Exposure to COVID-19 Pandemic Stress: Associations with Depression and Anxiety in Emerging Adults in the U.S.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Autumn Kujawa ◽  
Haley Green ◽  
Bruce Compas ◽  
Lindsay Dickey ◽  
Samantha Pegg
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Psychosocial Effects ◽  
Questionnaire Measure ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Future Work

Background: Stressful events due to the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to have profound effects on mental health, and validated methods for assessing these experiences and associations with psychopathology are needed. We developed the Pandemic Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and tested its psychometric properties, characterized experiences in emerging adults, and examined associations with internalizing symptoms. Methods: Emerging adults (N=450) completed the PSQ and measures of internalizing symptoms and perceived stress through an online platform in May 2020. One month later, 288 participants completed a follow-up questionnaire to assess reliability of the PSQ and longitudinal associations between stress and internalizing symptoms. Results: Results supported the validity/reliability of the PSQ and indicated that stressful events were highly prevalent in May, particularly among younger, female, and Black emerging adults. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were high overall, but decreased at the follow-up assessment. Pandemic-related stress was moderately associated with both depression and anxiety at each assessment, but baseline stress did not predict change in symptoms when controlling for baseline symptoms. Conclusions: Results provide empirical evidence that emerging adults are at high risk for depression and anxiety related to the psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlight specific types of experiences associated with greatest risk. Further, this study provides support for a questionnaire measure of experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic that can be applied in future work to advance understanding of risk and resilience in response to stressful events.

scholarly journals Experiences of lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic: descriptive findings from a survey of families in the Born in Bradford study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
Josie Dickerson ◽  
Brian Kelly ◽  
Bridget Lockyer ◽  
Sally Bridges ◽  
Christopher Cartwright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Vulnerable Families ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds ◽  
Future Work

Background: Lockdown measures implemented to contain the Covid-19 virus have increased health inequalities, with families from deprived and ethnically diverse backgrounds most likely to be adversely affected. This paper describes the experiences of families living in the multi-ethnic and deprived city of Bradford, England. Methods: A wave of survey data collection using a combination of email, text and phone with postal follow-up during the first Covid-19 UK lockdown (10th April to 30th June 2020) with parents participating in two longitudinal studies. Cross tabulations explored variation by ethnicity and financial insecurity. Text from open questions was analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Of 7,652 families invited, 2,144 (28%) participated. The results presented are based on the 2,043 (95%) mothers’ responses: 957 (47%) of whom were of Pakistani heritage, 715 (35%) White British and 356 (18%) other ethnicity 971 (46%) lived in the most deprived decile of material deprivation in England. and 738 (37%) were financially insecure. Many families lived in poor quality (N=574, 28%), overcrowded (N=364, 19%) housing. Food (N=396, 20%), employment (N=728, 37%) and housing (N=204, 10%) insecurities were common, particularly in those who were furloughed, self-employed not working or unemployed. Clinically important depression and anxiety were reported by 372 (19%) and 318 (16%) mothers. Ethnic minority and financially insecure families had a worse experience during the lockdown across all domains, with the exception of mental health which appeared worse in White British mothers.  Open text responses corroborated these findings and highlighted high levels of anxiety and fear about Covid-19. Conclusions: There is a need for policy makers and commissioners to better support vulnerable families during and after the pandemic. Future work will use longitudinal data from before the pandemic, and from future surveys during the pandemic, to describe trajectories and the long-term consequences of the pandemic on vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals Longitudinal transactional relationships between caregiver and child mental health during the COVID-19 global pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily L. Robertson ◽  
Jennifer Piscitello ◽  
Ellyn Schmidt ◽  
Carolina Mallar ◽  
Bridget Davidson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Child Mental Health ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Cascading Effects ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Caregiver Mental Health ◽  
Related Stress

Abstract Background Emerging work examining the psychological impact of COVID-19 on children and families suggests that the relationship between pandemic-related stress, child psychosocial functioning, and caregiver mental health are interrelated. However, much of this research is unidirectional and thus little is known about the bidirectional cascading effects children and caregivers may experience. The current study examined the transactional relationships between caregiver and child mental health over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse caregivers (N = 286) of young children completed measures of caregiver mental health, caregiver pandemic-related stress, and child mental health (i.e., externalizing, internalizing, prosocial behavior) across three time points in the spring of 2020. Results Using autoregressive cross-lagged analyses, impaired caregiver mental health at Time 1 (April 2020) predicted increased caregiver pandemic-related stress at Time 2 (May 2020). Caregiver pandemic-related stress at Time 1 predicted increased child internalizing symptoms at Time 2 which, in turn, predicted increased caregiver pandemic-related stress at Time 3 (July 2020). Lastly, impaired caregiver mental health at Time 2 (May 2020) predicted increased child externalizing symptoms at Time 3 (July 2020). Conclusions Assessing transactional relationships between child and caregiver mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic is important to inform models of risk and resilience. Interventions at the level of the caregiver, the child, and/or the family should be considered as a way to interrupt potential negative developmental cascades.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic and Eating Disorders: What Can We Learn About Psychopathology and Treatment? A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Maria Monteleone ◽  
Giammarco Cascino ◽  
Eugenia Barone ◽  
Marco Carfagno ◽  
Palmiero Monteleone
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Online Treatment ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose of Review This systematic review aims to collect evidence regarding the impact of the SarsCov-2 pandemic on people affected by eating disorders (EDs) targeting the following variables: psychopathology changes, mechanisms of vulnerability or resilience, and perception of treatment modifications during the pandemic. Recent Findings Since the beginning of the pandemic, a mental health deterioration has been detected in the general population and especially in people affected by pre-existing psychiatric conditions. Furthermore, mental healthcare has moved toward online treatment. Summary ED people showed a trend toward worsening of ED-specific psychopathology and impairment in general psychopathology. The most common vulnerability mechanisms were social isolation and feelings of uncertainty, while heightened self-care and reduced social pressure were resilience factors. The online treatment, although raising many concerns related to its quality, was considered the best alternative to the face-to-face approach. These findings may support the idea that stressful events contribute to the exacerbation of ED psychopathology and highlight the relevance of internalizing symptoms in EDs. The identification of putative risk and resilience variables as well as of subjective factors affecting online treatment perception may inform healthcare professionals and may promote more personalized approaches.

Red Blood Cell Indices in Relation to Post-stroke Psychiatric Disorders: A Longitudinal Study in a Follow-up Stroke Clinic

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-223
Author(s):  
Haichao Wang ◽  
Li Gong ◽  
Xiaomei Xia ◽  
Qiong Dong ◽  
Aiping Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Rbc Indices ◽  
Post Stroke Depression

Background: Depression and anxiety after stroke are common conditions that are likely to be neglected. Abnormal red blood cell (RBC) indices may be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the association of RBC indices with post-stroke depression (PSD) and poststroke anxiety (PSA) has not been sufficiently investigated. Methods: We aimed to investigate the trajectory of post-stroke depression and anxiety in our follow- up stroke clinic at 1, 3, and 6 months, and the association of RBC indices with these. One hundred and sixty-two patients with a new diagnosis of ischemic stroke were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months, and underwent Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the general anxiety disorder 7-item (GAD-7) questionnaire for evaluation of depression and anxiety, respectively. First, we used Kaplan-Meier analysis to investigate the accumulated incidences of post-stroke depression and post-stroke anxiety. Next, to explore the association of RBC indices with psychiatric disorders after an ischemic stroke attack, we adjusted for demographic and vascular risk factors using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: Of the 162 patients with new-onset of ischemic stroke, we found the accumulated incidence rates of PSD (1.2%, 17.9%, and 35.8%) and PSA (1.2%, 13.6%, and 15.4%) at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The incident PSD and PSA increased 3 months after a stroke attack. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated independent positive associations between PSD risk and higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (OR=1.42, 95% CI=1.16-1.76), older age (OR=2.63, 95% CI=1.16-5.93), and a negative relationship between male sex (OR=0.95, 95% CI=0.91-0.99) and PSA. Conclusion: The risks of PSD and PSA increased substantially 3 months beyond stroke onset. Of the RBC indices, higher MCV, showed an independent positive association with PSD.

scholarly journals PTSD, depression and anxiety in Ebola virus disease survivors in Beni town, Democratic Republic of the Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Célestin Kaputu-Kalala-Malu ◽  
Eric Mafuta Musalu ◽  
Tim Walker ◽  
Olga Ntumba-Tshitenge ◽  
Steve Ahuka-Mundeke
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Persistent Headache

Abstract Background Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a deadly and feared infectious disease, which can be responsible of debilitating physical and psychological sequelae in survivors including depression and anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, there are scarce data on survivor sequelae in Democratic Republic of the Congo. So this study assessed PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms among EVD survivors enrolled in the follow-up program of the psychosocial care team of Beni town’s general hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study used consecutive sampling to recruit 144 Ebola virus disease survivors who came for follow up from October 23 to November 13; 2019. Basic socio-demographic data, presence of headache and short-term memory function were assessed. The Post-traumatic Checklist Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to assess psychological burden among participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarized data and Pearson’s or likelihood chi-square were used to test association between psychiatric disorders and associated factors. Results The prevalence of PTSD, depression and anxiety was 24.3, 24.3 and 33.3% respectively. Being male (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.95, p = 0.049), suffering from persistent headache (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.12, 6.14, p = 0.014), losing a loved one because of EVD (OR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.11, 6.15, p = 0. 015) and being young − 18-24 years - (OR: 0. 261, 95% CI: 0. 08, 0.82, p = 0,026) were statistically associated with PTSD diagnosis. Having short-term memory impairment and suffering from persistent headache were statistically associated with depression and anxiety diagnoses (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.03, 5.82, p = 0.026); (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.04, 4.85, p = 0.025); (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.12, 6.14, p = 0.014); (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.06, 5.01, p = 0.020). Conclusion The prevalence of PTSD, depression and anxiety is high among EVD survivors. Development of specialized psychiatric services to sustain psychiatric and psychological health amongst survivors in the cultural context of the Eastern part of the DRC should be considered by the teams fighting against EVD in the DRC.

scholarly journals Promoting recovery in daily life: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Reis ◽  
Alexander Hart ◽  
Dirk Lehr ◽  
Malte Friese
Keyword(s):  
Training Programs ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Main Mechanism ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background Work-related stress shows steadily increasing prevalence rates and has tangible consequences for individual workers, their organizations, and society as a whole. One mechanism that may help offset the negative outcomes of work-related stress on employees’ well-being is recovery. Recovery refers to the experience of unwinding from one's job when not at work. However, employees who experience high levels of work-related stress and are thus particularly in need of recovery tend to struggle to switch-off. Due to the detrimental effects of this prolonged and sustained mental representation of job stressors, interventions promoting recovery may contribute to improvements in employees' mental health. Methods In this randomized, waitlist controlled trial, we will investigate the effectiveness of two 6-week online training programs (cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based). The sample will include employees working at least part-time during regular work hours. Besides the pre-post-follow-up assessments, the trial will include measurement bursts with the goal of examining the underlying mechanisms. We expect that both interventions will reduce work-related perseverative thinking (PT) compared with the waitlist control groups (primary outcome). Also, we expect that both interventions will result in similar improvements, but the underlying mechanisms will differ (process outcomes). In the cognitive-behavioral intervention group, we expect that the main mechanism responsible for lower PT levels will be an increase in recovery experiences across time. In the mindfulness-based group, we expect that the main mechanism responsible for lower PT levels will be an increase in facets of mindfulness across time. Discussion In the present study, we will investigate mechanisms underlying assumed changes in work-related PT in great detail. Besides evaluating the overall effectiveness of the two interventions in terms of pre-post-follow-up changes, we will look at the underlying processes at different levels—that is, within days, within weeks, across weeks, and between individuals. Accordingly, our study will offer a fine-grained approach to investigating potential determinants, mediators, and moderators of the processes that may, in the end, be responsible for work-related strain. From a public health perspective, if effective, the online training programs may offer valuable, low-threshold, and low-intensity interventions for a broad range of occupations. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Registration: DRKS00024933. Registered prospectively 7 April 2021. https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00024933

A Biodegradable Stent Based on Poly(L-Lactide) and Poly(4-Hydroxybutyrate) for Peripheral Vascular Application: Preliminary Experience in the Pig

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 725-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Michael Bünger ◽  
Niels Grabow ◽  
Katrin Sternberg ◽  
Martin Goosmann ◽  
Klaus-Peter Schmitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Injury ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Vascular Trauma ◽  
Metal Stents ◽  
Peripheral Vascular ◽  
Abdominal Incision ◽  
Biodegradable Stent ◽  
Balloon Catheters ◽  
Future Work

Purpose: To assess the technical feasibility and biocompatibility of a novel stent based on poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) (P4HB) for peripheral vascular applications. Methods: A polytetrafluoroethylene aortobi-iliac graft was implanted in 5 pigs through a midline abdominal incision. After transverse graft limb incision, 5 PLLA/P4HB stents and 5 metal stents (316L stainless steel) were randomly deployed at both iliac anastomotic sites with 6-mm balloon catheters. Angiography was performed to determine patency prior to sacrifice at 6 weeks. Stented segments were surgically explanted and processed for quantitative histomorphometry. Vascular injury and inflammation scores were assigned to the stented iliac segments. Results: No animals were lost during follow-up. All PLLA/P4HB stents were deployed within 2 minutes by balloon inflation to 8 bars without rupture of the stent struts or anastomotic suture. All stents were patent on postprocedural angiography. Histological analysis showed no signs of excessive recoiling or collapse. PLLA/P4HB stents demonstrated decreased residual lumen area and increased neointimal area after 6 weeks (12.27±0.62 and 8.40±1.03 mm2, respectively) compared to 316L stents (13.54±0.84 and 6.90±1.11 mm2, respectively) as the result of differences in stent areas (PLLA/P4HB: 4.31±0.15 mm2; 316L: 2.73±0.29 mm2). Vascular injury scores showed only mild vascular trauma for all stents (PLLA/P4HB: 0.41±0.59; 316L: 0.32±0.47). Inflammatory reaction was slightly higher around PLLA/P4HB stent struts (1.39±0.52) compared to 316L (1.09±0.50). Conclusion: Rapid balloon expansion of PLLA/P4HB stents is feasible without risk of strut rupture. PLLA/P4HB stents provide adequate mechanical stability after iliac anastomotic stenting in pigs. Smaller residual luminal areas in the PLLA/P4HB stents might have been caused by tissue ingrowth into the larger strut interspaces due to higher strut thickness (stent area) in this group. This limitation needs to be addressed in future work on the stent design.

scholarly journals Exploring the Relationships Between Resilience and News Monitoring with COVID Distress in Health Profession Students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Yu ◽  
Michael Wilkes ◽  
Ana-Maria Iosif ◽  
Margaret Rea ◽  
Alice Fisher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Science ◽  
Health Profession ◽  
First Year ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Student Stress ◽  
School Of Nursing ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
Related Stress

Abstract Objective Alarming rates of anxiety and burnout in pre-clinical health profession trainees are now challenged by additional COVID-19 stressors. This study explored COVID-related stressors among first-year medical, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, and veterinary medical students. The authors examined associations between resilience, news monitoring, and COVID stress. Methods Students completed an online questionnaire that included the Brief Resilience Scale at their matriculation in August 2019. Survey results were linked to demographic information collected by all schools. A follow-up survey in May 2020 included original questions on COVID-19 stressors and news monitoring. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression models. Results Across schools, 74% (266/360) provided consent for the 2019 survey, and 76% (201/264) responded to COVID-19 questions in the follow-up 2020 survey. Students were “extremely” or “very” concerned about family members getting infected (n = 71, 76% School of Medicine (SOM); n = 31, 76% School of Nursing (SON); n = 50, 75% School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM)) and curriculum schedule changes (n = 72, 78%, SOM; n = 28, 68% SON; n = 52, 79% SVM). Greater frequency of COVID news monitoring was associated with greater COVID-related stress (p = 0.02). Higher resilience at matriculation was associated with lower COVID-related stress ten months later (p < 0.001). Conclusions Amid COVID-19 uncertainty, health science schools should address the immense student stress regarding curriculum disruptions. The results of this study underscore the powerful role of resilience in protecting against stress not only during the known academic rigor of health professions training but also during unprecedented crises.

Psychological Morbidity Among Post-COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, South India

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (01) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
D. Devi ◽  
V. Monica ◽  
Ravi Santhosh ◽  
Vijaya Raghavan ◽  
P. Poornachandrika
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Panic Attacks ◽  
Psychological Morbidity ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Results

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health threat and is by far the largest outbreak of atypical pneumonia, since the SARS outbreak in 2003. A range of psychiatric morbidities such as persistent depression, anxiety, panic attacks, delirium and suicidality were observed in the post infectious state across the world. Hence, the aim of the study was to understand the psychological status of the patients affected by COVID during their post-COVID follow-up period and to examine the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with high psychological morbidity. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in the post-COVID follow up clinic, at a tertiary care hospital between the months of August - November 2020, using a semi structured proforma and rating scales such as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) for depression, anxiety and insomnia, respectively. Results: The study results indicate that the prevalence of depression and anxiety among post-COVID-19 patients was 21.9% and 11.9%, respectively. Insomnia was observed among 21.7%Among various sociodemographic and clinical variables examined, it was observed that female gender, patients with ongoing stressors and patients with post-COVID-19 persistent physical symptoms were found to be associated with greater depression and anxiety among the study population. Conclusions: Persistent physical symptoms and ongoing life stressors are found to be associated with depression and anxiety among post-COVID-19 patients. Hence, periodic screening for individuals with persisting physical symptoms and care for the vulnerable population such as those with ongoing stressors will provide a significant advantage in the follow up of the mental health of the patients affected with COVID-19.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document