scholarly journals Examining temporal interactions between loneliness and depressive symptoms and the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties among UK residents during the COVID-19 lockdown: Longitudinal results from the COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Groarke ◽  
Emily McGlinchey ◽  
Phoebe McKenna-Plumley ◽  
Emma Berry ◽  
Lisa Graham-Wisener ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Temporal Association ◽  
Depression Symptoms

BackgroundLongitudinal studies examining the temporal association between mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 outbreak are needed. It is important to determine how relationships between mental health outcomes, specifically loneliness and depressive symptoms, manifest over a brief timeframe and in a pandemic context.Method Data was gathered over 4 months (March – June 2020) using an online survey with three repeated measures at monthly intervals (N = 1958; 69.8% females; Age 18-87 years, M = 37.01, SD = 12.81). Associations between loneliness, depression symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulty were tested using Pearson’s product moment correlations, and descriptive statistics were calculated for all study variables. Cross-lagged structural equation modelling was used to examine the temporal relationships between variables. Results The longitudinal association between loneliness and depressive symptoms was reciprocal. Loneliness predicted higher depressive symptoms one month later, and depressive symptoms predicted higher loneliness one month later. The relationship was not mediated by emotion regulation difficulties. Emotion regulation difficulties and depressive symptoms were also reciprocally related over time.Limitations Limitations include the reliance on self-report data and the non-representative sample. There was no pre-pandemic assessment limiting the conclusions that can be drawn regarding the mental health impact of the COVID-19 crisis.ConclusionsLoneliness should be considered an important feature of case conceptualisation for depression during this time. Clinical efforts to improve mental health during the pandemic could focus on interventions that target either loneliness, depression, or both. Potential approaches include increasing physical activity or low-intensity cognitive therapies delivered remotely.

Food Insecurity and Mental Health Trajectories During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 408-409
Author(s):  
Dexia Kong ◽  
Peiyi Lu ◽  
Elissa Kozlov ◽  
Mack Shelley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Health Trajectories ◽  
Over Time

Abstract The extent to which food insecurity impacts changes in mental health outcomes over time in the context of Covid-19 remains unknown. Using longitudinal data from a nationally representative survey, the objectives of the present study were to: (1) assess the prevalence of food insecurity among U.S. adults amid the Covid-19 pandemic; and (2) investigate the relationships between food insecurity statuses and changes in mental health outcomes over time as the pandemic unfolds. Longitudinal data from the Internet-based Understanding Coronavirus in America survey collected bi-weekly between April and December 2020 were used (n=4,068, 15 repeated measures). Adult respondents (aged ≥18) were asked about their food insecurity experiences and stress/anxiety/depressive symptoms. Linear mixed-effect models examined changes in mental health outcomes over time among groups with various food insecurity statuses. Overall prevalence of food insecurity was 8%. Food insecurity was consistently associated with higher levels of stress/anxiety/depressive symptoms (p<0.001). Stress/anxiety/depressive symptoms declined over time among food-secured U.S adults. However, mental health trajectories of respondents with various food insecurity categories, including food insecurity status, persistent food insecurity, and food insecurity of higher severity and longer duration, remained stable or worsened over time. Moreover, the mental health gap between food-secured and food-unsecured participants widened over time. Food insecurity represents a pressing public health problem during the Covid-19 pandemic with substantial mental health implications. Persistent and severe food insecurity may contribute to mental health disparity in the long term. Food insecurity reduction interventions may alleviate the estimated alarming mental health burden as the pandemic unfolds.

scholarly journals INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES IN THE NIGERIAN CONTEXT AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Femi Agberotimi ◽  
Olusola Stella Akinsola ◽  
Rotimi Oguntayo ◽  
Abayomi Oladele Olaseni
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
General Population ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Significant Difference

This study examines the mental health outcomes among the healthcare personnel and the general population and the role of socioeconomic status. Eight hundred and eighty-four (884) residents in Nigeria comprising 382 Healthcare Personnel and 502 general residents aged between 18 and 78 years (M = 28.75, SD = 8.17) responded to an online survey with measures of Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ–9) and Insomnia Severity Index. Collected data were subjected to statistical analysis using the SPSS v.25. Results revealed significant difference in the prevalence of depressive symptoms (χ2 = 14.26; df = 4; p <0.01); insomnia symptoms (χ2 = 40.21; df = 3; p< 0.01); posttraumatic stress symptoms (χ2 = 08.34; df = 3; p< 0.05) and clinical anxiety symptoms (χ2 = 06.71; df = 1; p <0.05) among healthcare personnel and the general population, with a higher prevalence reported by the healthcare personnel. Further, socioeconomic status significantly influence prevalence of depressive symptoms (χ2 = 04.5; df = 4; p <0.05). The study concluded that the prevalence of poor mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 crisis among Nigerians is worrisome. Also, the socioeconomic status of the citizens has serious implications on depressive symptoms. It was recommended that better attention should be paid to the mental health of residents in Nigeria, most especially healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals COVID-19 among Chinese high school graduates: Psychological distress, growth, meaning in life and resilience

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532199081
Author(s):  
Yongju Yu ◽  
Yongjuan Yu ◽  
Jiangxia Hu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High School ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Posttraumatic Growth ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
High School Graduates ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Depression Symptoms

This study examined perceived impact of COVID-19 (PIC) on mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic growth) and roles of resilience and meaning in life. In October 2020, 430 Chinese high school graduates completed self-report measures. Results showed that 4.4% and 5.8% participants had anxiety and depression symptoms (⩾10), respectively, while 13.3% developed posttraumatic growth (⩾37.5). Resilience and meaning in life mediated the relationships between PIC and mental health outcomes. These findings underline psychological distress and growth coexisted in COVID-19, while resilience and meaning in life served as important protective factors of mental health.

The Role of Coping in the Relationship Between Endorsement of the Strong Black Woman Schema and Depressive Symptoms Among Black Women

2021 ◽  
pp. 009579842110212
Author(s):  
Martinque K. Jones ◽  
Tanisha G. Hill-Jarrett ◽  
Kyjeila Latimer ◽  
Akilah Reynolds ◽  
Nekya Garrett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Black Woman ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Strong Black Woman

The Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema has been consistently linked to negative mental health outcomes among Black women. However, few have begun to explicate the mechanisms by which the endorsement of the SBW schema may influence mental health outcomes. Accordingly, the current study examined coping styles (social support, disengagement, spirituality, and problem-oriented/engagement) as mediators in the association between endorsement of the SBW schema and depressive symptoms in a sample of Black women. Data from 240 Black women ( Mage = 22.0, SD = 4.0 years) were collected assessing SBW schema endorsement, coping styles, and depressive symptoms. Parallel multiple mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS Macro. Of the four coping styles examined, disengagement coping partially mediated the association between greater endorsement of the SBW schema and greater depressive symptoms. Study findings add depth to our understanding of the association between the SBW schema and mental health outcomes and lend themselves to research and clinical implications.

Longitudinal Effects of Gendered Harassment Perpetration and Victimization on Mental Health Outcomes in Adolescence

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (23-24) ◽  
pp. 5997-6016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Rinehart ◽  
Dorothy L. Espelage ◽  
Kristen L. Bub
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Homophobic Name Calling ◽  
Gendered Harassment

Gendered harassment, including sexual harassment and homophobic name-calling, is prevalent in adolescents and is linked to negative outcomes including depression, anxiety, suicidality, substance abuse, and personal distress. However, much of the extant literature is cross-sectional and rarely are perpetrators of these behaviors included in studies of outcomes. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of longitudinal changes in gendered harassment perpetration and victimization on changes in mental health outcomes among a large sample of early adolescents. Given that these behaviors commonly occur in the context of a patriarchal society (males hold power), we also investigated the impact of gender on gendered harassment. Participants included 3,549 students from four Midwestern middle schools (50.4% female, 49% African American, 34% White) at two time points (13 and 17 years old). Results indicated that increases from age 13 to 17 years in sexual harassment perpetration and victimization and homophobic name-calling perpetration and victimization predicted increases in depression symptoms and substance use. Gender did not moderate these pathways. These findings highlight that negative outcomes are associated with changes in gendered harassment among adolescents and emphasize the importance of prevention efforts. Implications for school interventions are discussed.

scholarly journals Depressive Risk among Italian Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Children and Adolescents during Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Serra ◽  
Anna Presicci ◽  
Luigi Quaranta ◽  
Maria Rosaria Erminia Urbano ◽  
Lucia Marzulli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Disadvantaged Children ◽  
Parent Version

Abstract Background Children and adolescents and low-income individuals are considered particularly vulnerable for mental health implications during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Depression is one of the most frequent negative emotional responses during an epidemic outbreak, mainly due to the imposed restriction of social contacts. We aimed to assess depressive symptomatology in a sample of Italian low-income minors and to determine if pandemic-related stressors and pre-existing neuropsychiatric diagnoses would behave as risk factors for depressive symptoms. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study during July 2020, at the end of the Italian first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. We recruited 109 Italian socioeconomically disadvantaged children and adolescents, from 7 to 17 years. We used an online survey to collect socio-demographic and clinical data and information about pandemic-related stressors, and to assess depressive symptoms with the Children’s Depression Inventory 2 (CDI 2), Parent Version (Emotional Problems subscale) and Self-Report Short Form. We performed logistic regression analysis to assess the association between depressive symptoms and potential risk factors for mental health. Results 22% and 14% of participants showed depressive symptoms at the CDI 2 Parent Version and Self-Report, respectively. Participants coming from families experiencing a lack of basic supplies during the pandemic (34.9%) were more expected to show depressive symptoms at CDI 2 Parent Version. Participants with a pre-existing neuropsychiatric diagnosis (26.6%) were more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms measured by CDI 2 Parent Version. Conclusions The results of our study may be representative of a particular group of frail subjects, the socioeconomically disadvantaged children and adolescents, who were more vulnerable to depressive symptoms if they suffered from a paucity of essential supplies during the pandemic or had pre-existing neurodevelopmental disorders. The promotion of educational and child-care programs and activities could be crucial in sustaining the prevention of mental distress in those frail subjects who particularly need support outside the family.

Combat Deployment Experiences and Soldier Mental Health: Examining the Factor Structure of a Combat Experiences Scale

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haley Sherman ◽  
Nicky Frye-Cox ◽  
Mallory Lucier-Greer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Coping With Stress ◽  
Health Symptoms

ABSTRACT Introduction Researchers and practitioners are invested in understanding how deployment experiences impact the nearly 193,000 U.S. service members who deploy in a given year. Yet, there remains a need to adequately identify salient deployment experiences through survey measurement tools and understand how differential experiences are uniquely related to mental health outcomes. Therefore, this study examined the factor structure of an established combat experiences measure from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Service members (Army STARRS) dataset to identify underlying survey constructs that reflect nuanced deployment experiences. Then, we examined the association between diverse combat experiences and current mental health symptoms (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms) and the mediating role of coping. Materials and Methods Data were drawn from the Army STARRS data (N = 14,860 soldiers), specifically the All Army Study component. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to examine the dimensionality of the combat experiences scale, and then a path model was conducted to examine the relationships between combat experiences, coping with stress following a deployment, and mental health symptoms while controlling for relevant individual and interpersonal factors. Results Results from the principal component analysis suggested that the Army STARRS combat experiences scale encompasses two components, specifically: “Expected combat experiences” and “Responsible for non-enemy deaths.” Both “Expected combat experiences” and “Responsible for non-enemy deaths” were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively, and “Responsible for non-enemy deaths” was also indirectly linked to these mental health outcomes through coping with stress after deployment. Conclusions These findings provide insight into the dimensionality of combat experiences and offer practitioners a more nuanced understanding of how to process unique combat experiences that differentially relate to mental health symptoms.

scholarly journals Community Support as a Moderator of Postdisaster Mental Health Symptoms in Urban and Nonurban Communities

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny S. West ◽  
Matthew Price ◽  
Kirstin Stauffacher Gros ◽  
Kenneth J. Ruggiero
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Interpersonal Effects ◽  
Disaster Exposure

AbstractObjectiveWe examined the association between disaster exposure, community support, and mental health outcomes in urban and nonurban participants of Galveston and Chambers counties after Hurricane Ike. The moderating effect of community support was evaluated as a protective factor relative to postdisaster mental health.MethodsA representative population-based sample of 157 urban and 714 nonurban adults were interviewed 12 to 17 months after the hurricane about their mental health functioning, disaster exposure, and perceptions of community support.ResultsA series of multiple regressions demonstrated that disaster exposure was associated with mental health outcomes for both groups. The strength of the association varied across population samples.Community support moderated the association between interpersonal effects of the disaster and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression outcomes in nonurban participants and the association between property damage and PTSD in urban participants.ConclusionsCommunity support played a larger role in reducing PTSD and depression symptoms associated with the interpersonal effects of a disaster in the nonurban sample only. Communities may play a more beneficial role in the recovery process in nonurban areas that have elevated levels of injury or death attributed to a disaster. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;0:1–9)

scholarly journals A faith-based mind–body intervention to improve psychosocial well-being among rural adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 546-554
Author(s):  
Scherezade K Mama ◽  
Nishat Bhuiyan ◽  
Melissa J Bopp ◽  
Lorna H McNeill ◽  
Eugene J Lengerich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Rural Adults

Abstract Churches are well positioned to promote better mental health outcomes in underserved populations, including rural adults. Mind–body (MB) practices improve psychological well-being yet are not widely adopted among faith-based groups due to conflicting religious or practice beliefs. Thus, “Harmony & Health” (HH) was developed as a culturally adapted MB intervention to improve psychosocial health in urban churchgoers and was adapted and implemented in a rural church. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of HH to reduce psychosocial distress in rural churchgoers. HH capitalized on an existing church partnership to recruit overweight or obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥25.0 kg/m2) and insufficiently active adults (≥18 years old). Eligible adults participated in an 8 week MB intervention and completed self-reported measures of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and positive and negative affect at baseline and postintervention. Participants (mean [M] age = 49.1 ± 14.0 years) were mostly women (84.8%), non-Hispanic white (47.8%) or African American (45.7%), high socioeconomic status (65.2% completed ≥bachelor degree and 37.2% reported an annual household income ≥$80,000), and obese (M BMI = 32.6 ± 5.8 kg/m2). Participants reported lower perceived stress (t = −2.399, p = .022), fewer depressive symptoms (t = −3.547, p = .001), and lower negative affect (t = −2.440, p = .020) at postintervention. Findings suggest that HH was feasible, acceptable, and effective at reducing psychosocial distress in rural churchgoers in the short-term. HH reflects an innovative approach to intertwining spirituality and MB practices to improve physical and psychological health in rural adults, and findings lend to our understanding of community-based approaches to improve mental health outcomes in underserved populations.

scholarly journals Factors associated with mental health outcomes across healthcare settings in Oman during COVID-19: frontline versus non-frontline healthcare workers

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e042030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muna Alshekaili ◽  
Walid Hassan ◽  
Nazik Al Said ◽  
Fatima Al Sulaimani ◽  
Sathish Kumar Jayapal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess and compare demographic and psychological factors and sleep status of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in relation to non-frontline HCWs.Design, settings, participants and outcomesThis cross-sectional study was conducted from 8 April 2020 to 17 April 2020 using an online survey across varied healthcare settings in Oman accruing 1139 HCWs.The primary and secondary outcomes were mental health status and sociodemographic data, respectively. Mental health status was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and insomnia was evaluated by the Insomnia Severity Index. Samples were categorised into the frontline and non-frontline groups. χ2 and t-tests were used to compare groups by demographic data. The Mantel-Haenszel OR was used to compare groups by mental health outcomes adjusted by all sociodemographic factors.ResultsThis study included 1139 HCWs working in Oman. While working during the pandemic period, a total of 368 (32.3%), 388 (34.1%), 271 (23.8%) and 211 (18.5%) respondents were reported to have depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia, respectively. HCWs in the frontline group were 1.5 times more likely to report anxiety (OR=1.557, p=0.004), stress (OR=1.506, p=0.016) and insomnia (OR=1.586, p=0.013) as compared with those in the non-frontline group. No significant differences in depression status were found between the frontline and non-frontline groups (p=0.201).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the differential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on different grades of HCWs. This study suggests that frontline HCWs are disproportionally affected compared to non-frontline HCWs, with managing sleep–wake cycles and anxiety symptoms being highly endorsed among frontline HCWs. As psychosocial interventions are likely to be constrained owing to the pandemic, mental healthcare must first be directed to frontline HCWs.

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