Exploring Well-being of Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Protocol (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny JW Liu ◽  
Anthony Nazarov ◽  
Rachel Alexandra Plouffe ◽  
Callista A Forchuk ◽  
Erisa Deda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Moral Distress ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Initial Time ◽  
Long Form ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

BACKGROUND Healthcare workers (HCWs) have experienced several stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Structural stressors, including extended work hours, re-deployment, and changes in organizational mandates often intersect with interpersonal and personal stressors, such as caring for those with COVID-19 infections, worrying about infection to self, family and loved ones, working despite shortages of personal protective equipment, and encountering various difficult moral-ethical dilemmas. OBJECTIVE The paper describes the protocol for a longitudinal study seeking to capture the unique experiences, challenges, and changes faced by HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study seeks to explore: (a) the impact of COVID-19 on the mental well-being of HCWs with a particular focus on moral distress, and (b) perceptions and satisfaction with delivery of care, and (c) how changes in work structure are tolerated among HCWs providing clinical services. METHODS A prospective longitudinal design is employed to assess HCWs’ experiences across domains of mental health (depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and well-being), moral distress and moral reasoning, work-related changes and telehealth, organizational responses to COVID-19 concerns, and experiences with COVID-19 infections to self and to others. We recruited HCWs from across Canada through convenience snowball sampling to participate in either a short-form or long-form online survey at baseline. Respondents to the baseline survey are invited to complete a follow-up survey every three months, for a total of 18 months. RESULTS A total of 1926 participants completed baseline surveys between June 26, 2020, and December 31, 2020, and 1859 participants provided their emails for contact to participate in follow-up surveys. As of July 2021, data collection is ongoing, with participants nearing the 6 or 9-month follow-up periods depending on their initial time of self-enrollment. CONCLUSIONS The current protocol describes a study that will provide unique insights into the immediate and longitudinal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dimensions of mental health, moral distress, healthcare delivery, and workplace environment in HCWs. The feasibility and acceptability of implementing a short-form and long-form survey on participant engagement and data retention will also be discussed.

scholarly journals The Effect of Religion on Psychological Resilience in Healthcare Workers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Chung Chang ◽  
Po-Fei Chen ◽  
Ting-Hsuan Lee ◽  
Chao-Chin Lin ◽  
Kwo-Tsao Chiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Adaptation ◽  
General Hospitals ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Catholic Religion

Background: Healthcare workers in the front line of diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at great risk of both infection and developing mental health symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the following: (1) whether healthcare workers in general hospitals experience higher mental distress than those in psychiatric hospitals; (2) the role played by religion and alexithymic trait in influencing the mental health condition and perceived level of happiness of healthcare workers amidst the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic; and (3) factors that influence the resilience of healthcare workers at 6 weeks' follow-up.Methods: Four-hundred and fifty-eight healthcare workers were recruited from general and psychiatric hospitals, and 419 were followed-up after 6 weeks. All participants filled out the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, five-item Brief-Symptom Rating Scale, and the Chinese Oxford Happiness Questionnaire.Results: Under the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, 12.3% of frontline healthcare workers in general hospitals reported having mental distress and perceived lower social adaptation status compared with those working in psychiatric hospitals. Christians/Catholics perceived better psychological well-being, and Buddhists/Taoists were less likely to experience mental distress. The results at 6 weeks of follow-up showed that the perceived lower social adaptation status of general hospital healthcare workers was temporary and improved with time. Christian/Catholic religion and time had independent positive effects on psychological well-being; however, the interaction of Christian/Catholic religion and time had a negative effect.Conclusions: Collectivism and individualism in the cultural context are discussed with regard to alexithymic trait and Buddhist/Taoist and Christian/Catholic religious faiths. Early identification of mental distress and interventions should be implemented to ensure a healthy and robust clinical workforce for the treatment and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals U-Flourish university students well-being and academic success longitudinal study: a study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e029854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Margaret Goodday ◽  
Daniel Rivera ◽  
Hannah Foran ◽  
Nathan King ◽  
Melissa Milanovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Oxford University ◽  
Queen's University

IntroductionOver 30% of Canadians between the ages of 16 and 24 years attend university. This period of life coincides with the onset of common mental illnesses. Yet, data to inform university-based mental health prevention and early intervention initiatives are limited. The U-Flourish longitudinal study based out of Queen’s University, Canada and involving Oxford University in the UK, is a student informed study funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (CIHR-SPOR). The primary goal of U-Flourish research is to examine the contribution of risk and resiliency factors to outcomes of well-being and academic success in first year students transitioning to university.Methods and analysisThe study is a longitudinal survey of all first-year undergraduate students entering Queen’s University in the fall term of 2018 (and will launch at Oxford University in fall of 2019). In accordance with the CIHR-SPOR definitions, students represent the target population (ie, patient equivalent). Student peer health educators were recruited to inform the design, content and implementation of the study. Baseline surveys of Queen’s first year students were completed in the fall of 2018, and follow-up surveys at the end of first year in the spring of 2019. Extensive student-led engagement campaigns were used to maximise participation rates. The baseline survey included measures of personal factors, family factors, environmental factors, psychological and emotional health, and lifestyle factors. Main outcomes include self-reported indicators of mental health at follow-up and mental health service access, as well as objective measures of academic success through linkage to university administrative and academic databases. A combination of mixed effects regression techniques will be employed to determine associations between baseline predictive factors and mental health and academic outcomes.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained by the Health Sciences and Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board (HSREB) (#6023126) at Queen’s University. Findings will be disseminated through international and national peer-reviewed scientific articles and other channels including student-driven support and advocacy groups, newsletters and social media.

scholarly journals Mental health and well-being from childhood to adulthood: design, methods and results of the 11-year follow-up of the BELLA study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Otto ◽  
Franziska Reiss ◽  
Catharina Voss ◽  
Anne Wüstner ◽  
Ann-Katrin Meyrose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Bella Study ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Mental health and well-being are of great interest in health policy and research. Longitudinal surveys are needed to provide solid population-based data. We describe the design and methods of an 11-year follow-up of the German BELLA study in children, adolescents and young adults, and we report on age- and gender-specific courses of general health and well-being, long-term health-related outcomes of mental health problems, and mental health care use. The BELLA study is the module on mental health and well-being within the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). Standardised measures were used at each of the five measurement points of the BELLA study. In the 11-year follow-up, young people aged 7–31 years participated (n = 3492). Individual growth modelling, linear regression and descriptive analyses were conducted. Self-reported general health and well-being were both better in younger (vs. older) and in male (vs. female) participants according to the data from all five measurement points. Mental health problems in childhood and adolescence (measured at baseline) predicted impaired health outcomes at 6-year and 11-year follow-ups. Approximately one out of four children with a diagnosed mental disorder was not undergoing mental health treatment. With its 11-year follow-up, the prospective longitudinal BELLA study provides new and solid data on mental health and well-being from childhood to adulthood in Germany, and these data are important for health promotion and prevention practices. These results are consistent with previous findings. Promising future analyses are planned.

scholarly journals IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN: A STRENGTHS-BASED INTERVENTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S356-S356
Author(s):  
Christine Fruhauf ◽  
Loriena Yancura ◽  
Aimee Fox ◽  
Nathaniel Riggs ◽  
Heather Greenwood-Junkiermeyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren ◽  
Self Assessments ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Many grandparents raising grandchildren experience depression. Few interventions take a strengths-based approach to improve their mental health. To address this gap, this study utilized an adapted version of Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) for grandparents (PTC-G) to improve their self-care, communication, and self-efficacy. Grandparents completed self-assessments including the CES-D short form prior to the intervention, immediately after the 6-week program, and at 6-months. Focus groups were also conducted during the 6-month follow-up to further explore positive behavior change. Data from all sources were analyzed to show that the PTC-G program significantly lowered depressive symptoms of grandparents raising grandchildren. Qualitative data shows that grandparents report increased awareness and use of self-care practices and community services. By improving the health and well-being of grandparents raising grandchildren, the PTC-G intervention shows promise in reducing depression and improving long-term mental health outcomes in vulnerable grandfamilies.

scholarly journals Measuring mental health and well-being of South African undergraduate students

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irma Eloff ◽  
Marien Graham
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Psychological Flourishing ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background Increased investment in optimal student mental health and well-being has been noted by universities around the world. Studies show the need for contextually relevant, granular understandings of specific aspects of student mental health and well-being. Methods A survey was conducted at two time points – at the beginning and end of the academic year – at a large, urban university in South Africa. The Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, the Flourishing Scale, and the Fragility of Happiness Scale were used in the testing of undergraduate students from a variety of scientific disciplines. Two separate comparisons were made, based on the baseline data (n = 551) and the follow-up data (n = 281). In Comparison 1 (baseline, n = 443; follow-up, n = 173), two independent, biographically (very) similar groups were compared. Comparison 2 (n = 108) compared the results from the baseline and follow-up of the same group of students who completed the instruments at both time points. Results Results indicate a significant decline in mental health and well-being for both groups (independent and dependent) over the course of the academic year. Both follow-up groups were found to have lower psychological, emotional and social well-being, psychological flourishing, and reduced mental health, in comparison with the baseline groups. Conclusions The statistically significant decreases in the mental health and well-being of participants in this study indicate the need for substantive interventions to support student mental health and well-being. Strong foci for well-being interventions should include self-efficacy, sense of direction, meaning and creating a sense of belonging.

scholarly journals Exploring Well-being of Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Protocol (Preprint)

10.2196/32663 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny JW Liu ◽  
Anthony Nazarov ◽  
Rachel Alexandra Plouffe ◽  
Callista A Forchuk ◽  
Erisa Deda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Study Protocol ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Mental health and motor efficiency of older adults living in the Sardinia’s Blue Zone: a follow-up study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Maria Chiara Fastame ◽  
Ilaria Mulas ◽  
Massimiliano Pau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Motor Efficiency ◽  
Cognitive Failures ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Blue Zone

ABSTRACT Objectives: The main aim of this study was to examine the impact of age-related changes on mental health, metacognitive, and motor functioning in late adulthood, while controlling for the effect of gender. Additionally, this investigation intended to study the association between motor efficiency indexes and self-reported psychological well-being, depression and cognitive failures over a period of 24 months. Design: Prospective longitudinal study: post hoc analysis. Participants: Ninety-one community-dwelling older participants (mean age = 78.7 years, SD = 5.6) were recruited in a rural village of the Sardinian Blue Zone – an area of exceptional longevity located in the central–eastern region of Sardinia, an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. Measurements: All respondents completed a battery of tests and questionnaires assessing motor and general cognitive efficiency, self-reported psychological well-being, negative affect, and cognitive failures. Results: The adoption of a multilevel modeling approach highlighted the significative impact of time on psychological well-being, as well as on mobility parameters like gait speed and cadence, while controlling for the gender effect. Overall, psychological well-being and motor swing significantly increase at follow-up, whereas the further above-mentioned measures decreased after 24 months. Moreover, compared to the national cut-off, at baseline and follow-up, participants reported higher perceived emotional well-being. Finally, significant relationships between motor scores and self-reported mental health and metacognitive measures were found both at baseline and follow-up. Conclusions: The maintenance of motor efficiency and preserved mental health seems to contribute to the successful aging of older people living in the Sardinian Blue Zone.

scholarly journals A Longitudinal Study on the Changes in Mental Health of Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Psychiatry ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Lorena Cecilia López Steinmetz ◽  
Carla Romina Herrera ◽  
Shao Bing Fong ◽  
Juan Carlos Godoy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Healthcare Workers

Transdiagnostic versus Diagnosis-Specific Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders and Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Nina Reinholt ◽  
Morten Hvenegaard ◽  
Anne Bryde Christensen ◽  
Anita Eskildsen ◽  
Carsten Hjorthøj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Outpatient Mental Health ◽  
End Of Treatment

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) delivered in a group format could facilitate the implementation of evidence-based psychological treatments. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study compared the efficacy of group UP and diagnosis-specific cognitive behavioral therapy (dCBT) for anxiety and depression in outpatient mental health services. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this pragmatic, multi-center, single-blinded, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial (RCT), we assigned 291 patients with major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or agoraphobia to 14 weekly sessions in mixed-diagnosis UP or single-diagnosis dCBT groups. The primary test was non-inferiority, using a priori criteria, on the World Health Organisation 5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) at the end of the treatment. Secondary outcomes were functioning and symptoms. We assessed outcomes at baseline, end-of-treatment, and at a 6-month follow-up. A modified per-protocol analysis was performed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> At end-of-treatment, WHO-5 mean scores for patients in UP (<i>n</i> = 148) were non-inferior to those of patients in dCBT (<i>n</i> = 143; mean difference –2.94; 95% CI –8.10 to 2.21). Results were inconclusive for the WHO-5 at the 6-month follow-up. Results for secondary outcomes were non-inferior at end-of-treatment and the 6-month follow-up. Client satisfaction and rates of attrition, response, remission, and deterioration were similar across conditions. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This RCT demonstrated non-inferior acute-phase outcomes of group-delivered UP compared with dCBT for major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia in outpatient mental health services. The long-term effects of UP on well-being need further investigation. If study findings are replicated, UP should be considered a viable alternative to dCBT for common anxiety disorders and depression in outpatient mental health services.

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