scholarly journals Teachers’ mental health during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257252
Author(s):  
Tomasz Daniel Jakubowski ◽  
Magdalena Maja Sitko-Dominik

Background Teaching work is stressful, moreover during the pandemic teachers’ stress might have been intensified by distance education as well as by limited access to social support, which functions as a buffer in experiencing stress. The aim of the research was to investigate the relation between distance education and teachers’ well-being, and their close relations and other social relations during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The research was conducted in two stages on 285 Polish primary and secondary school teachers who were recruited by means of the chain referral method. The following measures were used: The Depression Anxiety & Stress Scales-21, Berlin Social Support Scales, The Relationship Satisfaction Scale and The Injustice Experience Questionnaire. Results The teachers experienced at least mild levels of stress, anxiety and depression, both during the first as well as the second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. It has been confirmed that there is a negative relation between relationship quality change and social relations quality change, and stress, anxiety and depression. The variables taken into consideration in the research have provided the explanation for the variation of stress—from 6% in the first stage of the research to 47% in the second stage; for the variation of anxiety—from 21% to 31%; and for the variation of depression—from 12% to 46%, respectively. Conclusions The research results show that due to distance work the distinction between professional work and family life might have been blurred, and as a consequence teachers’ well-being could have been worsened. The isolation put on to stop the spreading of the virus might have contributed to changes in social relations, in close relations in particular, and at the same time negatively influenced teachers’ abilities to effectively cope with the crisis situations.

1995 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anup K Singh ◽  
Punam Sahgal

Based on 172 responses to a questionnaire containing various measures of stress, strain, social support, and undermining, this article by Anup K Singh and Punam Sahgal examines patterns of these measures among men and women as well as single and dual career couples. The results indicate that men experience greater role erosion than women, single career husbands have higher well-being, and working women display higher irritability, anxiety, and depression.


2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather R. Fuller-Iglesias ◽  
Toni Antonucci

The Convoy Model suggests that at different stages of the lifespan the makeup of the social support network varies in step with developmental and contextual needs. Cultural norms may shape the makeup of social convoys as well as denote socio-demographic differences in social support. This study examines the social convoys of adults in Mexico. Specifically, it examines whether social network structure varies by age, gender, and education level, thus addressing the paucity of research on interpersonal relations in Mexico. A sample of 1,202 adults (18–99 years of age) was drawn from the Study of Social Relations and Well-being in Mexico. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated older adults had larger, more geographically proximate networks with a greater proportion of kin but less frequent contact. Women had larger, less geographically proximate networks with less frequent contact. Less educated individuals had smaller, more geographically proximate networks with more frequent contact and a greater proportion of kin. Age moderated gender and education effects indicated that younger women have more diverse networks and less educated older adults have weaker social ties. This study highlights socio-demographic variation in social convoys within the Mexican context, and suggests implications for fostering intergenerational relationships, policy, and interventions. Future research on Mexican convoys should further explore sources of support, and specifically address implications for well-being.


2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly A. Cotter ◽  
Aurora M. Sherman

Exercise self-efficacy is a powerful predictor of physical activity behavior, which enhances health and well-being for older adults. Social relations have been proposed as influential precursors for exercise self-efficacy. In a longitudinal study of 160 older adults with osteoarthritis (76.9% women), the authors found that social support (but not social strain) significantly predicted exercise self-efficacy in a structural equation model examining cross-sectional data: χ2(178, N = 160) = 264.57, p < .01; RMSEA = .06; CFI = .92; TLI = .90. When data were examined longitudinally, however, social strain (but not social support) significantly predicted lower exercise self-efficacy 1 year later: χ2(233, N = 160) = 288.64, p < .01; RMSEA = .04; CFI = .96; TLI = .95. Results support the negativity effect, suggesting that social strain might be the more potent aspect of social relations and should be the target of interventions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pragya G. Poudel ◽  
Hailey E. Bauer ◽  
Zhaoming Wang ◽  
I-Chan Huang

ABSTRACTImportanceNearly 89,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 15 to 39 years old are diagnosed with cancer in U.S. annually. Cancer diagnosis in AYAs often alters achievement of age-specific milestones, interferes with interpersonal relations, and disrupts social life. However, social relations in AYA survivors and associations with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have been understudied.ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of cancer on PROs in AYA survivors and identify social integration mechanisms through which cancer experiences influence PROs.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingA national Internet survey panel maintained by Opinions 4 Good (Portsmouth, New Hampshire).Participants102 AYA survivors and 102 age/sex/race-matched noncancer controls.ExposureSurvivors were exposed to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy during AYA.Main outcomes and measuresParticipants identified 25 closest friends/relatives they have contacted in past two years. Their interpersonal connections with each of 25 friends/relatives were used to create a social network index. The Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and PROMIS-29 Profile was used to measure social support, loneliness, and PROs (physical functioning, pain interference, fatigue, anxiety, and depression), respectively.ResultsAYA survivors of lymphoma, leukemia, and solid tumor had significantly better social networks than controls (all p-values <0.05). However, solid tumor and central nervous system malignancy survivors experienced higher loneliness than controls. Compared to controls, survivors had significantly poorer PROs in all domains. Cancer experience directly influenced all PRO domains (all p-values <0.05 except fatigue) and indirectly through social network-social support-loneliness pathways (all p-values <0.05). Survivors with high loneliness had lower physical functioning, higher pain interference, fatigue, anxiety, and depression compared with noncancer controls (all p-values <0.05).Conclusions and relevanceAYA survivors were more socially connected, but experienced greater loneliness than controls. The perceived loneliness greatly influenced PROs. Future research should focus on the functional aspects of social relations rather than considering the structural aspects of social integration, which would provide an opportunity for appropriate interventions to improve health outcomes through social integration.KEY POINTSQuestionHow do social relationships associate with self-reported health outcomes between adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors and noncancer controls?FindingsThis cross-sectional study revealed that AYA survivors were more socially connected, but perceived greater loneliness compared to noncancer controls. AYA survivors with high loneliness had lower physical functioning, higher pain interference, fatigue, anxiety, and depression compared to noncancer controls.MeaningThe findings of this study suggest that appropriate interventions, focused on improving functional social networks to further meet the needs of AYA cancer survivors, may function as a mean to prevent perceived loneliness and help achieve optimal health outcomes.


Author(s):  
Midori Matsushima ◽  
Hanna Horiguchi

ABSTRACT Objective: This study explores the mental well-being of pregnant women in Japan during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: We collected 1777 responses from pregnant women through an online survey. Using the Japanese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), we calculated the percentage of pregnant women above the cutoff (≥ 13), and the factor scores of anhedonia, anxiety, and depression. Regression analyses were performed to identify factors and socioeconomic characteristics correlated with depressive symptoms. Results: The point prevalence of pregnant women with an EPDS score of ≥ 13 was 17%. The mean scores were 0.73, 3.68, and 1.82 for anhedonia, anxiety, and depression, respectively. The probability of becoming above the cutoff score positively correlated with the cancellation of planned informal support, higher perceived risk for infection of COVID-19, difficulties in household finances, and lack of social support. Moreover, being younger, less wealthy, unemployed, and without a partner showed a significantly higher possibility of having a score above the cutoff. Conclusions: The present study found a high percentage of pregnant women with depressive symptoms. Notably, COVID-19-related variables, including perceived risk for the infection, fear of decreasing economic wealth, and social support, were significantly associated with depressive symptoms.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-47
Author(s):  
Aysegul Ozdemir Topaloglu

Abstract   Social support is a basic need for a young person. Social relations are of great importance to maintain psychological well-being and social relations at a satisfying level, to stop feeling lonely and adapt oneself to society. This study was planned and conducted within a descirptive framework in order to examine the factors related to the social loneliness levels perceived by the students of Vocational School of Health Services, Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Education at Biruni University. Method: a total of 218 students from Vocational School of Health Services, Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Education at Biruni University who agreed to participate in the research were included with a participation rate of 83 percent. Data was collected with socio-demographic information form and 20-question UCLA Loneliness Scale at the beginning of 2014-2015 academic year. Written and oral permissions were taken from the related institutions and the students before the study was conducted. Independent t test corelation, variance analyses and descriptive statistics were utilized for data analysis with SPSS 20.0 package. This study is a descriptive one and general screening method was used. Keywords: Social support, medical school students, loneliness.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1247-1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K. McKenzie ◽  
Sunny Collings ◽  
Gabrielle Jenkin ◽  
Jo River

Men’s mental health has remained undertheorized, particularly in terms of the gendered nature of men’s social relations. While the importance of social connections and strong supportive networks for improving mental health and well-being is well documented, we know little about men’s social support networks or how men go about seeking or mobilizing social support. An in-depth understanding of the gendered nature of men’s social connections and the ways in which the interplay between masculinity and men’s social connections can impact men’s mental health is needed. Fifteen life history interviews were undertaken with men in the community. A theoretical framework of gender relations was used to analyze the men’s interviews. The findings provide rich insights into men’s diverse patterns of practice in regards to seeking or mobilizing social support. While some men differentiated between their social connections with men and women, others experienced difficulties in mobilizing support from existing connections. Some men maintained a desire to be independent, rejecting the need for social support, whereas others established support networks from which they could actively seek support. Overall, the findings suggest that patterns of social connectedness among men are diverse, challenging the social science literature that frames all men’s social relationships as being largely instrumental, and men as less able and less interested than women in building emotional and supportive relationships with others. The implications of these findings for promoting men’s social connectedness and mental health are discussed.


Author(s):  
Carla Cruz ◽  
Paula Nelas ◽  
Emília Coutinho ◽  
Cláudia Chaves ◽  
Odete Amaral

Abstract.THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT ON PARENT/BABY BONDINGBackground: The social support is an important factor in the establishment of bonding between parent and baby, because it involve the quality of social relations in the family. This factor has been pointed out a psychosocial variable involved in adaptation to parenthood.Objective: Investigate the influence between social support and bonding of father and baby.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study, correlational descriptive, quantitative, attended by 349 parents, aged between 19 and 55, with an average age of 31,84 (sd=6,067). To providing a reliable sample characterization the social-demographic, obstetric and pregnancy variables, we applied questionnaires and also the Satisfaction Scale with the Social Support (Ribeiro, 1999) and Bonding Scale (Figueiredo et al., 2005).Results: This study reveals that positive bonding is influenced by age (p=0,010), qualifications (p=0,045), first child (p=0,027), communication with fetus (p=0,005) and be present during labor (p=0,045). Regarding to social support: - Positive bonding and “satisfaction with friends” (p=0,011); - Negative bonding and “intimacies” (p=0,011); - Total bonding and “family satisfaction” (p=0,001).Conclusion: The data undoubtedly show the importance of nurse specialists in maternal health who must involve the father since the beginning of pregnancy. Since social support is key to bonding, it is essential that health professionals support and integrate the father in the adjustement process to parenthood.Keywords: Father; Baby; Labor; Bonding; Social Support.Resumo.Enquadramento: O suporte social é um fator relevante no estabelecimento de laços afetivos entre pai e bebé, pois envolve a qualidade das relações sociais centradas na família. Este tem sido apontado como uma variável psicossocial envolvida na adaptação à parentalidade.Objetivo: Estabelecer a relação entre o suporte social e a vinculação (bonding) entre o pai e o bebé.Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo-correlacional, de natureza quantitativa, com uma amostra de 349 pais média de idade 31,84 anos, dp= 6,067). O instrumento de colheita de dados foi o questionário que permitiu caracterizar a amostra nas variáveis sociodemográficas, de gravidez e parto e foi ainda incluída a Escala de Satisfação com o Suporte Social (Ribeiro, 1999) e Escala de Bonding (Figueiredo et al., 2005).Resultados: Os resultados demonstram que o bonding positivo é influenciado pela idade (p=0,010), habilitações literárias (p=0,045), ser primeiro filho (p=0,027), comunicação com o feto (p=0,005), presença no trabalho de parto (p=0,045). Quanto ao suporte social foi encontrada relação entre o bonding positivo e “satisfação com os amigos” (p=0,011); bonding negativo e “intimidades” (p=0,011) e bonding total e “satisfação com a família” (p=0,001).Conclusão: O papel do enfermeiro especialista em saúde materna assume-se como primordial, devendo envolver o pai desde o início da gravidez. Dada a importância que o suporte social asume no estabelecimento do bonding, é imprescindível que os profissionais de saúde apoiem e integrem o pai no processo de adaptação à parentalidade.Palavras-chave: Pai; Bebé; Trabalho de Parto; Bonding; Suport.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Viertiö ◽  
Olli Kiviruusu ◽  
Maarit Piirtola ◽  
Jaakko Kaprio ◽  
Tellervo Korhonen ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundPsychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and it is more common in women. Our aim was to investigate factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences. Methods We used questionnaire data from the nationally representative Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (ATH) collected in the years 2012–2016 (target population participants aged 20 +, n=96 668, response rate 53%), restricting the current analysis to those persons who were working full-time and under 65 of age (n=34 468). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) (cut-off value <=52). We studied the following factors potentially associated with psychological distress: sociodemographic factors, living alone, having children under 18 years of age, lifestyle-related factors, social support, helping others outside of the home and work-related factors. We used logistic regression analysis to examine association between having work-family conflict with the likelihood for psychological distress. We first performed the models separately for men and women. Then interaction by gender was tested in the combined data for those independent variables where gender differences appeared probable in the analyses conducted separately for men and women.Results Women reported more psychological distress than men (11.0% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p<0.0001). Loneliness, job dissatisfaction and family-work conflict were associated with the largest risk of psychological distress. Having children, active participation, being able to successfully combine work and family roles, and social support were found to be protective factors. A significant interaction with gender was found in only two variables: ignoring family due to being absorbed in one’s work was associated with distress in women (OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.00–1.70), and mental strain of work in men (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66–4.41).Conclusions Satisfying work, family life and being able to successfully combine the two are important sources of psychological well-being for both genders in the working population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayse Berivan BAKAN ◽  
Asuman GURAKSIN

Background: When people face health problems, their life satisfaction levels and social relations could be ruined. When it comes to an eerie, deadly and chronic disease like cancer, the individual is much more likely to be affected by it.Objective: This descriptive study aims to identify quality of life and level of social support and the affecting factors in cancer patients.Methods: The sample included 170 patients who applied to Internal Diseases, Radiation Oncology, Thorax diseases clinics and Chemotherapy polyclinic in a university hospital in Turkey between March and August, 2005, who met the research criteria, and who volunteered to participate in the study. The sample represented 20 % of the target population. Data were collected through SF-36 Quality of Life Scale and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.Results: The patients’ Global Quality of Life mean score was found 38.67 ± 13.64, and mean score for the Perceived Social Support was found 59.19 ± 17.5. Global Quality of Life score was higher in those who underwent an operation and who received ambulatory health care. Although Global Quality of Life was not influenced by the gender variable, male patients’ level of well-being was found to be higher. Perceived Social Support total score was found to be higher in those who knew about their disease. Family support was found to be higher in those who were married and who lived in town; it was found to be low in those who had low socio-economic level and who received inpatient treatment. Friend support was found to be high in those who knew about their disease.Conclusion: There was a linear relationship between Perceived Social Support and Quality of Life. It is recommended that more studies with wider groups of participants would shed more light to the issue of identifying quality of life, social support level and the relationships between them in cancer patients.


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