scholarly journals Understanding experiences of changing socioeconomic and psychosocial adversities during COVID-19 for freelancers working in the UK cultural sector: A rapid approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katey Warran ◽  
Tom May ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Alexandra Burton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Cultural Work ◽  
Cultural Industries ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Cultural Sector ◽  
Changing Attitudes

There is a dearth of qualitative research exploring how freelancers working in the cultural industries have been affected during COVID-19. In particular, there is a lack of research exploring how socioeconomic and psychosocial adversities may have changed or evolved, and how these changes have been experienced. This study builds on qualitative interviews carried out in July-November 2020 (n=20) by exploring findings from follow-up interviews conducted in May-July 2021 (n=16). It presents a diversity of experiences, showing how some freelancers experienced small changes (e.g., to the kind of work carried out), with others experiencing major changes (e.g., leaving the sector completely). The study also explores experiences of ongoing or increased mental health impact, as well as changing attitudes to cultural work. It concludes with a call for highly bespoke support in the future that can address the huge disparity of experiences during this time.

scholarly journals Longitudinal changes in home confinement and mental health implications: A 17-month follow-up study in England during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feifei Bu ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Daisy Fancourt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Study ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Longitudinal Patterns ◽  
Containment Policy ◽  
The Uk ◽  
High Level

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant behavioural changes, one of which is increased time spent at home. Although official lockdowns were typically short-term and allowed people to leave their homes for exercise and essential activities, some individuals did not leave their home for prolonged periods due to a range of factors including clinical vulnerability. This study aimed to explore longitudinal patterns of such ‘home confinement’ across different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, and its associated predictors and mental health outcomes.MethodsData were from the UCL COVID -19 Social Study. The analytical sample consisted of 25,390 adults in England who were followed up for 17 months from March 2020 to July 2021. Data were analysed using growth mixture models.ResultsOur analyses identified three classes of growth trajectories, including one class showing a high level of persistent home confinement (24.8%), one changing class with clear alignment with national containment policy/advice (32.0%), and one class with a persistently low level of confinement (43.1%). A range of factors were found to be associated the class membership of home confinement trajectories, such as age, gender, income, employment status, social relationships and health. The class with a high level of confinement had the highest number of depressive and anxiety symptoms at the end of the follow-up independent of potential confounders.ConclusionsThere was substantial heterogeneity in longitudinal patterns of home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a striking proportion of our sample maintained a high level of home confinement over the course of 17 months, even during periods when containment measures were eased or removed and when infection rates were low. They also had the worst mental health outcomes. This group warrants special attention in addressing the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals From passionate labour to compassionate work: Cultural co-ops, do what you love and social change

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisol Sandoval
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Work Ethic ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Work Culture ◽  
Cultural Industries ◽  
Future Of Work ◽  
Interview Research ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Cultural Sector

This article focuses on the relation between work and pleasure in the cultural sector. I first unpack the concept of passionate work, situating it within four possible ways of relating work and pleasure. I argue that the work ethic of do what you love, contrary to what it promises, limits the prospects of loveable work. As part of a neoliberal work culture, do what you love transfers the battleground from society onto the self. It favours self-management over politics. Drawing on findings from interview research with members of worker co-operatives in the UK cultural industries, I then go on to explore the relation between work and pleasure within cultural co-ops. I discuss how cultural co-ops might inspire and contribute to a movement for transforming the future of work by turning the desire for loveable work from a matter of individual transformation and competition into a practice of co-operation and social change.

scholarly journals Mental health first aid for the UK Armed Forces

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane M Crone ◽  
Mustafa Sarkar ◽  
Thomas Curran ◽  
Colin M Baker ◽  
Denise Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Mental Health First Aid ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Education programmes in mental health literacy can address stigma and misunderstanding of mental health. This study investigated self-rated differences in knowledge, attitudes and confidence around mental health issues following participation in a bespoke Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course for the Armed Forces. The mixed methods approach comprised quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. A survey, administered immediately post-training (n = 602) and again at 10-months post-attendance (n = 120), asked participants to rate their knowledge, attitudes and confidence around mental health issues pre- and post-training. Quantitative findings revealed a significant increase in knowledge, positive attitudes and confidence from the post-training survey which was sustained at 10-months follow-up.Semi-structured telephone interviews (n = 13) were conducted at follow-up, 6-months post-attendance. Qualitative findings revealed that participation facilitated an ‘ambassador’ type role for participants. This study is the first to have investigated the effect of MHFA in an Armed Forces community. Findings show participants perceived the training to increase knowledge regarding mental health and to enhance confidence and aptitude for identifying and supporting people with mental health problems. Results suggest that such an intervention can provide support for personnel, veterans and their families, regarding mental health in Armed Forces communities.

scholarly journals Paradoxical family practices: LGBTQ+ young people, mental health and wellbeing

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-553
Author(s):  
Jacqui Gabb ◽  
Elizabeth McDermott ◽  
Rachael Eastham ◽  
Ali Hanbury
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Conceptual Tool ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Family Practices ◽  
Diary Methods

This article will explore how LGBTQ+ young people sustain, and in some cases survive, family relationships. We develop the concept of ‘paradoxical family practices’ and use this to demonstrate the ways in which LGBTQ+ young people manage family life through everyday emotion work. This highlights: (1) how families ordinarily navigate heteronormativity and ‘issues’ of gender/sexuality; (2) the efficacy of ‘paradoxical family practices’ as a conceptual tool; (3) the value of emotion-centred multiple qualitative methods to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ young people and mental health. Findings derive from a small-scale UK study funded by the Wellcome Trust (UNS39780) and were generated through a two-stage methodology comprising digital/paper emotion maps and qualitative interviews with LGBTQ+ young people aged 16–25 (n = 12) followed by diary methods and follow-up interviews (n = 9). Interviews were also completed with ‘family members’ (n = 7).

scholarly journals IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON MENTAL HEALTH AMONG BANGLADESHI SENIOR CITIZENS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Shahadat Hossen ◽  
Abu Hayat Md Rafiqul Rezvi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a dangerous virus that was first emerged in China at December 2019. It has already infected more than 128 million people and killed more than 2.8 million people. The main purpose of this paper is to find out the present mental condition of Bangladeshi Senior Citizens in Dhaka city to overcome their loneliness or boringness. A systematic cross-sectional online survey regarding COVID-19 has been conducted from June 15 to June 25, 2020. After developing questionnaires utilizing Google form, it has been sent out to the participants using an online platform and the responses of the participants have been recorded. A total of 280 participants (100 female and 180 male) completed the survey. The average age of them is about 60 years. It has been observed that maximum male participants (58.3%) felt financial stress and maximum female participants (56%) felt horrified due to COVID-19. Additionally, it has been found that maximum male and female participants were utilized more time in social media then the normal time. Since COVID-19 has already become a major issue all over the world, it is necessary to identify the mental health conditions and activities of people during this pandemic situation so that appropriate measures can be taken. More research should be conducted regarding mental health impact and possible solutions. Hopefully, it will ease to provide fruitful information especially for the community health workers with a view to helping them tackle these psychological fitness-related issues in response to other similar societal disasters. After the pandemic, follow-up should be made in order to improve mental health.

scholarly journals Effects of COVID-19-related life changes on mental health in Syrian refugees in Turkey

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Bernardi ◽  
Ian H. Gotlib ◽  
Özge Zihnioğlu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Epidemiologic Study ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Life Changes ◽  
Context Specific

Background Mental disorders are currently the greatest global health burden. The coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having an adverse impact on people's mental health, particularly in vulnerable populations, such as refugees. Aims The present study was designed to examine the association between COVID-19 and changes in mental health in Syrian refugees in Turkey. Method We conducted a two-wave panel survey of a representative sample of 302 of the estimated 500 000 Syrian refugees (ages 18 and older) living under humanitarian support in Istanbul (first wave between 9 and 15 July 2020 and the follow-up between 11 and 14 September 2020). We administered seven items from the CoRonavIruS Health Impact Survey in addition to one-context specific item about life changes because of COVID-19, and measures of depression (10-item Center for Epidemiologic Study Depression Scale, CESD-10), anxiety (6-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI-6) and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-4). Results A factor analysis yielded three COVID-19 factors, labelled ‘social relationships’, ‘stress’ and ‘hope.’ We conducted a series of cross-lag panel analyses to test associations between the COVID-19 factors and mental health. We found associations between all COVID-19 factors and CESD-10, between COVID-19 ‘stress’ and STAI-6, and between COVID-19 ‘stress’ and COVID-19 ‘hope’ and PSS-4. Conclusions Our measures of life changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with changes in the mental health of Syrian refugees living in Istanbul. It is therefore important that they are provided with services to reduce what may be particularly debilitating consequences of COVID-19.

scholarly journals “You’re just there, alone in your room with your thoughts” A qualitative study about the impact of lockdown among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. McKinlay ◽  
Tom May ◽  
Joanna Dawes ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Alexandra Burton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents and young adults have been greatly affected by quarantine measures during the coronavirus-19 pandemic. Quantitative evidence suggests that many young people have struggled with their mental health throughout “lockdown”, but little is understood about the qualitative impact of social distancing restrictions on mental health, wellbeing and social life. We therefore sought to elicit the views and experiences of adolescents and young adults living in the UK during the pandemic.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with 37 participants aged 13-24.ResultsWe identified 4 superordinate themes most commonly described by participants about their experiences during the pandemic, including: a) missing social contact during lockdown, b) disruption to education, c) changes to social relationships, and d) improved wellbeing during lockdown. Although we identified some positive experiences during the pandemic, including an increased awareness of mental health and stronger relationship ties, many said they struggled with loneliness, a decline in mental health, and anxiety about socialising after the pandemic.ConclusionsFindings suggest that some young people may have felt less stigma talking about their mental health now compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many are worried about how the pandemic has affected their education and social connections and may require additional psychological, practical and social support. Our findings highlight the important role that education providers play in providing a source of information and support to adolescents and young adults during times of uncertainty.

scholarly journals Pilot mixed-methods evaluation of interpersonal counselling for young people with depressive symptoms in non-specialist services

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 134-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Oliver Wilkinson ◽  
Viktoria Cestaro ◽  
Ian Pinchen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Young People ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Reduced Form ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Receive Treatment ◽  
The Uk

BackgroundThe majority of young people receive treatment for depressive symptoms in the UK from staff with minimal specialist mental health/therapeutic training. There is no evidence to guide them as to what treatments are likely to be effective. Interpersonal counselling (IPC) is a reduced form of interpersonal psychotherapy and may be an appropriate treatment to use in this population.ObjectivesTo test the effectiveness and acceptability of IPC delivered by youth workers to young people with primarily depressive symptoms.MethodsYouth workers received a 2-day training course in IPC, followed by regular supervision. They delivered IPC to 23 young people who they would normally see in their service, with depressive symptoms as their main problem. Symptoms were assessed by the Revised Child Depression and Anxiety Scale (RCADS). Qualitative interviews of youth workers and young people assessed acceptability.FindingsMean (SD) RCADS depression-T scores fell from 78.2 (11.1) to 52.9 (16.8). All young people and youth workers interviewed were positive about it. Participants detailed specific advantages of IPC above standard counselling, including practical help, the use of goals, psychoeducation and integrating a self-rated questionnaire into treatment.Conclusions and clinical implicationsIPC is likely to be an effective and acceptable treatment for young people with primarily depressive symptoms seen in local authority non-specialist mental health services. Further research is needed to determine if it is more effective than current treatment as usual.

scholarly journals Does mental health matter? Commentary on the provision of mental health services in Mozambique

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-38
Author(s):  
Kupukai Mlambo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Made In

Despite attempts made in recent years to address the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in Mozambique, service provision remains deficient. The present paper focuses on the attitudes to mental illness and its diagnosis and treatment in Mozambique. This paper is based on both a thorough literature search and on the results of qualitative interviews carried out with six individuals of Mozambican origin now living in the UK.

scholarly journals The mental health and well-being benefits of exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of medical students and newly qualified doctors in the UK

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conor Coyle ◽  
Hanya Ghazi ◽  
Ioannis Georgiou
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mood Score ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Mental Well Being

Abstract Background University students have been uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is currently little data upon the measures that medical students and newly qualified doctors have taken to help their mental well-being and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim We aimed to identify the activities respondents found beneficial for their well-being and mental health and recorded a mood score from survey respondents. Methods A nationwide study was completed to investigate the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon medical students and newly qualified doctors (interim foundation year one). We received 2075 respondents from across the UK. Results Physical activity was found to be the most common activity used by the survey respondents to help with their mental well-being (80.1%) (medical students, 83.7%; interim foundation doctors, 72.3%). Participants who stated that exercise helped their well-being had a mean score (SD) of 52.3 (20.7) which was significantly higher (P = 0.048) than those who reported that they did not exercise (49.8 (21.1)). Respondents who stated they had used exercise to help with their mental well-being had (on average) a higher mood score than those who did not. This was seen in both the medical student and interim foundation doctor subgroups. Discussion Exercise can help to benefit the well-being of medical students and interim foundation doctors. It is hoped that higher education providers and employers recognise the importance of promoting physical activity for the well-being of their students and staff, respectively.

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