scholarly journals Alone in the COVID-19 lockdown: an exploratory study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rowena Leary ◽  
Kathryn Asbury
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Potential Mechanism ◽  
Positive Form ◽  
Existential Loneliness ◽  
Emotional Loneliness

Feelings of isolation have been prevalent worldwide since March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. This has prompted increased concerns about loneliness and related mental health problems. During the first UK COVID-19 lockdown, 71 participants were asked to share their high and low point stories from lockdown. These were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to explore how ‘aloneness’ was experienced at this time. Key themes identified in the data included emotional loneliness, social loneliness, and existential loneliness (established in existing literature), as well as a more positive form of aloneness, solitude. The study highlights the importance of understanding how facets of aloneness interrelate, and identifies potential loneliness risk or protective factors. In particular, solitude is proposed as a potential mechanism for alleviating loneliness, particularly existential loneliness, alongside more common social methods.

scholarly journals Mental Health Problems and Related Factors in Chinese University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang-Jiang Zhou ◽  
Meng Qi ◽  
Lei-Lei Wang ◽  
Xing-Jie Yang ◽  
Li-Gang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
University Students ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Chinese University

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a serious threat to global public health, including a wide range of metal health problems. Current research focuses mainly on mental health status and related factors among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data from 11133 participants was obtained through an online survey of university students in mainland China. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), respectively.Results: In total, 37.0% of the subjects were experiencing depressive symptoms, 24.9% anxiety symptoms, 20.9% comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms, and 7.3% suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an increased presence of mental health problems in female students, graduate students, and those with personal COVID-19 exposure. Living with family and awareness of COVID-19 were protective factors against depressive and anxiety symptoms. In addition, male, depressive and anxiety symptoms were risk factors for suicidal ideation. Living with family, graduate students, prevention and control measures and projections of COVID-19 trends were protective factors against suicidal ideation.Conclusions: The findings underlined that the mental health of university students should be monitored, and provided important information for healthcare planning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Mental Health of Medical Workers in Japan during COVID-19: Relationships with Loneliness, Hope and Self-Compassion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Akihoko Ozaki ◽  
Hirotomo Miyatake ◽  
Chie Tsunetoshi ◽  
Yoshitaka Nishikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
General Population ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Self Compassion

Abstract The current pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has negatively impacted medical workers’ mental health in many countries including Japan. Although research identified poor mental health of medical workers in COVID-19, protective factors for their mental health remain to be appraised. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate relationships between mental health problems, loneliness, hope and self-compassion among Japanese medical workers, and compare with the general population. Online self-report measures regarding those four constructs were completed by 142 medical workers and 138 individuals in the general population. T-tests and multiple regression analysis were performed. Medical workers had higher levels of mental health problems and loneliness, and lower levels of hope and self-compassion than the general population. Loneliness was the strongest predictor of mental health problems in the medical workers. Findings suggest that Japanese medical workplaces may benefit from targeting workplace loneliness to protect staff mental health from the current crisis.

Emotional Freedom Techniques—How to Make It Mainstream; a Thematic Analysis of Practitioners’ Views

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-43
Author(s):  
Janine Mitchell ◽  
Gerasimos Chatzidamianos ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Treatment Option ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Therapeutic Modality ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Alternative Treatment Option ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Emotional Freedom Techniques

Background Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is proposed as an effective therapy for the treatment of common mental health problems. It has, however, been met with criticism and is not presently considered a mainstream treatment option for conditions such as anxiety or trauma. Conversely, both cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have achieved recognition in advancing into mainstream status, yet EFT is still perceived as an alternative treatment option despite evidence of effectiveness, in more than 100 clinical trials and 40 research reviews and meta-analyses. Aims: By examining the views of trained practitioners, this project aimed to explore the barriers and the facilitators to EFT becoming a mainstream treatment option in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) for common mental health problems. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted (N=12) exploring views of EFT practitioners. Transcripts were then subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Analysis of participants’ views resulted in three themes: (1) research as an asset and a challenge, (2) public perceptions of EFT as a therapeutic modality, and (3) EFT training standards. These themes are perceived as interlinked in the process of EFT becoming mainstream. Findings from this study indicate the requirement of further research evidence that is more widely disseminated to enable increased awareness to the public and those within the medical profession of EFT as a potentially beneficial adjunct intervention. Importantly, training for EFT therapists needs to be improved and standardized. Implications: Based on the results, a series of recommendations are discussed that aim to address the barriers identified.

scholarly journals “A mismatch between what is happening on the inside and going on, on the outside”: a qualitative study of therapists’ perspectives on student mental health

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Anna Marszalek ◽  
Helene Faksvåg ◽  
Thea Hannestad Frøystadvåg ◽  
Ottar Ness ◽  
Marius Veseth
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Student Mental Health ◽  
Ripple Effects ◽  
Academic Achievements ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Tools And Techniques

Abstract Background Although a growing number of studies indicates a high prevalence of reported mental health problems in students and that the problems are growing in number and severity, less is known about the experiences of students facing mental health problems and personnel who interact with students that seek help for these problems. The aim of this study is to examine the perspectives of therapists working with students seeking therapy for mental health problems. Methods A qualitative study of 15 therapists’ perspectives. Data are collected with in-depth, semistructured and open-ended interviews, and analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Results We developed four themes that summarize how the therapists viewed and understood the students’ experiences of mental health problems: (1) an agonizing mismatch between the inside and the outside, (2) conflicting needs for closeness and distance, (3) no room for pain, and (4) a major potential for ripple effects. Conclusions We relate our findings to the existing theory and research, and we discuss the implications for clinical practice and the limitations of the study. We argue that our findings demonstrate the need to provide students room to explore and make meaning of their difficulties and pain related to mental health problems, in addition to offer some symptom-reducing tools and techniques that can enhance performance and academic achievements. More research is needed to understand what student mental health problems might be related to and what students need.

scholarly journals Risk and Protective Factors for Poorer Overall Health, Increased Psychological Distress, and Suicidal Ideation Due to SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the General Japanese Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanto Araki ◽  
Keita Kiuchi ◽  
Katsumasa Kishi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Japanese Population ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
General Japanese Population ◽  
The Future

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak is expected to have harmed the mental health of numerous people worldwide. Therefore, the present study was aimed to explore the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on the overall health of the general Japanese population, with a particular focus on identifying the factors associated with a requirement for mental health treatment. Japanese residents aged 18 years and above were surveyed online, and among the 1,500 obtained responses included for analysis, 14% reported severe psychological distress, and 8.9% indicated high suicidal ideation. A multiple regression analysis of the collected data revealed that “insufficient exercise” could significantly predict physical health (β = -0.23, SE = 0.03), while the life event stressors that could significantly predict mental health were the personality trait “neuroticism” (β = -0.16, SE = 0.03), and the life stressors of “outbreak-related mental health problems” (β = -0.22, SE = 0.03) and “uncertainty regarding the future” (β = -0.12, SE = 0.03). The personality traits of “agreeableness” (β = -0.08, SE = 0.02) and “neuroticism” (β = 0.22, SE = 0.02), and the factors “social support” (β = -0.12, SE = 0.02), “outbreak-related mental health problems” (β = 0.21, SE = 0.02), “uncertainty regarding the future” (β = 0.14, SE = 0.02), and “declining duration and quality of sleep” (β = 0.10, SE = 0.02) could predict psychological distress. Suicidal ideation was predicted by “neuroticism” (β = 0.11, SE = 0.03), “social support” (β = -0.27, SE = 0.03), and “having a psychiatric disorder” (β = 0.18, SE = 0.03). The results of the present study suggest that due to the spread of SARS-CoV-2, much of the Japanese population could be in requirement of psychiatric care. In particular, the individuals who rated high for the risk factors and low for the protective factors might require proactive support.

scholarly journals Mental Health Problems and Related Factors in Chinese University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang-Jiang Zhou ◽  
Meng Qi ◽  
Lei-Lei Wang ◽  
Xing-Jie Yang ◽  
Lan Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
University Students ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Chinese University

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a serious threat to global public health, including a wide range of metal health problems. Current research focuses mainly on mental health status and related factors among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data from 11133 participants was obtained through an online survey of university students in mainland China. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), respectively.Results: In total, 37.0% of the subjects were experiencing depressive symptoms, 24.9% anxiety symptoms, 20.9% comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms, and 7.3% suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an increased presence of mental health problems in female students, graduate students, and those with personal COVID-19 exposure. Living with family and awareness of COVID-19 were protective factors against depressive and anxiety symptoms. In addition, male, depressive and anxiety symptoms were risk factors for suicidal ideation. Living with family, graduate students, prevention and control measures and projections of COVID-19 trends were protective factors against suicidal ideation.Conclusions: The findings underlined that the mental health of university students should be monitored, and provided important information for healthcare planning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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