Predictors of Psychological Distress and Coronavirus Fears in the First Recovery Phase of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Germany

Objectives: While previous research has mainly focused on the impact of the first acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, little empirical knowledge exists about depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom levels and possible predictors of symptom levels in the pandemic’s recovery phase. The present study aimed to analyze the mental burden of a convenience ample of the general German population during the first recovery phase of the pandemic and to identify significant predictors of symptom levels.Methods: Standardized measures of anxiety (GAD-2), depression (PHQ-2), somatic symptoms (PHQ-15), and health anxiety, as well as measures of COVID-19 fears and possible vulnerability factors, were administered through a national, cross-sectional online survey (n = 2160, mean age 42.7 years, 75% female), asking participants for their current symptom levels and their symptom levels prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Our findings show significantly elevated levels of depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, and health anxiety in the recovery period compared to before the pandemic. The current prevalence rates based on self-reporting were 26.7% for depression, 24.5% for anxiety, and 29% for somatization. The strongest predictors of these symptom reports included domain-specific pre-existing symptom levels, neuroticism, biological COVID-19 risk factors, avoidance of illness information, and younger age. The most important predictors of COVID-19 fears were subjective COVID-19 risk perception, followed by pre-existing health anxiety, the number of biological COVID-19 risk factors, older age, neuroticism, avoidance of illness information and female gender.Discussion: These findings indicate the need for specific psychological programs to help individuals with enhanced psychological and biological vulnerability to cope better with the mental distress experienced during all phases of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

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How is the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the mental health of parents of school-age children in the UK? A cross-sectional online survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043397 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e043397

Author(s):

Austen El-Osta ◽

Aos Alaa ◽

Iman Webber ◽

Eva Riboli Sasco ◽

Emmanouil Bagkeris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Female Gender ◽

School Age Children ◽

School Age ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveInvestigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on feelings of loneliness and social isolation in parents of school-age children.DesignCross-sectional online survey of parents of primary and secondary school-age children.SettingCommunity setting.Participants1214 parents of school-age children in the UK.MethodsAn online survey explored the impact of lockdown on the mental health of parents with school-age children, and in particular about feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Associations between the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLATILS), the Direct Measure of Loneliness (DMOL) and the characteristics of the study participants were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported measures of social isolation and loneliness using UCLATILS and DMOL.ResultsHalf of respondents felt they lacked companionship, 45% had feelings of being left out, 58% felt isolated and 46% felt lonely during the first 100 days of lockdown. The factors that were associated with higher levels of loneliness on UCLATILS were female gender, parenting a child with special needs, lack of a dedicated space for distance learning, disruption of sleep patterns and low levels of physical activity during the lockdown. Factors associated with a higher DMOL were female gender, single parenting, parenting a child with special needs, unemployment, low physical activity, lack of a dedicated study space and disruption of sleep patterns during the lockdown.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdown has increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness among parents of school-age children. The sustained adoption of two modifiable health-seeking lifestyle behaviours (increased levels of physical activity and the maintenance of good sleep hygiene practices) wmay help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown.

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Workplace Stress, Presenteeism, Absenteeism, and Resilience Amongst University Staff and Students in the COVID-19 Lockdown

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2020.588803 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Christina Maria Van Der Feltz-Cornelis ◽

D. Varley ◽

Victoria L. Allgar ◽

Edwin de Beurs

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Anxiety ◽

High Stress ◽

Female Gender ◽

Workplace Stress ◽

University Staff ◽

Stress Levels ◽

The Impact

Background: This study explored how the COVID-19 outbreak and arrangements such as remote working and furlough affect work or study stress levels and functioning in staff and students at the University of York, UK.Methods: An invitation to participate in an online survey was sent to all University of York staff and students in May-June 2020. We measured stress levels [VAS-scale, Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ)], mental health [anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9)], physical health (PHQ-15, chronic medical conditions checklist), presenteeism, and absenteeism levels (iPCQ). We explored demographic and other characteristics as factors which may contribute to resilience and vulnerability for the impact of COVID-19 on stress.Results: One thousand and fifty five staff and nine hundred and twenty five students completed the survey. Ninety-eight per cent of staff and seventy-eight per cent of students worked or studied remotely. 7% of staff and 10% of students reported sickness absence. 26% of staff and 40% of the students experienced presenteeism. 22–24% of staff reported clinical-level anxiety and depression scores, and 37.2 and 46.5% of students. Staff experienced high stress levels due to COVID-19 (66.2%, labeled vulnerable) and 33.8% experienced low stress levels (labeled resilient). Students were 71.7% resilient vs. 28.3% non-resilient. Predictors of vulnerability in staff were having children [OR = 2.23; CI (95) = 1.63–3.04] and social isolation [OR = 1.97; CI (95) = 1.39–2.79] and in students, being female [OR = 1.62; CI (95) = 1.14–2.28], having children [OR = 2.04; CI (95) = 1.11–3.72], and social isolation [OR = 1.78; CI (95) = 1.25–2.52]. Resilience was predicted by exercise in staff [OR = 0.83; CI (95) = 0.73–0.94] and in students [OR = 0.85; CI (95) = 0.75–0.97].Discussion: University staff and students reported high psychological distress, presenteeism and absenteeism. However, 33.8% of staff and 71.7% of the students were resilient. Amongst others, female gender, having children, and having to self-isolate contributed to vulnerability. Exercise contributed to resilience.Conclusion: Resilience occurred much more often in students than in staff, although psychological distress was much higher in students. This suggests that predictors of resilience may differ from psychological distress per se. Hence, interventions to improve resilience should not only address psychological distress but may also address other factors.

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“Medical Student Syndrome”—A Myth or a Real Disease Entity? Cross-Sectional Study of Medical Students of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18189884 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 9884

Author(s):

Katarzyna Szczurek ◽

Natalia Furgał ◽

Dawid Szczepanek ◽

Rashid Zaman ◽

Krzysztof Krysta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Student ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Anxiety ◽

Female Gender ◽

Research Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Entire Study ◽

Medical University

The description of Medical Student Syndrome is based on the assumption that inexperienced medical students are prone to develop a pathological fear of medical conditions they are taught about. The aim of this study is to examine the sample of students (medical and non-medical) in order to assess and compare their level of hypochondriacal attitudes and health-related anxiety. We also examined other factors which might have had an influence on hypochondria and nosophobia attitudes among students. Methods: The study was conducted in two groups of students: 313 medical students at the Medical University of Silesia and 293 students at non-medical universities in Katowice, Poland. The study used the medical student syndrome self-explanatory questionnaire constructed for the study, taking into account the specificity of the group and the research problem. The research questionnaire was completed in an online survey by 606 students. Results: The results of the study showed that medical students obtained the same scores on a nosophobic scale as the non-medical students (p = 0.5). The analysis of hypochondriacal behavior showed significantly higher results in the non-medical student group (p = 0.02). In the entire study group, females and participants with mental disorders obtained higher scores in relation to nosophobia. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were more common in the group of medical students. Conclusions: Medical studies are not a risk factor for the occurrence of health anxiety and hypochondrial attitudes. Such factors are female gender and having a mental illness.

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Ethno-cultural disparities in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study on the impact of exposure to the virus and COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma on mental health across ethno-cultural groups in Quebec (Canada)

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2020.146 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Diana Miconi ◽

Zhi Yin Li ◽

Rochelle L. Frounfelker ◽

Tara Santavicca ◽

Jude Mary Cénat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cultural Group ◽

Cultural Groups ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact

Background Although social and structural inequalities associated with COVID-19 have been documented since the start of the pandemic, few studies have explored the association between pandemic-specific risk factors and the mental health of minority populations. Aims We investigated the association of exposure to the virus, COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a culturally diverse sample of adults in Quebec (Canada). Method A total of 3273 residents of the province of Quebec (49% aged 18–39 years, 57% women, 51% belonging to a minority ethno-cultural group) completed an online survey. We used linear and ordinal logistic regression to identify the relationship between COVID-19 experiences and mental health, and the moderating role of ethno-cultural identity. Results Mental health varied significantly based on socioeconomic status and ethno-cultural group, with those with lower incomes and Arab participants reporting higher psychological distress. Exposure to the virus, COVID-19-related discrimination, and stigma were associated with poorer mental health. Associations with mental health varied across ethno-cultural groups, with exposed and discriminated Black participants reporting higher mental distress. Conclusions Findings indicate sociocultural inequalities in mental health related to COVID-19 in the Canadian context. COVID-19-related risk factors, including exposure, discrimination and stigma, jeopardise mental health. This burden is most noteworthy for the Black community. There is an urgent need for public health authorities and health professionals to advocate against the discrimination of racialised minorities, and ensure that mental health services are accessible and culturally sensitive during and in the aftermath of the pandemic.

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Concerns, Perceived Impact, Preparedness in Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic and Health Outcomes among Italian Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health ◽

10.1177/21501327211000245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 215013272110002

Author(s):

Igor Portoghese ◽

Federico Meloni ◽

Maura Galletta ◽

Ilenia Piras ◽

Ernesto D’Aloja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Job Stress ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Impact ◽

Job Role ◽

The Impact

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are among the professionals at serious risk for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health. In this sense, the next public health challenge globally will be to preserving healthy HCWs during this pandemic. Aim: The present study has the aim of investigating the relationship among concerns, perceived impact, preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic and the mental health of Italian physicians. Methods: From March 29th to April 15th 2020, we conducted an online survey using snowball sampling techniques through Limesurvey platform. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple binary logistic regressions. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for perceived job stress were concerns about catching COVID-19 (OR = 3.18 [95% CI = 2.00-5.05] P < .001), perceived impact on job demands (OR = 1.63 [95% CI = 1.05-2.52] P < .05), perceived impact on job role (OR = 2.50 [95% CI = 1.60-3.90] P < .001), and non-working concerns (OR = 1.86 [95% CI = 1.15-3.03] P < .05). With respect to the risk factors for rumination about the pandemic emerged concerns about catching COVID-19 (OR 1.74, [95% CI = 1.12-2.71] P < .05), perceived impact on job role (OR = 1.68 [95% CI = 1.12-2.52] P < .05), and impact on personal life (OR = 2.04 [95% CI = 1.08-3.86] P < .05). Finally, the risk factors for crying at work were perceived impact on job role (OR = 2.47, [95% CI = 1.20-5.09] P < .05), rumination about the pandemic (OR = 3.027 [95% CI = 1.27-7.19] P < .01), watching colleagues crying at work (OR = 3.82 [95% CI = 1.88-7.77] P < .01), and perceived job stress (OR = 3.53 [95% CI = 1.24-10.07] P < .05). Conclusion: In general, our results highlighted that being concerned about being infected/infecting other people, carrying out new and unusual tasks, and witnessing colleagues crying at work were important risk factors for physicians’ well-being. Additional data are necessary to advance understanding of these risk factors in a long-term perspective.

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Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical and Mental Health of 5-12 Years Old Children from Parents’ Perspective: A cross-sectional Study

Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management ◽

10.24083/apjhm.v16i3.981 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 92-102

Author(s):

Isha Tajane ◽

Aamena Golwala ◽

Devanshi Nangia ◽

Isha Chavan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Recovery Period ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychosocial Wellbeing ◽

Crisis Recovery ◽

The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced children to spend increased amounts of time at home resulting in adverse effects on their physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Parents need to be aware about the changes in the mental and physical health of the children. Objectives: To identify the physical and mental health problems the children are facing because of the lockdown and to assess the awareness of such problems amongst the parents. Design: A cross sectional online survey was conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on physical and mental health of the children from parents' perspectives. Setting: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Main Outcome Measure: Parent reported questionnaire. Results and conclusion: There were a significant increase in the number of hours spent on mobile phones, sitting, and sleeping during the lockdown as compared to before the lockdown whereas the number of hours spent on physical activity significantly decreased and also impacted their mental health. By taking part in the survey, the parents of the children became aware of the changes occurring in their child. These findings can guide immediate programmatic and policy efforts to preserve and promote child health during the COVID-19 outbreak and crisis recovery period, and to inform strategies to mitigate potential harm during future pandemics.

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Social conditions and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown among people who do not identify with the man/woman binomial in Spain

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0256261 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0256261

Author(s):

Constanza Jacques-Aviñó ◽

Tomàs López-Jiménez ◽

Laura Medina-Perucha ◽

Jeroen de Bont ◽

Anna Berenguera

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Anxiety ◽

Gender Diversity ◽

Logistic Models ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact

Evidence suggests that non-binary people have poorer mental and physical health outcomes, compared with people who identify within the gender binomial (man/woman). Research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has been conducted worldwide in the last few months. It has however overlooked gender diversity. The aim of our study was to explore social and health-related factors associated with mental health (anxiety and depression) among people who do not identify with the man/woman binomial during COVID-19 lockdown in Spain. A cross-sectional study with online survey, aimed at the population residing in Spain during lockdown, was conducted. Data were collected between the 8th of April until the 28th of May 2020, the time period when lockdown was implemented in Spain. Mental health was measured using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale for anxiety, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression. The survey included the question: Which sex do you identify with? The options “Man”, “Woman”, “Non-binary” and “I do not identify” were given. People who answered one of the last two options were selected for this study. Multivariate regression logistic models were constructed to evaluate the associations between sociodemographic, social and health-related factors, anxiety and depression. Out of the 7125 people who participated in the survey, 72 (1%) identified as non-binary or to not identify with another category. People who do not identify with the man/woman binomial (non-binary/I do not identify) presented high proportions of anxiety (41.7%) and depression (30.6%). Poorer mental health was associated with social-employment variables (e.g., not working before the pandemic) and health-related variables (e.g., poor or regular self-rated health). These findings suggest that social inequities, already experienced by non-binary communities before the pandemic, may deepen due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Risk Factors for Anxiety in Medical Health Workers during Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Medan, Indonesia

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2021.5903 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (T3) ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Anastasia Venny Fransisca Sipayung ◽

Elmeida Effendy ◽

Mustafa Mahmud Amin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Workers ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Medical Health ◽

Almost All ◽

The Impact ◽

Anxiety Subscale

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus outbreak that is infecting many people almost all over the world, including Indonesia. The impact of this pandemic also affects medical health workers who are in charge of treating COVID-19 patients where they are at high risk of being infected. This causes psychological disorders such as anxiety and many factors that can become a risk for anxiety. AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors for anxiety in medical health workers who treat COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in Haji Adam Malik Hospital and its satellites in Medan, North Sumatera, cross-sectional through online survey using hospital anxiety and depression scale, anxiety subscale, from May 2020 to July 2020, 129 participants. RESULTS: Four risk factors have a relationship to the occurrence of anxiety, such as gender, marital status, history of organic diseases, and duration of work caring for COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: By knowing the risk factors that can cause anxiety in medical health workers, it is hoped that both the hospital management and individual medical health workers can pay more attention to and anticipate so that medical health workers can feel more secure in carrying out their duties treating for COVID-19 patients.

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Risk factors and protective factors of mental health during COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown in adult Indian population- A cross-sectional study

10.1101/2020.06.13.20130153 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jayakumar Saikarthik ◽

Ilango Saraswathi ◽

Thirusangu Siva

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Health Status ◽

Online Survey ◽

Indian Population ◽

Health Workers ◽

Female Gender ◽

Mental Health Status ◽

Mild Depression ◽

Cross Sectional

AbstractBackgroundThe novel Corona virus has derailed the entire world and various steps have been taken by the health authorities to tackle this pandemic. Nationwide lockdown has been imposed to control the spread of COVID-19 outbreak in India, which could have psychological impact on the population.AimOur study aims to study the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak & subsequent lockdown on mental health status of adult Indian population along with identifying the high-risk groups.MethodologyAn online survey was conducted during 3rd phase of lockdown gathering details about sociodemographic variables, practice of precautionary measures, awareness and concerns regarding COVID-19 and mental health status of the participants through DASS21 questionnaire from 873 adults.ResultsThe prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress were 18.56%, 25.66%, and 21.99% respectively including higher number of participants with mild depression (15.1%) and stress (14.5%) and moderate anxiety (16.3%). Female gender, age <25 years, unemployment, self-business, employed in private sector, lack of formal education, larger household size, parenthood (>2 kids) were associated with increased likelihood of negative mental health. Confidence in physician’s ability to diagnose COVID-19 infection, decreased self-perceived likelihood of contracting COVID-19, lesser frequency of checking for information on COVID-19 and satisfaction of information received were protective against negative mental health.ConclusionThis landmark study identified the protective and risk factors of mental health during COVID-19 pandemic, to help authorities and mental health workers to strategize and deliver interventional methods to maintain psychosocial wellbeing of the population.

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Health anxiety, coping mechanisms and COVID 19: An Indian community sample at week 1 of lockdown

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0250336 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. e0250336

Author(s):

Evelyn Barron Millar ◽

Divya Singhal ◽

Padmanabhan Vijayaraghavan ◽

Shekhar Seshadri ◽

Eleanor Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Locus Of Control ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Community Sample ◽

Health Anxiety ◽

Coping Mechanisms ◽

Future Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

The Impact

It is critical to gain an understanding of the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic and the associated lockdown restrictions on the psychological, social and behavioural functioning of the general public, in order to inform public health promotion and future health service resource allocation. This cross-sectional study, completed during week 1 of lockdown in India, reports on data from 234 participants using an online survey. Data regarding health anxiety, coping mechanisms and locus of control was collected. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the relationship between locus of control, coping mechanisms, health anxiety and age. Age related differences in both locus of control and coping strategies were found. Younger people experienced more health-related anxiety and were more likely to engage with social media as a coping mechanism. Mindfulness-based strategies may reduce health anxiety by increasing tolerance of uncertainty experienced during the COVID 19 pandemic.

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