scholarly journals To Work or Not to Work, That Is the Question: The Psychological Impact of the First COVID-19 Lockdown on the Elderly, Healthcare Workers, and Virtual Workers

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1754
Author(s):  
Silvia Andreassi ◽  
Silvia Monaco ◽  
Sergio Salvatore ◽  
Gaetano Maria Sciabica ◽  
Giulio De Felice ◽  
...  

The spread of COVID-19 created a state of emergency all over the world and played a big role in the decline of the mental health of citizens. The context of the workplace became an important variable in the impact of the lockdown on individuals. In this study, we deepened the categories of healthcare workers (HWs), virtual workers (VWs), and the elderly, along with their emotional approach to this emergency. A sample of 257 participants (ElderlyN = 62; HWsN = 104; VWsN = 91) completed: a semi-structured interview on their experience during lockdown via telephone; an online survey with a sociodemographic questionnaire; the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS); and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Linguistic measures of the Referential Process were utilized to code the interviews. An independent ANOVA explored the variability among groups. The results show more affective language in the Elderly (M = 0.0310, SD = 0.0070) and a growth in spirituality (M = 4.16, SD = 3.17). HWs displayed a higher PTGI (M = 56.84, SD = 20.29), while VWs displayed a lower PTGI (M = 50.02, SD = 21.05). Moreover, VWs presented higher scores in Impulse on the DERS (M = 11.67, SD = 5.05) and a more cognitive/abstract narration (Reflection IREF M = 0.0260, SD = 0.0071; Reorganization IWRRL M = 0.5419, SD = 0.0032; Referential Activity IWRAD M = 0.4978, SD = 0.0029). This study aims to take the work context into consideration to create focused interventions.

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 0-0

Introduction: Healthcare workers face incomparable work and psychological demands that are amplified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers in Jordan. Method: A cross-sectional design was used. Data was collected using an online survey during the outbreak of COVID-19. Results: Overall, of the 312 healthcare workers, almost 38% and 36% presented with moderate to severe anxiety and depression consecutively. Nurses reported more severe symptoms than other healthcare workers. And both anxiety and depression were negatively correlated with well-being. Getting infected was not an immediate worry among healthcare workers; however, they were worried about carrying the virus to their families. Implications for Practice: Stakeholders must understand the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers and plan to provide them with the required psychological support and interventions at an early stage.


Author(s):  
Chris Bullen ◽  
Jessica McCormack ◽  
Amanda Calder ◽  
Varsha Parag ◽  
Kannan Subramaniam ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare worldwide. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where people may have limited access to affordable quality care, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to have a particularly adverse impact on the health and healthcare of individuals with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). A World Health Organization survey found that disruption of delivery of healthcare for NCDs was more significant in LMICs than in high-income countries. However, the study did not elicit insights into the day-to-day impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare by front-line healthcare workers (FLHCWs). Aim: To gain insights directly from FLHCWs working in countries with a high NCD burden, and thereby identify opportunities to improve the provision of healthcare during the current pandemic and in future healthcare emergencies. Methods: We recruited selected frontline healthcare workers (general practitioners, pharmacists, and other medical specialists) from nine countries to complete an online survey (n = 1347). Survey questions focused on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on clinical practice and NCDs; barriers to clinical care during the pandemic; and innovative responses to the many challenges presented by the pandemic. Findings: The majority of FLHCWs responding to our survey reported that their care of patients had been impacted both adversely and positively by the public health measures imposed. Most FLHCs (95%) reported a deterioration in the mental health of their patients. Conclusions: Continuity of care for NCDs as part of pandemic preparedness is needed so that chronic conditions are not exacerbated by public health measures and the direct impacts of the pandemic.


Author(s):  
Mariagrazia Di Giuseppe ◽  
Gianni Nepa ◽  
Tracy A. Prout ◽  
Fabrizio Albertini ◽  
Stefano Marcelli ◽  
...  

The experience of working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 healthcare crisis has presented a cumulative traumatic experience that affects healthcare professionals’ well-being. Psychological resources such as resilience and adaptive defense mechanisms are essential in protecting individuals from severe stress and burnout. During September 2020, 233 healthcare workers responded to an online survey to test the impact of demographic variables, COVID-19 exposure, and psychological resources in determining stress and burnout during the COVID-19 emergency. Frontline workers reported higher scores for stress, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization (p < 0.001) as compared to colleagues working in units not directly serving patients with COVID-19. Mature defensive functioning was associated with resilience and personal accomplishment (r = 0.320; p < 0.001), while neurotic and immature defenses were related to perceived stress and burnout. Stress and burnout were predicted by lower age, female gender, greater exposure to COVID-19, lower resilience, and immature defensive functioning among healthcare professionals (R2 = 463; p < 0.001). Working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to provoke greater stress and burnout. On the other hand, resilience and adaptive defense mechanisms predicted better adjustment. Future reaction plans should promote effective programs offering support for healthcare workers who provide direct care to patients with COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Petrocchi ◽  
Annalisa Levante ◽  
Federica Bianco ◽  
Ilaria Castelli ◽  
Flavia Lecciso

The present study focused on the psychological impact that the lockdown due to coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) had on families in Italy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Italian government imposed a strict lockdown for all citizens. People were forced to stay at home, and the length of the lockdown was uncertain. Previous studies analyzed the impact of social distance measures on individuals' mental health, whereas few studies have examined the interplay between the adults' functioning, as parents, during this period and the association with the child's adjustment. The present study tested if maternal distress/coping predicts children's behaviors during the COVID-19 lockdown, hypothesizing a mediation effect via children's emotional experience. Participants were 144 mothers (Mage = 39.3, 25–52, SD = 5.6) with children aged 5–10 years (Mage = 7.54, SD = 1.6, 82 boys); mothers answered to an online survey. Results indicated that mothers with higher exposure to COVID-19 showed higher levels of distress and higher display of coping attitudes, even if in the structural equation modeling model, the COVID-19 exposure was not a predictor of mothers' distress. Compared with mothers with good coping skills, mothers with higher stress levels were more likely to attribute negative emotions to their children at the expense of their positive emotions. Moreover, children's emotions acted as mediators between maternal distress/coping and children's adaptive/maladaptive behaviors. In conclusion, it is important to support parents during pandemic emergence, by providing them with adequate information to manage the relationship with their children, to reduce their level of distress and to enhance their coping abilities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Alice De Freitas ◽  
Angela Maria Alvarez

Objetivo: compreender, dentro das melhores práticas, as experiências de busca por conhecimento e utilização da experiência profissional dos enfermeiros no cuidado da pessoa idosa na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório, com 30 enfermeiros atuantes nas Estratégias Saúde da Família. Utilizou-se um instrumento de entrevista semiestruturado. Analisaram-se os dados pela técnica de Análise de Conteúdo na modalidade Análise Temática. Resultados: revelaram-se a busca por conhecimento com outros profissionais e o acesso à rede de internet como fontes de conhecimento. Evidenciou-se a necessidade do estabelecimento de uma rotina de estudos sistematizada e agenda de educação permanente sob a temática do envelhecimento. Conclusão: conclui-se que o estudo confirma que os enfermeiros realizam ações que carecem de notoriedade e que estão preocupados com o impacto de suas ações para o usuário idoso, mas, para que as melhores práticas sejam completamente estabelecidas,  se faz necessária a imersão científica e metodológica dos profissionais e da gestão, além da busca por conhecimento e valorização da experiência, que já coexistem. Descritores: Idoso; Enfermagem; Conhecimento, Atenção Primária à Saúde; Saúde da Pessoa Idosa; Dinâmica Populacional.AbstractObjective: to understand, within the best practices, the experiences of searching for knowledge and using nurses' professional experience in the care of the elderly in Primary Health Care. Method: this is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, with 30 nurses working in the Family Health Strategies. A semi-structured interview instrument was used. Data was analyzed using the Content Analysis technique in the Thematic Analysis modality. Results: the search for knowledge with other professionals and access to the internet network as sources of knowledge were revealed. The need to establish a systematic study routine and a permanent education agenda under the theme of aging became evident. Conclusion: it is concluded that the study confirms that nurses perform actions that lack notoriety and that they are concerned with the impact of their actions for the elderly user, but, for the best practices to be completely established, scientific immersion is necessary and methodological approach of professionals and management, in addition to the search for knowledge and appreciation of experience, which already coexist. Descriptors: Elderly; Nursing; Knowledge; Primary Health Care; Elderly health; Population Dynamics.ResumenObjetivo: comprender, dentro de las mejores prácticas, las experiencias de búsqueda de conocimiento y el uso de la experiencia profesional de los enfermeros en el cuidado de ancianos en Atención Primaria de Salud. Método: estudio cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio con 30 enfermeros activos en las Estrategias de Salud Familiar. Se utilizó un instrumento de entrevista semiestructurada. Los datos se analizaron utilizando la técnica de Análisis de Contenido en la modalidad de Análisis Temático. Resultados: se reveló la búsqueda de conocimiento con otros profesionales y el acceso a la red de Internet como fuentes de conocimiento. La necesidad de establecer una rutina de estudio sistemática y una agenda de educación permanente bajo el tema del envejecimiento se hizo evidente. Conclusión: se concluye que el estudio confirma que los enfermeros realizan acciones que carecen de notoriedad y que están preocupados por el impacto de sus acciones para el usuario mayor, pero, para que las mejores prácticas se establezcan por completo, es necesaria la inmersión científica y enfoque metodológico de profesionales y directivos, además de la búsqueda de conocimiento y valoración de la experiencia, que ya coexisten. Descriptores: Anciano; Enfermería; Conocimiento; Atencíon Primária de la Salud; Saúde do Idoso; Dinámica Poblacional.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saima Majeed ◽  
Elizabeth Maria Schwaiger ◽  
Abia Nazim ◽  
Ivan Suneel Samuel

Background: In the wake of the worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus and the resultant restrictive measures, mental health has become a crucial issue. Physical health is not the only aspect of humans that is at risk. Globally, the rates and severity of mental illness are being significantly impacted by this pandemic. Two scales have been validated to measure the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the levels of anxiety and obsessional thinking in clinical and non-clinical populations. The present study was designed to investigate the levels of anxiety and obsessions related to COVID-19 in the general public of Lahore, Pakistan.Materials and Methods: Data were collected via snowball sampling from May 9 to May 19. An online survey consisting of a demographic profile and two scales, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), was sent through email, WhatsApp, and Facebook groups to adults (18 years and above) of Lahore, Pakistan.Results: A total of 240 individuals (20% men and 80% women) recorded their responses. The majority belonged to a nuclear family system (60%), and their education level ranged from high school to Ph.D. The cut-off score for probable dysfunctional coronavirus anxiety and obsession levels was not met within this sample (CAS, M = 3.24, SD = 4.21; OCS, M = 4.14, SD = 3.15), suggesting that the general population of Lahore, Pakistan is not suffering from dysfunctional anxiety or obsessions related to COVID-19. Forty-seven participants' score on OCS and 35 participants' scores on CAS were above the cut-off, i.e., ≥7 and ≥9, respectively. The results of the correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship (**p &lt; 0.619) between anxiety and obsessions related to COVID-19.Conclusion: One important, yet surprising, conclusion of this study is that the average adult in Lahore does not show much anxiety or obsessions related to COVID-19. Other studies around the world using these measurement tools have indicated significantly high levels of both anxiety and obsessions related to COVID-19. These findings may demonstrate the resilience of Pakistanis or perhaps the lack of understanding of the seriousness of the situation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 3032-3035
Author(s):  
Rihmaningtyas ◽  
Elida Ulfiana ◽  
Sylvia Dwi Wahyuni

Elderly with frailty syndrome experience a disturbance on physical condition, psychology, social, and financial of the family caregivers. This is due to the long-term care. The nurture will be hampered if the burden is not well handled. This study aims to determine the effect of psychoeducation on families who provide care to the elderly with frailty syndrome. Useable design is a non-experimental one group pre post-test. The number of samples is 15 respondents who provide care to family members who have frailty syndrome. Psychoeducation is given five sessions in three meetings. Lastly, one extra meeting for re-measuring the caregiver burden after intervention. The results of pre-test level of caregiver burden before intervention was 20% severe and 80% moderate. After the intervention, the results changed into the 53.3% average and 46.7% mild. Statistical analysis showed p = 0.001 (significance p < 0.05) on the impact of caregiver burden and psychological impact as much as 53%, physical 27%, social 12% and economic 8%. Psychoeducation affects the level of caregiver burden on caregivers who nurture the elderly with frailty syndrome. The impact of caregiver burden is mostly on the psychological aspects.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Delle Donne ◽  
Nicoletta Ciccarelli ◽  
Valentina Massaroni ◽  
Francesca Lombardi ◽  
Silvia Lamonica ◽  
...  

Abstract Our aim was to explore the psychological impact of the initial 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH), a population at increased risk of psychological distress. PLWH, treated at our unit, responded an online survey. Data on demographics, clinical and physical symptoms, contact history, as well as knowledge, concerns, precautionary measures and additional information required with respect to COVID-19 during the first phase of the pandemic in Italy were collected. Additionally, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) (identifying COVID-19 pandemic as specific traumatic life event) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were also administered. Out of 98 participants, 44 (45%) revealed from mild to severe psychological impact distress from COVID-19 according to IES-R. According to DASS-21, a lower percentage of significant levels of depression (14%), anxiety (11%) or stress (6%) were reported. Higher education, unemployment, number of perceived physical COVID-19 symptoms, concerns contracting COVID-19 and the situation regarding the pandemic in Italy, and the need of additional information to prevent COVID-19 infection were positively associated to psychological distress. Moreover, female gender, older age, recent HIV diagnosis and unawareness of own viremia were associated to a higher psychological distress. Almost half of our cohort experienced significant levels of distress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Women, elderly patients and those with recent HIV diagnosis resulted to be the more psychological fragile subgroup. Our findings could help to identify patients in need of psychological interventions to improve wellbeing of PLWH.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musheer A. Aljaberi ◽  
Naser A. Alareqe ◽  
Mousa A. Qasem ◽  
Abdulsamad Alsalahi ◽  
Sarah Noman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Due to the limited research examining the psychological impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), our study aims to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological outcomes and assess the differences between participants with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the psychological outcomes as latent factors and items. Methods: An online survey was conducted on 999 participants. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) assessed the psychological impact, while outcomes were measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). A series of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), structural equation model (SEM), Multiple Indicators and Multiple Causes (MIMIC), and Differential Item Functioning (DIF) were conducted. Results: The IES-R has significant effects on the psychological outcomes. Participants with PTSD have a higher impact on latent factors (depression, anxiety, and insomnia) than those without PTSD. Among participants, 36.5% experienced moderate to severe symptoms of depression, and 32.6% had mild depressive symptoms. For anxiety, 23.7% of respondents experienced moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, and 33.1% had mild symptoms of anxiety. For the ISI, 51.5% of participants experienced symptoms of insomnia. Conclusion: the IES-R for COVID-19 has a significant impact on depression, anxiety, and insomnia at the level of latent constructs and observed variables.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253295
Author(s):  
Khaled Seetan ◽  
Mohammad Al-Zubi ◽  
Yousef Rubbai ◽  
Mohammad Athamneh ◽  
Almu’atasim Khamees ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has spread throughout the world and has resulted in significant morbidity, mortality, and negative psychological impact. This prospective cross-sectional study is exploring the effect of the pandemic on mental health of medical students. The study was conducted at six Jordanian medical schools using an online survey to collect students’ socio-demographic and academic data. Assessment of mental wellbeing status was done using Kessler’s psychological stress scale (K10); the impact of COVID-19 on life activities and strategies followed to manage the situation were also examined. A total of 553 medical students were recruited for the study. Men constituted 40.1%, and women were 59.9%. Students reported that COVID-19 has affected the aspects of physical fitness (73.1%), study (68.4%), and social relationships (65.6%) the most. Sixty-six percent of the students were concerned about family members’ affection, and more than half (58.4%) explained their concerns about the inability to get clinical sessions and labs. Cooking, baking, and hobby practicing were the most popular methods to improve their mental wellbeing. About half of the participants had a severe mental disorder, and only 13.2% were likely to be well. The study indicates that half of our medical students suffer severe mental disorders, with physical fitness, exercise, and studying being among the most affected aspects during the COVID 19 pandemic. It is recommended that measures need be taken to alleviate students’ stress, which might have deleterious effects in many aspects.


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