scholarly journals Attitudes toward COVID-19 among Young Adults: Role of Psychological Distress

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asif Imtiaz ◽  
Emran Hasan ◽  
Akram Hossain ◽  
Noor Muhammad Khan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Good Mental Health ◽  
The Government ◽  
Using Data

Young adults’ attitudes toward COVID-19 are vital for their adherence to control measures taken by the government to break the chain of contamination. This study aims to measure differences in attitudes to this pandemic across various demographic groups of young adults living inside and outside of Dhaka. The predictors of optimistic attitudes toward COVID-19 also have been investigated. The study is cross-sectional in nature using data from the members of Secondary and Intermediate Level Students’ Welfare Association (SILSWA). Participants (n = 700) self-reported their attitudes toward controlling and defeating the pandemic. ANOVA and a two-sample t-test were utilized to find the differences in the mean attitude across demographic groups. Predictors of attitudes toward COVID-19 were searched using multivariate logistic regression. Psychologically distressed participants showed more negative attitudes toward winning over COVID-19 than participants with good mental health both inside and outside of Dhaka. Participants inhabiting in Dhaka demonstrated less optimism for controlling and beating the pandemic. Less psychological distress [AOR=0.51; 95 per cent CI: 0.35, 0.76; p=0.001] found to be the significant predictors of an optimistic attitude of young adults. Dissemination of précised and accurate information regarding COVID-19 coupled with mental health intervention based on necessity can improve the attitudes of young adults.

scholarly journals Suicidal Ideation and Predictors of Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Eswatini: A Population-Based Household Telephone Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6700
Author(s):  
Mduduzi Colani Shongwe ◽  
Song-Lih Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
The Government ◽  
Distress Scale

The unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic can induce psychological distress in individuals. We investigated perceived stressors, prevalence of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, and predictors of psychological distress among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini. This study was a cross-sectional, population-based household telephone survey of 993 conveniently sampled adults (18+ years) from all the four administrative regions of Eswatini. Data were collected between 9 June and 18 July 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country was under a partial lockdown. COVID-19-related psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6). We performed weighted modified Poisson regression analyses to identify significant predictors of moderate/severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥5). The weighted prevalences of moderate (K6 scores: 5–12) and severe psychological distress (K6 scores: ≥13) were 41.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Participants reported several perceived COVID-19-related stressors, including worries and fears of the contagion-specific death, serious need for food and money, and concerns about loss of income or business. The weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation was 1.5%. Statistically significant predictors of increased risk for moderate/severe psychological distress included living in the Hhohho and Manzini regions; feeling not well informed about COVID-19; feeling lonely; having received COVID-19 food or financial relief from the government; feeling burdened by the lockdown; being married; and being youth (18–24 years). The results call for the government to urgently augment the provision of mental health services during the pandemic. Mental health practitioners and programs may use several stressors and risk factors identified in this study to inform interventions and government policies aimed at reducing psychological distress induced by the pandemic.

scholarly journals Adverse childhood experiences and psychological distress among higher education students in Southeast Nigeria: an institutional-based cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olaoluwa Samson Agbaje ◽  
Chinwe Patience Nnaji ◽  
Evelyn Nwanabe Nwagu ◽  
Cylia Nkechi Iweama ◽  
Prince Christian Ifeanachor Umoke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Abstract Background Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) constitutes public health problems linked to adverse mental outcomes such as psychological distress during adulthood. This study examines the prevalence of ACEs and psychological distress and explores the association between ACEs and psychological distress and demographic factors among young adults. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 330 students from May 2018 to July 2018. The participants completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the sociodemographic profile scale. We used descriptive statistics to describe the prevalence of ACEs and psychological distress in our sample. After adjusting for the demographic covariates, ACEs’ association with psychological distress was determined using binary and multivariate logistic regressions. Results A total of 203 students with a mean age of 20.76 ± 2.73 years completed the study. The total mean ACE score was 4.58 ± 1.59, and the total mean psychological distress score was 20.76 ± 6.31. Most of the participants (86.7%) experienced ACEs, 14.8% reported experiencing one ACE, 30.5% reported experiencing 2–3 ACEs, and 41.3% reported experiencing 4+ ACEs. Further, about 85% of the youth have experienced at least one form of sexual abuse during childhood, and females reported a higher number of ACEs than males. Sexual abuse (OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 2.36, 7.65), physical neglect (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.57, 5.31), overall ACE exposure (OR = 6.66; 95% CI: 2.41, 18.42), having 1 ACE (OR = 4.40; 95% CI: 1.32, 14.70), having 2–3 ACEs (OR = 4.13; 95% CI: 1.39, 12.29), and having 4+ (OR = 11.67; 95% CI: 3.95, 34.45) were significantly associated with psychological distress. Conclusions ACEs are prevalent among young adults and are associated with psychological distress in adulthood. Furthermore, parental factors are associated with ACEs and psychological distress. Thus, implementation of school, community-and facility-based routine mental health screening programs is essential for prompt identification, prevention, and treatment of youth with childhood adversities and poor mental health outcomes.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in Bangladesh: Measuring differences in individual precautionary behaviors among young adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asif Imtiaz ◽  
Noor Muhammad Khan ◽  
Md. Akram Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Postgraduate Education ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Epidemic Curve ◽  
Good Mental Health ◽  
Precautionary Behavior ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

AbstractAimThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has already hit Bangladesh, and various control measures have been taken to flatten the epidemic curve. Due to the current demographic distribution in Bangladesh, young adults are vital to the demography of the country. Therefore, their precautionary behavior is very important to ensure the success of preventive policies. This exploratory study examined the differences in the adoption of precautionary behaviors among young adults, and estimated and compared the predictors of precautionary behavior adoption among young adults living in the capital city Dhaka and a nearby district, Tangail.Subject and MethodsA total of 350 respondents from each district participated in the study. ANOVA and two-sample t-tests were utilized to detect differences in precautionary behavior across demographic groups of young adults, and quantile regression modeling was used to find the predictors of adopting precautionary behaviors and to compare these predictors between the two districts.ResultsIndividuals who had a postgraduate education and had good mental health tended to show better precautionary behaviors in Dhaka. Female respondents from Tangail who had no psychological distress took precautionary behaviors more often than their counterparts. However, no significant differences in the adoption of precautionary behaviors to prevent COVID-19 among young adults were found between the two districts. Better self-control ability, higher education and good mental health emerged as factors that significantly shaped the precautionary behaviors of young adults in this study.ConclusionHaving better knowledge did not ensure better adoption of precautionary behaviors among the participants. In effect, the government’s strong intervention to keep people at home and distant from each other and continued lockdown for several more days are probable immediate solutions. At the same time, the economic burden on lower-income people should be addressed.

scholarly journals Mental health and health behaviours before and during the COVID-19 lockdown: Longitudinal analyses of the UK Household Longitudinal Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L Niedzwiedz ◽  
Michael Green ◽  
Michaela Benzeval ◽  
Desmond D Campbell ◽  
Peter Craig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
List Type ◽  
Longitudinal Analyses ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk

AbstractBackgroundThere are concerns that COVID-19 mitigation measures, including “lockdown” may have unintended health consequences. We examined trends in mental health and health behaviours in the UK before and during the COVID-19 lockdown and differences across population subgroups.MethodsRepeat cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the UK Household Longitudinal Survey, including representative samples of adults (aged 18+) interviewed in four surveys between 2015 and 2020 (n=48,426). 9,748 adults had complete data for longitudinal analyses. Psychological distress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ). Binary outcomes were created for loneliness, current smoking and use of e-cigarettes. Alcohol consumption was assessed using three binary measures assessing frequent, binge and heavy drinking. Cross-sectional weighted prevalence estimates were calculated and multilevel Poisson regression assessed associations between time period and the outcomes of interest, as well as differential effects by age, gender, education level and ethnicity.ResultsPsychological distress substantially increased one month into the COVID-19 lockdown, with the prevalence rising from 19.4% (95% CI 18.7%-20.0%) in 2017-19 to 30.3% (95% CI 29.1%-31.6%) in April 2020. Women’s mental health was particularly affected, as was that of the most educated and young adults. Loneliness remained stable overall. Smoking and e-cigarette use declined and the proportion of people drinking on four or more days per week increased, as did binge drinking.ConclusionsPsychological distress increased one month into lockdown, particularly among women and young adults. Smoking declined, but the frequency of alcohol consumption increased. Effective treatment and prevention are required to mitigate adverse impacts on health.What is already known on this topicCountries around the world have implemented radical COVID-19 lockdown measures, with concerns that these may have unintended consequences for a broad range of health outcomes.Evidence on the impacts of lockdown measures on mental health and health-related behaviours remains limited.What this study addsIn the UK, psychological distress markedly increased during the lockdown, with women particularly adversely affected.Smoking and e-cigarette use fell, but the frequency of alcohol consumption and binge drinking increased.

scholarly journals Changes in Mental Health and Views on Communication and Activities of Public Institutions among Swedes during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Cross-Sectional Repeated Measures Design

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1498
Author(s):  
Birgitta Kerstis ◽  
Fabrizia Giannotta ◽  
Petra von Heideken Wågert ◽  
Charlotta Hellström ◽  
Daniel Lindberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Repeated Measures Design

Although many studies have been conducted on the effects of COVID-19 on individual lives, only a few focus on the changes in mental health and views of public institutions during the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate how mental health, i.e., life satisfaction, worries, and psychological distress, and views on public institutions’ communication and activities have changed among Swedes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether this was moderated by age and sex. In April–May 2020 (survey 1) and in January–February 2021 (survey 2), 2554 adults and 1904 newly recruited adults, respectively, anonymously completed online surveys. We found that life satisfaction and psychological distress did not change from survey 1 to survey 2. However, the level of worries increased, and the positive views of the public institutions decreased. Moreover, worries and psychological distress increased more in young adults than older adults. Finally, the change in the views of the public institutions was not related to the change in worries. Our results highlight the COVID-19 long-term impacts on individual mental health and call for the need for future research concerning the consequences for the population, especially among young adults. The results also indicate that the views on activities of public authorities decreased over time, especially among men. Given that loss of this trust can have vastly negative effects, for instance, on the vaccine campaign, it is important to monitor this trend, to increase awareness among Swedish authorities. The results also stress for institutions to provide adequate support both during the COVID-19 pandemic and in a future crisis.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional study of workplace measures against COVID-19 and psychological distress among Japanese workers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinosa Yasuda ◽  
Tomohiro Ishimaru ◽  
Seiishiro Tateishi ◽  
Hisashi Eguchi ◽  
Mayumi Tsuji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infection Control Measures

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between the status of infection control efforts against COVID-19 in the workplace and workers' mental health using a large-scale Internet study. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on an Internet monitoring survey conducted during the third wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan. Of the 33,302 people who participated in the survey, 27,036 were included in the analyses. Participants answered whether or not each of 10 different infection control measures were in place at their workplace (e.g. wearing masks at all times during working hours). A Kessler 6 (K6) score of ≥5 was defined as mild psychological distress. The odds ratios (ORs) of psychological distress associated with infection control measures at the workplace were estimated using a multilevel logistic model nested in the prefectures of residence. Results: The OR of subjects working at facilities with 4 or 5 infection control measures was 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.29, p=0.025), that in facilities with 2 or 3 infection control measures was 1.32 (95% CI: 1.15-1.50, p<0.001), and that in facilities with 1 or no infection control measures was 1.48 (95% CI: 1.30-1.68, p<0.001) compared to subjects whose workplaces had ≥6 infection control measures. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that proactive COVID-19 infection control measures can influence the mental health of workers.

scholarly journals Mental health and health behaviours before and during the initial phase of the COVID-19 lockdown: longitudinal analyses of the UK Household Longitudinal Study

2020 ◽  
pp. jech-2020-215060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L Niedzwiedz ◽  
Michael James Green ◽  
Michaela Benzeval ◽  
Desmond Campbell ◽  
Peter Craig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Initial Phase ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Longitudinal Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk

BackgroundThere are concerns that COVID-19 mitigation measures, including the ‘lockdown’, may have unintended health consequences. We examined trends in mental health and health behaviours in the UK before and during the initial phase of the COVID-19 lockdown and differences across population subgroups.MethodsRepeated cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the UK Household Longitudinal Study, including representative samples of over 27,000 adults (aged 18+) interviewed in four survey waves between 2015 and 2020. A total of 9748 adults had complete data for longitudinal analyses. Outcomes included psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12), loneliness, current cigarette smoking, use of e-cigarettes and alcohol consumption. Cross-sectional prevalence estimates were calculated and multilevel Poisson regression assessed associations between time period and the outcomes of interest, as well as differential associations by age, gender, education level and ethnicity.ResultsPsychological distress increased 1 month into lockdown with the prevalence rising from 19.4% (95% CI 18.7% to 20.1%) in 2017–2019 to 30.6% (95% CI 29.1% to 32.3%) in April 2020 (RR=1.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.4). Groups most adversely affected included women, young adults, people from an Asian background and those who were degree educated. Loneliness remained stable overall (RR=0.9, 95% CI 0.6 to 1.5). Smoking declined (RR=0.9, 95% CI=0.8,1.0) and the proportion of people drinking four or more times per week increased (RR=1.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.5), as did binge drinking (RR=1.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.7).ConclusionsPsychological distress increased 1 month into lockdown, particularly among women and young adults. Smoking declined, but adverse alcohol use generally increased. Effective measures are required to mitigate negative impacts on health.

Family Type Predicts Mental Health Problems in Young Adults: A Survey of Students at a University in Botswana

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kennedy Amone-P'Olak ◽  
Boniface Kealeboga Ramotuana
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Single Mother ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Family Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intact Family ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Family Types

In Africa, the structure of the family is changing rapidly. The effects of this change on mental health remain unknown. This study investigated the extent to which different family types (intact, single-mother, and multiple) predict mental health problems in young adults in Botswana (N = 264, mean age = 21.31, SD = 2.40). In a cross-sectional design, the study sampled students registered at various faculties at the University of Botswana. The revised symptoms checklist (SCL-90-R) was used to assess symptoms of mental health problems (depression, anxiety and hostility). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) of mental health problems for mother-only and multiple family types relative to the intact family type. Compared to the intact family type, single-mother (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.21, 4.51) and multiple family types (OR = 1.56; CI: 0.88, 2.78) were associated with an increased risk of depression. For anxiety, the ORs were 2.27 (CI: 1.18, 4.38) and 1.10 (CI: 0.56, 1.82) for single-mother and multiple family types respectively. For hostility, the ORs were 2.60 (CI: 1.34, 5.04), and 0.79 (CI: 0.44, 1.42) for single-mother and multiple family types, respectively. Family types predict mental health problems in young adults and therefore the interventions to mitigate the effects should consider family backgrounds and the ramifications of family types for treatment and care.

Mechanisms of COVID-19 Mental Health Burden

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Bulbulia ◽  
Sofia Piven ◽  
Fiona Barlow ◽  
Don E. Davis ◽  
Lara Greaves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Health Satisfaction ◽  
Civic Attitudes ◽  
Social Belonging ◽  
Pervasive Health ◽  
The Government ◽  
Health Burdens ◽  
Political Economic

New Zealand's COVID-19 lockdown in March and April 2020 was among the world's most stringent. Similar to other countries, New Zealand's lockdown occurred amidst pervasive health and economic uncertainties. However, New Zealanders experienced comparatively less psychological distress. To test theories of pandemic distress mitigation, we use national longitudinal responses with pre-COVID-19 baselines and systematically quantify psychological distress trajectories within the same individuals during the lockdown (pre-COVID-19 = 2018/2019; stringent-lockdown = March/April 2020; N = 940). Most distress indicators were minimally elevated. However, there was a three-fold increase in feelings of worthlessness. Neither satisfaction with the government, nor business-satisfaction, nor a sense of neighbourhood community were effective distress defences. Perceived social-belonging and health-satisfaction mitigated feelings of worthlessness. A silver lining was a relief from feelings of effort, which social-belonging fostered. That social-belonging and health satisfaction could quell serious distress among those low in government confidence, low in business satisfaction, and low neighbourhood community proves that distress mitigation is possible without shifting a population's general political, economic, and civic attitudes. Protection of income and containment of infectious disease threat reduces mental health burdens. Though feelings of worthlessness surge during lockdown, such feelings attenuate from interpersonal belonging with people one already knows.

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