scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being of Young People Living in Austria and Turkey: A Multicenter Study

Author(s):  
Türkan Akkaya-Kalayci ◽  
Oswald D. Kothgassner ◽  
Thomas Wenzel ◽  
Andreas Goreis ◽  
Anthony Chen ◽  
...  

Little is known about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and psychological well-being of young people. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychological well-being and changes in the mental-health state of young people living in Austria and Turkey. By using an anonymous online survey, we recruited 1240 people aged 15–25 years from these two countries. We used the “Psychological General Well-being” and a self-created questionnaire to capture individual experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine period. The native Turks indicated higher “anxiety” (ps < 0.010), lower “vitality” (ps < 0.011), and lower “general health” (ps < 0.011) than native Austrians or Austrian migrants and increased “depression” (p = 0.005) and lower “self-control” (p = 0.022), than Austrian migrants. Moreover, 50.9% of native Turks reported a decrease in their mental health status, compared to 31.1% of native Austrians and 23.7% of Austrian migrants. Participants with financial problems (OR = 1.68) and prior mental health problems (i.e., already in treatment by the time of COVID-19, OR = 5.83) reported a higher probability for a worsening in their mental health status. Our results show that the COVID-19 pandemic impaired the psychological well-being and mental health of young people. Especially people in Turkey were most affected, probably due to the stringent policies to fight COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazish Imran ◽  
Imran Ijaz Haider ◽  
Ali Burhan Mustafa ◽  
Irum Aamer ◽  
Zahid Kamal ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Medical students have faced an enormous disruption to their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical student’s psychological well-being in Pakistan. Following ethical approval, an online survey developed in collaboration with World Psychiatric Association (WPA) was distributed among medical students of 5 Medical colleges in the Punjab province of Pakistan between August and September 2020. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale (RASS) were used to assess psychological well-being. Data was analyzed using SPSS 26.0. Results Eleven hundred medical students responded, 756 (69%) being females. More than 2/3rd admitted that their emotional state got worse in relation to appearance of anxiety, insecurity, and sadness, compared to before the outbreak of COVID-19. Prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 48.6% and 48.1%, respectively. Female medical students, pre-clinical students, and those with a previous psychiatric history reported experiencing more anxiety and depression symptoms (P value < 0.001). One in five medical students thought that it would be better if they were dead, and 8% admitted to often think of committing suicide during the past 2 weeks. RASS and subscales (intention, life, and history) scores were higher in females and students with previous psychiatric problems. Conclusion Our findings underscore that the impact of COVID-19 on medical students has been significant; hence, it is crucial for medical colleges to employ strategies to maintain the student’s well-being with safeguards like reassurance, support, and confidential student-centered psychiatric services. The use of virtual platforms (websites, email) to educate and screen students by staff members can create a positive impact. The limitations of this study include cross-sectional design, the possibility of selective participation being web-based survey, response bias, and the possibility of reluctance of students to report mental health problems due to stigma.



2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S55-S63
Author(s):  
Zan Li ◽  
Junming Dai ◽  
Ning Wu ◽  
Junling Gao ◽  
Hua Fu

Abstract Background Migrant workers worldwide commonly are susceptible to mental disorders. Since the 1980s, there has been a large-scale increase in the number of migrant workers in China; this development parallels the acceleration of socio-economic transformation. Studies addressing this population rarely focus on workers’ mental health or psychological well-being, yet it is imperative to understand the mental health status of rural-to-urban migrant workers and study the relationship between migration and mental health. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 3286 participants (response rate 85.4%) was conducted among different work units in Shanghai. All of the variables of this survey were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire, with depression measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale and poor mental health (PMH) measured by the World Health Organization 5-Item Well-Being Index (WHO-5) scale. Pearson’s χ2 test and logistic regression were used to compare migrants with urbanites, and to identify factors related to mental health outcomes. Results Migrant workers (15.3%) had a slightly higher prevalence of depression than non-migrant (12.0%) workers, with notable PMH (26.9%) among participants >45 y of age. In the logistic regression models, those who reported low job satisfaction, unhealthy organizations, poor physical health (self-rated) and long working hours were 2.86 (95% CI 2.14 to 3.84), 1.42 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.91), 1.89 (95% CI 1.41 to 2.55) and 1.48 (95% CI 1.08 to 2.03) times more likely to have depression, respectively. Similarly, workers >45 y of age were 2.92 (95% CI 1.65 to 5.16) and 1.80 (95% CI 1.01 to 3.21) times more likely to have PMH for low job satisfaction and unhealthy organizations, respectively. Conclusions There are numerous potential causes affecting the mental health of Chinese internal migrant workers. Strengthening the construction of healthy organizations and enhancing workers’ job satisfaction may improve the mental health status or psychological well-being of this group.



2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Mani ◽  
Ali Reza Estedlal ◽  
Mahsa Kamali ◽  
Seyede Zahra Ghaemi ◽  
Leila Zarei ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The current corona virus pandemic is acting as a stressor or trauma, which not only threats physical health status, but also threats mental health status and well-being of people. Currently, COVID-19 pandemic is a life-threatening unpredictable condition accompanied with a large number of uncertainties. The present study has mainly aimed to assess mental health and the relevant social factors during this pandemic in Fars province. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on 922 participants in Fars province, Iran, using internet-based data collection technique. All the included participants filled out the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Moreover, demographic variables and some social factors were evaluated by asking some questions. All the participants were ensured of the confidentiality of the collected data, and willingly completed the questionnaire. Results Among the participants, there were 629 women (68.2%) and 293 men (31.2%). The mean age of the participants was 36.98 ± 11.08 years old. Four hundred twenty-five subjects (46.1%) obtained GHQ-28 scores above the cut-off point, and accordingly, they were suspected of having poor mental health statuses. Women, in comparison to men (OR = 2.034, 95%:1.62–3.28), and individuals aged < 50 years old, in comparison to those aged > 50 years old (OR: 4.01 95%:2.15–7.50), have poorer mental health statuses. Trusting on media, health authorities, and cooperation with policy makers, as well as having uncertainty on information about Coronavirus pandemic were also shown to be associated with poor mental health condition (P < 0.05). Conclusion The present study revealed that the number of those people with suspected poor mental health in Fars province significantly increased compared to a previous study using the same questionnaire. Furthermore, the participants who had less trust in media and policymakers were more prone to mental health problems. Therefore, it can be concluded that supporting people in these life-threatening pandemic crises is of great importance, so the policy makers and media must present reliable and valid information to people as soon as possible.



Author(s):  
Zahra Alsairafi ◽  
Abdallah Y. Naser ◽  
Fatemah M. Alsaleh ◽  
Abdelmoneim Awad ◽  
Zahraa Jalal

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health status of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and undergraduate students in the health sciences center (HSCUs). In addition, it explored the factors associated with the increased levels of mental health burden among the study population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using two online-administered questionnaires: the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), which were distributed in parallel to HCPs and HSCUs in Kuwait. These instruments are validated assessment scales to assess mental health status: depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS- version 25. Results: A total of 857 individuals (559 HCPs and 298 HSCUs) participated in this study. The prevalence of moderately severe depression or severe depression (PHQ-9 total score of ≥15) among respondents was 66.6%. The median (interquartile range, IQR) PHQ-9 score was significantly higher among HSCUs (20 {11.5}) compared to HCPs (17 {8}). The prevalence of severe anxiety (GAD-7 total score of ≥15) among respondents was 36.7%. There were no significant differences between the median (IQR) GAD-7 scores among the HCPs (14 {7}) and HSCUs (13 {8}). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that three variables were significantly and independently associated with severe depression among HCPs. The prevalence of severe depression was found to be greater among females compared to males. In addition, it was significantly lower among those who were aged ≥50 years, and those who reported that they were not in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Among HSCUs, females showed greater depression than males. In contrast, those aged >29 years and who had no history of chronic disease showed lower depression compared to their counterparts in the 18–29 years age group and who had a chronic disease history. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on the mental health of HCPs and HSCUs in Kuwait. This highlights the need for proactive efforts to support their mental health and well-being through educational campaigns and psychological support programs.



2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.D. Noordin ◽  
I.B. Idris ◽  
R. Hod ◽  
N.A. Muhammad ◽  
H. Mohd Yusoff ◽  
...  

Introduction: Adolescence is a crucial phase in life, as this is the time when they are developing their identity, while at the same time forming relationships with others, including their family members. This study investigated adolescents’ mental health status in Malaysia and its associated factors including self -esteem and parenting style that are experienced by them. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 248 school-going adolescents aged 13 and 14 years in Selangor, Malaysia. The validated Malay version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was utilized to assess adolescents’ mental health status. In addition, the adolescents’ self-esteem was also assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale Questionnaire while the Parental Bonding Instrument was used to assess their parent’s parenting style. Results: Almost 20% of the adolescents were found to have mental health problems such as emotional and conduct problems, hyperactivity disorder and peer problems. Using multivariate analysis, factors that were associated with mental health problems were family income (AOR=2.788, 95% CI=1.397, 5.563), adolescents’ self-esteem (AOR=0.799, 95% CI=0.668, 0.955) and their perception on parental control (AOR=1.175, 95% CI=1.020, 1.353). Conclusion: This study shows that one fifth of these adolescents had mental health problems. Low socio-economic factors, over controlling parents and poor self-esteem were associated with these problems. In conclusion, it is important to educate parents on effective parenting style, as improper parenting may cause psychological distress among adolescents. Improving families’ socioeconomic status and adolescents’ self-esteem can also enhance their mental health and well-being.



2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Schützwohl ◽  
Eduard Mergel

Objectives: In Germany, as in many other countries, several lockdown restrictions were put in place with the aim of curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This study investigated the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the related lockdown restrictions on opportunities for social participation, social inclusion and psychological well-being for adults with and without mental disorders within a follow-up study based on pre- and post-lockdown assessments. Methods: Study participants (n=132) were assigned to one of three groups, depending on the mental health status at the initial survey. Parameters of interest were assessed using the Measure of Participation and Social Inclusion for Use in People with a Chronic Mental Disorder (F-INK), the Index for the Assessment of Health Impairments (IMET), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18).Results: The impact on opportunities for social participation and social participation considerably differed depending on the participants’ mental health status at the first assessment. Independent of this, we found no detrimental effects on the psychological well-being of participants four weeks after the implementation of lockdown restrictions.Conclusion: Findings imply a general resilience in well-being during the preliminary stages of the coronavirus pandemic. This result adds to the growing number of existing studies which show a heterogeneous pattern overall and especially in international comparison. Further follow-up studies with larger samples should address the divergent effects. Besides, efforts are needed to improve social participation and inclusion opportunities that are severely impaired for individuals with chronic mental disorders regardless of lockdown or physical distancing restrictions.



2020 ◽  
pp. 0044118X2095922
Author(s):  
Xiaochen Zhou ◽  
Jia Li ◽  
Qi Wang

Friendship may be significantly associated with adolescents’ psychological well-being. Among various kinds of friendships, this study investigated two types of intergroup friendships among Chinese adolescents, specifically cross-hukou-location and cross-gender friendship. Fixed-effects modeling with a two-wave national dataset—the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS)—was performed to evaluate the relationship between within-individual changes in cross-hukou-location friendship, cross-gender friendship, and mental health status ( N = 5,297, boys: 50.18%, average age: 12.92 at wave 1). The relationship pattern among different genders was also explored. The results showed that cross-hukou-location friendship is positively associated with male adolescents’ mental health status. The cross-gender relationship is negatively related to mental health in the overall sample and female subsample. The findings not only emphasized the vital role of intergroup contact but also shed light on understanding the role of gender in intergroup friendship-making and the relationship with psychological well-being.



2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xilong Cui ◽  
Yuqiong He ◽  
Jingbo Gong ◽  
Xuerong Luo ◽  
Jianbo Liu

Background: The purpose of the current study was to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbances among Chinese people during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large national survey, analyze the relationship between sleep disturbances and mental health status, and explore the influencing factors of the relationship between sleep disturbances and mental health status.Methods: An online survey was accessed by 19,740 people throughout China from February 14 to 21, 2020. The survey included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) to measure psychological distress and two questions about sleep disturbances. Logistic regression analyses and moderation analysis were performed.Results: (1) Among the 14,505 respondents included in analyses, 3,783 (26.08%) reported sleep disturbances at least 3 days during the past week. (2) Sleep disturbances increased the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress (p &lt; 0.05). (3) Gender, age, education, occupation, frequency of attending to epidemic information, nervousness about supplies, receiving provisions of living necessities from the service department during the outbreak, number of correct responses to questions about the epidemic, and isolation/quarantine affected the risk of mental health problems among participants experiencing sleep disturbances (p &lt; 0.05). (4) A moderation analysis found that sleep problems were more likely to affect depression, anxiety, and stress scores in men than women during the COVID-19 outbreak.Conclusion: During the COVID-19 outbreak, 26.08% people surveyed experienced sleep disturbances, and the presence of sleep disturbances was positively related to depression, anxiety, and stress, especially among front-line anti-epidemic workers, younger people, people living in isolation/quarantine, people with a college or greater education, and males.



2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (E) ◽  
pp. 1553-1559
Author(s):  
I. D. Al-Hasani ◽  
H. S. Salih ◽  
A. T. Abdul Wahid ◽  
Mohammed Jabarah

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are reflected and linked to human behavior in many aspects. Medical students are susceptible to a wide variety of events that compromise their mental well-being, social life as well as their academic achievements. AIM: This study aimed to find the impact of social support on medical students’ behavior in Iraq via assessing their depression, anxiety, and stress status. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey-based study targeted all medical students in Iraq. The employed questionnaires covered mental health status of participants by evaluating their perceptions of depression, anxiety, and stress using. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System. RESULTS: The study revealed a significant influence of social support on students’ perceptions of depression and anxiety, but not of their perception of stress. CONCLUSION: Lending social support to medical student is crucial to improve their depression and anxiety with all the positive results that the support brings to their behavior and social life. However, they need more than the social support to keep them safe from academic and daily life stressors.



2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 724-728
Author(s):  
Suraiya Khanam Ansari ◽  
Prashant Tripathi

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely hit India and its economy recently and is associated with the increasing uncertainty among the mental health status of health care workers. When the World Health Organization focus has mostly on testing and finding a vaccine, healthcare workers are passing with a myriad of mental health problems. The present study decided to conduct an online survey for assessing health status. Aims and Objective: To assess the health of healthcare workers engaged in SARS-CoV-2 duties. Methods: From 4th July 2020 to 4th October 2020 an online Google Form, a survey was conducted among healthcare workers. The survey collected data on socio-demographic and health variables especially during COVID-19 duties in the form of questionnaires. Results: There were a total of 196 responses from different provinces of India collected. The mean age of the respondents was around 41 years with 62.3% males and 37.7% females. The study showed that most HCWs showed a change in the sleeping habit. Conclusions: The present study concluded that there is a need for holistic interventions among health care workers and more systematic and longitudinal evaluations of mental health status further needed. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Health; Health care workers; COVID-19; Mental Health; Stress.



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