scholarly journals The Impact of 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: A Comparison between China and Spain (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuiyan Wang ◽  
María Inmaculada López-Núñez ◽  
Riyu Pan ◽  
Xiaoyang Wan ◽  
Yilin Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health Parameters

BACKGROUND The differences between physical and mental health across continents during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was unknown. OBJECTIVE This study compared the levels of impact of COVID-19 and mental health between people from Spain and China, and to correlate mental health parameters with variables relating to symptoms similar to COVID-19, COVID-19 knowledge and precautionary measures. METHODS We collected information on demographic data, physical symptoms, contact history, COVID-19 knowledge and precautionary measures. Participants filled the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). To analyze the differences in the mental health parameters, the mean score between the Chinese and Spanish respondents was compared by the independent sample t-test. The differences in categorical variables between the two samples was analyzed by the chi-squared test. Linear regressions was used to calculate the univariate associations between independent variables and mental health parameters for the Chinese and Spanish respondents separately RESULTS A total of 1539 participants (678 from Spain; 861 from China) were recruited. Spanish participants reported significantly more symptoms similar to COVID-19 infection, contact history with COVID-19, higher perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, frequent use of medical services and less confidence in medical services as compared with Chinese (p<0.001). Spanish participants reported significantly higher stress and depression scores while the Chinese participants reported significantly higher IES-R scores (p<0.001). Chinese participants encountered more discrimination from other countries (p<0.001). Significantly fewer Spanish participants preferred to use face masks as well as obtained health information related to COVID-19 (p<0.001). Significantly more Chinese participants reported the use of face masks was associated with less depression but more health information was associated with adverse mental health in Spanish (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our study found that Spanish respondents reported higher levels of stress and depression as well as more symptoms and medical services. Before the next pandemic, Spain needs to establish a prompt policy to implement rapid response and enhanced medical services to safeguard physical and mental health.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health in Lower and Upper Middle-Income Asian Countries: A Comparison Between the Philippines and China

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Tee ◽  
Cuiyan Wang ◽  
Cherica Tee ◽  
Riyu Pan ◽  
Patrick W. Reyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Middle Income Country ◽  
Income Country ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Middle Income

Objective: The differences between the physical and mental health of people living in a lower-middle-income country (LMIC) and upper-middle-income country (UMIC) during the COVID-19 pandemic was unknown. This study aimed to compare the levels of psychological impact and mental health between people from the Philippines (LMIC) and China (UMIC) and correlate mental health parameters with variables relating to physical symptoms and knowledge about COVID-19.Methods: The survey collected information on demographic data, physical symptoms, contact history, and knowledge about COVID-19. The psychological impact was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and mental health status was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).Findings: The study population included 849 participants from 71 cities in the Philippines and 861 participants from 159 cities in China. Filipino (LMIC) respondents reported significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than Chinese (UMIC) during the COVID-19 (p &lt; 0.01) while only Chinese respondents' IES-R scores were above the cut-off for PTSD symptoms. Filipino respondents were more likely to report physical symptoms resembling COVID-19 infection (p &lt; 0.05), recent use of but with lower confidence on medical services (p &lt; 0.01), recent direct and indirect contact with COVID (p &lt; 0.01), concerns about family members contracting COVID-19 (p &lt; 0.001), dissatisfaction with health information (p &lt; 0.001). In contrast, Chinese respondents requested more health information about COVID-19. For the Philippines, student status, low confidence in doctors, dissatisfaction with health information, long daily duration spent on health information, worries about family members contracting COVID-19, ostracization, and unnecessary worries about COVID-19 were associated with adverse mental health. Physical symptoms and poor self-rated health were associated with adverse mental health in both countries (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest the need for widely available COVID-19 testing in MIC to alleviate the adverse mental health in people who present with symptoms. A health education and literacy campaign is required in the Philippines to enhance the satisfaction of health information.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health of Asians: A study of seven middle-income countries in Asia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246824
Author(s):  
Cuiyan Wang ◽  
Michael Tee ◽  
Ashley Edward Roy ◽  
Mohammad A. Fardin ◽  
Wandee Srichokchatchawan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
General Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the economy, livelihood, and physical and mental well-being of people worldwide. This study aimed to compare the mental health status during the pandemic in the general population of seven middle income countries (MICs) in Asia (China, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam). All the countries used the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to measure mental health. There were 4479 Asians completed the questionnaire with demographic characteristics, physical symptoms and health service utilization, contact history, knowledge and concern, precautionary measure, and rated their mental health with the IES-R and DASS-21. Descriptive statistics, One-Way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression were used to identify protective and risk factors associated with mental health parameters. There were significant differences in IES-R and DASS-21 scores between 7 MICs (p<0.05). Thailand had all the highest scores of IES-R, DASS-21 stress, anxiety, and depression scores whereas Vietnam had all the lowest scores. The risk factors for adverse mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic include age <30 years, high education background, single and separated status, discrimination by other countries and contact with people with COVID-19 (p<0.05). The protective factors for mental health include male gender, staying with children or more than 6 people in the same household, employment, confidence in doctors, high perceived likelihood of survival, and spending less time on health information (p<0.05). This comparative study among 7 MICs enhanced the understanding of metal health in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals A chain mediation model on COVID-19 symptoms and mental health outcomes in Americans, Asians and Europeans

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuiyan Wang ◽  
Agata Chudzicka-Czupała ◽  
Michael L. Tee ◽  
María Inmaculada López Núñez ◽  
Connor Tripp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Perceived Impact ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe novel Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, impacting the lifestyles, economy, physical and mental health of individuals globally. This study aimed to test the model triggered by physical symptoms resembling COVID-19 infection, in which the need for health information and perceived impact of the pandemic mediated the path sequentially, leading to adverse mental health outcomes. A cross-sectional research design with chain mediation model involving 4612 participants from participating 8 countries selected via a respondent-driven sampling strategy was used. Participants completed online questionnaires on physical symptoms, the need for health information, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The results showed that Poland and the Philippines were the two countries with the highest levels of anxiety, depression and stress; conversely, Vietnam had the lowest mean scores in these areas. Chain mediation model showed the need for health information, and the perceived impact of the pandemic were sequential mediators between physical symptoms resembling COVID-19 infection (predictor) and consequent mental health status (outcome). Excessive and contradictory health information might increase the perceived impact of the pandemic. Rapid COVID-19 testing should be implemented to minimize the psychological burden associated with physical symptoms, whilst public mental health interventions could target adverse mental outcomes associated with the pandemic.

scholarly journals Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuiyan Wang ◽  
Riyu Pan ◽  
Xiaoyang Wan ◽  
Yilin Tan ◽  
Linkang Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
Severe Anxiety

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic is a public health emergency of international concern and poses a challenge to psychological resilience. Research data are needed to develop evidence-driven strategies to reduce adverse psychological impacts and psychiatric symptoms during the epidemic. The aim of this study was to survey the general public in China to better understand their levels of psychological impact, anxiety, depression, and stress during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. The data will be used for future reference. Methods: From 31 January to 2 February 2020, we conducted an online survey using snowball sampling techniques. The online survey collected information on demographic data, physical symptoms in the past 14 days, contact history with COVID-19, knowledge and concerns about COVID-19, precautionary measures against COVID-19, and additional information required with respect to COVID-19. Psychological impact was assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and mental health status was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: This study included 1210 respondents from 194 cities in China. In total, 53.8% of respondents rated the psychological impact of the outbreak as moderate or severe; 16.5% reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms; 28.8% reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms; and 8.1% reported moderate to severe stress levels. Most respondents spent 20–24 h per day at home (84.7%); were worried about their family members contracting COVID-19 (75.2%); and were satisfied with the amount of health information available (75.1%). Female gender, student status, specific physical symptoms (e.g., myalgia, dizziness, coryza), and poor self-rated health status were significantly associated with a greater psychological impact of the outbreak and higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (p < 0.05). Specific up-to-date and accurate health information (e.g., treatment, local outbreak situation) and particular precautionary measures (e.g., hand hygiene, wearing a mask) were associated with a lower psychological impact of the outbreak and lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (p < 0.05). Conclusions: During the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, more than half of the respondents rated the psychological impact as moderate-to-severe, and about one-third reported moderate-to-severe anxiety. Our findings identify factors associated with a lower level of psychological impact and better mental health status that can be used to formulate psychological interventions to improve the mental health of vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 epidemic.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health & wellbeing among home-quarantined Bangladeshi students: A cross-sectional pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abid Hasan Khan ◽  
Mst. Sadia Sultana ◽  
Sahadat Hossain ◽  
M Tasdik Hasan ◽  
Helal Uddin Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Background: COVID-19 is imposing threat both on physical and mental health since its outbreak. Bangladesh adopted lockdown strategy with potential consequences on day to day life, mental and physical health and this study aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and wellbeing among Bangladeshi students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 9th and 23th April 2020 among 505 college and university students. Data was collected by using online questionnaire including DASS 21 and IES. Descriptive analysis and bivariate linear regression were performed to examine the association of variables. Results: 28.5 % of the respondents had stress, 33.3% anxiety, 46.92% depression from mild to extremely severe, according to DASS 21 and 69.31% had event-specific distress from mild to severe in terms of severity according to IES. Perceiving physical symptoms as COVID-19 was significantly associated with DASS stress subscale (B=3.71, 95% CI: 1.01 to 6.40), DASS anxiety subscale (B= 3.95, 95% CI: 1.95 to 5.96), DASS depression subscale (B=3.82, 95% CI: 0.97 to 6.67) and IES scale (B=7.52, 95% CI: 3.58 to 11.45). Additionally, fear of infection, financial uncertainty, inadequate food supply, absence of physical exercise and limited or no recreational activity had significant association with stress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic symptoms. Conclusion: This COVID-19 outbreak imposes psychological consequences on people to a great extent which requires attention from the concerned authorities to cope with this situation mentally. The perception about the outbreak can also play a big role in psychological impact.

scholarly journals Detrimental changes to the health and well-being of healthcare workers in an Australian COVID-19 hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne M Stubbs ◽  
Helen M Achat ◽  
Suzanne Schindeler
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background Most studies examining the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers (HCWs) have assessed well-being during the initial stages or the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. We aimed to measure the impact of COVID-19 and potential changes over time in its impact, on the health and well-being of HCWs in an Australian COVID-19 hospital. Methods An online questionnaire assessed current and retrospective physical and mental health; psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale); lifestyle behaviours; and demographics, providing measures of health and wellbeing at three phases of the pandemic. Targeted staff were invited to participate via email and in-person. Additional promotional activities were directed to all staff. Changes in general health, mental health and psychological distress were examined using McNemar’s Chi-square. Associations between other categorical variables were tested using Chi-Square or non-parametric equivalents as appropriate. Logistic regression explored risk factors for current distress. Results Four hundred thirty-three eligible HCWs answered all (74 %) or part of the questionnaire. Current self-rated health and mental health were significantly better than during the height of the pandemic, but had not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Psychological distress was significantly more common during the height of the pandemic (34.2 %) than currently (22.4 %), and during the height of the pandemic distress was significantly more common among younger than older HCWs. Females were significantly more likely to be distressed that males currently, but not during the height of the pandemic. High distress during the height of the pandemic was more likely to be maintained by HCWs who were less physically active than usual during the height of the pandemic (OR = 5.5); had low self-rated mental health before the pandemic (OR = 4.8); and who had 10 or more years of professional experience (OR = 3.9). Conclusions The adverse effects of the pandemic on HCWs have lessened with the easing of pandemic demands, but health and well-being have not reverted to pre-pandemic levels. This indicates continued exposure to elevated levels of stress and/or a sustained effect of earlier exposure. Initiatives that provide ongoing support beyond the pandemic are needed to ensure that HCWs remain physically and mentally healthy and are able to continue their invaluable work.

scholarly journals Developing an app to provide physical and mental health benefits for menopausal women

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Prachi Shah ◽  
Eleni Stroulia ◽  
Sue Ross ◽  
Beate Sydora
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Social Aspect ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Menopausal Women ◽  
Symptom Changes ◽  
The Impact

Background: Menopause is the end of a women’s menstrual cycle and reproductive years. For some women the transition is without major problems; others struggle with various psychological and physical symptoms. Regular walking exercise can be an easy way to maintain physical and mental health. Previous focus groups revealed that women enjoy and want the social aspect of walking groups.    Objectives: The goal of this study is to test use and effectiveness of a walking app platform specific for menopausal women that allows them to connect with each other to schedule walks in Edmonton, and track the effect of walking on their symptom changes.   Methods: Women will be recruited from the Edmonton Menopause clinics and by word of mouth. Interested and consented women receive login information to use the app to schedule and sign-up for walks. Women will complete menopause-specific QOL and symptom questionnaires at their first login and will be prompted to complete them monthly thereafter. Women will also be asked to record their walking durations and intensities. Participating women will be invited to focus groups to discuss their experience using the app. Descriptive statistics will be applied to analyze data collected at the backend from questionnaires and surveys, and qualitative content analysis will be applied to analyze the audio-recorded focus groups.    Results: A prototypic online application has been created including a user manual. Access is restricted and all potential participants will be screened after their first login by the research team prior to gaining full access. Women will then be able to use the app features for schedules and surveys. Data collected at the back end by the researchers will determine the use and effectiveness of the app and explore the impact of social walking on menopause symptom changes.   Conclusion: This is the first social platform of this kind created specifically for menopausal women. Ultimately we hope that this platform will empower women to seek lifestyle changes such as walking exercises and connect with each other on the communality of menopause. Testing the use and effectiveness of the app will help us to improve and further develop the app.

scholarly journals Queensland Family Cohort: a study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e044463
Author(s):  
Danielle Borg ◽  
Kym Rae ◽  
Corrine Fiveash ◽  
Johanna Schagen ◽  
Janelle James-McAlpine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Biological Samples ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Health ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionThe perinatal–postnatal family environment is associated with childhood outcomes including impacts on physical and mental health and educational attainment. Family longitudinal cohort studies collect in-depth data that can capture the influence of an era on family lifestyle, mental health, chronic disease, education and financial stability to enable identification of gaps in society and provide the evidence for changes in government in policy and practice.Methods and analysisThe Queensland Family Cohort (QFC) is a prospective, observational, longitudinal study that will recruit 12 500 pregnant families across the state of Queensland (QLD), Australia and intends to follow-up families and children for three decades. To identify the immediate and future health requirements of the QLD population; pregnant participants and their partners will be enrolled by 24 weeks of gestation and followed up at 24, 28 and 36 weeks of gestation, during delivery, on-ward, 6 weeks postpartum and then every 12 months where questionnaires, biological samples and physical measures will be collected from parents and children. To examine the impact of environmental exposures on families, data related to environmental pollution, household pollution and employment exposures will be linked to pregnancy and health outcomes. Where feasible, data linkage of state and federal government databases will be used to follow the participants long term. Biological samples will be stored long term for future discoveries of biomarkers of health and disease.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the Mater Research Ethics (HREC/16/MHS/113). Findings will be reported to (1) QFC participating families; (2) funding bodies, institutes and hospitals supporting the QFC; (3) federal, state and local governments to inform policy; (4) presented at local, national and international conferences and (5) disseminated by peer-review publications.

scholarly journals Assessing the impact of the European resilience curriculum in preschool, early and late primary school children

2021 ◽  
pp. 014303432110250
Author(s):  
Celeste Simões ◽  
Anabela C. Santos ◽  
Paula Lebre ◽  
João R. Daniel ◽  
Cátia Branquinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Prosocial Behaviours ◽  
The Impact

Resilience is an individual’s ability to adapt successfully to and persevere during and after significant challenges. Resilience programmes based on a socioemotional learning approach have been associated with an increase in protextive factors (e.g., prosocial competencies), improvements in physical and mental health, and a decrease in internalised and externalised symptoms. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the RESCUR curriculum implemented in Portuguese schools on students’ academic, behavioural, and socioemotional outcomes, based on child and teacher reports. Participants included 1,084 children (53.2% male) aged 3-15 ( M = 7.24, SD = 2.31). A quasi-experimental study compared outcomes for an experimental intervention group (AIG) with a waiting list control group (WG). The results showed the RESCUR programme decreased mental health difficulties while increasing both prosocial behaviours and well-being. In addition, academic performance increased for those in preschool after implementation. Both teachers and children consistently reported positive behavioural changes in resilience-related competencies after implementing RESCUR. Our findings contribute to the recent research on the potential of RESCUR to address key socioemotional competencies and improve relevant protextive factors. Study limitations and future recommendations are addressed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document