scholarly journals Mental Health, Partnerships, and Sexual Behavior of German Students After the Third Wave During the Corona Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Supke ◽  
Prof. Dr. Kurt Hahlweg ◽  
Krenare Kelani ◽  
Prof. Dr. Beate Muschalla ◽  
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
The Third ◽  
Health Partnerships ◽  
Symptom Load

Abstract Background. The corona pandemic has drastically changed students' lives and increased their perceived stress. At the end of winter and in spring 2021, Germany experienced the third wave of the pandemic. This study aims to examine the state of students’ mental health after the third wave as well as partnerships and sex life during the pandemic. Methods. In June and July 2021, 928 students (mean age: 23.6; 63.5% females) from four universities in Germany completed an online survey. The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were used to assess mood problems and worrying. Results. Our results show that 56.4% were above the cut-off value for clinically relevant mood problems, 35.7% for worrying and 33.4% were above both cut-off values simultaneously (≥10). The female gender, higher study stress, low financial resources, higher strain due to corona and more loneliness were associated with severe symptoms, whereas higher life satisfaction, more sleep, and psychological/psychiatric treatment were related to better mental health. Students who started studying in the pandemic showed slightly more mood problems than longer enrolled students. The vast majority (89.3%) of all students were happy with their current relationship. While half of the students noted no change in their relationship, a quarter each reported improvement or deterioration. Every third single student has had less sex and in every fifth partnership it came to more sex during the pandemic. Conclusion: Students´ mental health seems to be worse compared to pre-pandemic data and also compared to the first wave data, especially concerning mood problems (depressive symptoms). Women are significantly more burdened than men. It should be further investigated whether rates of symptom load will be lower again when universities reopen and study life becomes normal.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Effect on the Mental Health of Doctors in India

2020 ◽  
pp. 55-70
Author(s):  
Amritha Nair ◽  
Jagadeesh Menon ◽  
Ashwin Rammohan ◽  
Abdul R. Hakeem ◽  
Sathya D. Cherukuri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Graduate Degree ◽  
Severe Stress

Background and Objectives: For doctors at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, failure to acknowledge and act on the warning signs of stress can adversely affect their professional, social and personal life. We conducted a nationwide survey of a large sample of Indian doctors to measure levels of perceived stress, identify risk factors for severe stress and assess their response to current issues related to the safety and well-being of the community. Methods: An online survey using Google forms was conducted between 1st May 2020 and 15th May 2020. The core component of the survey was the standardized Perceived Stress Scale answered on a Likert scale. Results: Out of 520 responders, 394 (76%) were under 45 years of age 101 (19%) were between 18-30 years and 37 (7%) were above 60 years. 312(60%) were male doctors and 203 (40%) were female doctors. 90% of respondents had a post-graduate degree, 48(9%) had undergraduate degree and 168(32%) had super specialty degree. 313 (60.2%) of the respondents were practising in the private sector, 169 (33%) worked in public sector hospitals and 32(7%) in charitable hospitals. 109 (21%) had low stress, while 371 (71%) and 40 (8%) reported moderate and severe stress respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed the female gender, being financially insecure and ICU a place of work as independent risk factors for severe stress. Conclusion: This is the first such survey done in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic from the Indian sub-continent and has identified factors that have the potential to adversely impact the mental health of doctors. These findings are applicable to many countries in Asia and Africa with similar healthcare systems and can act as a valuable guide for authorities to establish support systems at multiple levels for these “COVID Warriors”.

scholarly journals How is the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the mental health of parents of school-age children in the UK? A cross-sectional online survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e043397
Author(s):  
Austen El-Osta ◽  
Aos Alaa ◽  
Iman Webber ◽  
Eva Riboli Sasco ◽  
Emmanouil Bagkeris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveInvestigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on feelings of loneliness and social isolation in parents of school-age children.DesignCross-sectional online survey of parents of primary and secondary school-age children.SettingCommunity setting.Participants1214 parents of school-age children in the UK.MethodsAn online survey explored the impact of lockdown on the mental health of parents with school-age children, and in particular about feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Associations between the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLATILS), the Direct Measure of Loneliness (DMOL) and the characteristics of the study participants were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported measures of social isolation and loneliness using UCLATILS and DMOL.ResultsHalf of respondents felt they lacked companionship, 45% had feelings of being left out, 58% felt isolated and 46% felt lonely during the first 100 days of lockdown. The factors that were associated with higher levels of loneliness on UCLATILS were female gender, parenting a child with special needs, lack of a dedicated space for distance learning, disruption of sleep patterns and low levels of physical activity during the lockdown. Factors associated with a higher DMOL were female gender, single parenting, parenting a child with special needs, unemployment, low physical activity, lack of a dedicated study space and disruption of sleep patterns during the lockdown.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdown has increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness among parents of school-age children. The sustained adoption of two modifiable health-seeking lifestyle behaviours (increased levels of physical activity and the maintenance of good sleep hygiene practices) wmay help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown.

scholarly journals Perceived Stress and Increased Food Consumption during the ‘Third Wave’ of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2380
Author(s):  
Eduardo Sánchez-Sánchez ◽  
Jara Díaz-Jimenez ◽  
Ignacio Rosety ◽  
Maria José M. Alférez ◽  
Antonio Jesús Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
The Third ◽  
Moderate Stress

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of people worldwide. An increase in perceived stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as increased food consumption. The aim of this study was to find the level of perceived stress and its relationship with increased food consumption during the “third wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. This was a cross-sectional study that employed anonline self-reported frequency of consumption questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale-10. A total of 637 subjects participated and 83.6% of respondents had moderate or high stress—more prevalent in the female and young respondents. Moreover, 36.1% of respondents reported that they had increased the frequency of consumption of some foods, mainly nuts, snacks, and jellybeans, along with coffee, tea, cocoa, and soft drinks. Eating between meals was more pronounced in those with high stress (65.1%) than in those with moderate stress (40.4%) and low stress (20.2%). Furthermore, the respondents with high stress reported greater weight gain. Thus, the results show that the level of perceived stress during the ‘third wave’ of this pandemic increased food consumption.

scholarly journals COVID-19 as a Stressor: Pandemic Expectations, Perceived Stress, and Negative Affect in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda R Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Objectives The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic is appraised as a stressor influences perceived stress (PS) and psychological well-being during the event. Here, the association of older adults’ expectations concerning the pandemic’s duration and impact with PS and negative affect (NA) is investigated. Based on the stress and coping framework, PS is expected to mediate the association between COVID-19 expectations and NA. Methods Seven hundred fourteen residents of the United States and aged 60 and older completed an anonymous online survey in late March 2020 reporting PS, NA, and expectations regarding the pandemic. Results Regression analyses controlling for demographic factors revealed that more dire pandemic expectations significantly predicted PS and NA directly, and the effects on NA were significantly mediated by PS. Discussion Findings provide evidence that expectations about a pandemic influence the extent to which older adults experience stress and NA in the midst of a pandemic event. Implications for mental health are discussed.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Changes among Polish University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9571
Author(s):  
Karolina Fila-Witecka ◽  
Adrianna Senczyszyn ◽  
Agata Kołodziejczyk ◽  
Marta Ciułkowicz ◽  
Julian Maciaszek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
University Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Eating Pattern

Students worldwide have been impacted by nationwide safety closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating an environment with loss of interaction with colleagues, social isolation, boredom, and economic uncertainty. Since university students were considered uniquely vulnerable to mental health problems even before the pandemic, this study aimed to investigate lifestyle and behavioral changes experienced by this population due to the epidemiological situation and their effect on their mental health. Data were collected via an online survey conducted among university students across Poland. The survey addressed recent lifestyle changes that were a result of the pandemic as well as psychological distress, symptoms of insomnia and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The results indicate that protective factors include maintaining a daily routine, staying physically active, following a usual eating pattern and taking care of sleep hygiene. Changes in behavior contributing to poorer mental health included giving up a daily routine, neglecting meals, tidiness, hygiene as well as social relationships, changes in food intake, sleeping schedule, a decrease in physical activity and the onset of sexual dysfunctions. A history of psychiatric treatment and an increase in self-harm as well as an increase in alcohol and tobacco consumption were also found to be associated with psychological distress. Experienced lifestyle and behavioral changes and their impact on mental health were apparent throughout the obtained data, highlighting the need for psychological support in the studied population. Based on the results we were able to establish a list of protective and risk factors influencing the everyday life and psychological wellbeing of students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which could also be translated into life skills.

Perceived Stress, Stressors, and Mental Distress Among Doctor of Pharmacy Students

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1457-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma P. Geslani ◽  
Claude J. Gaebelein
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Doctor Of Pharmacy

We conducted an online survey to assess stress levels, stressors, coping strategies, and mental distress among first year professional Doctor of Pharmacy students at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. We used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) to measure perceived stress and the Health-related Quality of Life Scale (HRQOL-14) to assess physical and mental health. Self-reported stress levels among our respondents were elevated, significantly higher than among other populations as reported in previous studies, and exceeded the threshold benchmarked as being unhealthy. Mental health scores were negatively correlated with stress levels, exceeded the threshold for frequent mental distress, and were significantly higher than in comparison groups as reported in previous studies. Examinations were ranked the most stressful events and spending time with family ranked as the most effective stress reliever. Further specific investigation is needed to identify probable contributors to distress and to solicit recommendations to help students alleviate their stress and strengthen their mental health.

scholarly journals The role of extraversion and neuroticism for experiencing stress during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Bellingtier ◽  
Marcus Mund ◽  
Cornelia Wrzus
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Personality Differences ◽  
The Third ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderate Stress

AbstractAlthough long postulated, it has been scarcely researched how personality traits play out differently in distinct situations. We examined if Neuroticism and Extraversion, personality traits known to moderate stress processes, function differently in highly stressful situations requiring reduced social contact, that is, the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on past findings, we expected neuroticism to be associated with exacerbated perceptions of stress. In contrast to past findings, we expected extraversion, which usually ameliorates stress, to be associated with intensified perceptions of stress, especially in regard to the sociability facet. During the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, one-hundred-thirty adults (age M = 21.7 years) reported on their personality traits including their facets with the BFI-2, COVID-19-related stressors, and their perceived stress during the last month (using the PSS). Findings indicated that neuroticism was associated with higher perceived stress regardless of the COVID-19-related stressors experienced. Facet level analysis revealed differences for anxiety, depression, and volatility. Importantly, trait extraversion was unassociated with stress experiences, whereas specifically the facet of sociability was associated with higher perceived stress. Also, the facets of assertiveness and energy both moderated the relationship between COVID-19-related stressors and perceived stress. In line with the transactional theory of stress, our findings indicate that perceptions of stress were best understood by looking at the interaction of environmental stressors and personality differences. Furthermore, the study substantiates that facets of personality traits offer unique information beyond broad traits in specific contexts.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic and Personality: Agreeable People Are More Stressed by the Feeling of Missing

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10759
Author(s):  
Stephan Getzmann ◽  
Jan Digutsch ◽  
Thomas Kleinsorge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Big Five ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Big Five Personality Traits ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Related Individual

The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to contain it have substantial consequences for many people, resulting in negative effects on individual well-being and mental health. In the current study, we examined whether individual changes in perceived stress relative to pre-pandemic levels depended on differences in behavior, appraisal, and experience of pandemic-related constraints. In addition, we tested whether this potential relationship was moderated by personality traits. We conducted an online survey during the end of the first lockdown in Germany in spring 2020, and assessed pandemic-related individual consequences as well as perceived stress. These data were related to the big five personality traits and to ratings of perceived stress obtained from the same participants in a study conducted before the outbreak of the pandemic, using the same standardized stress questionnaires. There was no overall increase, but a large interindividual variety in perceived stress relative to pre-pandemic levels. Increased stress was associated especially with strong feelings of missing. This relationship was moderated by agreeableness, with more agreeable people showing a higher association of the feeling of missing and the increase of perceived stress. In addition, openness and conscientiousness were positively correlated with an increase in stress. The results highlight the importance of considering personality and individual appraisals when examining the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceived stress and well-being.

scholarly journals The protective role of life satisfaction, coping strategies and defense mechanisms on perceived stress due to COVID-19 emergency: A chained mediation model

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242402
Author(s):  
Alessio Gori ◽  
Eleonora Topino ◽  
Annamaria Di Fabio
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Mediation Model

The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic represents a worldwide emergency, which may have harmful consequences on people’s mental health. Parallel to research focused on risk factors, it could be useful to investigate the factors that help to cope with such crises at an emotional level. Therefore, this study aimed to strengthen the role of variables that protect from subjective distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, explore the pathways between satisfaction with life and perceived stress, and consider the role of coping strategies and defense mechanisms in this relationship. A sample of 1102 Italian participants who were experiencing the COVID-19 lockdown measures (Mage = 34.91, SD = 11.91) completed an online survey in which the Ten Item Perceived Stress Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory and Forty-Item Defense Style Questionnaire were included. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s r correlations and moderation analysis. A chained-mediation model showed that the relationship between life satisfaction and perceived stress is partially mediated by approach coping, positive attitude and mature defenses. This study contributes toward gaining a better understanding of a protective pathway for mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings could be useful from both a preventive and an intervention perspective.

scholarly journals Mental health outcomes among front and second line health workers associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Rossi ◽  
Valentina Socci ◽  
Francesca Pacitti ◽  
Giorgio Di Lorenzo ◽  
Antinisca Di Marco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

AbstractIn this study, we report on mental health outcomes among health workers (HWs) involved with the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.Data on mental health on 1379 HWs were collected between March 27th and March 31th 2020 using an on-line questionnaire spread throughout social networks, using a snowball technique along with sponsored social network advertisement. Key mental health outcomes were Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms (PTSD), severe depression, anxiety, insomnia and perceived stress.PTSD symptoms, severe depression, anxiety and insomnia, and high perceived stress were endorsed respectively by 681 (49.38%), 341 (24.73%), 273 (19.80%), 114 (8.27%) and 302 (21.90%) respondents. Regression analysis show that younger age, female gender, being a front-line HWs, having a colleague deceased, hospitalised or in quarantine were associated with poor mental health outcomes.This is the first report on mental health outcomes and associated risk factors among HWs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, confirming a substantial proportion of health workers involved with the COVID-19 pandemic having mental health issues, in particular young women, first-line HWs.

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