scholarly journals Mental Health of People with Dementia During COVID-19 Pandemic: What Have We Learned from the First Wave?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Céline Borg ◽  
Isabelle Rouch ◽  
Elodie Pongan ◽  
Jean Claude Getenet ◽  
Romain Bachelet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Caregiver Distress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
At Home

Background: People with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers are populations highly vulnerable to COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. A better knowledge of the living conditions during the first lockdown is necessary to prevent the risk of poor mental health (PMH) in this population. Objective: The present study aimed to compare the mental health of caregivers of PWD living at home or in nursing-homes and to identify specific factors influencing their mental health. Methods: We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional online survey in France from March 17 to May 11, 2020. Three hundred and eighty-nine caregivers accompanying a PWD living at home (HC) and 159 accompanying a PWD living in a nursing home (NHC) participated in the study. Caregivers’ mental health including anxiety, depression, stress, and burden was assessed with self-reported standardized scales. Results: Half of the caregivers exhibited PMH, including depression, anxiety, or self-reported stress. Similar PMH rates were provided whatever the PWD place of residence. Regarding HC, our results also highlighted a number of risk factors for PMH, including the fact that caregiver live with PWD, to give increased support to PWD, and to feel more isolated for managing PWD since lockdown. Conclusion: PMH was observed for caregivers of PWD during lockdown, whatever PWD living place, suggesting that concern for PWD may explain more of caregiver distress than increased material tasks. In the future, it will be necessary to pay attention to caregivers after the crisis by estimating the longer-term impact on their mental health.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Association Between Increase of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia During Lockdown and Caregivers’ Poor Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1713-1721
Author(s):  
Elodie Pongan ◽  
Jean-Michel Dorey ◽  
Céline Borg ◽  
Jean Claude Getenet ◽  
Romain Bachelet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms ◽  
At Home

Background: From March 2020, the support and care systems for caregivers and people with dementia (PWD) were suspended or dramatically changed due to the lockdown during the world pandemic of COVID-19. Thus, these changes in living conditions have had deleterious consequences on the behavior of PWD and subsequently on their caregivers’ mental health, the two being linked. Objective: Our study aimed to examine changes in behavior among PWD and to look for associations between the evolution of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and caregivers’ mental health in the context of COVID-19. Methods: The study was conducted among caregivers of PWD living at home in France. Caregivers were interviewed via an anonymous cross-sectional online survey during the first lockdown between April 15 and June 15, 2020. Results: Three hundred and eighty-nine caregivers accompanying a relative living at home participated in the study; 43.3%of the PWD presented a worsening of BPSD during the lockdown. With multivariate logistic regressions, a significant association was observed between ”more BPSD” and burden, anxiety and depression, between “BPSD equivalent” and anxiety and depression, and between “emerging BPSD” and only depression. Conclusion: The lockdown seems to have an impact on behavioral disorders in PWD and these disorders are associated with poorer mental health of caregivers. Our findings suggest attention should be given to caregivers of PWD who have BPSD before lockdown and the need for continued consultations and professional help in case of new lockdowns.

scholarly journals Mental Health and Psychological Impact during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Survey of Portuguese Higher Education Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 337
Author(s):  
Carlos Laranjeira ◽  
Maria Anjos Dixe ◽  
Olga Valentim ◽  
Zaida Charepe ◽  
Ana Querido
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Portuguese Higher Education

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant psychological impact on vulnerable groups, particularly students. The present study aims to investigate the mental and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors in a sample of Portuguese higher education students. An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 1522 higher education students selected by convenience sampling. The survey assessed mental health symptoms as well as sociodemographic variables, health-related perceptions, and psychological factors. Results were fitted to binary and multivariable logistic regression models. The overall prevalences of stress, anxiety, and depression were 35.7%, 36.2%, and 28.5%, respectively. Poor mental health outcomes were related with being female, having no children, living with someone with chronic disease, facing hopelessness, and lacking resilient coping. Future studies focusing on better ways to promote mental health and wellbeing among students are warranted. It is necessary to gather more evidence on the post-pandemic mental health using robust study designs and standardized assessment tools.

scholarly journals The Mental Health of Latinx Adults in the United States During the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Snapshot of Anxiety, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca T. Villalobos ◽  
Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Life Impact ◽  
Anxiety Depression

The current study documented levels of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and COVID-19 fears and impacts among Latinxs in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants of this cross-sectional study were 388 Latinx adults who completed an online survey between June and November 2020. Almost half of participants showed clinical levels of anxiety and depression and more than a quarter of participants showed clinical levels of posttraumatic stress. Latinxs reported on average 22 types of negative pandemic life impacts. Group differences based on gender, educational attainment, income, vulnerability to COVID-19, and essential worker status were found for mental health symptoms. Severity of COVID-19 fears and negative life impact counts were related to gender, nativity, educational attainment, vulnerability to COVID-19, and insurance status. Specific Latinx groups experienced greater levels of psychological distress during the pandemic. Further examination of risk and protective factors is needed for communities of color.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the adult population in Bangladesh: A nationwide cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan Al Banna ◽  
Abu Sayeed ◽  
Satyajit Kundu ◽  
Enryka Christopher ◽  
M Tasdik Hasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Economy And Education ◽  
The Impact

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has imposed threats on both physical andmental health since its outbreak. This study aimed to explore the impactof the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among a representativesample of home-quarantined Bangladeshi adults. A cross-sectional designwas used with an online survey completed by a convenience samplerecruited via social media. A total of 1,427 respondents were recruited,and their mental health was assessed by the DASS-21 measure. Theprevalence of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms was 33.7%and 57.9%, respectively, and 59.7% reported mild to extremely severelevels of stress. Perceptions that the pandemic disrupted life events,affected mental health, jobs, the economy and education, predictions ofa worsening situation, and uncertainty of the health care system capacitieswere significantly associated with poor mental health outcomes.Multivariate logistic regressions showed that sociodemographic factorsand perceptions of COVID-19 significantly predict mental health outcomes.These findings warrant the consideration of easily accessible lowintensitymental health interventions during and beyond this pandemic.

scholarly journals Experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional analysis of risk perceptions and mental health in a student cohort

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ru Jia ◽  
Holly Knight ◽  
Holly Blake ◽  
Dame Jessica Corner ◽  
Chris Denning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sectional Analysis

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined the COVID-19 risk perceptions and mental health of university students on returning to campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn online survey was completed during the first four weeks of the academic year (October 2020) by 897 university students. The survey included demographics and measures of experiences of COVID-19 testing, self-isolation, shielding, perceived risk, mental health and indices capturing related psychological responses to the pandemic.ResultsWe observed higher levels of depression and anxiety, but not stress, in students compared with pre- pandemic normative data, but lower than levels reported earlier in the pandemic in other similar cohorts. Depression, anxiety and stress were independently associated with greater loneliness and reduced positive mood. Greater worry about COVID-19 was also independently associated with anxiety and stress. Female students and those with pre-existing mental health disorders were at greatest risk of poor mental health outcomes.ConclusionAlthough students perceived themselves at only moderate risk of COVID-19, the prevalence of depression and anxiety among university students should remain a concern. Universities should provide adequate support for students’ mental health during term-time. Interventions to reduced loneliness and worry, and improve mood, may benefit students’ overall mental well-being.

scholarly journals Examining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on family mental health in Canada: findings from a national cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e042871
Author(s):  
Anne C Gadermann ◽  
Kimberly C Thomson ◽  
Chris G Richardson ◽  
Monique Gagné ◽  
Corey McAuliffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Children’S Mental Health ◽  
Children's Mental Health ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Families With Children ◽  
At Home

ObjectivesIn the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation, school/child care closures and employment instability have created unprecedented conditions for families raising children at home. This study describes the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on families with children in Canada.Design, setting and participantsThis descriptive study used a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of adults living in Canada (n=3000) to examine the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes among parents with children <18 years old living at home (n=618) were compared with the rest of the sample. Data were collected via an online survey between 14 May to 29 May 2020.Outcome measuresParticipants reported on changes to their mental health since the onset of the pandemic and sources of stress, emotional responses, substance use patterns and suicidality/self-harm. Additionally, parents identified changes in their interactions with their children, impacts on their children’s mental health and sources of support accessed.Results44.3% of parents with children <18 years living at home reported worse mental health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with 35.6% of respondents without children <18 living at home, χ2 (1, n=3000)=16.2, p<0.001. More parents compared with the rest of the sample reported increased alcohol consumption (27.7% vs 16.1%, χ2 (1, n=3000)=43.8, p<0.001), suicidal thoughts/feelings (8.3% vs 5.2%, χ2 (1, n=3000)=8.0, p=0.005) and stress about being safe from physical/emotional domestic violence (11.5% vs 7.9%, χ2 (1, n=3000)=8.1, p=0.005). 24.8% (95% CI 21.4 to 28.4) of parents reported their children’s mental health had worsened since the pandemic. Parents also reported more frequent negative as well as positive interactions with their children due to the pandemic (eg, more conflicts, 22.2% (95% CI 19.0 to 25.7); increased feelings of closeness, 49.7% (95% CI 45.7 to 53.7)).ConclusionsThis study identifies that families with children <18 at home have experienced deteriorated mental health due to the pandemic. Population-level responses are required to adequately respond to families’ diverse needs and mitigate the potential for widening health and social inequities for parents and children.

scholarly journals Compliance to Recommendations and Mental Health Consequences among Elderly in Sweden during the Initial Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Cross Sectional Online Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 5380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Gustavsson ◽  
Linda Beckman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Swedish Model ◽  
Sleeping Problems ◽  
High Degree ◽  
At Home

Background (1): In the wake of COVID-19, elderly people have been labelled a risk group. As the pandemic is a new crisis in Sweden, we have no knowledge on how this group perceives the information and recommendations being provided. Complying with these recommendations entails physical distancing and, for some, isolation at home. Methods (2): From 16 April to 15 May 2020, we conducted an online survey targeting people aged 70 and older in Sweden (n = 1854). Results (3): A vast majority of the participants find the information and recommendations clear and reliable. Half of the participants report staying at home all the time, and up to half report decreased mental health in terms of, e.g., feeling depressed, having sleeping problems and that isolation makes them feel bad. However, elderly people are not a homogenous group, and there are gender and demographic differences. (4) Conclusion: At this point, we do not know the full extent of the ongoing pandemic, either in terms of duration or in terms of losses. The Swedish model for action on COVID-19 has not included a lock down. However, elderly people seem to comply with recommendations and practice social distancing to a high degree. This might lead to decreased mental health and long-term effects.

scholarly journals Occupational Disruptions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9263
Author(s):  
Natasha Smallwood ◽  
Amy Pascoe ◽  
Leila Karimi ◽  
Marie Bismark ◽  
Karen Willis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background: The COVID-19 crisis has caused prolonged and extreme demands on healthcare services. This study investigates the types and prevalence of occupational disruptions, and associated symptoms of mental illness, among Australian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A national cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020. Frontline healthcare workers were invited to participate via dissemination from major health organisations, professional associations or colleges, universities, government contacts, and national media. Data were collected on demographics, home and work situations, and validated scales of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout. Results: Complete responses were received from 7846 healthcare workers (82.4%). Most respondents were female (80.9%) and resided in the Australian state of Victoria (85.2%). Changes to working conditions were common, with 48.5% reporting altered paid or unpaid hours, and many redeployed (16.8%) or changing work roles (27.3%). Nearly a third (30.8%) had experienced a reduction in household income during the pandemic. Symptoms of mental illness were common, being present in 62.1% of participants. Many respondents felt well supported by their workplaces (68.3%) and believed that workplace communication was timely and useful (74.4%). Participants who felt well supported by their organisation had approximately half the risk of experiencing moderate to severe anxiety, depression, burnout, and PTSD. Half (50.4%) of respondents indicated a need for additional training in using personal protective equipment and/or caring for patients with COVID-19. Conclusions: Occupational disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic occurred commonly in health organisations and were associated with worse mental health outcomes in the Australian health workforce. Feeling well supported was associated with significantly fewer adverse mental health outcomes. Crisis preparedness focusing on the provision of timely and useful communication and support is essential in current and future crises.

scholarly journals Prevalence of anxiety and depression during COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare students in Jordan and its effect on their learning process: A national survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249716
Author(s):  
Iman A. Basheti ◽  
Qassim N. Mhaidat ◽  
Hala N. Mhaidat
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Students ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Rational During pandemics, including the most recent COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of university healthcare students’ is expected to be affected negatively, impacting the students’ learning process. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the level of anxiety and depression of healthcare students living in Jordan, and the effect on their learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey completed by students studying a healthcare-oriented degree in a university in Jordan. Participants were recruited through social media (Facebook and WhatsApp). The validated previously published Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire was used as a part of the online survey to assess students’ anxiety/depression scores. Students’ responses regarding their learning process during the COVID-19 was also assessed. Results The mean age of participants was 21.62 (SD = 4.90), with the majority being females (67.1%). The HADs’ assessment revealed that 43.8% and 40.0% of participants had normal anxiety and depression scores, while 22.4% showed borderline abnormal anxiety/depression scores (33.8%). Many students (33.8%) were classified to have abnormal anxiety scores, while a smaller proportion (26.2%) was classified to have abnormal depression scores. Smoking (p = 0.022), lower family income (p = 0.039), and use of medications (p = 0.032) were positively associated with higher (worse) anxiety scores. Ranking the learning process during COVID-19 showed that 45.8% of the participants believed it was a ‘good/very good/excellent’ process. Conclusions Anxiety and depression levels amongst university healthcare students in Jordan were found to be high when assessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the learning process during the pandemic was not accepted by more than half of the students. Implementing psychological interventions for healthcare students during pandemics is strongly recommended in order to optimize students’ mental health and their learning process alike.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity Prevalence, Severity and Determinants in Australian Households during the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Perspective of Women

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4262
Author(s):  
Sue Kleve ◽  
Christie J. Bennett ◽  
Zoe E. Davidson ◽  
Nicole J. Kellow ◽  
Tracy A. McCaffrey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Distress Scale

This study aimed to describe the prevalence, severity and socio-demographic predictors of food insecurity in Australian households during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, from the perspective of women. A cross-sectional online survey of Australian (18–50 years) women was conducted. The survey collected demographic information and utilised the 18-item US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). A multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of food security status. In this cohort (n = 1005), 19.6% were living in households experiencing food insecurity; with 11.8% experiencing low food-security and 7.8% very low food-security. A further 13.7% of households reported marginal food-security. Poor mental health status (K10 score ≥ 20) predicted household food insecurity at all levels. The presence of more than three children in the household was associated with low food-security (OR 6.24, 95% CI: 2.59–15.03). Those who were renting were 2.10 (95% CI: 1.09–4.05) times likely to experience very low food-security than those owning their own home. The COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to an increased prevalence of household food insecurity. This study supports the need for a range of responses that address mental health, financial, employment and housing support to food security in Australia.

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