Safe but Lonely? Loneliness, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms and COVID-19

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has led governments worldwide to implement unprecedented response strategies. While crucial to limiting the spread of the virus, “social distancing” may lead to severe psychological consequences, especially in lonely individuals.MethodsWe used cross-sectional (n = 380) and longitudinal (n = 74) designs to investigate the links between loneliness, anxiety, and depression symptoms (ADS) and COVID-19 risk perception and affective response in young adults who implemented social distancing during the first 2 weeks of the state of epidemic threat in Poland.ResultsLoneliness was correlated with ADS and with affective response to COVID-19’s threat to health. However, increased worry about the social isolation and heightened risk perception for financial problems was observed in lonelier individuals. The cross-lagged influence of the initial affective response to COVID-19 on subsequent levels of loneliness was also found.ConclusionThe reciprocal connections between loneliness and COVID-19 response may be of crucial importance for ADS during the COVID-19 crisis.

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Safe but lonely? Loneliness, mental health symptoms and COVID-19

10.31234/osf.io/9njps ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Łukasz Okruszek ◽

Aleksandra Aniszewska-Stańczuk ◽

Aleksandra Piejka ◽

Marcelina Wiśniewska ◽

Karolina Żurek

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Perception ◽

Affective Response ◽

Psychological Consequences ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Response Strategies ◽

Reciprocal Connections

The COVID-19 pandemic has led governments worldwide to implement unprecedented response strategies. While crucial to limiting the spread of the virus, “social distancing” may lead to severe psychological consequences, especially in lonely individuals. We used cross-sectional (n=380) and longitudinal (n=74) designs to investigate the links between loneliness, mental health symptoms (MHS) and COVID-19 risk perception and affective response in young adults who implemented social distancing during the first two weeks of the state of epidemic threat in Poland. Loneliness was correlated with MHS and with affective response to COVID-19’s threat to health. However, increased worry about the social isolation and heightened risk perception for financial problems was observed in lonelier individuals. The cross-lagged influence of the initial affective response to COVID-19 on subsequent levels of loneliness was also found. Thus, the reciprocal connections between loneliness and COVID-19 response may be of crucial importance for MHS during COVID-19 crisis.

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Determinants of increased frequency of depressive and anxiety symptoms in exercise professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-210648 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Natan Feter ◽

Eduardo L. Caputo ◽

Igor R. Doring ◽

Marcelo C. da Silva ◽

Felipe F. Reichert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Distancing

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected workers in different health services including exercise professionals (EP). The urgent need to adapt in-person to online activities might have led to increased frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the determinants of aggravated depressive and anxiety symptoms in EP in southern Brazil during social distancing from the COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with EP who worked at fitness centers, sports clubs, private schools, or at a public exercise program offered by the municipal council. We used an online-based, self-administered, adapted version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale to compare symptoms of depression and anxiety pre- and during social distancing. RESULTS: Participants (n = 201) had a mean age of 32.7±8.0 years, with more than half being male, white, and having an university degree. We observed that 81%and 71%of respondents reported higher frequency in anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively, during social distancing than in the period before it. Physical education teachers, women, non-white professionals, and those with chronic disease were more likely to worsen anxiety symptoms. Women had higher odds to increased frequency in depressive symptoms. Physical activity and previous experience with internet-based tools for working activities reduced the risk of increased depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Sex, ethnicity, chronic diseases, educational level, physical activity, and experience with online tools were determinants for increased frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms in EP.

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Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Mental Health Of Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study Using GAD-7 And PHQ-9 Questionnaires

10.1101/2020.06.24.20138925 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Carlos Izaias Sartorão Filho ◽

Wilson Conte de Las Villas Rodrigues ◽

Ricardo Beauchamp de Castro ◽

Arlete Aparecida Marçal ◽

Shirlene Pavelqueires ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Depression Disorders

AbstractAimto evaluate anxiety and depression disorders among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic.Methodscross-sectional study of medical students conducted in May 2020 with questionnaires regarding social and demographic status and GAD-7 for anxiety and PHQ-9 for depression questionnaires.Resultsparticipated 340 (97.98%) students. Average GAD-7 score was 9.18 (M = 9.18; SD = 4.75); average PHQ-9 score was 12.72 (M = 12.72; SD = 6.62). Results indicate a positive significant relationship between GAD-7 and females, and social distancing affecting finances. Using cut-off score of 10 for GAD-7, 157 (46.17%) students were identified with moderated or severe symptoms of anxiety. For PHQ-9 score, using cut-off of 10, 219 (64.41%) students were identified with moderate or severe symptoms of depression; results indicate a positive significant relationship between PHQ-9 and females and between social distancing affecting finances.Conclusionanalysis demonstrated a higher prevalence of moderated and severe anxiety and depression symptoms among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic, significantly among women and on medical students relating financial impairment related to COVID-19 epidemic.The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Institution under report number CAAE: 30718220.5.0000.8547

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Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Mental Health Of Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study Using GAD-7 And PHQ-9 Questionnaires (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.22165 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Carlos Izaias Filho

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Depression Disorders

UNSTRUCTURED Aim: to evaluate anxiety and depression disorders among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: cross-sectional study of medical students conducted in May 2020 with questionnaires regarding social and demographic status and GAD-7 for anxiety and PHQ-9 for depression questionnaires. Results: participated 340 (97.98%) students. Average GAD-7 score was 9.18 (M = 9.18; SD = 4.75); average PHQ-9 score was 12.72 (M = 12.72; SD = 6.62). Results indicate a positive significant relationship between GAD-7 and females, and social distancing affecting finances. Using cut-off score of 10 for GAD-7, 157 (46.17%) students were identified with moderated or severe symptoms of anxiety. For PHQ-9 score, using cut-off of 10, 219 (64.41%) students were identified with moderate or severe symptoms of depression; results indicate a positive significant relationship between PHQ-9 and females and between social distancing affecting finances. Conclusion: analysis demonstrated a higher prevalence of moderated and severe anxiety and depression symptoms among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic, significantly among women and on medical students relating financial impairment related to COVID-19 pandemic. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1101/2020.06.24.20138925

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The characteristics of anxiety and depression symptom severity in older adults living in public housing

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610211001979 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 614-623 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Adam Simning ◽

Yeates Conwell ◽

Susan G. Fisher ◽

Thomas M. Richardson ◽

Edwin van Wijngaarden

Keyword(s):

Public Housing ◽

Older Adult ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Regression Models ◽

Late Life ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Depression Symptom ◽

The Social ◽

Public Housing Residents

ABSTRACTBackground:Anxiety and depression are common in older adult public housing residents and frequently co-occur. To understand anxiety and depression more fully in this socioeconomically disadvantaged population, this study relies on the Social Antecedent Model of Psychopathology to characterize anxiety and depression symptoms concurrently.Methods:190 public housing residents aged 60 years and older in Rochester, New York, participated in a research interview during which they reported on variables across the six stages of the Social Antecedent Model. GAD-7 and PHQ-9 assessed anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively.Results:In these older adult residents, anxiety and depression symptom severity scores were correlated (r = 0.61; p < 0.001). Correlates of anxiety and depression symptom severity were similar for both outcomes and spanned the six stages of the Social Antecedent Model. Multivariate linear regression models identified age, medical comorbidity, mobility, social support, maladaptive coping, and recent life events severity as statistically significant correlates. The regression models accounted for 43% of anxiety and 48% of depression symptom variability.Conclusions:In public housing residents, late-life anxiety and depression symptoms were moderately correlated. Anxiety symptom severity correlates were largely consistent with those found for depression symptom severity. The broad distribution of correlates across demographic, social, medical, and behavioral domains suggests that the context of late-life anxiety and depression symptomatology in public housing is complex and that multidisciplinary collaborative care approaches may be warranted in future interventions.

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Psychological Coping with Job Loss. Empirical Study to Contribute to the Development of Unemployed People

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15081787 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (8) ◽

pp. 1787 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Yolanda Navarro-Abal ◽

José Climent-Rodríguez ◽

María López-López ◽

Juan Gómez-Salgado

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Psychological Consequences ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Unemployed People ◽

Service Centre ◽

Public Employment Service ◽

Career Service ◽

And Coping

Having a job is an essential part of people’s development. Unemployment, on the contrary, is one of the most frustrating experiences of life with greater psychological consequences for people’s lives. In this sense, psychology has contributed to an increase in knowledge about the personal and social experience of unemployment. This article discusses indicators of anxiety and depression in unemployed people, modulating socio-demographic variables, and coping strategies involved in the higher and lower levels of anxiety and depression. For this, a sample of 244 unemployed people who are users of the Career Service Centre of the Andalusian Public Employment Service of the city of Huelva is used for a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. The results show that only 5.7% of the participants do not have depressive symptoms. With regards to anxiety levels, 41.3% of participants have no anxiety. Unemployed people with high anxiety and depression scores have developed maladaptive coping strategies such as substance use, self-blaming, or denial. It is necessary to assess the importance of the unemployment process and the incorporation of appropriate coping strategies that facilitate new integration in the labour market, such as planification, emotional or social support and self-distraction between others.

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Depression and anxiety in a community sample with epilepsy in Brazil

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/s0004-282x2011000300015 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 69 (2b) ◽

pp. 342-348 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

S Stefanello ◽

L Marín-Léon ◽

P T Fernandes ◽

L M Li ◽

N J Botega

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempts ◽

Community Sample ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Psychiatric Evaluation ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Social

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency of depression/anxiety and to establish the social, epilepsy and psychiatric characteristics in individuals with epilepsy. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was employed to evaluate 153 subjects with epilepsy who were identified in a previous community-based survey. First, a structured interview was conducted, followed by a psychiatric evaluation. Subjects with depression were compared to those without, and subjects with anxiety were compared to those without. RESULTS: The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 39.4 and 24.4%, respectively. Both were associated with low schooling (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6 to 9.0 and OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.5 for depression and anxiety, respectively), lifetime suicidal thoughts (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.9 to 10.3 and OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.7 to 7.7) and lifetime suicide attempts (OR 9.3, 95% CI 2.6 to 32.8 and OR 6.9, 95% CI 1.8 to 26.4). CONCLUSION: The high rates of depression and anxiety reinforced the need for recognition and treatment of mental disorders in epilepsy.

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Screening of Anxiety and Depression Related CD4 Count of People Living with HIV/AIDS with Anti-Retroviral in Medan, Indonesia

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2019.396 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (16) ◽

pp. 2590-2594

Author(s):

Dona Farila Agus ◽

Elmeida Effendy ◽

Vita Camellia

Keyword(s):

Negative Correlation ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Severe Depression ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Correlation Strength ◽

Hiv Aids

BACKGROUND: HIV, which causes AIDS, infects the immune system cells, by destroying or damaging the function of the CD4. PLWHA will have twice the risk of experiencing mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety compared with the general population, thereby suppressing immune function, decreasing their quality of life, decreasing the level of adherence to treatment, and contributing significantly to the occurrence of premature death. AIM: To determine the correlation Anxiety and Depression symptoms and CD4 levels in PLWHA who are undergoing Anti-Retroviral treatment at the HIV/AIDS METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional study, which assesses the correlation between Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores (HADS) and CD4 levels in PLWHA who are receiving ARV in the HIV/AIDS Special Services Polyclinic Medan Haji general hospital. RESULTS: It was found that the average HADS-A score, PLWHA was 15.286 and the SD ± 2.244. This shows that PLWHA is in moderate to severe anxiety and moderate to severe depression. The mean CD4 level of people with HIV/AIDS/PLWHA was 288.171 and SD ± 88.955. According to WHO criteria, regarding the classification of HIV immunodeficiency in adults, are classified as moderate immunodeficiency. There was a significant correlation between the HADS-A score and CD4 level with a correlation value of r = -0.592 indicating a negative correlation with a moderate correlation strength, and the correlation between HADS-D score and CD4 level. The strength of the relationship between HADS-D score and CD4 level is r = -0.650, shows a negative correlation with strong correlation strength. CONCLUSION: from this study, it was found that there is a relationship between depression and anxiety symptom and CD4 level.

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Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Amongst Surgical Nurses During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-125116/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Chun-Xia Ren ◽

De-Cun Zhou ◽

Yin-Guang Fan ◽

Bao-Zhu Li ◽

Wan-Fei Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Influencing Factors ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Rating ◽

Surgical Nurses

Abstract BackgroundThe outbreak of novel 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has imposed an enormous physical and psychological pressure on people across the world. This study focused on evaluating the prevalence and influencing factors of anxiety and depression symptoms in surgical nurses during the epidemic in China. MethodA cross-sectional, multicenter quantitative study was conducted in Anhui province (China) from March 3, 2020 to March 19, 2020, with a questionnaire package which consisted of general information questionnaire，Zung's self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), Zung's self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and social support rating scale (SSRS). A total of 3600 surgical nurses participated in the survey by Wechat and QQ. Data were analysed using multiple linear regression models. ResultsA total of 3492 surgical nurses from 12tertiary hospitals and 12 secondary hospitals in one province of mainland China completed the survey. The prevalence rates of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms were 24.83% and 22.39%, respectively. The average level of anxiety and depression of surgical nurses were higher than that of the Chinese norm (P< 0.05).Levels of social support for surgical nurses were significantly negatively associated with the degree of anxiety (r = -0.630, P < 0.001) and depression (r = -0.578, P < 0.001). Fertility status (β = 1.469, P = 0.003), hospital (β = -0.611, P < 0.001), participation in care for COVID-19 patients (β = 2.229, P < 0.001), likelihood of being infected with COVID-19 (β = 1.146, P < 0.001), social support (β = -0.623, P < 0.001) were significantly influencing surgical nurses’ anxiety degree. Similarly, these characteristics were significantly associated with the odds of experiencing depression symptoms in surgical nurses. Divorce and widowed surgical nurses (β = -2.654, P < 0.001) were significantly more likely to experience depressive symptoms than single nurses. ConclusionIn this survey, we found that the surgical nurses had high anxiety and depression symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. The findings suggest that targeted psychological interventions to promote the mental health of surgical nurses with psychological problems need to be immediately implemented.

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Prevalence and correlates of forgone care among adult Israeli Jews: A survey conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0260399 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. e0260399

Author(s):

Perla Werner ◽

Aviad Tur-Sinai

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Model ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

The Novel ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Distancing ◽

The Public ◽

The Social ◽

Seeking Help ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Efforts to control the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic include drastic measures such as isolation, social distancing, and lockdown. These restrictions are accompanied by serious adverse consequences such as forgoing of healthcare. The study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of forgone care for a variety of healthcare services during a two-month COVID-19 lockdown, using Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Healthcare Utilization. A cross-sectional study using computerized phone interviews was conducted with 302 Israeli Jewish participants aged 40 and above. Almost half of the participants (49%) reported a delay in seeking help for at least one needed healthcare service during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Among the predisposing factors, we found that participants aged 60+, being more religious, and reporting higher levels of COVID-19 fear were more likely to report forgone care than younger, less religious and less concerned participants. Among need factors, a statistically significant association was found with a reported diagnosis of diabetes, with participants with the disease having a considerably higher likelihood of forgone care. The findings stress the importance of developing interventions aimed at mitigating the phenomenon of forgoing care while creating nonconventional ways of consuming healthcare services. In the short term, healthcare services need to adapt to the social distancing and isolation measures required to stanch the epidemic. In the long term, policymakers should consider alternative ways of delivering healthcare services to the public regularly and during crisis without losing sight of their budgetary consequences. They must recognize the possibility of having to align medical staff to the changing demand for healthcare services under conditions of health uncertainty.

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