scholarly journals Risk and Protective Factors for the Mental Wellbeing of Deployed Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky Poh Hoay Khoo ◽  
Rachel Sing-Kiat Ting ◽  
Xinli Wang ◽  
Yuanshan Luo ◽  
Janet Seeley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factors ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Risk Environment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Multidisciplinary Study

Background: Though many literatures documented burnout and occupational hazard among healthcare workers and frontliners during pandemic, not many adopted a systemic approach to look at the resilience among this population. Another under-studied population was the large numbers of global healthcare workers who have been deployed to tackle the crisis of COVID-19 pandemic in the less resourceful regions. We investigated both the mental wellbeing risk and protective factors of a deployed healthcare workers (DHWs) team in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak during 2020.Method: A consensual qualitative research approach was adopted with 25 DHWs from H province through semi-structured interviews after 3 months of deployment period.Results: Inductive-Deductive thematic coding with self-reflexivity revealed multi-layered risk and protective factors for DHWs at the COVID-19 frontline. Intensive working schedule and high-risk environment, compounded by unfamiliar work setting and colleagues; local culture adaptation; isolation from usual social circle, strained the DHWs. Meanwhile, reciprocal relationships and “familial relatedness” with patients and colleagues; organizational support to the DHWs and their immediate families back home, formed crucial wellbeing resources in sustaining the DHWs. The dynamic and dialectical relationships between risk and protective factors embedded in multiple layers of relational contexts could be mapped into a socio-ecological framework.Conclusion: Our multidisciplinary study highlights the unique social connectedness between patient-DHWs; within DHWs team; between deploying hospital and DHWs; and between DHWs and the local partners. We recommend five organizational strategies as mental health promotion and capacity building for DHWs to build a resilient network and prevent burnout at the disaster frontline.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of UK healthcare workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Gilleen ◽  
Aida Santaolalla ◽  
Lorena Valdearenas ◽  
Clara Salice ◽  
Montserrat Fusté
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Controllable Factors ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundThere is an urgent need to understand the psychological impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on UK healthcare workers (HCW).AimsTo reveal risk and protective factors associated with poor mental wellbeing of HCW working during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.Method2773 UK HCWs completed a survey between 22ndApril and 10th May 2020 containing scales measuring anxiety, depression, PTSD, and stress, and questions about roles and COVID-19-related factors including workplace preparation and risk management. Respondents were classified as high or low symptomatic on each mental health scale and logistic regression revealed risk and protective factors associated with each outcome. Change in wellbeing from pre to during COVID-19 was also quantified.ResultsA large proportion of UK HCW had high mental health symptoms. ‘Fixed’ risk factors of poor mental health included being female, being ‘frontline’, pre-existing mental health diagnoses, and experience of stressful/traumatic events. An additional set of ‘controllable’ factors also significantly increased risk: PPE availability, workload, lack of COVID-19 preparation and training, and insufficient communication of clinical procedures. Resilience and sharing stress reduced risk, as did ethical support for those making treatment decisions. Allied HCW and managers were at elevated risk of high symptoms particularly PTSD. Wellbeing, especially of frontline workers, had significantly worsened compared to before COVID-19.ConclusionsPoor mental wellbeing was prevalent in HCW during the UK COVID-19 response. A number of controllable factors should be targeted, and protective factors promoted, to reduce the detrimental effect of COVID-19 and other pandemics on HCW mental health.

Longitudinal courses of suicidal ideation in U.S. military veterans: a 7-year population-based, prospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Sarah Herzog ◽  
Jack Tsai ◽  
Brandon Nichter ◽  
Lorig Kachadourian ◽  
Ilan Harpaz-Rotem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Baseline Risk ◽  
Relative Risk Ratio ◽  
National Probability Sample ◽  
New Onset

Abstract Background Varied longitudinal courses of suicidal ideation (SI) may be linked to unique sets of risk and protective factors. Method A national probability sample of 2291 U.S. veterans was followed over four assessments spanning 7 years to examine how a broad range of baseline risk and protective factors predict varying courses of SI. Results Most veterans (82.6%) denied SI at baseline and all follow-ups, while 8.7% had new onset SI, 5.4% chronic SI, and 3.3% remitted SI. Compared to the no-SI group, chronic SI was associated with childhood trauma, baseline major depressive and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (MDD/PTSD), physical health difficulties, and recent traumatic stressors. Remitted veterans had the highest risk of a prior suicide attempt (SA) compared to no-SI [relative risk ratio (RRR) = 3.31] and chronic SI groups (RRR = 4.65); and high rates of MDD/PTSD (RRR = 7.62). New onset SI was associated with recent stressors and physical health difficulties. All symptomatic SI groups reported decrements in protective factors, specifically, social connectedness, trait curiosity/exploration, and purpose in life. Conclusion Nearly one-in-five veterans reported SI over a 7-year period, most of whom evidenced new onset or remitted SI courses. Chronic and remitted SI may represent particularly high-risk SI courses; the former was associated with higher rates of prospective SA, and psychiatric and physical distress, and the latter with increased likelihood of prior SA, and isolation from social and mental health supports. Physical disability, MDD/PTSD, and recent stressors may be important precipitating or maintaining factors of SI, while social connectedness may be a key target for suicide prevention efforts.

The Emotional experiences of children living in orphanages in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selina Boadu ◽  
Annabella Osei-Tutu ◽  
Joseph Osafo
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factors ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Psychological Risk ◽  
Hiv Aids

Purpose This study aims to explore the emotional experiences of children in selected orphanages. Design/methodology/approach The study was executed in three orphanages in Accra, Tema and Aburi through the use of semi-structured interviews and observations. Findings In total, 15 respondents reported some emotional experiences such as loneliness, entrapment, deprivation, rejection and helplessness. Originality/value The number of children living in orphanages has increased in recent times. Previous studies have examined psychological risk and protective factors among children orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS and also compared orphan children to non-orphans. Notwithstanding this, little is known about the emotional experiences of children living in orphanages in Ghana.

scholarly journals Mental burden and its risk and protective factors during the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: systematic review and meta-analyses

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M. Kunzler ◽  
Nikolaus Röthke ◽  
Lukas Günthner ◽  
Jutta Stoffers-Winterling ◽  
Oliver Tüscher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
General Population ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Comparative Data ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Background Mental burden due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been widely reported for the general public and specific risk groups like healthcare workers and different patient populations. We aimed to assess its impact on mental health during the early phase by comparing pandemic with prepandemic data and to identify potential risk and protective factors. Methods For this systematic review and meta-analyses, we systematically searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from January 1, 2019 to May 29, 2020, and screened reference lists of included studies. In addition, we searched PubMed and PsycINFO for prepandemic comparative data. Survey studies assessing mental burden by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the general population, healthcare workers, or any patients (eg, COVID-19 patients), with a broad range of eligible mental health outcomes, and matching studies evaluating prepandemic comparative data in the same population (if available) were included. We used multilevel meta-analyses for main, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses, focusing on (perceived) stress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and sleep-related symptoms as primary outcomes. Results Of 2429 records retrieved, 104 were included in the review (n = 208,261 participants), 43 in the meta-analysis (n = 71,613 participants). While symptoms of anxiety (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.40; 95% CI 0.15–0.65) and depression (SMD 0.67; 95% CI 0.07–1.27) were increased in the general population during the early phase of the pandemic compared with prepandemic conditions, mental burden was not increased in patients as well as healthcare workers, irrespective of COVID-19 patient contact. Specific outcome measures (eg, Patient Health Questionnaire) and older comparative data (published ≥5 years ago) were associated with increased mental burden. Across the three population groups, existing mental disorders, female sex, and concerns about getting infected were repeatedly reported as risk factors, while older age, a good economic situation, and education were protective. Conclusions This meta-analysis paints a more differentiated picture of the mental health consequences in pandemic situations than previous reviews. High-quality, representative surveys, high granular longitudinal studies, and more research on protective factors are required to better understand the psychological impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to help design effective preventive measures and interventions that are tailored to the needs of specific population groups.

scholarly journals A Relational Model for Stress: A Systematic Review of the Risk and Protective Factors for Stress-Related Diseases in Firefighters

Psych ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-84
Author(s):  
Joana Proença Becker ◽  
Rui Paixão ◽  
Manuel João Quartilho
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Relational Model ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Training Experience

Firefighters are considered a high-risk group for the development of PTSD and other stress-related diseases. More than the exposure to potentially traumatic events, personal and occupational characteristics have been pointed out as interfering in the perception of stress, which may lead to the emergence of mental and physical symptoms. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the main factors that contribute to stress-related diseases in firefighters. A systematic review was conducted in order to identify original articles focusing on risk and protective factors for stress in this population. Personality traits, training, experience in extreme situations and social and organizational support influence the perception of stress and, consequently, the choice of coping strategies, which may protect against or potentiate the stress reactions. The findings of this study allow us to draw a relational model that represents the dynamics among the factors related to stress in firefighters. The development of PTSD and other stress-related diseases depends on a host of pre-trauma and post-trauma factors and, although training is an important protective factor, being prepared to face extreme situations does not mean being immune to traumatic stress.

scholarly journals Protective Factors That Foster Resilience to HIV/AIDS: Insights and Lived Experiences of Older Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8548
Author(s):  
Renato M. Liboro ◽  
Tammy C. Yates ◽  
Sherry Bell ◽  
Brandon Ranuschio ◽  
George Da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Committee Member ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) have been disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS health disparities. Research showed that resilience to HIV/AIDS is associated with increased use of relevant health services, lower sexual health risks, and improved mental health outcomes among racially and ethnically diverse gbMSM. As the subpopulation that has historically been impacted by HIV/AIDS the longest, older gbMSM living with HIV/AIDS have inarguably exhibited resilience to HIV/AIDS the most. The qualitative study described in this paper sought to identify and examine protective factors that fostered resilience to HIV/AIDS based on the insights and lived experiences of racially and ethnically diverse, older gbMSM. Applying a community-based participatory research approach that included the meaningful involvement of older gbMSM living with HIV/AIDS in different roles (i.e., advisory committee member, collaborator, peer researcher, and participant), the study recruited and included forty-one older gbMSM living with HIV/AIDS from Ontario, Canada, in confidential, semi-structured interviews. Utilizing thematic analysis, we identified three major themes from the participant interviews as factors that fostered the resilience of older gbMSM to HIV/AIDS and helped to address HIV/AIDS health disparities: (1) established protective factors, (2) behavioral protective factors, and (3) controversial protective factors. This paper argues for the importance of valuing and capitalizing on these protective factors in the conceptualization and development of interventions, services, and programs that are dedicated to fostering resilience to HIV/AIDS.

Risk and Protective Factors for Medically Serious Suicide Attempts: A Comparison of Hospital-Based with Population-Based Samples of Young Adults

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Donald ◽  
Jo Dower ◽  
Ignacio Correa-Velez ◽  
Mark Jones
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Previous Diagnosis

Objective: To investigate risk and protective factors for medically serious suicide attempts among young Australian adults. Method: The study used a case–control design. A clinical sample of 18–24 year olds was recruited via the emergency department of a large public hospital following a suicide attempt (n=95) and was compared to a sample of 18–24 year olds who participated in a population-based survey (n=380). Results: Risk factors for medically serious suicide attempts included early school leaving, parental divorce (males only), distress due to problems with parents (females only), distress due to problems with friends, distress due to the break-up of a romantic relationship, tobacco use, high alcohol use, current depressive symptomatology and a previous diagnosis of depression. Protective factors included social connectedness, problem-solving confidence and locus of control. There was a trend for social connectedness to be more protective among those with high rather than low levels of depressive symptomatology, and among smokers rather than non-smokers. Conclusions: Results are discussed in terms of designing evidence-based suicide prevention activities for young adults.

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