scholarly journals Conspiracy beliefs and pandemic related behaviours: a study from India

Author(s):  
Chahat Dubey ◽  
Noufal T. Hameed ◽  
Sisira C. Satheesan

Background: COVID-19 pandemic is still affecting large sections of populations all over the world. Thousands of deaths and damages to life that are indescribable, the pandemic has not yet come under control. Several studies show a significant impact of the same on mental health. The present study aimed at understanding conspiracy beliefs and pandemic related behaviors. It also aimed at documenting the level of distress reported.Methods: The cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among the public from India. The study assessed conspiracy beliefs, pandemic related behaviors, and psychological distress using standardized questionnaires. Basic demographic details were also collected. The questionnaires were converted to Google form, and the link was sent to the public along with a description of the study. Quantitative analysis was used, including frequency, mean, standard deviation, and student t-test.Results: Hundred and thirty individuals (49 males and 81 females) participated in the study (mean age=29 years). About half of the participants reported higher levels of distress. No significant gender difference was found on the endorsement of conspiracy beliefs or in engagement in pandemic related behaviors. Engagement in pandemic related behaviors was significantly higher among participants who reported high levels of distress. However, on the endorsement level of conspiracy beliefs, there was no significant difference between those who reported high or low levels of distress.Conclusions: Endorsement of conspiracy beliefs, engagement in pandemic related behaviors, and psychological distress are important variables that require attention at the present scenario.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawson Church ◽  
Peta Stapleton ◽  
Debbie Sabot

BACKGROUND The burgeoning area of mobile health (mHealth) has experienced rapid growth in mobile apps designed to address mental health issues. Although abundant apps offer strategies for managing symptoms of anxiety and stress, information regarding their efficacy is scarce. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effect of an mHealth app on user self-ratings of psychological distress in a sample of 270,461 app users. The Tapping Solution App guides users through the therapeutic protocols of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), an evidence-based psychophysiological intervention that combines acupressure with elements of cognitive and exposure therapies. METHODS App users provided self-ratings of emotional intensity before and after app sessions (termed “tapping meditations”) using an 11-point Subjective Units of Distress scale. App user data for 23 tapping meditations, which addressed psychological symptoms of anxiety and stress, were gathered between October 2018 and October 2019, totaling 380,034 completed app sessions. RESULTS Across 12 anxiety-tapping meditations, the difference in emotional intensity ratings from presession (mean 6.66, SD 0.25) to postsession (mean 3.75, SD 0.30) was statistically significant (<i>P</i>&lt;.001; 95% CI −2.92 to −2.91). Across 11 stress-tapping meditations, a statistically significant difference was also found from presession (mean 6.91, SD 0.48) to postsession (mean 3.83, SD 0.54; <i>P</i>&lt;.001; 95% CI −3.08 to −3.07). The results are consistent with the literature on the efficacy of Clinical EFT for anxiety and stress when offered in conventional therapeutic formats. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of the mHealth app in the immediate reduction of self-rated psychological distress. As an adjunct to professional mental health care, the app promises accessible and convenient therapeutic benefits.


10.2196/18545 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e18545
Author(s):  
Dawson Church ◽  
Peta Stapleton ◽  
Debbie Sabot

Background The burgeoning area of mobile health (mHealth) has experienced rapid growth in mobile apps designed to address mental health issues. Although abundant apps offer strategies for managing symptoms of anxiety and stress, information regarding their efficacy is scarce. Objective This study aimed to assess the effect of an mHealth app on user self-ratings of psychological distress in a sample of 270,461 app users. The Tapping Solution App guides users through the therapeutic protocols of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), an evidence-based psychophysiological intervention that combines acupressure with elements of cognitive and exposure therapies. Methods App users provided self-ratings of emotional intensity before and after app sessions (termed “tapping meditations”) using an 11-point Subjective Units of Distress scale. App user data for 23 tapping meditations, which addressed psychological symptoms of anxiety and stress, were gathered between October 2018 and October 2019, totaling 380,034 completed app sessions. Results Across 12 anxiety-tapping meditations, the difference in emotional intensity ratings from presession (mean 6.66, SD 0.25) to postsession (mean 3.75, SD 0.30) was statistically significant (P<.001; 95% CI −2.92 to −2.91). Across 11 stress-tapping meditations, a statistically significant difference was also found from presession (mean 6.91, SD 0.48) to postsession (mean 3.83, SD 0.54; P<.001; 95% CI −3.08 to −3.07). The results are consistent with the literature on the efficacy of Clinical EFT for anxiety and stress when offered in conventional therapeutic formats. Conclusions The findings provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of the mHealth app in the immediate reduction of self-rated psychological distress. As an adjunct to professional mental health care, the app promises accessible and convenient therapeutic benefits.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1498
Author(s):  
Birgitta Kerstis ◽  
Fabrizia Giannotta ◽  
Petra von Heideken Wågert ◽  
Charlotta Hellström ◽  
Daniel Lindberg ◽  
...  

Although many studies have been conducted on the effects of COVID-19 on individual lives, only a few focus on the changes in mental health and views of public institutions during the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate how mental health, i.e., life satisfaction, worries, and psychological distress, and views on public institutions’ communication and activities have changed among Swedes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether this was moderated by age and sex. In April–May 2020 (survey 1) and in January–February 2021 (survey 2), 2554 adults and 1904 newly recruited adults, respectively, anonymously completed online surveys. We found that life satisfaction and psychological distress did not change from survey 1 to survey 2. However, the level of worries increased, and the positive views of the public institutions decreased. Moreover, worries and psychological distress increased more in young adults than older adults. Finally, the change in the views of the public institutions was not related to the change in worries. Our results highlight the COVID-19 long-term impacts on individual mental health and call for the need for future research concerning the consequences for the population, especially among young adults. The results also indicate that the views on activities of public authorities decreased over time, especially among men. Given that loss of this trust can have vastly negative effects, for instance, on the vaccine campaign, it is important to monitor this trend, to increase awareness among Swedish authorities. The results also stress for institutions to provide adequate support both during the COVID-19 pandemic and in a future crisis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (CSI) ◽  
pp. 12-18
Author(s):  
Ali Al-Rubaye ◽  
Dhurgham Abdulwahid ◽  
Aymen Albadran ◽  
Abbas Ejbary ◽  
Laith Alrubaiy

Background: There has been a rapid rise in cases of COVID-19 infection and its mortality rate since the first case reported in February 2020. This led to the rampant dissemination of misinformation and rumors about the disease among the public. Objectives: To investigate the scale of public misinformation about COVID-19 in Basrah, Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a 22-item questionnaire to assess public knowledge and understanding of information related to the COVID-19 infection. Results: A total of 483 individuals completed the questionnaire. The most frequent age group was 26–35 years (28.2%); there were 280 (58%) males and 203 (42%) females. Of the participants, 282 (58.4%) were with an education level below the Bachelor’s degree, 342 (70.8%) were married, and 311 (64%) were living in districts in Basra other than the central district. Overall, 50.8% (11.8/ 22 * 100%) of individuals had the correct information regarding COVID-19. There was a significant association between the level of COVID-19 related misinformation and participants’ educational levels and occupation (p <0.05). However, there was no significant difference found across sex, age group, marital state, and area of residence. Conclusions: Misinformation related to COVID-19 is widely spread and has to be addressed in order to control the pandemic. Keywords: COVID-19, misinformation, knowledge, Iraq


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e046265
Author(s):  
Shotaro Doki ◽  
Shinichiro Sasahara ◽  
Daisuke Hori ◽  
Yuichi Oi ◽  
Tsukasa Takahashi ◽  
...  

ObjectivesPsychological distress is a worldwide problem and a serious problem that needs to be addressed in the field of occupational health. This study aimed to use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict psychological distress among workers using sociodemographic, lifestyle and sleep factors, not subjective information such as mood and emotion, and to examine the performance of the AI models through a comparison with psychiatrists.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingWe conducted a survey on psychological distress and living conditions among workers. An AI model for predicting psychological distress was created and then the results were compared in terms of accuracy with predictions made by psychiatrists.ParticipantsAn AI model of the neural network and six psychiatrists.Primary outcomeThe accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting psychological distress.MethodsIn total, data from 7251 workers were analysed to predict moderate and severe psychological distress. An AI model of the neural network was created and accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Six psychiatrists used the same data as the AI model to predict psychological distress and conduct a comparison with the AI model.ResultsThe accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting moderate psychological distress were 65.2% and 64.4%, respectively, showing no significant difference. The accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting severe psychological distress were 89.9% and 85.5%, respectively, indicating that the AI model had significantly higher accuracy.ConclusionsA machine learning model was successfully developed to screen workers with depressed mood. The explanatory variables used for the predictions did not directly ask about mood. Therefore, this newly developed model appears to be able to predict psychological distress among workers easily, regardless of their subjective views.


Author(s):  
Mduduzi Colani Shongwe ◽  
Song-Lih Huang

The unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic can induce psychological distress in individuals. We investigated perceived stressors, prevalence of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, and predictors of psychological distress among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini. This study was a cross-sectional, population-based household telephone survey of 993 conveniently sampled adults (18+ years) from all the four administrative regions of Eswatini. Data were collected between 9 June and 18 July 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country was under a partial lockdown. COVID-19-related psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6). We performed weighted modified Poisson regression analyses to identify significant predictors of moderate/severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥5). The weighted prevalences of moderate (K6 scores: 5–12) and severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥13) were 41.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Participants reported several perceived COVID-19-related stressors, including worries and fears of the contagion-specific death, serious need for food and money, and concerns about loss of income or business. The weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 1.5%. Statistically significant predictors of increased risk for moderate/severe psychological distress included living in the Hhohho and Manzini regions; feeling not well informed about COVID-19; feeling lonely; having received COVID-19 food or financial relief from the government; feeling burdened by the lockdown; being married; and being youth (18–24 years). The results call for the government to urgently augment the provision of mental health services during the pandemic. Mental health practitioners and programs may use several stressors and risk factors identified in this study to inform interventions and government policies aimed at reducing psychological distress induced by the pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 832-840
Author(s):  
Katti Sathaporn ◽  
Jarurin Pitanupong

Objective: To determine the level of and factors associated with empathy among medical students.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed all first- to sixth-year medical students at the Facultyof Medicines, Prince of Songkla University, at the end of the 2020 academic year. The questionnaires consisted of:1) The personal and demographic information questionnaire, 2) The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, and 3) ThaiMental Health Indicator-15. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and factors associated with empathylevel were assessed via chi-square and logistic regression analyses.Results: There were 1010 participants with response rate of 94%. Most of them were female (59%). More than half(54.9%) reported a high level of empathy. There was a statistically significant difference in empathy levels betweenpre-clinical and clinical medical students; in regards to empathy subgroups (P-value < 0.001). The assessment ofemotional states in others by demonstrating appropriate sensitivity behavior, altruism, and empathic respondingscores among the pre-clinical group were higher than those of the clinical group. Multivariate analysis indicatedthat female gender, pre-clinical training level, and minor specialty preference were factors associated with empathylevel. The protective factor that significantly improved the level of empathy was having fair to good mental health.Conclusion: More than half of the surveyed medical students reported a high level of empathy. The protective factorthat improved the level of empathy was good mental health. However, future qualitative methods, longitudinalsurveillance, or long-term follow-up designs are required to ensure the trustworthiness of these findings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1847-1853
Author(s):  
Sahar Attar ◽  
Nour Mohammad Bakhshani ◽  
Qasem Miri Aliabad

Background and Aim: Thalassemia major is one of the most common chronic genetic diseases in the world and in Iran that can impose many adverse effects on the self and society. Psychologically, patients with thalassemia are under stress. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is important to identify the people who have the highest risk factors for suicide. The present research investigates the frequency of thoughts, readiness and suicide attempts in people with thalassemia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Its sample was 150 patients with thalassemia in the age range of 10 to 46 years whom we selected through census by sampling at convenience. We gave to patients a standardized Beck Suicide Thought Assessment Questionnaire. We analyzed the research data using descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Results: From among 150 patients with thalassemia in this study, 57.3% of the respondents were male and 42.7% were female. The results showed that there was a negative and significant relationship between suicide thoughts and attempts and age (-0.234) (P <0.05). The mean prevalence of suicide in men (1.89) was significantly higher compared to women (0.79) (P <0.05). We did not observe significant difference in prevalence of suicide thoughts and attempts between married and single groups with a mean difference (0.69) (P <0.05) and, in different educational groups, no significant difference was reported (P> 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this research showed that among patients with thalassemia, the prevalence of suicidal ideation has a significant percentage. Since suicidal ideation provides a platform for preparation and attempt to commit suicide, so by providing mental health services and regular screening, we can take an effective step to prevent this problem among patients with thalassemia. Keywords: Thalassemia, Suicidal ideation, Suicide.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Reyna Jazmín Martínez Arriaga ◽  
Leivy Patricia González Ramírez ◽  
Nancy Evelyn Navarro Ruiz ◽  
José María De la Roca -Chiapas ◽  
Oscar Ulises Reynoso González

Introducción: El personal de enfermería es uno de los grupos más afectados por la actual pandemia por COVID-19. Se han reportado problemas de salud mental en esta población, sin embargo, también es importante estudiar la resiliencia, para identificar sus fortalezas. El objetivo de este estudio fue estudiar la resiliencia en enfermeros mexicanos y los factores sociodemográficos y de salud mental asociados a ella. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal.Método: Se envió vía online un cuestionario sociodemográfico y relacionado a COVID-19, así como el Inventario de Resiliencia y el Cuestionario General de Salud-28. Se incluyeron 556 enfermeros, la mayoría fueron mujeres (80%), solteras (60.8%) y con edades entre 26-35 años (38.3%).Resultados: Se encontraron niveles bajos de resiliencia en los enfermeros más jóvenes (p<0.001, ɳ2=0.05), solteros (p<0.001, ɳ2=0.02) y con menor nivel educativo (p=0.001, ɳ2=0.02). Los predictores de resiliencia fueron la búsqueda de información sobre salud mental (β =-0.152, p <0.001), nivel educativo más alto (β = 0.142, p<0.001), niveles bajos de depresión (β=-0.307, p<0.001) y bajos niveles de disfunción social (β =-0.261, p<0.001).Conclusión: Estos hallazgos permiten identificar los factores asociados a la resiliencia en los enfermeros y cómo estos juegan un rol muy importante en su salud mental. Asimismo, estos datos permiten la identificación de grupos con mayor riesgo psicosocial, con la finalidad de guiar estrategias en salud mental orientadas a aumentar la resiliencia. Introduction: Nursing personnel are one of the groups which have been most affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Although mental health problems have been reported in this population, it is important to study resilience, in order to identify its strengths. The purpose was to study resilience in Mexican nurses and the mental health and sociodemographic factors associated with it. A cross-sectional study was used. Method: A sociodemographic and COVID-19 related questionnaire, the Resilience Inventory and the General Health Questionnaire-28, was sent via online. 556 nurses were included, the majority were women (80%), single (60.8%), aged between 26-35 years (38.3%). Results: Lower resilience was found among nurses who were younger (p<0.001, ɳ2=0.05), single (p<0.001, ɳ2=0.02) and with lower levels of education (p=0.001, ɳ2=0.02). Predictors of resilience included the search for mental health information (β =-0.152, p <0.001), higher education (β = 0.142, p<0.001), low levels of depression (β=-0.307, p<0.001) and low levels of social dysfunction (β =-0.261, p<0.001). Conclusion: This findings allowed to identify the factors which are associated with resilience among nurses and how this plays an important role in their mental. Likewise, this data allows for the identification of high psychosocial risk groups, to better guide mental health strategies aimed at increasing resilience. Resumo:Introdução:O pessoal de enfermagem é um dos grupos mais afetados pela atual pandemia de COVID-19. Problemas de saúde mental têm sido relatados nessa população, porém também é importante estudar a resiliência, para identificar seus pontos fortes. O objetivo deste estudo foi estudar a resiliência em enfermeiras mexicanas e os fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde mental a ela associados. Foi realizado um estudo transversal.Método:Um questionário sociodemográfico relacionado ao COVID-19 foi enviado online, assim como o Resilience Inventory e o General Health Questionnaire-28. Foram incluídos 556 enfermeiros, a maioria mulheres (80%), solteiros (60,8%) e com idade entre 26-35 anos (38,3%).Resultados:Baixos níveis de resiliência foram encontrados nos enfermeiros mais jovens (p <0,001, ɳ2 = 0,05), solteiros (p <0,001, ɳ2 = 0,02) e com menor escolaridade (p = 0,001, ɳ2 = 0,02). Os preditores de resiliência foram a busca por informações sobre saúde mental (β = -0,152, p <0,001), maior escolaridade (β = 0,142, p <0,001), baixos níveis de depressão (β = -0,307, p <0,001 ) e baixos níveis de disfunção social (β = -0,261, p <0,001).Conclusão:Esses achados permitem identificar os fatores associados à resiliência em enfermeiros e como eles desempenham um papel muito importante em sua saúde mental. Da mesma forma, esses dados permitem identificar grupos de maior risco psicossocial, a fim de nortear estratégias de saúde mental que visem aumentar a resiliência.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayani P. Gamage ◽  
H.M.Chulani J. Herath

PurposeMental health is as important as physical health and new university entrants report high prevalence of depression. In open and distance learning (ODL), students must manage both work and studies. Those who are unable to effectively balance these aspects may experience negative outcomes such as dropping out, distress and physical health problems. Therefore, the study aims to investigate psychological distress amongst distance-learning undergraduate students to gather evidence for recommending necessary interventions.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted using depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS-21). Participants were undergraduate students from the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL). The students' socio-demographic details, history of physical and mental illnesses were also recorded.FindingsAccording to scoring, 51% of the sample was categorised as “psychologically distressed” relating to the anxiety levels they reported whilst depression (35%) and stress remained (20%) at low levels. The three-factor structure of DASS-21 was also confirmed with reliability scores of 0.8 obtained for all three sub-scales.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations were low-response rate (less than 50%) and inability to provide causal explanations for psychological distress. Further research could address these.Practical implicationsThe current research identified anxiety as a psychologically distressing factor for ODL students with the use of a reliable screening tool. Therefore, exploring reasons and interventions to help reduce anxiety could be developed.Social implicationsMajority of distance learners are contributing to a country's economy whilst learning to improve their current socio-economic status. Therefore, addressing these negative impacts is important.Originality/valueThe study explored ODL students' psychological distress and highlighted the need to identify causes and development of support systems to enhance mental well-being.


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