A cross-sectional survey of psychological distress in a Mexican sample during the second phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

The objectives of this study were to describe severity of psychological distress (event-related stress, anxiety, and depression) during the second stage of COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, and to explore associations between the indicators of psychological distress, sociodemographic characteristics and specific concerns about COVID-19. This report serves as a baseline measure of a longitudinal project to evaluate progression of psychological distress across stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. An online survey was conducted in the State of Mexico from April 8th -18th, 2020, in a sample of men and women who are beneficiaries of a welfare institution in the region. Variables were measured with the Impact of Event Scale-6, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disoder-7, and a questionnaire of concerns about COVID-19. A total of 5974 participants were analyzed. Moderate levels of psychological distress (with 23.6% of participants meeting significant event-related stress, but mild levels of depression and anxiety) were found, as well as high values in all concerns about COVID-19, especially regarding financial disruption, worsening of local security and concern of a family member becoming infected. These concerns associated mild-to-moderately with the indicators of psychological distress. Higher values of event-related distress were found in women, individuals with higher educational attainment and those with any current high-risk medical diagnosis, though the effect sizes were mild. Though psychological distress and concerns about COVID-19 have reached significant levels during the pandemic in Mexico, overall, they have not yet reached dysfunctional levels.

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Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 During the First Nationwide Lockdown in Vietnam: Web-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.24776 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽

Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽

Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽

Thanh Vo Van ◽

Toi Phung Lam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

General Population ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Survey Study ◽

Limited Information ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged <18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts. CLINICALTRIAL

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Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 During the First Nationwide Lockdown in Vietnam: Web-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey Study

JMIR Formative Research ◽

10.2196/24776 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (12) ◽

pp. e24776

Author(s):

Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽

Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽

Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽

Thanh Vo Van ◽

Toi Phung Lam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

General Population ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Survey Study ◽

Limited Information ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

Background The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. Objective This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. Methods We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. Results A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged <18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). Conclusions The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts.

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COVID-19 Pandemic Causing Depression in Different Sociodemographic Groups in Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18136955 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 6955

Author(s):

Hana Sonbol ◽

Hadil M. Alahdal ◽

Rasis A. Alanazi ◽

Khawla Alsamhary ◽

Fuad Ameen

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Online Survey ◽

World Health ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Impact Of Event Scale ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

COVID-19 disease was announced as a global pandemic in March 2020 by the World health organization (WHO). Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to enforce restriction measures such as closing schools, remote working, and a travel ban. We aim to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s depression in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey of 1109 participants was conducted during the curfew between 18th of May and 11th of June 2020. An online questionnaire included questions about the commitment to follow the precautionary measures, knowledge on COVID-19, and depression. Depression was assessed with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised method. Females, unmarried individuals, elderly persons, parents of young children, unemployed, and small families were more likely to be depressed. Education level did not explain the differences in depression. However, the more knowledge the participants had about COVID-19 the better they followed the restrictions. A regression analysis revealed that the commitment of a person to follow the restrictions increased his/her depression symptoms. Attention should be paid to different groups of people in future psychiatric planning.

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Psychological effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown among students and workers of a Spanish university

10.31234/osf.io/2sc84 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paula Odriozola-González ◽

Álvaro Planchuelo-Gómez ◽

María Jesús Irurtia-Muñiz ◽

Rodrigo de Luis-García

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Emotional Impact ◽

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Impact Of Event Scale ◽

Event Scale ◽

The University ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

The Impact

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychological impact of COVID-19 in the university community during the first weeks of confinement. A cross-sectional study was conducted. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was employed to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. The emotional impact of the situation was analyzed using the Impact of Event Scale. An online survey was fulfilled by 2530 members of the University of Valladolid, in Spain. Moderate to extremely severe scores of anxiety, depression, and stress were reported by 21.34%, 34.19% and 28.14% of the respondents, respectively. A total of 50.43% of respondents presented moderate to severe impact of the outbreak. Students from Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences & Law showed higher scores related to anxiety, depression, stress and impact of event with respect to students from Engineering & Architecture. University staff presented lower scores in all measures compared to students, who seem to have suffered an important psychological impact during the first weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown. In order to provide timely crisis-oriented psychological services and to take preventive measures in future pandemic situations, mental health in university students should be carefully monitored.

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Psychological symptoms of the outbreak of the COVID-19 confinement in Spain

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105320967086 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 135910532096708

Author(s):

Paula Odriozola-González ◽

Álvaro Planchuelo-Gómez ◽

María Jesús Irurtia ◽

Rodrigo de Luis-García

Keyword(s):

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Spanish Population ◽

Emotional Impact ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Impact Of Event Scale ◽

Event Scale ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

The Impact

We studied the short-term psychological effects of the COVID-19 crisis and the quarantine on 3550 adults from the Spanish population in a cross-sectional survey. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress were analyzed using the 21-item version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder were analyzed using the Impact of Event Scale. Symptomatic scores of anxiety, depression, and stress were observed in 20% to 30% of respondents. Symptomatic scores indicating psychological stress were found in 47.5% of respondents. Similar to the findings of other multiple studies, confinement has been found to have significant emotional impact in the Spanish population.

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Increased psychological distress after the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown in the Saudi population: a cross-sectional study

Middle East Current Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s43045-021-00167-9 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hatim Yousef Alharbi ◽

Sami S. Alharthi ◽

Ahmed S. Alzahrani ◽

Mohammed Khalid A. Dakhel ◽

Ziyad Hussain Alawaji

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Saudi Population ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Impact Of Event Scale ◽

Coping Capacity ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its global health and socioeconomic aftereffects, the enduring state of crisis is increasingly impacting the coping capacity of the populations. In this study, we aimed to characterize the levels of psychological distress after the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown. Results The Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 items (DASS-21) were used to screen for post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and stress. The prevalence of PTSD was 41.6% and was associated with severe or extremely severe stress (27.8%), anxiety (31.4%), and depression (39.0%). All disorders were strongly correlated with one another. The risk of developing PTSD was independently associated with residence in high COVID-19 prevalence region (OR = 2.25, p = 0.004), poor (OR = 3.98, p = 0.002), or moderate (OR = 1.63, p = 0.048) self-assessed overall physical health, psychiatric comorbidity (OR = 1.87, p = 0.036), number of COVID-19-like symptoms (OR = 1.94, p = 0.039), and severe COVID-19 morbidity in the acquaintances (OR = 1.54, p = 0.026). Four theories were proposed to explain these high figures, with a discussion of their practical implications. Conclusions The lifting of lockdown measures was associated with a substantial increase in psychological distress among the Saudi population, referring to figures reported during the lockdown. This may indicate a decline in the overall population’s coping capacity with the enduring crisis.

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Increased stressful impact among general population in mainland China amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide cross-sectional study conducted after Wuhan city’s travel ban was lifted

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0020764020935489 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (8) ◽

pp. 770-779 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Zheng Feei Ma ◽

Yutong Zhang ◽

Xiaoqin Luo ◽

Xinli Li ◽

Yeshan Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Mainland China ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Wuhan City ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Impact Of Event Scale ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

Objectives: Our study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological responses and lifestyle changes among the general population in mainland China following the re-opening of the Wuhan city. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in April 2020. Participants of Chinese nationality aged ⩾ 18 years were asked to complete a modified validated Chinese version of a questionnaire regarding the impact of event scale (IES), family and social support, mental health–related lifestyle changes, and indicators of negative mental health impacts. Results: A total of 728 participants (i.e., 217 males and 511 females) completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 32.9 ± 10.4 years, with a majority of them (92.2%) having a higher educational qualification level. The overall mean IES in participants was 21.5 ± 7.0, reflecting mild stressful impact (i.e., following the re-opening of the Wuhan city); 25.5% of the participants had an IES score ⩾ 26. Being females and married were significantly associated with a higher mean IES score. The overall mean scores for intrusion and avoidance score scales in participants were 9.4 ± 3.7 and 12.1 ± 4.2, respectively. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased stressful impact in our participants following the re-opening of the Wuhan city when compared with our previous study, which should not be taken lightly.

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Traumatic Stress and Ways of Coping of Community Residents Exposed to a Train Disaster

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1046/j.1440-1614.2001.00922.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 528-534 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Man Cheung Chung ◽

Steven Farmer ◽

Julie Werrett ◽

Yvette Easthope ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Impact Of Event Scale ◽

Event Scale ◽

Ways Of Coping ◽

Community Residents ◽

The Impact

Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine the degree of traumatic stress and the coping strategies employed by community residents who lived on both sides of a rail track where a train collision occurred in 1996 in Stafford, UK. The hypothesis was that there would be a high level of traumatic stress and that emotion-focused coping would be the predictor to distress. Method: This was a cross-sectional survey with a retrospective design in which 66 community residents, who lived between 30 and 100 feet away from the crash site, were interviewed. The study began approximately 7 months after the disaster. The Impact of Event Scale (IES), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Ways of Coping Checklists (WOC) were administered to the residents. Results: On the whole, the results did not entirely support the hypothesis. The residents were found to have experienced some intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviour but their mean scores were significantly lower than those of standardized samples. Thirty-five per cent scored at 4 or above on the GHQ-28. Traumatic stress was predicted by both emotionfocused and problem-focused coping strategies. Conclusion: Although community residents were not on the train or related to the dead or injured in any way, they could, after being exposed to a train disaster, manifest traumatic stress symptoms which had long-lasting effects. Such traumatic stress was found to be associated with coping strategies of community residents characterized by their efforts to manage or alter the source of stress, and by their efforts to regulate stressful emotions.

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Psychological outcomes following the Hazelwood mine fire: A mixed methods study

10.31234/osf.io/euj96 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Darryl Maybery ◽

Rebecca Jones ◽

Matthew Carroll ◽

Joanna Dipnall ◽

Emily Berger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Impact Of Event Scale ◽

Event Scale ◽

Mine Fire ◽

Distress Scale ◽

The Impact

Objectives: This mixed method study assessed the psychological impacts of six weeks of exposure to smoke and ash from the 2014 Hazelwood mine fire in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Australia. The quantitative component compared residents from the most exposed community (Morwell) with those from a similar, but minimally-exposed, control community (Sale). Qualities of the experience were examined in interviews with Morwell residents.Methods: A cross-sectional survey involved 3,091 Morwell and 960 Sale adults with multiple psychological measures was complimented by 26 interviews with Morwell residents.Results: Morwell residents scored significantly higher than Sale residents on the primary outcome measure, the Impact of Event Scale – Revised (difference = 6.53; 95%CI: 5.37, 7.35, p<0.001), which measured the posttraumatic stress symptoms of intrusive rumination, hyperarousal and avoidance behaviour. Morwell residents also scored significantly higher on the Kessler 10-item general distress scale (difference = 1.69; 95%CI: 1.05, 2.33, p<0.001). On average, the Hazelwood mine fire continued to generate moderate levels of participant distress more than two years after the event, however this ranged from no impact to more severe distress. This range of impact was also evident in the qualitative interviews, where intrusive thoughts were the most frequently reported symptom of posttraumatic stress. The interviews highlighted the increased vulnerability of people with pre-existing mental health concerns.Conclusions: The finding that moderate distress was apparent in the community several years after an extended community-wide pollution event highlights the need for improving response to such events, including providing support to more vulnerable subgroups.

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The COVID-19 Outbreak and Its Emotional Consequences: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey at the Peak of the Pandemic in Iran

Annals of Military and Health Sciences Research ◽

10.5812/amh.109630 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol In Press (In Press) ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad Ali Fardin ◽

Mahmoud Shirazi ◽

Sophia Khaneghahi

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Emotional State ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

Background: Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has exponentially spread across the world, the number of cases and deaths in Iran has been higher than in other Middle Eastern countries. This has brought about and will lead to unprecedented psychological and emotional consequences. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on the general public's emotional state in Iran. Methods: An online survey was conducted from March 24-26. Participants were selected using a snowball sampling technique. The online survey collected information on demographic data. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) were used to collect data. Results: In total, 428 respondents from 62 cities participated in this study. The linear regression analysis showed a significant association between the COVID-19 outbreak and the negative general public's emotional state in Iran, indicating that the COVID-19 outbreak increased negative states (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The COVID-19 outbreak has caused a direct and effective impact on all aspects of life. Negative emotions are the main consequence of the outbreak. So mental health teams should be formed in the media to improve the emotions of the general public by providing online or in-person psychological services with complete and updated treatment information and programs.

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