scholarly journals Psychology of pandemics and fear of epidemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2592
Author(s):  
M. Naveed Uddin ◽  
Mohsin Uddin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Psychodynamic Approach ◽  
1918 Influenza ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Psychological Threats

Infectious outbreaks have stirred the psychological health and mental wellbeing of individuals on a global basis. It is evident from the 1918 influenza in addition to the current COVID-19. Psychological factors are significant for comprehension and overseeing cultural issues related with pandemics, like the spreading of extreme dread, anxiety, and xenophobia that happen when individuals are compromised with infection. The research aims to identify how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected individual’s psychological wellbeing and how the psychodynamic approach can resolve such an issue. Developing a sense of detachment from oneself and the growing fear of being infected significantly affects an individual psychological wellbeing. This analysis concentrates predominantly on applying the psychodynamic approach to ascertain individual’s psychological threats during the COVID-19 crisis. This research focuses on revealing the variations generated from the psyche of individuals due to the COVID-19. It also aims to highlight the impact that COVID-19 have created on the mental health of individual beings. Moreover, the pandemic consequence on the individual’s overall lifestyle has discussed in the study.

scholarly journals POS1241 THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING AND MENTAL WELLBEING IN 824 PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASE OVER 8 MONTHS: PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING DECLINES

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 903.2-904
Author(s):  
N. Cleaton ◽  
S. Raizada ◽  
T. Sheeran ◽  
J. Bateman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rheumatic Disease ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Comparator Group ◽  
The Impact

Background:Worldwide the detrimental consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and psychological health have been recognised. Social distancing and isolation measures have negatively impacted physical functioning (PF) and mental health (MH), and are known to have reduced physical activity (PA) generally within the population. A significant proportion of patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARD) are considered ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ (CEV), at high risk from COVID19 and been advised to follow stricter social distancing precautions than the general population. Evidence in ARD patients highlights the importance of PA in maintaining physical and psychological wellbeing. Prior to the pandemic limitations in both PF and MH in patients with ARD were recognised and early in the pandemic MH was noted to be impacted by distancing measures in this population.Objectives:This is an interim report of a research study (clinicaltrials.gov NCT04542031) exploring the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the physical and psychological wellbeing of patients with rheumatic disease, to inform guidelines and target service provision as the pandemic continues.Methods:We distributed two web-based surveys, eight months apart during the first (April-2020) and second wave (December-2020) of the pandemic. Surveys were communicated via a linked mobile-phone SMS message, to all rheumatology patients with a validated mobile number under follow-up at the Royal Wolverhampton Trust. We assessed patients using the Short Form-12 version 2 made up of mental (MCS) and physical component scores (PCS). For each survey, data were collected 4-weeks following distribution; comparative analysis was conducted using SPSS version-27.Results:Initial surveys were sent to 7911 active follow up patients; 1694/7911 (21.4%) responded and consented for further follow up, of which 1636 were linked to a validated mobile number. 899/1636 (55.0%) responded to the second survey and 824/899 (91.7%) responses were linked across both surveys. These 824 patients were predominately female (69.5%), aged 61 years and 76.3% had an ARD; 388/824 patients were CEV, 436 were in the comparator group. For the CEV group, scores remained significantly lower than the comparator for PCS (survey 1: 36.40 vs 39.61 [P<0.001], survey 2: 36.11 vs 38.66 [P<0.001]) and MCS (41.61 vs 43.44 P<0.001; 41.19 vs 43.60 [P<0.001]); there was no deterioration in CEV scores. In the comparator group, while MCS did not differ in patients with ARD, PCS significantly decreased (1.39; 95% CI: 0.69, 2.08; P<0.001); PCS in the non-inflammatory group did not significantly change (-0.23, P=0.65).Conclusion:These preliminary data suggest that while the physical and mental health of CEV patients is significantly lower in this cohort, surprisingly, neither aspects of health have been worsened by the impacts of the pandemic over an 8-month period. However, the physical functioning of patients with ARD significantly decreased in this time, which may reflect the reduction in PA faced by society, and reduced contact with secondary care services. These data suggest services need to adapt to provide additional support to patients with ARD to maintain physical functioning during the pandemic. Further work exploring the evolving pattern of the physical and psychological responses to the pandemic is ongoing.Acknowledgements:We would like to thank the Hibbs Lupus Trust.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Psychological Wellbeing in Three Groups of Skilled Immigrants to New Zealand

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Alpass ◽  
Ross Flett ◽  
Andrew Trlin ◽  
Anne Henderson ◽  
Nicola North ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Skilled Immigrants ◽  
Zealand Population

AbstractThe present study sought to investigate the current levels of psychological wellbeing in three immigrant groups to New Zealand. In addition, we sought to determine whether aspects of the acculturation process were related to mental health outcomes. This is a cross–sectional study from the fifth wave of annual in-depth interviews with three groups of recently arrived skilled immigrants from India, the People's Republic of China and South Africa. Interviews focused on international contacts and the migration of relatives and friends, housing, language, qualifications and employment, and social participation. Participants were also asked about health difficulties, homesickness, and whether they felt settled in New Zealand. The SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire (Ware, 1997), assessed the respondent's functional status and wellbeing in relation to four health concepts: vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional health, and general mental wellbeing. The immigrant group differed significantly from the New Zealand population on only one of the four mental health scales, Vitality, with immigrants reporting higher levels. Different acculturation factors were found to predict different mental health subscales in regression analyses. Gender, home contact and health difficulty explained 22% of the unique variance in Vitality; employment status and health difficulty explained 18% of the variance in Social Functioning; health difficulty significantly contributed to the explained variance (14%) in the Role limitations due to emotional health subscale; gender, home contact and health difficulty explained 27% of the variance in the Mental Health subscale. There was little evidence for lower levels of psychological wellbeing for the three immigrant groups compared to the general New Zealand population, nor for differences between the three groups. However, results highlight the importance of differential predictors in the understanding of psychological health in migrant groups.

The Relationship Between Highly Visual Social Media and Young People’s Mental Health: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alanna McCrory
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
The Impact

UNSTRUCTURED Users of highly visual social media (HVSM), such as Snapchat and Instagram, share their messages through images, rather than relying on words. A significant proportion of people that use these platforms are adolescents. Previous research reveals mixed evidence regarding the impact of online social technologies on this age group’s mental wellbeing, but it is uncertain whether the psychological effects of visual content alone differ from text-driven social media. This scoping review maps existing literature that has published evidence about highly visual social media, specifically its psychological impact on young people. Nine electronic databases and grey literature from 2010 until March 2019 were reviewed for articles describing any aspect of visual social media, young people and their mental health. The screening process retrieved 239 articles. With the application of eligibility criteria, this figure was reduced to 25 articles for analysis. Results indicate a paucity of data that exclusively examines HVSM. The predominance of literature relies on quantitative methods to achieve its objectives. Many findings are inconsistent and lack the richness that qualitative data may provide to explore the reasons for theses mixed findings.

scholarly journals Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Following COVID-19 Public Health Measures on People Living With Dementia and Carers

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872199681
Author(s):  
Kerry Hanna ◽  
Clarissa Giebel ◽  
Hilary Tetlow ◽  
Kym Ward ◽  
Justine Shenton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Social Support Services ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Background: To date, there appears to be no evidence on the longer-term impacts caused by COVID-19 and its related public health restrictions on some of the most vulnerable in our societies. The aim of this research was to explore the change in impact of COVID-19 public health measures on the mental wellbeing of people living with dementia (PLWD) and unpaid carers. Method: Semi-structured, follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with PLWD and unpaid carers between June and July 2020. Participants were asked about their experiences of accessing social support services during the pandemic, and the impact of restrictions on their daily lives. Results: 20 interviews were conducted and thematically analyzed, which produced 3 primary themes concerning emotional responses and impact to mental health and wellbeing during the course of the pandemic: 1) Impact on mental health during lockdown, 2) Changes to mental health following easing of public health, and 3) The long-term effect of public health measures. Conclusions: The findings from this research shed light on the longer-term psychological impacts of the UK Government’s public health measures on PLWD and their carers. The loss of social support services was key in impacting this cohort mentally and emotionally, displaying a need for better psychological support, for both carers and PLWD.

scholarly journals Do Public Pensions Improve Mental Wellbeing? Evidence from the New Rural Society Pension Insurance Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2391
Author(s):  
Fang Wang ◽  
Haitao Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Society ◽  
Rural Elderly ◽  
Public Pensions ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Pension Insurance ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pension Income ◽  
The Impact

The causal effect of public pensions on the mental wellbeing of the elderly in lower and middle-income countries deserves further investigation. This paper first constructed a theoretical framework for the impact of New Rural Society Pension Insurance pensions in China on the mental wellbeing of the rural elderly, and described potential channels through which pension income may affect mental wellbeing. We then used the fixed effect model and the instrument variable approach to estimate the casual effects of pension income on the mental wellbeing of the rural elderly. The results reveal that pension income improves mental wellbeing by relieving depression of the rural elderly; however, the beneficial effects of pension income are very limited. Pension income has no beneficial effects on the mental health of the rural elderly in the east region, whereas it slightly relieves depression of those in the middle and west regions. We also found that pension income produces small improvements in the mental health of older females, elderly persons living independently, and those with relatively poor economic conditions.

scholarly journals COVID-19 creating challenges in a rehabilitation facility in Australia: A discussion paper

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Janet Green ◽  
Joanne Vallance ◽  
Rebekah Choong ◽  
Georgina McBride ◽  
Jeyanthi Arockiam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Discussion Paper ◽  
Rehabilitation Care ◽  
Mental Health Patients ◽  
Rehabilitation Facilities ◽  
Communication Challenges ◽  
Mental Health Practices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sydney Australia

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many challenges and alterations to long-standing procedures within rehabilitation facilities. These updates of the processes undertaken by staff in such settings have been radical and ongoing. COVID-19 impact on the healthcare system should never be underestimated nor under appreciated. The impact that this pandemic has had on rehabilitation care is unique. This has been the catalyst to identifying significant challenges and subsequent changes within rehabilitation and mental health practices. Social measures that have been implemented in the community have had exaggerated and magnified effects both on the physical and mental wellbeing of rehabilitation and mental health patients. Over the course of these adaptations and implementations, impacts on communication, mental health, workload and care efficiencies were identified and explored. This paper is unique because different disciplines have shared their experiences of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and how they provide rehabilitation. The paper will focus on the communication challenges using masks, not being able to engage families and carers, restriction of group therapies, social isolation of patients and healthcare workers while adhering to guidelines set by NSW Health (Sydney, Australia).

Impact of Media and Time Management Pattern on Mental Wellbeing among the General Population during COVID-19 Lockdown in India – A Cross-Sectional, Respondent-Driven Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (19) ◽  
pp. 1432-1439
Author(s):  
Vishwak Reddy Vatte ◽  
Praveen Khairkar ◽  
Srinivas Kandrakonda ◽  
Tabitha Jezreel ◽  
Satya Revanth Karri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Management Pattern ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND In COVID-19 pandemic, nation-wide complete lockdown was enforced for about 10 weeks which was an unprecedented experience for all and potentially influenced mental wellbeing partly through infodemic mismanagements. This study intended to analyse the impact of media and time management pattern on mental wellbeing among general population during COVID-19 lockdown in India. METHODS An online study questionnaire was circulated among general population between 1 st April and 12th May 2020 using social networking site (s). The questionnaire included socio-demographic details, source of information and knowledge on COVID-19, impact of time spent on media, smart phone, productive and relaxation activities, general views on lockdown experience and further mental health status was screened using standardized DASS - 21 Scale. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics were done using SPSS statistic 26.0. RESULTS A total of 891 people responded from 11 states, mostly (89 %) from South India, and 27.5 % were having mental health problems on DASS - 21 scale. Most of the participants opined that COVID-19 information on traditional (53 %) and social media (85 %) were not completely authentic and perhaps amplifying perceptual responses. Excess time spent on media (46 %) and smart phone over exposure (61 %) had significant mental health issues and on contrary individuals who managed their time well, indulging in productive and relaxation activities were found to be psychologically stable (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the impact of media and time management pattern during lockdown emphasizing both positive and negative predictors of mental health. There is clearly a need for media regulation and working in collaboration with authorities for better mental wellbeing of the society in ongoing fight with COVID19. KEYWORDS COVID-19, Lockdown, Media, Smartphone, Time Management Pattern

scholarly journals Self-reported psychological distress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal: findings from an online survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamal Gautam ◽  
Ramesh P. Adhikari ◽  
Aman Sen Gupta ◽  
Rajan Kumar Shrestha ◽  
Pitambar Koirala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
The Past ◽  
Psychological Impacts ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background A lower respiratory tract infection caused by novel coronavirus termed as Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) was first identified in China and subsequently took the form of pandemic. Studies on disease outbreak in the past and recent COVID-19 outbreak have demonstrated increased psychological distress and adverse impacts on mental health and psychological wellbeing of people. However, the impact of COVID-19 on psychological wellbeing of people in Nepal hasn't been studied adequately. So, this paper aims to report the findings from a social media survey on psychological impacts of COVID-19 in Nepal. Methods Data were collected through social media from 2082 Nepalese respondents between 23rd April, 2020 and 3rd May, 2020. A total of 2014 respondents who were currently residing in Nepal were included in the analysis. Results The study suggested that half of the respondents suffered from at least one symptom of psychological distress whereas 32% suffered from two or more symptoms of psychological distress such as restlessness, fearfulness, anxiety and worry and sadness in the past 2 weeks preceding the survey date. The findings further suggested that respondents having lower family income, residing in rented room, and participants from province 2 were more likely to suffer from both single and multiple symptoms of psychological distress. Conclusion The study has shown high prevalence of psychological distress amongst the Nepalese respondents following COVID-19 outbreak. Appropriate mental health and psychosocial support response needs to be instituted to adequately respond to psychological impacts of the epidemic.

scholarly journals Declining mental health among disadvantaged Americans

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (28) ◽  
pp. 7290-7295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noreen Goldman ◽  
Dana A. Glei ◽  
Maxine Weinstein
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opioid Epidemic ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Modest Improvement ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Impact

Although there is little dispute about the impact of the US opioid epidemic on recent mortality, there is less consensus about whether trends reflect increasing despair among American adults. The issue is complicated by the absence of established scales or definitions of despair as well as a paucity of studies examining changes in psychological health, especially well-being, since the 1990s. We contribute evidence using two cross-sectional waves of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study to assess changes in measures of psychological distress and well-being. These measures capture negative emotions such as sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness, and positive emotions such as happiness, fulfillment, and life satisfaction. Most of the measures reveal increasing distress and decreasing well-being across the age span for those of low relative socioeconomic position, in contrast to little decline or modest improvement for persons of high relative position.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document