scholarly journals Students’ Views Towards SARS-CoV-2 Mass Asymptomatic Testing, Social Distancing and Self-Isolation in a University Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Blake ◽  
Holly Knight ◽  
Ru Jia ◽  
Jessica Corner ◽  
Joanne R Morling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
University Students ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
University Settings ◽  
University Setting ◽  
Protective Behaviours

We aimed to explore university students’ perceptions and experiences of SARS-CoV-2 mass asymptomatic testing, social distancing and self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study comprised of four rapid online focus groups conducted at a higher education institution in England during high alert (tier 2) national COVID-19 restrictions. Data were analysed thematically. Participants were purposively sampled university students (n = 25) representing a range of gender, age, living circumstances (on/off campus) and SARS-CoV-2 testing/self-isolation experiences. Six themes with 16 sub-themes emerged from the analysis of the qualitative data: ‘Term-time Experiences’, ‘Risk Perception and Worry’, ‘Engagement in Protective Behaviours’, ‘Openness to Testing’, ‘Barriers to Testing’ and ‘General Wellbeing’. Students described feeling safe on campus, believed most of their peers are adherent to protective behaviours and were positive towards asymptomatic testing in university settings. University communications about COVID-19 testing and social behaviours need to be timely and presented in a more inclusive way to reach groups of students who currently feel marginalised. Barriers to engagement with SARS-CoV-2 testing, social distancing and self-isolation were primarily associated with fear of the mental health impacts of self-isolation, including worry about how they will cope, high anxiety, low mood, guilt relating to impact on others and loneliness. Loneliness in students could be mitigated through increased intra-university communications and a focus on establishment of low COVID-risk social activities to help students build and enhance their social support networks. These findings are particularly pertinent in the context of mass asymptomatic testing programmes being implemented in educational settings and high numbers of students being required to self-isolate. Universities need to determine the support needs of students during self-isolation and prepare for the long-term impacts of the pandemic on student mental health and welfare support services.

scholarly journals Students’ Views towards Sars-Cov-2 Mass Asymptomatic Testing, Social Distancing and Self-Isolation in a University Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4182
Author(s):  
Holly Blake ◽  
Holly Knight ◽  
Ru Jia ◽  
Jessica Corner ◽  
Joanne R. Morling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
University Students ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
University Settings ◽  
University Setting ◽  
Protective Behaviours

We aimed to explore university students’ perceptions and experiences of SARS-CoV-2 mass asymptomatic testing, social distancing and self-isolation, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study comprised of four rapid online focus groups conducted at a higher education institution in England, during high alert (tier 2) national COVID-19 restrictions. Participants were purposively sampled university students (n = 25) representing a range of gender, age, living circumstances (on/off campus), and SARS-CoV-2 testing/self-isolation experiences. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Six themes with 16 sub-themes emerged from the analysis of the qualitative data: ‘Term-time Experiences’, ‘Risk Perception and Worry’, ‘Engagement in Protective Behaviours’, ‘Openness to Testing’, ‘Barriers to Testing’ and ‘General Wellbeing’. Students described feeling safe on campus, believed most of their peers are adherent to protective behaviours and were positive towards asymptomatic testing in university settings. University communications about COVID-19 testing and social behaviours need to be timely and presented in a more inclusive way to reach groups of students who currently feel marginalised. Barriers to engagement with SARS-CoV-2 testing, social distancing and self-isolation were primarily associated with fear of the mental health impacts of self-isolation, including worry about how they will cope, high anxiety, low mood, guilt relating to impact on others and loneliness. Loneliness in students could be mitigated through increased intra-university communications and a focus on establishment of low COVID-risk social activities to help students build and enhance their social support networks. These findings are particularly pertinent in the context of mass asymptomatic testing programmes being implemented in educational settings and high numbers of students being required to self-isolate. Universities need to determine the support needs of students during self-isolation and prepare for the long-term impacts of the pandemic on student mental health and welfare support services.

scholarly journals Coping With COVID-19: Mindfulness-Based Approaches for Mitigating Mental Health Crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Antonova ◽  
Karoly Schlosser ◽  
Rakesh Pandey ◽  
Veena Kumari
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Panic Attacks ◽  
World Population ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Impact

The novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 that first emerged in Wuhan, China, in Nov-Dec 2019 has already impacted a significant proportion of the world population. Governments of many countries imposed quarantines and social distancing measures in 2020, many of which remain in place, to mitigate the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus causing the COVID-19 disease. The direct impact of COVID-19 on people infected with the virus, their families and the health care workers, as well as the impact of the mitigation measures such as quarantine, social distancing, and self-isolation on the rest of the population have contributed to a global mental health pandemic, including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, posttraumatic stress symptoms, psychosis, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicidality. These effects are present acutely (for example, due to fear of contamination or losing loved ones, effects of quarantine/isolation, withdrawal of community and social services, etc.) and may continue long after the pandemic is over (for example, due to bereavement, unemployment, financial losses, etc). The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered mental health problems in people without previous history of mental illness, as well as worsened the symptoms in those with pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis. Therefore, the global effort is called for to deal with this mental health pandemic secondary to COVID-19 itself to address the emergence of new as well as the exacerbation of the existing mental health issues. Conversely, this global context provides an extraordinary opportunity for studying individual differences in response to and resilience in the face of physical and psychological threat, challenge to “normal” way of life, and long-term uncertainty. In this viewpoint article we outline the particular suitability of mindfulness, its skills and mechanisms, as an approach to the prevention and management of mental health issues, as well as to the promotion of well-being and building the foundations of adaptability and flexibility in dealing with the long-term uncertainty and profound changes to the social, economic, and possibly political systems as this pandemic continues to unfold.

scholarly journals Mental Health of Children and Adolescents Amidst COVID-19 and Past Pandemics: A Rapid Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3432
Author(s):  
Salima Meherali ◽  
Neelam Punjani ◽  
Samantha Louie-Poon ◽  
Komal Abdul Rahim ◽  
Jai K. Das ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Psychosocial Services ◽  
The Impact

Background: The COVID‑19 pandemic and associated public health measures have disrupted the lives of people around the world. It is already evident that the direct and indirect psychological and social effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic are insidious and affect the mental health of young children and adolescents now and will in the future. The aim and objectives of this knowledge-synthesis study were to identify the impact of the pandemic on children’s and adolescent’s mental health and to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions employed during previous and the current pandemic to promote children’s and adolescents’ mental health. Methodology: We conducted the systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and included experimental randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, observational studies, and qualitative studies. Results: Of the 5828 articles that we retrieved, 18 articles met the inclusion criteria. We thematically analyzed them and put the major findings under the thematic areas of impact of the pandemic on children’s and adolescents’ mental health. These studies reported that pandemics cause stress, worry, helplessness, and social and risky behavioral problems among children and adolescents (e.g., substance abuse, suicide, relationship problems, academic issues, and absenteeism from work). Interventions such as art-based programs, support services, and clinician-led mental health and psychosocial services effectively decrease mental health issues among children and adolescents. Conclusion: Children and adolescents are more likely to experience high rates of depression and anxiety during and after a pandemic. It is critical that future researchers explore effective mental health strategies that are tailored to the needs of children and adolescents. Explorations of effective channels regarding the development and delivery of evidenced-based, age-appropriate services are vital to lessen the effects and improve long-term capacities for mental health services for children and adolescents. Key Practitioner Message: The COVID-19 pandemic’s physical restrictions and social distancing measures have affected each and every domain of life. Although the number of children and adolescents affected by the disease is small, the disease and the containment measures such as social distancing, school closure, and isolation have negatively impacted the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and adolescents is of great concern. Anxiety, depression, disturbances in sleep and appetite, as well as impairment in social interactions are the most common presentations. It has been indicated that compared to adults, this pandemic may continue to have increased long term adverse consequences on children’s and adolescents’ mental health. As the pandemic continues, it is important to monitor the impact on children’s and adolescents’ mental health status and how to help them to improve their mental health outcomes in the time of the current or future pandemics.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of Risk and Resilience in Young Adult Women With a History of Juvenile-onset Fibromyalgia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan Daffin ◽  
Mary Lynch Milder ◽  
Robert C. Gibler ◽  
Caitlin Murray ◽  
Carly Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Multidisciplinary Care ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Juvenile Onset ◽  
Associated Symptoms

Abstract Background. Juvenile-onset Fibromyalgia (JFM) is a chronic pain condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties, mood concerns, and other associated symptoms. Although diagnosed in childhood, JFM often persists into adulthood can result in continued physical, social, and psychological impairment. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify themes of risk and resilience for long-term outcomes among young adults diagnosed with JFM in childhood. Methods. The sample included 13 young adults (ages 26-34) who had been diagnosed with JFM in adolescence. Focus groups were used to elicit qualitative information about living with JFM and perceived challenges and buffering factors impacting their adjustment. Results. The majority of participants (80%, N=12) continued to meet criteria for fibromyalgia (FM). An iterative, thematic analysis revealed themes of resilience (e.g., greater acceptance, re-setting expectations, active coping, addressing mental health) and risk (e.g., lack of information, stigma, isolation, negative healthcare experiences). Conclusion. Results suggest the need for longer follow-up of youth with JFM as they transition to adulthood with multidisciplinary care and more attention to education about JFM and associated symptoms such as fatigue, as well as ongoing support for coping and mental health needs. A holistic approach to care during the transition years could be beneficial to minimize impact of JFM on long-term functioning.

scholarly journals Meanings of nursing professionals' experiences in the context of the pandemic of COVID-19

Rev Rene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. e67933
Author(s):  
Cíntia Nasi ◽  
Priscila Maria Marcheti ◽  
Elda de Oliveira ◽  
Larissa de Almeida Rezio ◽  
Sonia Regina Zerbetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Phenomenological Sociology ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
Nursing Professionals

Objective: to understand the meanings that nursing professionals attribute to their experiences in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Qualitative study with 719 professionals. Data were collected virtually and processed by Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires. The analysis was conducted in the light of the theoretical-philosophical referential of Phenomenological Sociology. Results: four categories emerged from the discourse analysis: meanings of the experiences related to oneself; meanings of the experiences related to others; meanings of the experiences related to working conditions; and meanings of the experiences faced with the uncertainties of the future. Conclusion: the experiences are marked by suffering in relation to personal aspects, to their social networks and to the world of work itself. Strategies that support these professionals currently and in continued care in the medium and long term need to be established in order to preserve their mental health.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic - A Review and Assessing Higher Education Institution Undergraduate Student’s Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-103
Author(s):  
Mohd Amiruddin Mohd Kassim ◽  
Nicholas Tze Ping Pang ◽  
Sandi James
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
University Student ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
The Social ◽  
Multiple Interventions

Introduction: The current COVID-19 pandemic has sequelae reverberating around Malaysia, particularly in university students, as Malaysian university students are isolated in their university campuses in semi-quarantine status. This article seeks to review the existing literature on the specialized issue of university student-related psychological sequelae of COVID-19, and seeks to offer some recommendations through the process. Methods: Existing literature demonstrates that COVID-19 has affected university students psychosocially, with the rate of anxiety and depression markedly increased. There have been significant alterations of lifestyle related to education, in accordance with the new normal, resulting in isolation and feelings of disengagement with education. Moreover, with the current uncertainties regarding their studies and possible financial depression postpandemic, the future is deeply worrying and will adversely affect their mental health. Results: Quantitatively, recent findings indicate 33.3% of the undergraduates in a higher education institution are noted to be in stress. Therefore, multiple interventions have been implemented; a customized ultra-brief psychological module, an online tele psychiatry hotline (COVID Cares) and tele-counselling, which have received universally positive feedback. Conclusion: In conclusion, the review demonstrates that undergraduates’ psychological health is an aspect that needs urgent attention as it is not merely limited to the fear of COVID-19, but also related to the social aspects of the pandemic. Multiple interventions have been seen to be efficacious in reducing the psychological sequelae.

scholarly journals Mental Health of University Students in Southeastern Asia: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110555
Author(s):  
Anja Susanne Dessauvagie ◽  
Hoang-Minh Dang ◽  
Thi Anh Thu Nguyen ◽  
Gunter Groen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
University Settings

Mental health in young people is a public health challenge worldwide, with around one-fifth of university students suffering from a 12-month mental disorder. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) of Southeastern Asia, resources for mental health are limited and counseling services are not regularly established at universities. This review aims to determine the prevalence of mental health problems among university students in 6 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) and to identify the determinants of mental health. A systematic database search (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubPsych, and Scopus) for peer-reviewed, English language articles, published 2010-2020, reporting prevalence data based on standardized screening instruments resulted in 335 articles; 108 were eligible for full-text analysis, of which 34 could be included in the review. Median point prevalence was 29.4% for depression, 42.4% for anxiety, 16.4% for stress, and 13.9% for disordered eating. Current suicidality was present in 7% to 8% of students. There was a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity. Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems, the willingness to seek professional help was comparatively low. Implications for mental health promotion and prevention in university settings are discussed.

scholarly journals A qualitative study of risk and resilience in young adult women with a history of juvenile-onset fibromyalgia

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan Daffin ◽  
Mary K. Lynch-Milder ◽  
Robert C. Gibler ◽  
Caitlin Murray ◽  
Carly M. Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Multidisciplinary Care ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Juvenile Onset ◽  
Associated Symptoms

Abstract Background Juvenile-onset Fibromyalgia (JFM) is a chronic pain condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties, mood concerns, and other associated symptoms. Although diagnosed in childhood, JFM often persists into adulthood can result in continued physical, social, and psychological impairment. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify themes of risk and resilience for long-term outcomes among young adults diagnosed with JFM in childhood. Methods The sample included 13 young adults (ages 26–34) who had been diagnosed with JFM in adolescence. Focus groups were used to elicit qualitative information about living with JFM and perceived challenges and buffering factors impacting their adjustment. Results The majority of participants (80%, N = 12) continued to meet criteria for fibromyalgia (FM). An iterative, thematic analysis revealed themes of resilience (e.g., greater acceptance, re-setting expectations, active coping, addressing mental health) and risk (e.g., lack of information, stigma, isolation, negative healthcare experiences). Conclusion Results suggest the need for longer follow-up of youth with JFM as they transition to adulthood with multidisciplinary care and more attention to education about JFM and associated symptoms such as fatigue, as well as ongoing support for coping and mental health needs. A holistic approach to care during the transition years could be beneficial to minimize impact of JFM on long-term functioning.

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