scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic: Home Confinement Problems and Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Parrado-González ◽  
Victor León-Jiménez ◽  
José C. León-Jariego

Abstract Home confinement during the COVID-19 crisis causes problems in everyday life that can affect people's mental health. In this context, the purpose of this study was (1) to identify the most frequent problems experienced during the home confinement, (2) to analyse whether these problems vary according to socio-demographics; and (3) to study the influence of home confinement on mental health. One thousand five hundred sixty-nine participants living in Spain during the COVID-19 lockdown answered an online survey including questions about socio-demographics, problems of home confinement and mental health. We used factor analysis to group the home confinement problems into identifiable categories. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods for comparison between socio-demographics were used, and the influence of subsets of home confinement problems on mental health was analysed by multiple linear regression.The 16 evaluated problems were grouped into three factors: “Anger and Frustration”, “Deprivation of Social Contact”, and “Living Together Issues”. The most frequent problem was “missing somebody”, while “being afraid of going mad” was the least frequent one. Women, young people, people with less space at home, and teleworkers and non-working people during the lockdown period reported more home confinement problems. The Anger and Frustration factor was the one most related to mental health. These results highlighted the problems that people had to face during home confinement and their influence on mental health. Finally, the paper suggests designing specific strategies to cope with these problems according to participants’ socio-demographics.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayne Morriss ◽  
Emma Tupitsa ◽  
Helen Dodd ◽  
Colette Hirsch

Uncertainty and emotion are an inevitable part of everyday life and play a vital role in mental health. Yet, our understanding of how uncertainty and emotion interact is limited. Here, an online survey was conducted (n = 231) to examine whether uncertainty evokes and modulates a range of negative and positive emotions. The data show that uncertainty is predominantly associated with negative emotional states such as fear/anxiety. However, uncertainty was also found to modulate a variety of other negative (i.e. sadness/upset, anger/frustration, confusion) and positive (i.e. surprise/interest and excited/enthusiastic) emotional states, depending on the valence of an anticipated outcome (i.e. negative, positive) and the sub parameter of uncertainty (i.e. risk and ambiguity). Uncertainty increased the intensity of negative emotional states and decreased the intensity of positive emotional states. These findings support prior research suggesting that uncertainty is aversive and associated with negative emotional states such as fear and anxiety. However, the findings also revealed that uncertainty is involved in eliciting and modulating a wide array of emotional phenomena beyond fear and anxiety. This study highlights an opportunity for further study of how uncertainty and emotion interactions are conceptualised generally and in relation to mental health.


2020 ◽  
pp. 135910532098203
Author(s):  
Rubia Carla Formighieri Giordani ◽  
Milene Zanoni da Silva ◽  
Camila Muhl ◽  
Suely Ruiz Giolo

This study aimed to assess the fear of COVID-19 in the Brazilian population, validate the FCV-19S and examine the association of its scores with sociodemographic and pandemic-related variables. A total of 7430 participants were recruited in an online survey. From the factor analysis results, FCV-19S proved to be suitable, indicating a higher level of fear for women and also for those aged 18–29 years. Besides, belonging to a high-risk group and having relatives diagnosed or deceased by COVID-19 showed a positive association with fear. These findings pointed out the most vulnerable groups, which can assist in planning mental health actions.


Assessment ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heehoon Park ◽  
Chad K. Ebesutani ◽  
Kyong-Mee Chung ◽  
Cameo Stanick

Objective: The objective of this study was to create the Korean version of the Modified Practice Attitudes Scale (K-MPAS) to measure clinicians’ attitudes toward evidence-based treatments (EBTs) in the Korean mental health system. Method: Using 189 U.S. therapists and 283 members from the Korean mental health system, we examined the reliability and validity of the MPAS scores. We also conducted the first exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis on the MPAS and compared EBT attitudes across U.S. and Korean therapists. Results: Results revealed that the inclusion of both “reversed-worded” and “non–reversed-worded” items introduced significant method effects that compromised the integrity of the one-factor MPAS model. Problems with the one-factor structure were resolved by eliminating the “non–reversed-worded” items. Reliability and validity were adequate among both Korean and U.S. therapists. Korean therapists also reported significantly more negative attitudes toward EBTs on the MPAS than U.S. therapists. Conclusions: The K-MPAS is the first questionnaire designed to measure Korean service providers’ attitudes toward EBTs to help advance the dissemination of EBTs in Korea. The current study also demonstrated the negative impacts that can be introduced by incorporating oppositely worded items into a scale, particularly with respect to factor structure and detecting significant group differences.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Ludmila G. Lebedeva

Solidarity refers not only to the socio-political sphere, but also to the sphere of intra-family relations. Solidarity and support of generations in everyday life is one of the natural traditions of inter-generational and intra-generational relationships. Solidarity is a structure of behavior inherited by individuals, fixed in the natural-historical process of succession of generations. The purpose of the article is to analyze the problems and trends in traditional relations of intra-family solidarity and mutual assistance of generations in everyday life. Sociological materials show that the modern young generation is, for the most part, completely or mostly independent in financial and economic terms. There is a noticeable trend that today's youth are noticeably less helpful in everyday life to older generations than older generations are helping young people. On the one hand, young people are largely separated from the parental family, become independent, less and less help parents in everyday life. On the other hand, a large part of parents finds themselves in a more difficult financial and economic situation and do not have real opportunities to help their children. It is necessary to recognize the paramount importance of the care of society and the state, especially in relation to two social groups - students and older people experiencing financial difficulties and in need of daily assistance. The manifestation of care on the part of society and the state, systematic targeted support for the most financially vulnerable groups of the population in its own way will support the modern meanings of traditional relations of solidarity and mutual assistance of generations in everyday life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudette Pretorius ◽  
David Coyle

Young adulthood represents a sensitive period for young people's mental health. The lockdown restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced young people's access to traditional sources of mental health support. This exploratory study aimed to investigate the online resources young people were using to support their mental health during the first lockdown period in Ireland. It made use of an anonymous online survey targeted at young people aged 18–25. Participants were recruited using ads on social media including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SnapChat. A total of 393 respondents completed the survey. Many of the respondents indicated that they were using social media (51.4%, 202/393) and mental health apps (32.6%, 128/393) as sources of support. Fewer were making use of formal online resources such as charities (26%, 102/393) or professional counseling services (13.2%, 52/393). Different social media platforms were used for different purposes; Facebook was used for support groups whilst Instagram was used to engage with influencers who focused on mental health issues. Google search, recommendations from peers and prior knowledge of services played a role in how resources were located. Findings from this survey indicate that digital technologies and online resources have an important role to play in supporting young people's mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted these digital tool's potential as well as how they can be improved to better meet young people's needs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. McKinlay ◽  
Tom May ◽  
Joanna Dawes ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Alexandra Burton

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents and young adults have been greatly affected by quarantine measures during the coronavirus-19 pandemic. Quantitative evidence suggests that many young people have struggled with their mental health throughout “lockdown”, but little is understood about the qualitative impact of social distancing restrictions on mental health, wellbeing and social life. We therefore sought to elicit the views and experiences of adolescents and young adults living in the UK during the pandemic.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with 37 participants aged 13-24.ResultsWe identified 4 superordinate themes most commonly described by participants about their experiences during the pandemic, including: a) missing social contact during lockdown, b) disruption to education, c) changes to social relationships, and d) improved wellbeing during lockdown. Although we identified some positive experiences during the pandemic, including an increased awareness of mental health and stronger relationship ties, many said they struggled with loneliness, a decline in mental health, and anxiety about socialising after the pandemic.ConclusionsFindings suggest that some young people may have felt less stigma talking about their mental health now compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many are worried about how the pandemic has affected their education and social connections and may require additional psychological, practical and social support. Our findings highlight the important role that education providers play in providing a source of information and support to adolescents and young adults during times of uncertainty.


Author(s):  
Aoife Lonergan ◽  
Amy Moriarty ◽  
Fiona McNicholas ◽  
Triona Byrne

Objectives: Cyberbullying is increasingly recognised as a threat for young people’s mental health. Young people and their families may not know how to stay safe online or how to respond following unsafe internet experiences. This study aimed to examine Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) staff perceived knowledge, practice and attitudes towards cyberbullying (CB) and internet safety (IS), and their training needs. Methods: A descriptive, survey design was used. 59 CAMHS clinicians completed a study specific online survey examining their knowledge, practice, attitudes and training needs regarding CB and IS. Frequency and descriptive statistics were conducted on participant responses. Results: Clinicians reported that risky internet behaviour and CB were frequent experiences reported by youth attending their clinical practice. Professionals were aware of potential adverse effects on the young person, including social withdrawal, low self-esteem, anxiety, self-injurious behaviour and suicidal thoughts. Training for young people on online behaviour and good digital citizenship skills was a highly endorsed preference. The majority of respondents felt CAMHS staff have a role in supporting families and managing IS and identified training and resource materials as strategies to assist them in this regard. Conclusions: Findings support a need for clinicians to regularly inquire about internet use, safety and adverse online experiences. The ongoing development of resources and training in CB and IS for CAMHS clinicians, children and caregivers is necessary. Further research is warranted due to the small sample size and the subjective nature of the current study.


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Mullen ◽  
C. Dowling ◽  
G. O’Reilly

ObjectivesResearch regarding adolescent internet use and mental health is sparse. However, awareness of a young person’s internet use is becoming increasingly recognised as an important element of clinical assessment and intervention, and requires the development of an evidence base. The aim of the present study was to better understand the internet use of young people experiencing mental health difficulties and to contrast it with those who currently report no concerns.MethodIn total, 299 young people aged 12–19 years, across a continuum of mental health difficulties, completed an online survey measuring internet use and related experiences. Young people were assigned to four groups: (a) attending inpatient services; (b) attending outpatient services; (c) a community group with mental health concerns and no clinical support; and (d) a regular community group.ResultsThose in the inpatient and outpatient groups visited more potentially harmful websites. Young people attending inpatient and outpatient services showed aspects of both more risky and less risky use. The community group reporting no mental health difficulties showed least risky use. The group experiencing difficulties but not receiving support showed consistently high risky use, suggesting this is a particularly vulnerable group.ConclusionsDespite methodological limitations, findings suggest that those with mental health difficulties may experience more of the risks and fewer of the benefits offered by the internet. Though further research is needed to clarify these findings, clinicians should consider routine assessment of Internet use when planning interventions for young people experiencing mental health difficulties.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1321103X1986326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Huisman Koops ◽  
Christa R Kuebel

The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the self-reported mental health state of US music majors. The participants ( n = 252) completed a researcher-designed online survey, including questions regarding mental health literacy and the DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale). The survey also included three open-ended questions about mental health as music majors. We analyzed quantitative data using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and factor analysis; we coded and qualitatively analyzed open-ended responses. Results suggested that (a) a majority of music major participants in this study reported mild to extreme levels of depression, anxiety, and stress; (b) factor analysis of the Mental Health Literacy scale developed for this survey suggested a two-factor solution of mental health literacy, differentiated by locus of control; and (c) the heavy workload and curricular obligations, as well as the emotional connection to music-making and critique, contributed to self-reported challenges.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudette Pretorius ◽  
Derek Chambers ◽  
Benjamin Cowan ◽  
David Coyle

BACKGROUND Young people are particularly vulnerable to experiencing mental health difficulties, but very few seek treatment or help during this time. Online help-seeking may offer an additional domain where young people can seek aid for mental health difficulties, yet our current understanding of how young people seek help online is limited. OBJECTIVE This was an exploratory study which aimed to investigate the online help-seeking behaviors and preferences of young people. METHODS This study made use of an anonymous online survey. Young people aged 18-25, living in Ireland, were recruited through social media ads on Twitter and Facebook and participated in the survey. RESULTS A total of 1308 respondents completed the survey. Many of the respondents (80.66%; 1055/1308) indicated that they would use their mobile phone to look online for help for a personal or emotional concern. When looking for help online, 82.57% (1080/1308) of participants made use of an Internet search, while 57.03% (746/1308) made use of a health website. When asked about their satisfaction with these resources, 36.94% (399/1080) indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with an Internet search while 49.33% (368/746) indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with a health website. When asked about credibility, health websites were found to be the most trustworthy, with 39.45% (516/1308) indicating that they found them to be trustworthy or very trustworthy. Most of the respondents (82.95%; 1085/1308) indicated that a health service logo was an important indicator of credibility, as was an endorsement by schools and colleges (54.97%; 719/1308). Important facilitators of online help-seeking included the anonymity and confidentiality offered by the Internet, with 80% (1046/1308) of the sample indicating that it influenced their decision a lot or quite a lot. A noted barrier was being uncertain whether information on an online resource was reliable, with 55.96% (732/1308) of the respondents indicating that this influenced their decision a lot or quite a lot. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this survey suggest that young people are engaging with web-based mental health resources to assist them with their mental health concerns. However, levels of satisfaction with the available resources vary. Young people are engaging in strategies to assign credibility to web-based resources, however, uncertainty around their reliability is a significant barrier to online help-seeking.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document