scholarly journals Forced Social Isolation and Mental Health: A Study on 1,006 Italians Under COVID-19 Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Pancani ◽  
Marco Marinucci ◽  
Nicolas Aureli ◽  
Paolo Riva
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Spread Rate ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
National Policies ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Most countries have been struggling with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic imposing social isolation on their citizens. However, this measure carried risks for people's mental health. This study evaluated the psychological repercussions of objective isolation in 1,006 Italians during the first, especially strict, lockdown in spring 2020. Although varying for the regional spread-rate of the contagion, results showed that the longer the isolation and the less adequate the physical space where people were isolated, the worse the mental health (e.g., depression). Offline social contacts buffered the association between social isolation and mental health. However, when offline contacts were limited, online contacts seemed crucial in protecting mental health. The findings inform about the potential downsides of the massive social isolation imposed by COVID-19 spread, highlighting possible risk factors and resources to account for implementing such isolation measures. Specifically, besides some known factors such as physical space availability, the local contagion rate is critical in moderating the link between social isolation and mental health issues, supporting national policies implementing regional tiers of restriction severity.

Forced social isolation and mental health: A study on 1006 Italians under COVID-19 lockdown

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Pancani ◽  
Marco Marinucci ◽  
Nicolas Aureli ◽  
Paolo Riva
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Temporal Evolution ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Spread Rate ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Social Isolate

Countries are tackling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic imposing people to social isolate. However, this measure carries risks for people’s mental health. This study evaluated the psychological repercussions of objective isolation in 1006 Italians locked down. Although varying for the regional spread-rate of the contagion, results showed that the longer the isolation and the less adequate the physical space where people were isolated, the worse the mental health (e.g., depression). Offline and online social contacts could buffer the adverse effects of social restrictions. However, when offline contacts are limited, online contacts can protect mental health from isolation. The findings could speak about the possible temporal evolution by which the length of isolation is associated with worse mental health. Moreover, the results outlined the downsides of the massive social isolation imposed by COVID-19 spread, highlighting risk factors and resources to account for in the implementation of such isolation measures.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 restriction measures on loneliness among older adults in Austria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin Stolz ◽  
Hannes Mayerl ◽  
Wolfgang Freidl
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Opening Phase

Abstract Background To halt the spread of COVID-19, Austria implemented a 7-week ’lockdown’ in March/April 2020. We assess whether the ensuing reduction in social contacts led to increased loneliness among older adults (60+). Methods Three analyses were conducted: (1) A comparison between pre-pandemic (SHARE: 2013-2017) and pandemic (May 2020) levels of loneliness (UCLA-3 scale), (2) an assessment of the cross-sectional correlation between being affected by COVID-19 restriction measures and loneliness (May 2020), and (3) a longitudinal analysis of weekly changes (March-June 2020) in loneliness (Corona panel). Results We found (1) increased loneliness in 2020 compared with previous years, (2) a moderate positive association between the number of restriction measures older adults were affected from and their loneliness, and (3) that loneliness was higher during ’lockdown’ compared to the subsequent re-opening phase, particularly among those who live alone. Conclusion We provide evidence that COVID-19 restriction measures in Austria have indeed resulted in increased levels of loneliness among older adults. However, these effects seem to be short-lived, and thus no strong negative consequences for older adults’ mental health are expected. Nonetheless, the effects on loneliness, and subsequent mental health issues, might be both more long-lasting and severe if future restriction measures are enacted repeatedly and/or over longer time periods.

Mental Health and Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Yun Lee ◽  
William Hasenbein ◽  
Priscilla Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Older Adult Population

As the older adult population continues to grow at a rapid rate, with an estimated 2.1 billion older adults in 2050, social welfare researchers are determined to fill the shortage of gerontological social workers and structural lag to best serve the baby boomers who are expected to need different services than previous generations. Mental illness impacts over 20% of older adults in the world and the United States. The major mental health issues in older adults include depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social isolation. Depression is considered one of the most common mental health issues among this population; however, the prevalence could be underestimated due to older adults linking relevant symptoms to other causes, such as old age, instead of as possible depression. Like depression, anxiety symptoms are often mistaken as results of aging. It is also difficult for providers to diagnose anxiety in this population due to anxiety frequently being coupled with other illnesses and the psychological stress that comes with old age. Because the presence of loneliness or social isolation can manifest depression and anxiety symptoms in older adults, it is also difficult to separate these two issues. With the anticipated increase of the older adult population within the next few years, measurement tools have been created to assess depression and anxiety specifically for older adults. In addition to adapting assessment tools, interventions tailored to older adults are essential to ensure treatment coherence, even though medications are the go-to treatment option.

"Importance of Mental Health" (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salman Muhammad Soomar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health It ◽  
Handling Stress ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health Disorders

UNSTRUCTURED Health is the state of overall well-being which includes physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Good health is a resource for living everyday life. It is central for functioning properly, handling stress, living a longer and more active life. Physical well-being includes a healthful lifestyle to decrease the risk of disease. Mental health is equally important as physical health, it is integral and important component of health, it provides strength and enhance a person’s ability to complete regular tasks . Differences in socioeconomic and other living conditions can lead to health inequities which can impact on a person’s health especially mental health though this is not the case in every situation, however the risk to an individual’s mental health determine how the person is going to suffer with mental health issues as these risk factors are not only bounded to poor socio-economic class . Violence, rapid social change, stressful work conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, physically ill health, sexual abuse, and persistent socio-economic pressures are recognized as risk factors for poor mental health. Moreover, there are some personality factors and genetic factors that also make people vulnerable to mental health disorders . Mental health issues alone add a lot in the global burden of disease however it is associated with other diseases and conditions as well. Mental health disorders in different forms and intensities a large number of people in their lifetime which not only impact on their health but it causes economic burden on the person and family as well . Despite a greater population is affected from mental health illness, the estimates produced through research regarding are still underestimated the reasons may be overlapping between psychiatric and neurological disorder and keeping suicide behaviors associated with self-harm a separate category other than mental illness . The major reason of underestimation can be less no reporting for these illness due to stigma associated with it. Stigma is the negative attitude towards the illness which creates discrimination and is the main obstacle in seeking help and care .

scholarly journals COVID-19, PHYSICAL DISTANCING IN THE WORKPLACE AND EMPLOYEES’ MENTAL HEALTH: IMPLICATIONS AND INSIGHTS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL INTERVENTIONS - NARRATIVE REVIEW

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salima Hamouche
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health It ◽  
Organizational Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
The Impact

Physical distancing is one of the non-pharmaceutical measures adopted to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although it appears to be effective in mitigating this spread, its implementation in workplaces may undermine employees’ mental health. In fact, torn between the fear of contagion and the need to maintain their jobs, employees must also comply with physical distancing measures in the workplace, which alter social interactions and set a predetermined frame and distance that guide employees’ behaviors within the organization while they need empathy. This situation might increase their level of stress. This paper is a narrative review that addresses the impact of physical distancing in the workplace on employees’ mental health. It presents the main factors that might moderate this impact and it recommends organizational interventions that can help to mitigate it. Physical distancing measures in workplaces are necessary and inevitable. Notwithstanding, they might undermine employees’ mental health, whence the importance to implement proper organizational actions to support employees and to facilitate their adaptation, in this unprecedented organizational change. This paper examines a relatively unexplored topic. It goes beyond examining social isolation to explore how setting a predetermined frame and distance can have an impact on employees’ mental health and recommends interventions that might help organizations to prevent mental health issues.

Mental health issues and psychological risk factors among Paraguayan healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jorge Villalba-Arias ◽  
Gladys Estigarribia ◽  
José Andrés Bogado ◽  
Julieta Méndez ◽  
Santiago Toledo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Psychological Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Psychological Risk

scholarly journals Risk factors associated with mental health issues in adolescents: a integrative review

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Caroline Souza Pinto ◽  
Izaildo Tavares Luna ◽  
Adna de Araújo Sivla ◽  
Patrícia Neyva da Costa Pinheiro ◽  
Violante Augusta Batista Braga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Integrative Review ◽  
Individual Factors ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
School Factors ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Objective: To identify the risk factors associated with mental health issues in adolescents. Method: An integrative review was conducted in four databases with publications from 2007 to 2013. The terms Adolescent and Mental Health were used to search adequate articles as DeCs/MeSH bases. Results: Publications were found in different journals in different fields of knowledge and the quantitative research was the most frequent. The mental health issues were categorized as individual factors; drug related factors, school factors, family factors, social factors and STDs/Aids related factors. The most addressed category was individual factors, with 23 publications. Conclusion: The integrative review allowed to point important questions to be addressed in preventive actions by the health professional, including the nurse, to create a space that works with risk conditioning factors in adolescents for mental health aggravation.


scholarly journals An e-mental health intervention to support burdened people in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: CoPE It

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 647-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Bäuerle ◽  
Johanna Graf ◽  
Christoph Jansen ◽  
Nora Dörrie ◽  
Florian Junne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Health Intervention ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mental Health Intervention ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Abstract The outbreak of the novel SARS CoV-2-virus (COVID-19) is pushing national and international healthcare systems to their limits. The aspect of mental health issues, which has been neglected (so far) in times of social isolation and governmental restrictions, now demands innovative and situation-based approaches to support psychological burdened people. The developed e-mental health intervention ‘CoPE It’ offers manualized, evidence-based psychotherapeutic/psychological support to overcome psychological distress in times of COVID-19. E-mental health approaches offer great possibilities to support burdened people during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic effectively.

scholarly journals Risk factors for mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in ophthalmic personnel and students in USA (& Canada): a cross-sectional survey study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Pang ◽  
Meng Li ◽  
Connor Robbs ◽  
Jingyun Wang ◽  
Samiksha F. Jain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic poses mental health challenges to frontline healthcare workers. Eye care professionals may be especially susceptible to mental health problems due to high-risk exposures to patients. Yet, no prior research has studied mental health issues among eye care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic among eye care professionals. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey study among eye care professionals and students in the United States and Canada from June 23 to July 8, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 8505 eye care professionals and students received email invitations to the survey and 2134 participated. We measured mental health outcomes including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress using validated scales, as well as potential risk factors including demographic characteristics, state-level COVID-19 case counts, participants’ patient interactions, childcare responsibilities, and pre-pandemic stress levels. Linear multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were used to determine relationships between risk factors and mental health outcomes. Results We found that 38.4% of eyecare professional participants in the survey met screening threshold as probable cases of anxiety, depression, or both during the COVID-19 pandemic. Controlling for self-reported pre-pandemic stress level and state COVID-19 case daily cases, significant risk factors for depression, anxiety, and psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic included: being female, younger age, and being Black or Asian. Interestingly, we found two somewhat surprising protective factors against depression symptoms: more frequent interactions with patients and having a greater proportion of childcare responsibilities at home. Conclusions This study showed a high prevalence of mental health problems and revealed disparities in mental health among eye care personnel and students: Female, younger, Black, and Asian populations are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues. These results indicate that it is critical to identify mental health issues more effectively and develop interventions among this population to address this significant and growing public health issue. The strategies and policies should be reflective of the demographic disparities in this vulnerable population.

scholarly journals Health risk assessment of rural older population

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Minshu Ge ◽  
Dan Zhu ◽  
Hallie Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Risk Assessment Model ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Mental Health Issues

BACKGROUND: With the accelerated development of aging, the health problems of rural elderly are becoming increasingly severe. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to understand the mental health issues of the rural older population. METHODS: The risk factor analysis and the disease risk assessment are utilized to analyze the impacts of depression on older adults. First, the prevalence of depression in China’s rural older population is counted and analyzed. Next, both single and multi-factor analyses are employed to analyze the degree of depression among rural older adults quantitatively, and the existing risk factors are determined. The multiple risk factors and multi-source logistic regression algorithm establish the risk assessment model of depression in the rural older population. Finally, the risk factors of depression in older adults are calculated by analyzing and processing the above statistical data. A risk assessment model of depression is built, whose sensitivity and specificity are tested. RESULTS: Single-factor analysis and multi-factor analysis reveal 20 vital influencing factors of depression in older adults, such as cognitive ability, emotional state, and memory. The sensitivity and specificity of the risk assessment model based on multi-factor logistic regression are 87.3%80.2%, respectively, capable of effectively assessing and screening the potential population of depression among older adults. CONCLUSIONS: This model provides a scientific basis for screening out and preventing older adults’ mental health issues with depression and improving older adults’ quality of life.

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