scholarly journals A Qualitative Analysis of Feelings and Experiences Associated With Perinatal Distress During the Covid-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Jones ◽  
Virginia Harrison ◽  
Michelle L. Moulds
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Psychosocial Stressors ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Recent Experience ◽  
General Distress ◽  
Perinatal Women

Abstract Background: Rates of perinatal psychological difficulties (experienced during pregnancy and the twelve-months postpartum) increased dramatically worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the UK, anxiety and depression were estimated to affect more than half of perinatal women during the first national lockdown. However, little is known about women’s qualitative experiences of distress and the sources of their symptoms. This study aimed to extend quantitative research to qualitatively explore: 1) the psychological symptoms associated with maternal perinatal distress during the COVID-19 pandemic; and 2) the associated psychosocial stressors, in order to guide future preventative and supportive interventions.Methods: As part of an online survey during May 2020, 424 perinatal women completed an open-ended question regarding a recent experience of distress. Qualitative data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis from a realist stance and explored in the context of perinatal anxiety and depression scores.Results: Thematic analysis of the data identified thirteen distinct symptom-related themes of psychological distress. Despite the high rates of probable depression in the sample, women’s descriptions of symptoms were more indicative of anxiety and general distress, rather than those traditionally related to depression. Furthermore, qualitative experiences of distress differed between pre- and postnatal women. In terms of the associated psychosocial stressors, six themes emerged. Three were related to COVID-19, and three described general motherhood experiences unrelated to the pandemic context. Psychological conflict between maternal expectations and the reality of pregnancy and motherhood, and fears surrounding family health, safety, and wellbeing underlay many of the themes. Conclusions: Interventions to support perinatal wellbeing may benefit from a transdiagnostic approach focusing on a multitude of symptoms, particularly those associated with anxiety and general distress. Support should also aim to develop healthy expectations of perinatal experiences, as well as provide psychoeducation to alleviate fears in pregnancy and early motherhood to help reduce maternal distress. This paper also highlights some of the traumatic COVID-related stressors which should be addressed to reduce enduring and recurrent episodes of trauma whilst presenting various opportunities to better support perinatal women should future pandemic restrictions be required.

scholarly journals Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cannabis Use in Cancer Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912199978
Author(s):  
Kristine A. Donovan ◽  
Diane G. Portman
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Respiratory System ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Psychosocial Stressors ◽  
Product Cost ◽  
Perceived Vulnerability ◽  
Reasons For Use ◽  
The Way

Introduction: Medical and other cannabis use by cancer patients continues to increase. Reasons for use include management of psychosocial stressors, physical and psychological symptoms. We explored the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on on patients’ cannabis use, hypothesizing that users would be increasing their use due to heightened stress and increased uncertainty. Methods: Participants were part of an anonymous online survey of cannabis use in cancer. Items specific to COVID-19 were administered between April and June 2020. Results: Thirty-one percent of respondents (n = 26) confirmed they used cannabis during COVID-19. The top 5 reasons for use were sleep, anxiety, nausea, pain, and appetite. Ninety-two percent denied they were using cannabis for new or different symptoms. Eighty-one percent were using about the same amount as before, 11.5% were using less, and 8% more. Only 12% reported that product cost affected their use and that they had changed the way in which they used cannabis. Eight percent were stockpiling product so that they did not run out during the pandemic. Conclusions: The percentages of those reporting a change in cannabis use were modest. Increased use may reflect efforts to relieve stress. Decreased use may reflect barriers to securing unregulated products and perceived vulnerability to the effects of infection on the respiratory system. As the pandemic continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor its effects on cancer patients as it relates to psychosocial stressors, psychological symptoms, and cannabis use.

Abstract 321: Illness Perceptions and Readiness for Discharge Are Associated with Psychological Symptoms in Cardiac Arrest Survivors with Good Neurologic Recovery

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Presciutti ◽  
Sarah M Perman ◽  
Mary M Newman ◽  
Jonathan Shaffer
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Illness Perceptions ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Illness Perception ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Full Data ◽  
Neurologic Recovery ◽  
Illness Perception Questionnaire

Introduction: Understanding the development of psychological symptoms post-arrest is a major research gap. In qualitative studies, cardiac arrest survivors report being poorly equipped to face the numerous sequelae upon returning home, which could in turn exacerbate acute psychological symptoms from the initial cardiac arrest event. In this study, we examined associations between illness perceptions (i.e. cognitive and emotional appraisals of illness and recovery), readiness for discharge, and provider-patient communication with psychological symptoms in cardiac arrest survivors with good neurologic recovery. Methods: We distributed an online survey to cardiac arrest survivors who were members of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. Survivors completed the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ), Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS), Questionnaire for the Quality of Provider-Patient Interactions (QQPPI), PTSD Checklist-5 (PCL-5), and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) which has anxiety and depression subscales. Three multiple regression models examined associations between B-IPQ, RHDS, and QQPPI scores with PCL-5 and PHQ-4 anxiety and depression sores, adjusted for age, sex, time since arrest, self-reported understanding of cardiac arrest and post-arrest symptoms at discharge, self-reported memory at discharge, functional status via the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale, pre-arrest Charlson Comorbidity Index, and income. Results: We obtained full data from 163 survivors (mean age: 50.1 years, 50.3% women, 95.5% white, mean time since arrest: 63.9 months). More threatening illness perceptions (β: .57, p < .01) and lower readiness for discharge (β: -.22, p = .01) were associated with greater posttraumatic stress symptoms. More threatening illness perceptions was associated with greater anxiety (β: .53, p < .01) and depression (β: .5, p < .01) symptoms. Conclusions: Illness perceptions and readiness for discharge were associated with psychological symptoms in cardiac arrest survivors. Future studies should examine the feasibility of in-hospital assessment of survivors’ illness perceptions, readiness for discharge, and psychological symptoms.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Association Between Increase of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia During Lockdown and Caregivers’ Poor Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1713-1721
Author(s):  
Elodie Pongan ◽  
Jean-Michel Dorey ◽  
Céline Borg ◽  
Jean Claude Getenet ◽  
Romain Bachelet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms ◽  
At Home

Background: From March 2020, the support and care systems for caregivers and people with dementia (PWD) were suspended or dramatically changed due to the lockdown during the world pandemic of COVID-19. Thus, these changes in living conditions have had deleterious consequences on the behavior of PWD and subsequently on their caregivers’ mental health, the two being linked. Objective: Our study aimed to examine changes in behavior among PWD and to look for associations between the evolution of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and caregivers’ mental health in the context of COVID-19. Methods: The study was conducted among caregivers of PWD living at home in France. Caregivers were interviewed via an anonymous cross-sectional online survey during the first lockdown between April 15 and June 15, 2020. Results: Three hundred and eighty-nine caregivers accompanying a relative living at home participated in the study; 43.3%of the PWD presented a worsening of BPSD during the lockdown. With multivariate logistic regressions, a significant association was observed between ”more BPSD” and burden, anxiety and depression, between “BPSD equivalent” and anxiety and depression, and between “emerging BPSD” and only depression. Conclusion: The lockdown seems to have an impact on behavioral disorders in PWD and these disorders are associated with poorer mental health of caregivers. Our findings suggest attention should be given to caregivers of PWD who have BPSD before lockdown and the need for continued consultations and professional help in case of new lockdowns.

scholarly journals Stress, Anxiety, and Depression for Chinese Residents in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4958
Author(s):  
Qin Hu ◽  
Maki Umeda
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Positive Effects

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has profoundly affected the psychological well-being of foreign residents. This study examines stress, anxiety, and depression levels in Chinese residents in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies risk factors and the roles of disaster preparedness and social support. An online survey among Chinese residents in Japan was conducted from 22 June to 14 July 2020. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, Disaster Preparedness for Resilience Checklist, and Social Support Rate Scale were used to measure psychological symptoms. Multivariable linear regressions identified the risk factors and positive effects of disaster preparedness and social support. Of the total 497 participants, 45.3%, 66.6%, and 54.3% reported severe stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, respectively. People with a lower level of education, a higher level of economic influence, the presence of COVID-19 symptoms, and confirmed or suspected family or friends in China were associated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first survey to reveal the protective role of disaster preparedness in reducing psychological symptoms during the pandemic. It offers unique data for further research on how to promote the mental health of vulnerable populations including foreign residents.

scholarly journals Functions of Career Resilience Against Changes During Working Life in Japan: Focus on Health Condition Changes and Task or Job Changes

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402110021
Author(s):  
Makiko Kodama
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
Career Development ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Working Life ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
The Future ◽  
Simple Slope ◽  
Career Resilience

This study aimed to clarify the role that career resilience plays in preventing inhibition of career development when individuals confront changes during their working life, such as changes in work tasks or health condition. Career resilience consists of five factors: ability to cope with problems, social skills, interest in novelty, optimism about the future, and willingness to help others. In all, 1,000 Japanese company employees completed an online survey. The results showed that optimism about the future and ability to cope with problems exhibited a negative correlation with NPC when confronting changes. The results of simple slope analysis suggested that social skills and ability to cope with problems decreased the negative influence that psychological symptoms caused by changes had on job satisfaction, which was one index of career development. This study underlines the necessity of developing the ability to cope with problems and social skills.

scholarly journals Moderating Roles of Resilience and Social Support on Psychiatric and Practice Outcomes in Nurses Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 237796082110242
Author(s):  
Anna E. Schierberl Scherr ◽  
Brian J. Ayotte ◽  
Marni B. Kellogg
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
The United States ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Behavioral Measure ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Research Reporting ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression

Introduction Staff and equipment shortages and an easily transmissible virus make working in the COVID-19 pandemic demanding physically and psychologically. Nurses on the frontlines are particularly vulnerable to the adversity of working under these conditions, particularly with regard to mental health. Thus, understanding risk and protective factors for this vulnerable and essential group is critical for identifying potential targets of interventions. We had two aims for the current study: (a) to examine work functioning and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress (PTSD) among nurses who did and did not care for patients with COVID-19; and (b) to determine if resilience and social support moderate these relationships. Methods For three weeks in July 2020, nurses across the United States were invited to participate in an online survey collecting data on demographics, resilience, social support, and screening measures of depression, PTSD, anxiety, and distracted practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression for each outcome measure. Conclusions Our findings support a growing body of research reporting that nurses are experiencing mental health sequelae during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those providing direct care to patients with the virus. We found that compared to nurses who did not care for patients with COVID-19, those who did reported increased symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. A novel contribution is our finding that nurses providing direct COVID-19 care also experienced increased levels of distracted practice, a behavioral measure of distraction linking to a potential impact on patient care. We also found that resilience and social support acted as moderators of some of these relationships. Fostering resilience and social support may help buffer the effects of providing care to patients with COVID-19 and could potentially decrease nurse vulnerability to developing psychological symptoms and impairment on the job.

scholarly journals Exploring the Frequency of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in a Brazilian Sample during the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4847
Author(s):  
Fabiana Silva Ribeiro ◽  
Flávia H. Santos ◽  
Luis Anunciação ◽  
Lucas Barrozo ◽  
Jesus Landeira-Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Brazilian Sample

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency of international concern, and the main measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus causing COVID-19 were social distancing, quarantine, and self-isolation. Although these policies are effective in containing the spread of the virus, they might represent a challenge to psychological well-being, increasing levels of depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Aims: We explored the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms during COVID-19 restrictions and associations with sociodemographic factors in a Brazilian sample. Method: Data of a total of 936 Brazilian adults (68.2% women) aged 18 to 77 years old (M = 38.95, SD = 13.91) were collected through an online survey. Results: In general, we observed a frequency of 17.36% for severe anxiety and 66.13% for severe depression symptoms, in which younger participants (18–39 years old) and women showed higher scores in anxiety and depression scales compared to older age groups. Logistic regressions showed that women were more likely to present severe symptoms of anxiety (20.4%) compared to men (10.9%), as well as respondents in the educational sector (24.3%) compared to those in the health sector (10%). Conclusions: We highlight the importance of mental health professionals in developing strategies to help younger adults to mitigate the effects of social restriction.

scholarly journals Asthma patients experience increased symptoms of anxiety, depression and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 147997312110296
Author(s):  
Geertje M de Boer ◽  
Laura Houweling ◽  
Rudi W Hendriks ◽  
Jan H Vercoulen ◽  
Gerdien A Tramper-Stranders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Asthma Patients ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Population studies showed a decrease in psychological wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Asthma is associated with a negative effect on anxiety and depression, which might worsen during the COVID-19 lockdown. The aim of the study was to compare fear, anxiety and depression between asthma patients and patients wit hout asthma pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 pandemic. This study compares fear, anxiety and depression in asthma patients and controls between pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 lockdown with a cross-sectional online survey. Participants were invited to fill out several questionnaires pertaining to fear, anxiety, depression, asthma control and quality of life. Asthma patients (N = 37) displayed, during the course of the pandemic, a clinically relevant increase in anxiety (3.32 ± 2.95 vs. 6.68 ± 3.78; p < 0.001) and depression (1.30 ± 1.15 vs. 3.65 ± 3.31; p < 0.001), according to the hospital anxiety and depression levels (HADS) compared to pre-COVID-19 assessment. This was not seen in controls. Also, asthma patients displayed more anxiety about acquiring COVID-19 disease compared to controls ((5.11 ± 1.99 vs. 3.50 ± 2.79), p = 0.006). Patients with asthma experienced an increase in anxiety and depression levels and were more afraid of acquiring COVID-19 disease compared to controls. Also, patients with asthma were more likely to avoid healthcare facilities due to fear of acquiring COVID-19 disease compared to controls. Therefore, we advise health care workers to address these possible negative effects on mental health by phone or e-consults.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Determinants of Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccines Recommendation Discrepancies among General Practitioners in French-Speaking Parts of Belgium

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 771
Author(s):  
Cathy Gobert ◽  
Pascal Semaille ◽  
Thierry Van der Schueren ◽  
Pierre Verger ◽  
Nicolas Dauby
Keyword(s):  
General Practitioners ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Patient Acceptance ◽  
Recent Experience ◽  
Average Percentage ◽  
Vaccine Recommendations ◽  
Increased Risk

General practitioners (GPs) play a critical role in patient acceptance of vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy (VH) is a growing phenomenon in the general population but also affects GPs. Few data exist on VH among GPs. The objectives of this analysis of a population of GPs in the Belgian Wallonia-Brussels Federation (WBF) were to: (1) determine the prevalence and the features of VH, (2) identify the correlates, and (3) estimate the discrepancy in vaccination’s behaviors between the GPs’ children and the recommendations made to their patients. An online survey was carried out among the population of general practitioners practicing in the WBF between 7 January and 18 March 2020. A hierarchical cluster analysis was carried out based on various dimensions of vaccine hesitancy: perception of the risks and the usefulness of vaccines as well as vaccine recommendations for their patients. A total of 251 GPs answered the survey. The average percentage of moderate to high vaccine hesitancy was 50.6%. Three factors were independently associated with increased risk of vaccine hesitancy: an age <50 years old, having no children, and having no contact with selected vaccine-preventable disease (measles, complicated influenza, chronic hepatitis B (HBV), bacterial meningitis, or cervical cancer) in the past 5 years. VH was associated with controversies on vaccines’ safety. GPs who had vaccinated their children against six diseases (MMR, meningococcus C (MenC), HBV, and HPV) tended not to recommend the same vaccines to their patients. Among GPs with all children vaccinated against HBV, only 37.5% recommended catch-up HBV immunization to their patients. In this small cohort of GP, moderate to high VH was associated with controversies on vaccines’ safety and with specific personal characteristics (age <50, no children, and no recent experience with a serious VPD). As previously reported, GPs have different vaccine prescription attitude toward their patients and children. These findings should be confirmed in larger cohorts.

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