scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health: Digital Trainings to Support Psychosomatic Rehabilitation Patients (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Maria Keller ◽  
Alina Dahmen ◽  
Christina Derksen ◽  
Lukas Kötting ◽  
Sonia Lippke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Medical Rehabilitation ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Rehabilitation Treatment ◽  
Psychosomatic Rehabilitation ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has largely affected mental health status and psychological well-being. Especially individuals with a pre-existing mental health disorder seem more impaired by lockdown measures posing as major stress factors. Medical rehabilitation treatment can help to cope with these stressors. The internet and digital applications provide a platform to add to regular treatment and to conduct research on this topic. OBJECTIVE Making use of internet-based assessments, this study investigated individuals from the general population and individuals from medical, psychosomatic rehabilitation clinics. Levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, common COVID-19 related worries, and the intention to use common digital applications were compared. Furthermore, we investigated whether partaking in internet-delivered digital trainings prior to and during the rehabilitation stay, as well as the perceived usefulness of digital trainings are associated with improved mental health after rehabilitation. METHODS A large-scale online cross-section study was conducted among the general population (n=1812) in Germany from May 2020 to April 2021. In addition, a longitudinal study was conducted making use of the internet among psychosomatic rehabilitation patients at two measurement timepoints, before (n=1719) and after (n=738) medical rehabilitation, between July 2020 and April 2021. Validated questionnaires and adapted items were used to assess mental health and corona-related worries. Digital trainings were evaluated. Propensity score matching, multivariate analyses of covariances, exploratory factor analysis, and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. RESULTS Patients from the psychosomatic rehabilitation clinics reported increased symptoms with regard to depression, anxiety, loneliness, and stress (F(4,2028)=183.74, P<.001, ηp2=.27) compared to the general population. Rehabilitation patients perceived greater satisfaction in communication with healthcare professionals (F(1,837)=31.67, P<.001, ηp2=.04), had lower financial worries (F(1,837)=38.96, P<.001, ηp2=.04), but higher household-related worries (F(1,837)=5.34, P=.02, ηp2=.01) compared to the general population. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and perceived stress were lower post rehabilitation (F(1,712)=23.21, P<.001, ηp2=.04) than prior to the rehabilitation. Psychosomatic patients reported a greater intention to use common apps and digital trainings (F(3,2021)=51.41, P<.001, ηp2=.07) than the general population. With regard to digital trainings offered prior and during the rehabilitation stay, the perceived usefulness of digital rehabilitation goal trainings was associated with decreased symptoms of depression (ß=-.14, P<.001), anxiety (ß=-.12, P<.001), loneliness (ß=-.18, P<.001) and stress post rehabilitation (ß=-.19, P<.001). Participation in digital group therapy for depression was associated with an overall change in depression (F(1,725)=4.82, P=.03, ηp2=.01) and anxiety (F(1,725)=6.22, P=.01, ηp2=.01) from pre to post-rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS This study validated the increased mental health constraints of psychosomatic rehabilitation patients in comparison to the general population and the potentials of rehabilitation treatment. Digital rehabilitation components are promising tools that can prepare patients for their rehabilitation stay, integrated well with face-to-face therapy during rehabilitation and support care after rehabilitation.

Electronic Tax Filing

2013 ◽  
pp. 147-156
Author(s):  
Viveka Ramoo ◽  
T. Ramayah ◽  
May-Chiun Lo ◽  
Teoh Ai Ping
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Government Services ◽  
Tax Filing

Governments are seeking to benefit from information technology by incorporating various government services online for the benefits of the citizen. The Malaysian government as part of its Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) project introduced e-filing in 2006, which is the process of filing taxes using the Internet as one of the e-government services. This is an exploratory study to model the determinants of intention to use an Internet tax filing system. The authors used 4 variables as predictors or intention to use which were perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, and facilitating condition. Data was collected from 100 respondents using non probability purposive sampling via a structured questionnaire. As hypothesized, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and facilitating condition were positively related to intention to use. The findings show that perceived usefulness has the strongest influence on intention to use (ß = 0.341), followed by perceived ease of use (ß = 0.278) and facilitating condition (ß = 0.234). As hypothesized, perceived risk was negatively related (ß =-0.223) to intention to use indicating that users are concerned by the risk involved in filing taxes online. The regression results show that the four variables can explain 52.2% of the variation in intention to use which indicates good explanatory power. Understanding these factors can extend the knowledge, which can lead to better planning and implementation of e-Filing in Malaysia.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health: The Role of Locus on Control and Internet Use

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 6985
Author(s):  
Rannveig Sigurvinsdottir ◽  
Ingibjorg E. Thorisdottir ◽  
Haukur Freyr Gylfason
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
The Impact

The true extent of the mental health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are unclear, but early evidence suggests poorer mental health among those exposed to the pandemic. The Internet may have differential effects, by both connecting people with resources, or reinforce the constant checking of negative information. Moreover, locus of control becomes important in an uncontrollable pandemic. The current study aimed to examine whether exposure to COVID-19 would relate to greater symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and to examine the role of internet use and locus of control. Adults in the United States and five European countries (N = 1723) answered an online survey through the website Mturk. Results show elevated psychological symptoms among those who have become infected with COVID-19 or perceive themselves to be at high risk if infected. Experience using the Internet relates to fewer symptoms, but information seeking is associated with more symptoms. Internet social capital relates to fewer symptoms of depression. Having an external locus of control relates to greater symptoms. These findings suggest that public health officials need to focus on the mental health effects of the pandemic, and that internet use and locus of control could be targets to improve mental health in the population.

scholarly journals Health Status Stability of Patients in a Medical Rehabilitation Program: What Are the Roles of Time, Physical Fitness Level, and Self-efficacy?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianqian Ju ◽  
Yiqun Gan ◽  
Robin Rinn ◽  
Yanping Duan ◽  
Sonia Lippke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Initial Level ◽  
Medical Rehabilitation ◽  
Rehabilitation Center ◽  
Rehabilitation Treatment ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Individuals’ physical and mental health, as well as their chances of returning to work after their ability to work is damaged, can be addressed by medical rehabilitation. Aim This study investigated the developmental trends of mental and physical health among patients in medical rehabilitation and the roles of self-efficacy and physical fitness in the development of mental and physical health. Design A longitudinal design that included four time-point measurements across 15 months. Setting A medical rehabilitation center in Germany. Population Participants included 201 patients who were recruited from a medical rehabilitation center. Methods To objectively measure physical fitness (lung functioning), oxygen reabsorption at anaerobic threshold (VO2AT) was used, along with several self-report scales. Results We found a nonlinear change in mental health among medical rehabilitation patients. The results underscored the importance of medical rehabilitation for patients’ mental health over time. In addition, patients’ physical health was stable over time. The initial level of physical fitness (VO2AT) positively predicted their mental health and kept the trend more stable. Self-efficacy appeared to have a positive relationship with mental health after rehabilitation treatment. Conclusions This study revealed a nonlinear change in mental health among medical rehabilitation patients. Self-efficacy was positively related to mental health, and the initial level of physical fitness positively predicted the level of mental health after rehabilitation treatment. Clinical Rehabilitation More attention could be given to physical capacity and self-efficacy for improving and maintaining rehabilitants’ mental health.

scholarly journals The Determinants of Intention to use E-voting System: The Case of Generation X in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-64
Author(s):  
Koay Ying Yin ◽  
Kuah Yoke Chin ◽  
Chan Ling Meng ◽  
Ng Chee Pung
Keyword(s):  
Generation X ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Heavy Traffic ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Voting System

The internet has opened doors for electronic voting (E-voting). A review of the loopholes of the 14th General Election in Malaysia including the delay of votes from overseas voters, the declaration of a public holiday on voting day and the extraordinary heavy traffic, implies that E-voting could be a better alternative to the paper-based ballot voting. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the determinants of the intention to use the E-voting system among Generation X in Malaysia. This study focused only on Generation X because most internet users are from this age group (22 to 37-year olds) compared to other age groups. Hence, Generation X may be the focus of E-voting. A survey of 351 respondents on their intention to use E-voting system was conducted throughout 13 states and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (Wilayah Persekutuan). Additionally, an empirical model was drawn from adopted theories and data was analyzed using the Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The findings showed that compatibility, relative advantages and perceived ease of use significantly contributed to the intention to participate in E-voting. However, perceptions of image, complexity of use, perceived usefulness, trust in the internet and in the government are not significantly related to the intention to use E-voting.

A Comparative Study of Perceived Stress and Anxiety, among Patients with Bipolar Affective Disorder, and the General Population, during COVID-19 Pandemic, Conducted in Government Hospital for Mental Care, Visakhapatnam

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (17) ◽  
pp. 1169-1173
Author(s):  
Evani Ramachandra Rao ◽  
Seelam Satish
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Psychiatric Illness ◽  
Bipolar Affective Disorder ◽  
Government Hospital ◽  
Mental Care ◽  
Exacerbation Of Symptoms

BACKGROUND Generally during pandemic, mental health needs are largely neglected and patients with psychiatric illness are given less medical care as majority of the health professionals are involved in acute management of the pandemic. In this study we wanted to determine the difference between stress and anxiety in patients with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) and the general population. METHODS It was a cross sectional study and convenient sampling was used. The study was conducted in Government Hospital for Mental Care, Visakhapatnam. The study included 60 participants of whom 30 participants are patients with bipolar affective disorder who were currently in remission and 30 participants were from general population and were evaluated using semi structured proforma for sociodemographic data and perceived stress scale to assess perceived stress, Hamilton anxiety rating scale to assess anxiety. Results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS The results showed statistically significant difference in severity of perceived stress and anxiety among patients with bipolar affective disorder and the general population. CONCLUSIONS Our study results re-emphasize the fact that there should be an increased awareness about patients with psychiatric illness like bipolar affective disorder as targets for care with regular psychiatric intervention during Covid-19 pandemic. With our study, we want to re-iterate the fact that patients with psychiatric illness experience exacerbation of symptoms during infectious disease epidemic. Patients diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder can also have comorbid anxiety disorder, even after treating the mood disorder episode. Residual anxiety may persist and in times of infectious diseases epidemic, these anxiety symptoms will exacerbate leading to poor quality of life and non-compliance to medication. With our study we want to recommend that proper care and regular follow-up schedules have to be formulated by mental health professionals and mental health institutions to reduce and prevent exacerbation of symptoms and improve treatment compliance which in turn helps in preventing relapse of bipolar affective disorder. KEYWORDS Bipolar Affective Disorder, Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Covid-19

scholarly journals Current Views and Perspectives on E-Mental Health: An Exploratory Survey Study for Understanding Public Attitudes Toward Internet-Based Psychotherapy in Germany

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Apolinário-Hagen ◽  
Viktor Vehreschild ◽  
Ramez M Alkoudmani
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
General Population ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Treatment Services

Background Despite the advanced development of evidence-based psychological treatment services, help-seeking persons with mental health problems often fail to receive appropriate professional help. Internet-delivered psychotherapy has thus been suggested as an efficient strategy to overcome barriers to access mental health care on a large scale. However, previous research indicated poor public acceptability as an issue for the dissemination of Internet-delivered therapies. Currently, little is known about the expectations and attitudes toward Internet-delivered therapies in the general population. This is especially the case for countries such as Germany where electronic mental health (e-mental health) treatment services are planned to be implemented in routine care. Objective This pilot study aimed to determine the expectations and attitudes toward Internet-based psychotherapy in the general population in Germany. Furthermore, it aimed to explore the associations between attitudes toward Internet-based therapies and perceived stress. Methods To assess public attitudes toward Internet-based psychotherapy, we conducted both Web-based and paper-and-pencil surveys using a self-developed 14-item questionnaire (Cronbach alpha=.89). Psychological distress was measured by employing a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the 20-item German version of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). In addition, we conducted explorative factor analysis (principal axis factor analysis with promax rotation). Spearman’s rank correlations were used to determine the associations between attitudes toward Internet-based therapies and perceived stress. Results Descriptive analyses revealed that most respondents (N=1558; female: 78.95%, 1230/1558) indicated being not aware of the existence of Internet-delivered therapies (83.46%, 1141/1367). The average age was 32 years (standard deviation, SD 10.9; range 16-76). Through exploratory factor analysis, we identified 3 dimensions of public attitudes toward Internet-based therapies, which we labeled “usefulness or helpfulness,” “relative advantage or comparability,” and “accessibility or access to health care.” Analyses revealed negative views about Internet-based therapies on most domains, such as perceived helpfulness. The study findings further indicated ambivalent attitudes: Although most respondents agreed to statements on expected improvements in health care (eg, expanded access), we observed low intentions to future use of Internet-delivered therapies in case of mental health problems. Conclusions This pilot study showed deficient “e-awareness” and rather negative or ambivalent attitudes toward Internet-delivered therapies in the German-speaking general population. However, research targeting determinants of the large-scale adoption of Internet-based psychotherapy is still in its infancy. Thus, further research is required to explore the “black box” of public attitudes toward Internet-delivered therapies with representative samples, validated measures, and longitudinal survey designs.

scholarly journals An Online Minimally Guided Intervention to Support Family and Other Unpaid Carers of People With Dementia: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/14106 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e14106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ángel C Pinto-Bruno ◽  
Anne Margriet Pot ◽  
Annet Kleiboer ◽  
Rose-Marie Droes ◽  
Annemieke van Straten
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Waiting List ◽  
Online Interventions ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
People With Dementia

Background About three-quarters of people with dementia live in their own homes, with help from family members and/or other unpaid carers, such as friends or neighbors. Often, unpaid carers themselves experience negative consequences, such as stress, burden, and symptoms of depression or anxiety. Research has shown that these consequences can be alleviated by psychosocial and psychological interventions. Moreover, there are indications that those interventions can be effective when offered online. Objective This paper describes the protocol of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that will take place in the Netherlands to evaluate the effectiveness of iSupport, a minimally guided, internet-based intervention to improve carers’ mental health and coping resources. Methods A superiority two-arm RCT comparing the effects of the online support program with a waiting list control condition will be carried out in the Netherlands. The iSupport intervention was developed by the World Health Organization and is based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles. It has five main themes divided into 23 lessons. Carers can pick and choose which lessons they want to complete. We aim to recruit 200 unpaid carers. The experimental group (n=100) will be provided with access to the intervention for 3 months following randomization; those in the waiting list control group (n=100) will be granted access to the intervention after 3 months. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0), 3 months after baseline (post intervention, T1), and 6 months after baseline (follow-up, T2). The primary outcome is perceived stress, measured by the Perceived Stress Scale. Secondary outcomes are symptoms of depression and anxiety, caregiver burden, sense of competence, self-efficacy, mastery, and carers’ attitudes toward dementia and their person-centered approach (ie, to what extent carers tailor the provided care to the interest, needs, and history of the person with dementia). Results Recruitment for the trial started in January 2019. As of July 2019, we have enrolled 120 participants. Data collection is expected to be completed by March 2020. Once all the data have been collected, we will conduct the data analyses between April and May 2020. We aim to publish our results in a manuscript by June 2020. Conclusions Online interventions have shown promising results in improving the mental health of carers of people with dementia. Additionally, online interventions may overcome accessibility barriers. If successful, this intervention will have important potential for implementation as a public health intervention, since costs and support by trained staff are minimal. Trial Registration Netherlands Trial Register (NTL) NL6417; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6417 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/14106

scholarly journals Exposure to COVID-19-Related Information and its Association With Mental Health Problems in Thailand: Nationwide, Cross-sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pajaree Mongkhon ◽  
Chidchanok Ruengorn ◽  
Ratanaporn Awiphan ◽  
Kednapa Thavorn ◽  
Brian Hutton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Information Exposure

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on both the physical and mental health of individuals worldwide. Evidence regarding the association between mental health problems and information exposure among Thai citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak is limited. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the relationship between information exposure and mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. METHODS Between April 21 and May 4, 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional, nationwide online survey of the general population in Thailand. We categorized the duration of exposure to COVID-19-related information as follows: &lt;1 h/day (reference group), 1-2 h/day, and ≥3 h/day. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, and the Insomnia Severity Index for symptoms of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and insomnia, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between information exposure and the risk of developing the aforementioned symptoms. An ancillary analysis using multivariable multinomial logistic regression models was also conducted to assess the possible dose-response relationship across the severity strata of mental health problems. RESULTS Of the 4322 eligible participants, 4004 (92.6%) completed the online survey. Of them, 1481 (37.0%), 1644 (41.1%), and 879 (22.0%) participants were exposed to COVID-19-related information for less than 1 hour per day, 1 to 2 hours per day, or 3 or more hours per day, respectively. The major source of information related to the COVID-19 pandemic was social media (95.3%), followed by traditional media (68.7%) and family members (34.9%). Those exposed to information for 3 or more hours per day had a higher risk of developing symptoms of depression (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.35, 95% CI 1.03-1.76; <i>P</i>=.03), anxiety (adjusted OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.43-2.46; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), and insomnia (adjusted OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.17-1.97; <i>P</i>=.001) than people exposed to information for less than 1 hour per day. Meanwhile, people exposed to information for 1 to 2 hours per day were only at risk of developing symptoms of anxiety (adjusted OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.08-1.69; <i>P</i>=.008). However, no association was found between information exposure and the risk of perceived stress. In the ancillary analysis, a dose-response relationship was observed between information exposure of 3 or more hours per day and the severity of mental health problems. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that social media is the main source of COVID-19-related information. Moreover, people who are exposed to information for 3 or more hours per day are more likely to develop psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Longitudinal studies investigating the long-term effects of COVID-19-related information exposure on mental health are warranted.

Using the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB) to Explain the Intention to Book Tourism Products Online

2014 ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alia Besbes Sahli ◽  
Patrick Legohérel
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Factors Influencing

The purpose of this article is to investigate the factors influencing the intention to use the Internet to book tourism products online in Tunisian context. To this end, the authors selected the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB) to help account for the intention to book online. The authors conduct an online survey. Data was obtained from 158 questionnaires and analyzed through regression. The study demonstrated the importance of causal relationships between predictor variables and the dependent variable, namely the intention to book online. A novel result, perceived usefulness does not admit a positive impact on the attitude towards online booking. Thus, the study has confirmed the explanatory power of the DTPB model in accounting for consumers' behavioral intention in the context of e-tourism.

scholarly journals Senior Citizens and E-commerce Websites: The Role of Perceived Usefulness Web Site Usability

10.28945/3268 ◽  
2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Smith
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Web Site ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
External Variable ◽  
The Web

Many companies now actively use the Web as a key marketing and sales vehicle for their goods or services. To be successful, e-commerce Web sites must be useful, easy to use, easy to navigate, and easy to understand - measures of the Technology Acceptance Model’s (TAM) variables Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use. Although many studies have used the model to better understand e-commerce, the problem is that they have ignored one very important external variable - the effects that an aging population may have on the usability the Internet and of e-commerce Web sites. As people age, they begin to experience problems with their vision, their hearing, cognitive functions, and their mobility. It was posited that the TAM and its variables of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, influenced by the product and services offered by the Web site, the usability of the Web site, and the senior’s ability to use the Internet, determine a senior’s attitude toward and behavioral intention to use e-commerce Web sites. It was found that the research model accurately reflects the effects of the aging process and that the perceived usefulness of e-commerce Web sites positively and significantly influenced a senior’s attitude toward using and intention to use the Web sites. It was also found that a Web site’s usability positively and significantly influenced the perceived ease of use of e-commerce Web sites.

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