COVID-19 Emergency: Social Distancing and Social Exclusion as Risks for Suicide Ideation and Attempts in Adolescents

To stop the spread of the Coronavirus, people must avoid infection risk. Given widespread skepticism regarding information concerning the Coronavirus received from authorities, one potentially important pathway to estimate the infectiousness of one’s group members could be through gossip (i.e., information about an absent target). Infection risk is reflected by both infection status and adherence to social distancing norms. In hypothetical scenarios ( N = 837), participants received gossip that we manipulated to describe a group member’s infection status and/or norm adherence. Results showed people tended to believe gossip and that gossip influenced behavioral intentions to avoid and punish targets of gossip as well as the perception of targets. We conclude that gossip, while potentially unreliable, could affect how people treat group members. We discuss how gossip could alleviate the Coronavirus crisis by contributing to slowing the Coronavirus’s spread, as well as exacerbate it through increased social exclusion based on unverified information.

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When social exclusion is mandated: COVID-19, social distancing, gender and psychological needs

10.31234/osf.io/u362n ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Verena Graupmann ◽

Michaela Pfundmair

Keyword(s):

Social Exclusion ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Baseline Condition ◽

Need To Belong ◽

Need Fulfillment ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Psychological Challenge

In light of evidence from ostracism research, social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19 poses a unique psychological challenge. In a German (N=546) and a US (N=199) sample, we examined how different degrees of social distancing impact outcomes related to social exclusion, measuring self-related needs: self-esteem, belonging, control, and meaning. Across both samples social distancing was associated with decreased need fulfillment. German participants reported higher need fulfillment compared to American participants. In comparison to previous studies, self-related needs associated with social distancing were less impacted than under experimental manipulations of social exclusion, however more so than under the baseline condition of inclusion. Working while social distancing was associated with greater need fulfillment, as was identifying as male. Women reported lower need fulfillment in both samples and this difference was mediated by need to belong. Results are discussed in terms of understanding self-related needs in different contexts of exclusion.

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SELF-PERCEPTION OF CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE AND WELLBEING ASSOCIATED WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS (the study in Lviv, Ukraine)

Proceedings of the Shevchenko Scientific Society. Medical Sciences ◽

10.25040/ntsh2021.01.13 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Iryna Muzyka ◽

◽

Barbara Belka ◽

Yulia Ostrovska ◽

Oksana Zayachkivska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Medical Students ◽

Social Exclusion ◽

Eating Behavior ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Perception ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

The Impact

Social distancing related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS COV2 is an important precautionary measure, implemented by WHO approximately 1 year ago. At the same time, it is a large-scale stressor that has led to multiple changes in the lifestyle around the world. In this crisis, the well-being and health of medical students who belong to the individuals with a high risk of distress in the population are very important for society. The purpose of this research is to study the impact of COVID-19-related stay-at-home policy, social isolation, online academic learning, and working on the medical students' lifestyle and well-being focusing on their self-perception of telecommunication technologies, social media, as well as on the psychophysiological state, and eating behavior of medical students of Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University (LNMU). Methods. A prospective, cohort study was carried out on 273 medical students of the LNMU via an anonymous online survey using Google Forms. 273 people of different ethnicities answered the original questionnaire, which includes: 1) general questions (age, gender, ethnicity, family, education, work, and economic status); 2) issues related to the use of social media; 3) questions about the impact of social distancing on lifestyle; 4) the scale of stress perception. Results: The cohort for the study consisted of 166 women and 107 men in the following age groups: from 17 to 24 — 92 %, 25–31 — 4 %, 35–44 — 2 %, and over 45 years — 2 %. Ethnic groups included Asian — 47 %, Caucasian — 41 %, African — 7 %, Hispanic — 3 %, and multiracial people — 2 %. Social exclusion during COVID-19 was found to be caused by a change in the use of social media, more time spent on using them by all respondents. Among these, 88 % acknowledge that social media have a great impact and 71 % of responders learn basic information about the pandemic via social media. However, 52 % doubt the reliability of the information. The feeling of anxiety, panic, which characterized the perception of stress caused by information on social media, was reported by 56 % of respondents. Almost all respondents changed their lifestyle, which was characterized by physical inactivity and changed eating behavior. About 60 % of respondents reported overeating in the evening and at night (19:00 — 5:00) and almost half of all respondents reported weight gain in the last year. All respondents know about the benefits of physical activity to overcome signs of psycho-emotional stress, but only about 10 % of respondents exercise regularly. There were no differences in the responses from students belonging to the Caucasian group or other ethnicities. Conclusions. The lifestyle of student youth, their eating behavior, and psycho-emotional state are being modified during COVID-19. Social media is an important informative factor in the context of social exclusion and the fight against chronic stress

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No Evidence for Social Surrogacy in Fostering Intentions to Follow Social Distancing Guidelines

Social Psychology ◽

10.1027/1864-9335/a000450 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Donald F. Sacco ◽

Mitch Brown ◽

Alicia L. Macchione ◽

Steven G. Young

Keyword(s):

Social Exclusion ◽

Social Needs ◽

Exploratory Analysis ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Needs Satisfaction ◽

Social Surrogacy ◽

Tv Show

Abstract. We tested whether temporary social needs satisfaction through social surrogacy would ensure greater willingness to adhere to social distancing recommendations elicited by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were randomly assigned to social exclusion or inclusion via Cyberball ( n = 534) followed by either a social surrogacy manipulation (imagine favorite TV show), or one of two control states. No restorative effects emerged following a social surrogacy prime. An exploratory analysis considering age as a moderator ( MAge = 36.89 years, SD = 10.88, range = 19–70 years) found that excluded adults (i.e., middle and older ages) reported more intentions to deviate following surrogacy experiences relative to control experiences; no effects emerged for younger adults in this analysis. We discuss the limitations of social surrogacy in fostering compliance with social distancing initiatives.

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Mapping Social Exclusion in India

10.1017/cbo9781107296947 ◽

2009 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Keyword(s):

Social Exclusion

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Suicide Ideation and Attempt in a Community Cohort of Urban Aboriginal Youth: A Cross-Sectional Study

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000187 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 251-261 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Joanne N. Luke ◽

Ian P. Anderson ◽

Graham J. Gee ◽

Reg Thorpe ◽

Kevin G. Rowley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Service ◽

Indigenous People ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Aboriginal Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Data Set ◽

Indigenous Youth ◽

Aboriginal Youth ◽

Social Distress ◽

Suicide Behavior

Background: There has been increasing attention over the last decade on the issue of indigenous youth suicide. A number of studies have documented the high prevalence of suicide behavior and mortality in Australia and internationally. However, no studies have focused on documenting the correlates of suicide behavior for indigenous youth in Australia. Aims: To examine the prevalence of suicide ideation and attempt and the associated factors for a community 1 The term ”community” refers specifically to Koori people affiliated with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service. cohort of Koori 2 The term ”Koori” refers to indigenous people from the south-eastern region of Australia, including Melbourne. The term ”Aboriginal” has been used when referring to indigenous people from Australia. The term ”indigenous” has been used throughout this article when referring to the first people of a nation within an international context. (Aboriginal) youth. Method: Data were obtained from the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) Young People’s Project (YPP), a community initiated cross-sectional data set. In 1997/1998, self-reported data were collected for 172 Koori youth aged 12–26 years living in Melbourne, Australia. The data were analyzed to assess the prevalence of current suicide ideation and lifetime suicide attempt. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to identify closely associated social, emotional, behavioral, and cultural variables at baseline and Cox regression modeling was then used to identify associations between PCA components and suicide ideation and attempt. Results: Ideation and attempt were reported at 23.3% and 24.4%, respectively. PCA yielded five components: (1) emotional distress, (2) social distress A, (3) social distress B, (4) cultural connection, (5) behavioral. All were positively and independently associated with suicide ideation and attempt, while cultural connection showed a negative association. Conclusions: Suicide ideation and attempt were common in this cross-section of indigenous youth with an unfavorable profile for the emotional, social, cultural, and behavioral factors.

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Efficacy of Crisis Intervention

Crisis ◽

10.1027//0227-5910.20.2.78 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 78-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Thomas Reisch ◽

Petra Schlatter ◽

Wolfgang Tschacher

Keyword(s):

Crisis Intervention ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Indirect Evidence ◽

Well Being ◽

Term Therapy ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Step Therapy ◽

Long Term Therapy ◽

The Impact

This study assesses the efficacy of the treatment approach implemented in the Bern Crisis Intervention Program, where particular emphasis is placed on the remediation of suicide ideation and suicidal behavior, and depression, fear, and phobia are generally considered to be contributing factors. Four questionnaires addressing psychopathology, emotional well-being, social anxiety, and personality were administered prior to and after the treatment of 51 patients over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. The reduction of symptoms contributing to suicidal ideation and behavior was interpreted as indirect evidence of an antisuicidal effect of the program. Significant improvements were found in the psychopathology ratings, with depression and anxiety showing the largest reductions. The impact on personality and social phobia, however, was only moderate, and on average patients still exhibited symptoms after attending the program. This residual symptomatology points to the necessity of introducing a two-step therapy approach of intensive intervention targeted at the precipitating causes of the crisis, augmented by long-term therapy to treat underlying problems.

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A Pilot Study on the Efficacy of Volunteer Mentorship for Young Adults With Self-Harm Behaviors Using a Quasi-Experimental Design

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000393 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (6) ◽

pp. 415-426 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Yik-Wa Law ◽

Paul S. F. Yip ◽

Carmen C. S. Lai ◽

Chi Leung Kwok ◽

Paul W. C. Wong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Experimental Design ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Treatment As Usual ◽

Prevention Services ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Self Harm ◽

Volunteer Support

Abstract. Background: Studies have shown that postdischarge care for self-harm patients is effective in reducing repeated suicidal behaviors. Little is known about whether volunteer support can help reduce self-harm repetition and improve psychosocial well-being. Aim: This study investigated the efficacy of volunteer support in preventing repetition of self-harm. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental design by assigning self-harm patients admitted to the emergency departments to an intervention group with volunteer support and treatment as usual (TAU) for 9 months and to a control group of TAU. Outcome measures include repetition of self-harm, suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and level of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Results: A total of 74 cases were recruited (38 participants; 36 controls). There were no significant differences in age, gender, and clinical condition between the two groups at the baseline. The intervention group showed significant improvements in hopelessness and depressive symptoms. However, the number of cases of suicide ideation and of repetition of self-harm episodes was similar for both groups at the postintervention period. Conclusion: Postdischarge care provided by volunteers showed significant improvement in hopelessness and depression. Volunteers have been commonly involved in suicide prevention services. Further research using rigorous methods is recommended for improving service quality in the long term.

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Symptoms of Alcohol Dependence Predict Suicide Ideation Among Alaskan Undergraduates

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000373 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 232-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christopher R. DeCou ◽

Monica C. Skewes

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Dependence ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Alcohol Problems ◽

Future Research ◽

Causal Mechanism ◽

Students At Risk ◽

The Relationship ◽

Alcohol Related Problems

Abstract. Background: Previous research has demonstrated an association between alcohol-related problems and suicidal ideation (SI). Aims: The present study evaluated, simultaneously, alcohol consequences and symptoms of alcohol dependence as predictors of SI after adjusting for depressive symptoms and alcohol consumption. Method: A sample of 298 Alaskan undergraduates completed survey measures, including the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire, the Short Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory – II. The association between alcohol problems and SI status was evaluated using sequential logistic regression. Results: Symptoms of alcohol dependence (OR = 1.88, p < .05), but not alcohol-related consequences (OR = 1.01, p = .95), emerged as an independent predictor of SI status above and beyond depressive symptoms (OR = 2.39, p < .001) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.08, p = .39). Conclusion: Alcohol dependence symptoms represented a unique risk for SI relative to alcohol-related consequences and alcohol consumption. Future research should examine the causal mechanism behind the relationship between alcohol dependence and suicidality among university students. Assessing the presence of dependence symptoms may improve the accuracy of identifying students at risk of SI.

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Attachment Organization in Suicide Prevention Research

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000231 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 60-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Amanda Venta ◽

Carla Sharp

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Interpersonal Relationships ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Critical Role ◽

Self Report ◽

Future Research ◽

Self Harm

Background: Identifying risk factors for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors (SRTB) is essential among adolescents in whom SRTB remain a leading cause of death. Although many risk factors have already been identified, influential theories now suggest that the domain of interpersonal relationships may play a critical role in the emergence of SRTB. Because attachment has long been seen as the foundation of interpersonal functioning, we suggest that attachment insecurity warrants attention as a risk factor for SRTB. Aims: This study sought to explore relations between attachment organization and suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-harm in an inpatient adolescent sample, controlling for demographic and psychopathological covariates. Method: We recruited 194 adolescents from an inpatient unit and assigned them to one of four attachment groups (secure, preoccupied, dismissing, or disorganized attachment). Interview and self-report measures were used to create four variables reflecting the presence or absence of suicidal ideation in the last year, single lifetime suicide attempt, multiple lifetime suicide attempts, and lifetime self-harm. Results: Chi-square and regression analyses did not reveal significant relations between attachment organization and SRTB, although findings did confirm previously established relations between psychopathology and SRTB, such that internalizing disorder was associated with increased self-harm, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt and externalizing disorder was associated with increased self-harm. Conclusion: The severity of this sample and methodological differences from previous studies may explain the nonsignificant findings. Nonsignificant findings may indicate that the relation between attachment organization and SRTB is moderated by other factors that should be explored in future research.

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