scholarly journals Touching and Touch Deprivation During a COVID-19 Lockdown

2020 ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
The Self ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Survey Monkey ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Touching your kids and your partner, self-touching, and touch deprivation have had different effects on individuals during a COVID-19 lockdown. In this Survey Monkey study conducted during a COVID-19 lockdown (N= 260 respondents), 26% said they were touch deprived a lot, 21% said they were touching their kids a lot, 33 % touching their partner a lot, and 32% self-touching a lot (e.g. yoga and stretching). Correlation analyses suggested that touch deprivation was related to scores on the Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Sleep Disturbances and PTSD scales. The three types of touching were positively related to scores on the Health Scale, at home projects, and outdoor exercising with others. Touching partner was also related to lower scores on the Stress, Depression, and PTSD Scales and Self-touching was related to lower scores on the Fatigue and Sleep Disturbance Subscales. The results of these data analyses are limited by the self-reported data from a non-representative, cross-sectional sample. Nonetheless, they highlight the negative effects of touch deprivation and the positive effects of touching your kids and partners and self-touch during a COVID-19 lockdown.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Lockdown Fatigue

2021 ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Survey Monkey ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Anxiety Depression

In this COVID-19 lockdown Survey Monkey study, as many as 75% of 260 respondents reported feeling fatigued. Correlation analyses suggested that feeling fatigued was significantly correlated with demographic variables and virtually every item on every scale of the survey. The demographic correlations suggested that fatigue occurred more frequently in younger participants, in males, and in those not working from home during the lockdown. The significant correlations for the scales suggested that those feeling fatigued engaged in fewer health activities including exercise and self-care; they spent more time on social media including gaming and Facebook; they engaged in less cooking and creative projects; they scored higher on the Stress Scale including worrying more about the virus and their finances; they reported feeling more isolated, lonely, bored and touch deprived; they did more snacking and napping and expressed more “cabin fever”; they had lower scores on connecting and activities at home; and they had higher scores on anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and PTSD scales. A regression analysis suggested that 51% of the variance in the fatigue scores was explained by the depression (37% variance), sleep disturbances (12%) and anxiety (1%) scores. These results are limited by their being self-reported data from a non-representative, cross-sectional sample. Nonetheless, they highlight the negative effects of feeling fatigued during a COVID-19 lockdown.

scholarly journals Boredom and Psychological Problems during a COVID-19 Lockdown

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Working At Home ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Survey Monkey ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Boredom has been related to anxiety and depression in the pre-COVID-19 literature. In this COVID-19 lockdown Survey Monkey study, as many as 68% of 260 respondents reported feeling bored. Correlation analyses suggested that feeling bored was significantly correlated with several demographic variables and virtually every item on every scale of the survey. The demographic correlations suggested that boredom occurred more frequently in males, in those with less schooling, in those not working at home during the lockdown, and in those who were lacking a routine. The significant correlations for the scales suggested that those feeling bored engaged in fewer health activities like exercise, self-care and meditating; they spent more time on social media including gaming and Facebook; they engaged in less creative work and hobbies; they scored higher on the Stress Scale including worrying more about the virus and their finances; they reported feeling more isolated, lonely and touch deprived; and they had higher scores on anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and PTSD scales. A regression analysis suggested that 49% of the variance in the boredom scores was explained by stress scale scores. These results are limited by their being self-reported data from a non-representative, cross-sectional sample. Nonetheless, they highlight the negative effects of feeling bored during a COVID-19 lockdown.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Lockdown Stressors and Buffers: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Tiffany Field ◽  
◽  
Shantay Mines ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Anxiety Depression

This narrative review summarizes and critiques the relatively limited literature on the psychological effects of COVID-19 lockdowns in many parts of the world. These have included anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Risk factors or predictors have also been studied including the demographics of being young and living alone. Feeling isolated and lonely, stressed, bored, fatigued, and touch deprived have also been predictive. Specific worries about getting the virus and having financial problems were surprisingly less stressful. Although social media was expected to buffer negative effects, those data were mixed including that texting had positive effects, internet had both positive and negative effects, and Facebook time had negative effects. Buffers for stress and psychological problems included spirituality and meditation, touching, exercise, working from home, and other home activities. Methodological problems with these studies included their being self-report surveys that were often not representative of the larger populations and did not include baseline data, limiting any assumptions of causality. Nonetheless, collectively the data will help inform interventions for pandemic lockdowns like those of COVID-19.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Lockdown Stressors and Buffers: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Tiffany Field ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Anxiety Depression

This narrative review summarizes and critiques the relatively limited literature on the psychological effects of COVID-19 lockdowns in many parts of the world. These have included anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Risk factors or predictors have also been studied including the demographics of being young and living alone. Feeling isolated and lonely, stressed, bored, fatigued, and touch deprived have also been predictive. Specific worries about getting the virus and having financial problems were surprisingly less stressful. Although social media was expected to buffer negative effects, those data were mixed including that texting had positive effects, internet had both positive and negative effects, and Facebook time had negative effects. Buffers for stress and psychological problems included spirituality and meditation, touching, exercise, working from home, and other home activities. Methodological problems with these studies included their being self-report surveys that were often not representative of the larger populations and did not include baseline data, limiting any assumptions of causality. Nonetheless, collectively the data will help inform interventions for pandemic lockdowns like those of COVID-19.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Lockdown Worries About the Virus and Finances

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany Field ◽  
Samantha Poling ◽  
Shantay Mines ◽  
Debra Bendell ◽  
Connie Veazey
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Mood States ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Negative Mood States ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Reported Data

Worries about getting the virus and worrying about finances have been associated with negative mood states including anxiety and depression during COVID-19 lockdowns. In this Survey Monkey study conducted during a COVID-19 lockdown (N= 260 respondents), 88% reported worrying about getting the virus and 72% worrying about their finances. Correlation analyses suggested that worries about the virus and about finances were related to each other and were, in turn, positively related to scores on scales measuring COVID-related stress, negative mood states including anxiety and depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. These problems were common to both types of worries as was the lack of health activities including exercise, self-care, and touching partners and children. Some findings were unique to each of the worries. Worrying about the virus was related to being active on social media, connecting with friends, and housekeeping and paperwork. Worrying about finances was correlated with caregiving, unemployment, less schooling, and alcohol use. The results of this survey are limited by the self-reported data from a non-representative sample that is cross-sectional. Nonetheless, they highlight the negative effects of worries about the virus and about finances during a COVID-19 lockdown.

scholarly journals Feeling Isolated and Lonely During Covid-19 Lockdown

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Mood States ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Survey Period ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Negative Mood States ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Reported Data

Isolation and loneliness have been associated with negative mood states, sleep disturbances and health problems. People experiencing pandemic lockdowns are susceptible to feelings of isolation and loneliness. In this Survey Monkey study conducted during a COVID-19 lockdown (N= 260 respondents), 81% reported feeling isolated and 68% feeling lonely. Correlation analyses suggested that feeling isolated and lonely were related to each other and were, in turn, negatively related to health practices scale scores and positively related to scores on scales measuring COVID-related stress, negative mood states including anxiety and depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Analyses of variance revealed significant differences between isolated and non-isolated groups as well as between lonely and non-lonely groups on these measures. Only a weak correlation was noted between living alone and loneliness, suggesting that feelings of isolation and loneliness extended to those living with others as well. Positive correlations between both feeling isolated and lonely and time on Facebook and gaming suggested that these activities did not compensate for their isolated and lonely feelings. Feelings of isolation and loneliness and their associated problems also increased across the lockdown survey period. The lack of touch and exercise suggested that those activities might have alleviated the negative feelings and associated problems. The results of this survey are limited by the self-reported data from a non representative sample that is cross- sectional. Nonetheless, they highlight the negative effects of isolation and loneliness during a COVID-19 lockdown.

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

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

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

scholarly journals Mental health of undocumented migrants and migrants undergoing regularization in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Fakhoury ◽  
Claudine Burton-Jeangros ◽  
Liala Consoli ◽  
Aline Duvoisin ◽  
Delphine Courvoisier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Undocumented Migrants ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background Undocumented migrants live and work in precarious conditions. Few studies have explored the mental health consequences of such environment. The objective of this study is to describe the mental health of migrants at different stages of a regularization program. Methods This cross-sectional study included migrants undocumented or in the process of regularization. We screened for symptoms of anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance using validated tools. We created a composite outcome of altered mental health including these components plus self-report of a recent diagnosis of mental health condition by a health professional. Results We enrolled 456 participants of whom 246 (53.9%) were undocumented. They were predominantly women (71.9%) with a median age of 43.3 (interquartile range: 15.5) years, from Latin America (63.6%) or Asia (20.2%) who had lived in Switzerland for 12 (IQR: 7) years. Overall, 57.2% presented symptoms of altered mental health. Prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance were 36% (95% confidence interval: 31.6–40.6%), 45.4% (95% CI: 40.8–50.1%) and 23% (95% CI: 19.2–27.2), respectively. Younger age (adjusted odd ratio: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5–0.9 for each additional decade), social isolation (aOR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4–4.2), exposure to abuse (aOR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.5), financial instability (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.4–3.7) and multi-morbidity (aOR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.7–6.5) were associated with increased risk of having altered mental health while being in the early stages of the process of regularization had no effect (aOR: 1.3: 95% CI: 0.8–2.2). Conclusions This study highlights the need for multi-pronged social and health interventions addressing the various domains of undocumented migrants living difficulties as complement to legal status regularization policies. Protection against unfair working conditions and abuse, access to adequate housing, promoting social integration and preventive interventions to tackle the early occurrence of chronic diseases may all contribute to reduce the burden of altered mental health in this group. More research is needed to assess the long-term impact of legal status regularization on mental health.

scholarly journals Use of the Consumer-Based Meditation App Calm for Sleep Disturbances: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Huberty ◽  
Megan E Puzia ◽  
Linda Larkey ◽  
Michael R Irwin ◽  
Ana-Maria Vranceanu
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Time ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
Waking Up

BACKGROUND Over 30% of Americans report regular sleep disturbance, and consumers are increasingly seeking strategies to improve sleep. Self-guided mindfulness mobile apps may help individuals improve their sleep. Despite the recent proliferation of sleep content within commercially available mindfulness apps, there is little research on how consumers are using these apps for sleep. OBJECTIVE We conducted a cross-sectional survey among subscribers to Calm, a popular, consumer-based, mindfulness-based meditation app, and described and compared how good sleepers, poor sleepers, and those with self-reported insomnia use the app for sleep. METHODS Participants who were paying subscribers of Calm and had used a sleep component of Calm in the last 90 days were invited to complete an investigator-developed survey that included questions about sleep disturbance and the use of Calm for sleep. Based on self-reports of sleep disturbances and of insomnia diagnosis, participants were categorized as “good sleepers,” “poor sleepers,” or “those with insomnia diagnosis.” Chi-square tests compared reasons for downloading the app and usage patterns across participants with and without sleep disturbance. RESULTS There was a total of 9868 survey respondents. Approximately 10% of participants (1008/9868, 10.21%) were good sleepers, 78% were poor sleepers (7565/9868, 77.66%), and 11% reported a diagnosis of insomnia (1039/9868, 10.53%). The sample was mostly White (8185/9797, 83.55%), non-Hispanic (8929/9423, 94.76%), and female (8166/9578, 85.26%). The most common reasons for sleep disturbances were racing thoughts (7084/8604, 82.33%), followed by stress or anxiety (6307/8604, 73.30%). Poor sleepers and those with insomnia were more likely than good sleepers to have downloaded Calm to improve sleep (χ<sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>=1548.8, <i>P</i>&lt;.001), reduce depression or anxiety (χ<sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>=15.5, <i>P</i>&lt;.001), or improve overall health (χ<sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>=57.6, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Respondents with insomnia used Calm most often (mean 5.417 days/week, SD 1.936), followed by poor sleepers (mean 5.043 days/week, SD 2.027; <i>F</i><sub>2</sub>=21.544, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). The most common time to use Calm was while lying down to sleep (7607/9686, 78.54%), and bedtime use was more common among poor sleepers and those with insomnia (χ<sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>=382.7, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Compared to good and poor sleepers, those with insomnia were more likely to use Calm after waking up at night (χ<sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>=410.3, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Most participants tried to use Calm on a regular basis (5031/8597, 58.52%), but regular nighttime use was most common among those with insomnia (646/977, 66.1%), followed by poor sleepers (4040/6930, 58.30%; χ<sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>=109.3, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). CONCLUSIONS Of the paying subscribers to Calm who have used one of the sleep components, approximately 90% have sleep difficulties, and 77% started using Calm primarily for sleep. These descriptive data point to areas of focus for continued refinement of app features and content, followed by prospective trials testing efficacy of consumer-based meditation mobile apps for improving sleep.

Effects of commonly prescribed drugs on cognition and mild cognitive impairment in healthy elderly people

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 965-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teodoro del Ser ◽  
María-Ascensión Zea ◽  
Meritxell Valentí ◽  
Javier Olazarán ◽  
Jorge López-Álvarez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Longitudinal Analyses ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Healthy Elderly

Background:Chronic drug intake has been associated with negative and positive cognitive effects in elderly people, although subjacent conditions may be confounding factors.Aim:To study the effects on cognitive performance of commonly prescribed medications in a cohort of cognitively normal older adults.Methods:Medication intake was recorded during two years in 1087 individuals 70–85 years old, without neurological or psychiatric conditions. The influence of every drug, drug family and therapeutic group on six cognitive scores and on the conversion to mild cognitive impairment over two years was ascertained by cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses controlling for demographic and clinical variables.Results:Small effects of several drugs on information processing were found in cross-sectional analyses but only confirmed for a positive effect of vitamin D in case–control analyses. Longitudinal analyses showed no drug effects on the cognitive slopes. Several hypotensive drugs reduced, whereas bromazepam and glucose lowering drugs increased, the conversion rate to mild cognitive impairment with very small effects ( R2=0.3–1%).Conclusions:Cognitively healthy elderly individuals show minimal negative effects on information processing associated with chronic intake of some drugs probably related to the subjacent condition. Some drugs slightly affect the rate of conversion to mild cognitive impairment. Positive effects of vitamin D, chondroitin, atorvastatin and antihypertensive drugs, and negative effects of antidepressants and benzodiazepines, should be further explored in studies with longer follow-up.

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