electronic databases. A total of 6 papers were included in the review and were subjected to interpretative and critical narrative synthesis. Results and Discussion: Major findings are resumed in the following points: (a) infertile women with endometriosis when compared to infertile ones without endometriosis show higher depression, stress perception, and anxiety, and lower general quality of life; (b) quality of life specifically related to infertility is similar among women with and without endometriosis and seems to be related to personality and beliefs factors; (c) giving birth to a child is related to better mental quality of life; (d) during assisted reproductive treatment (ART) stimulation, infertile women with endometriosis have a decrease of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia; (e) satisfaction of ART is related to the number of attempts, treatment accomplishment and pregnancy test outcomes. Clinical implications of these findings and suggestions for future researches were discussed. Conclusion: Concluding, it is crucial to assess the psychological factors related to endometriosis and infertility to reduce the impact of these diseases on quality of life and mental health, provide adequate support to these patients, improve their satisfaction and increase the change to get pregnant.

scholarly journals Promoting the Quality of Life of Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6813
Author(s):  
Chia-Jung Lee ◽  
Yen Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Learning Center ◽  
Learning Centers ◽  
Technology Learning ◽  
The Impact

This study explored the technology learning model of the elderly in a senior learning center under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many senior learning centers were closed during the pandemic, and many of them adopted the mode of online education. However, problems such as decreased motivation and a lack of peer interaction still exist. To solve these problems, this study used the easy-to-implement calligraphy AR approach and E-book approach to conduct a quasi-experiment on the elderly of a calligraphy course offered by a senior learning center. The results show a higher learning motivation among the elderly who use calligraphy AR. The learning effectiveness and technology acceptance of the elderly in the E-book learning group were higher than those in the calligraphy AR group. The elderly mentioned that the E-book learning approach is more user-friendly. In general, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the suspension of classes in senior centers, education through the development of technology has stimulated the growth of education in advanced learning centers. Through this kind of scientific and technological learning method, it will bring a whole new experience to the elderly. It can improve the stress relief methods, mental health, and quality of life of the elderly during the COVID-19 emergency shutdown, and provide a novel calligraphy technique learning experience for the elderly. Therefore, we believe that the calligraphy AR learning approach and the calligraphy E-book learning approach are practical and may promote quality of life and mental health of the elderly during the emergency closures due to COVID-19, providing elderly attendees with a novel calligraphy technology learning experience.

Quality of Life Following Stroke: A Qualitative Study Across 30 Years

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-162
Author(s):  
Steffany M. Chleboun ◽  
Kathryn Brady ◽  
Jennie Zelenak
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Resilience Theory ◽  
Grounded Theory Methodology ◽  
Long Period ◽  
The Impact

Much of what we know about stroke is limited to the first 5 years postinjury; however, the effects of having a stroke remain several years, even decades, postinjury, and the impact this has on an individual's quality of life over a long period of time is not completely understood. Purpose The purpose of this study was to understand one woman's experience living with the effects of stroke over multiple decades postinjury and to explore factors that affected her quality of life during this time. Method Using Grounded Theory methodology, data were drawn from 28 years of journals kept by the participant and from semistructured family interviews. Results Four major interacting themes emerged from the data: family support, faith, personality, and journaling. Findings are discussed in the context of resilience theory.

scholarly journals Killing in Combat; the Diverging Mental Health Impact on Distinct Veteran Populations – A Two-Sample Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Espetvedt Nordstrand ◽  
Christer Lunde Gjerstad ◽  
Odin Hjemdal ◽  
Are Holen ◽  
Tore Tveitstul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
The Impact

This study examined the warzone stressors: killing in combat, experiencing personal threats, or traumatic witnessing during deployment in relation to psychological distress, alcohol consumption and quality of life at long-term follow-up. The study was conducted in two samples of Norwegian veterans who had served in Afghanistan (Study 1, N = 4,053) or in Lebanon (Study 2, N = 10,605), respectively. Data were collected through two postdeployment mental health surveys conducted by the Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services. Using linear regressions, we investigated the impact of warzone stressors on posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, anxiety, insomnia, alcohol use, and quality of life. In study 1 (Afghanistan veterans), killing was not a significant predictor of psychological distress, alcohol use, or quality of life, when controlling for Personal Threats and Witnessing exposure. In study 2 (Lebanon veterans) killing remained a significant predictor (p &lt; .001) of symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety, after controlling for other warzone stressors. However, killing was not a significant predictor of alcohol use or quality of life in Study 2. In summary, killing in combat may be associated with increased reports of psychological distress, but there were distinct results in the two studies. Differences in mission statements, rules of engagement, and mental states during combat could explain the diverging outcomes. The results indicate that it may be erroneous to ubiquitously regard killing in combat as a moral stressor, and highlight the importance of clear rules of engagements that accounts for the “on the ground” reality of soldiers.

scholarly journals Implantação de Terapia Comunitária online: tecnologia do cuidado em tempos de pandemia

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (esp. 1) ◽  
pp. 393-408
Author(s):  
André Luiz Pereira Silva ◽  
Doralice Otaviano ◽  
Fernanda Cruz Vieira Ferreira ◽  
Jurema Valkiria Otaviano ◽  
Jussara Otaviano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Psychosocial Crisis

Suddenly in March 2020 we found ourselves confined and isolated in our homes, due to a global health crisis arising from a pandemic, caused by the contamination of a virus called COVID-19. This health crisis also generated a crisis in the social determinants of health, especially those related to the economy, education and culture. But it also generated another crisis, the psychosocial crisis, where populations affected by the effects of mental damage caused by the pandemic and isolation, showed important signs of stress. It is in this scenario that the Integrative Community Therapy, previously carried out in person, is renewed and reinvented. This article reports on the experience of implementing the Integrative Community Therapy online in Brazil and presents the results of the Afinando Vidas Pole in the contribution of improving the quality of life and the individual and collective mental health of the Brazilian population.

scholarly journals Social isolation and quarantine in the COVID-19 pandemic: impacts on mental health and quality of population life

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e30510212535
Author(s):  
Gabriel Kiaro Leite Nunes ◽  
Karinne Alice Santos de Araújo ◽  
Thais Ranielle Souza de Oliveira ◽  
Marcelina da Conceição Botelho Teixeira ◽  
Ieler Ferreira Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
World Population ◽  
The World ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about major changes in the lifestyle of the world population. Due to the lack of vaccines or a definitive treatment for disease, governments around the world have adopted social isolation and quarantine as methods to control the spread of the virus. Objective: Thus, the objective of this study was to discuss how social isolation and quarantine periods affected people's mental health and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An integrative literature review was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic between March and September 2020, establishing the following guiding question: How did social isolation and quarantine affect the mental health and quality of life of the population in the COVID-19 pandemic? Results: The final sample consisted of nineteen (19) articles, two (2) addressed depression during the pandemic period, three (3) presented the pandemic and the relationship with sociodemographic aspects, five (5) analyzed mental health in the pandemic, four (4) reported the impact of COVID-19 on the population's style and quality of life and the last five (5) demonstrated the quality of human relationships and emotional aspects in the face of the pandemic. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that isolation and the quarantine period had a negative impact on the population's quality of life and long-term mental health.

scholarly journals Attitudes About COVID-19 and Health: A Mixed-Methods Smartphone-App and Online Survey Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. Hood ◽  
Hanne Stotesbury ◽  
Jennifer Murphy ◽  
Melanie Kölbel ◽  
April Slee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Monthly Survey

BACKGROUND Behavioral mitigation strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in sweeping lifestyle changes, with short and long-term psychological, well-being, and quality of life implications. The Attitudes About COVID-19 and Health (ATTACH) study focuses on understanding attitudes and beliefs whilst considering the impact on mental and physical health and the influence of broader demographic and geographic factors on attitudes, beliefs, and mental health burden. OBJECTIVE In this assessment of our first wave of data collection, we provide baseline cohort descriptives of ATTACH study participants in the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), and Mexico. Additionally, we assess responses to daily poll questions related to COVID-19 and conduct a cross-sectional analysis of baseline assessments collected in the UK between June 26 and October 31, 2020. METHODS The ATTACH study uses smartphone-app technology and online survey data collection. Participants completed poll questions twice daily related to COVID-19 and a monthly survey assessing mental health, social isolation, physical health, and quality of life. Poll question responses were graphed using 95% Clopper-Pearson (exact) tests with 95% confidence intervals. Pearson correlations, hierarchical linear regression analyses, and generalized linear models assessed relationships, predictors of self-reported outcomes, and group differences, respectively. RESULTS By October 31, 2020, 1405, 80, and 90 participants had consented to participate in the UK, USA, and Mexico, respectively. Descriptive data for the UK daily poll questions indicated that participants were generally following social distancing measures, but worry and negative impacts on families increased as the pandemic progressed. Although participants generally reported feeling that the reasons for current measures had been made clear, there was low trust that the government was doing everything in its power to meet public needs. In the UK, 1282 participants also completed a monthly survey (95% white, 72% female, 21% key or essential workers). Nineteen percent of UK participants reported a pre-existing mental health disorder, 31% reported a pre-existing chronic medical illness, and 35% were over 65. Fifty-seven percent of participants reported being more sedentary since the pandemic began, and 41% reported reduced access to medical care. Those with poorer mental health outcomes lived in more deprived neighborhoods, in larger households (ps < .05), had more pre-existing mental health disorders and medical conditions, and were younger than 65 years (all ps < .001). CONCLUSIONS Communities who have been exposed to additional harm during the COVID-19 pandemic were experiencing worse mental outcomes. Factors including having a medical condition, or living in a deprived neighborhood or larger household were associated with heightened risk. Future longitudinal studies should investigate the link between COVID-19 exposure, mental health, and sociodemographic and residential characteristics.

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