scholarly journals Coping Mechanisms: Exploring Strategies Utilized by Japanese Healthcare Workers to Reduce Stress and Improve Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Tahara ◽  
Yuki Mashizume ◽  
Kayoko Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Coping Strategy ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major problem affecting the mental health of millions of people, including healthcare workers. In this study, we analyzed risk factors and coping mechanisms that could reduce the risk of poor mental health among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted for 7 days from 30 April 2020 using a web-based questionnaire. The survey assessed various outcome measures, including the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), health status, satisfaction with daily life activities, work, leisure, and new activities, and anxiety over COVID-19. Data from 661 participants were analyzed, and 440 participants (66.6%) showed poor mental health (GHQ-12 ≥ 4). Also, our result showed that female gender, lower levels of communication with friends, and high anxiety were associated with poorer mental health. In contrast, good health status, high work satisfaction, and high satisfaction from new activities were associated with buffering mental health problem. Most participants chose an escape-avoidance coping strategy, and participants with worse mental health were more likely to adopt seeking social support as a coping strategy. These results may support healthcare workers to cope with mental health problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Effects of Lifestyle Changes on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers with Different Sense of Coherence Levels in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2801
Author(s):  
Kento Tanaka ◽  
Masatoshi Tahara ◽  
Yuki Mashizume ◽  
Kayoko Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Stressful Environment

Sense of coherence (SOC) is a psychological factor that contributes to mental health maintenance under stressful environment. Likewise, level of SOC might affect mental health among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic differently. In this study, we investigated the relationships between lifestyle changes and mental health (General Health Questionnaire-12: GHQ-12) among different level of SOC (weak, moderate, or strong by SOC-13). The data of 898 healthcare workers from cross-sectional survey dataset were extracted and analyzed. As results, based on GHQ-12 score, 86.1% of 244 participants with weak SOC, 60.1% of 606 participants with moderate SOC, and 31.3% of 48 participants with strong SOC had poor mental health. Both SOC levels and lifestyle changes (except alcohol consumption) had significant main effects on the GHQ-12 score. Analysis on the association between lifestyle changes and mental health status stratified by SOC level reveled that among participants with weak SOC, those who increased their leisure and activity time had reduced odds of poor mental health than those who made no changes (OR: 0.08, CI: 0.01 to 0.64). Healthcare workers with weak SOC were at risk of poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and lifestyle changes may improve their mental health.

scholarly journals Parental mental health during COVID-19 pandemic in Tamil Nadu: a cross sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 6047
Author(s):  
Hari Krishnan R. ◽  
Hanitha Rajasekar ◽  
Suganthi S.
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Parental Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: The whole world became still, when a major pandemic COVID-19 started its toll across all developed and developing countries. It has caused both physical and emotional disturbances among all age groups. This study was done to evaluate the parental mental health in COVID-19 as this group is not given much importance. The major mental health problems associated with COVID-19 among parents are due to online classes which has caused depression, anxiety and stress.Methods: A cross-sectional study done among all parents, especially those of whose children are attending online class were included in the study. Convenient sampling was used to select 204 participants, GHQ 12 questionnaire was used for data collection on mental health status among parents.Results: Overall prevalence of parents with better mental health <19 was 108 (52.9%) and prevalence of parents with poor mental health >19 was 96 (47.1%).Conclusions: This study concluded that parental age of 31 to 40 years who are employed and have children studying in primary school to have a poor mental health status. The most important contributing factors for poor parental health were online classes for children and work place stress.

scholarly journals Psychological impact of COVID-19 in the Swedish population: Depression, anxiety, and insomnia and their associations to risk and vulnerability factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance M. McCracken ◽  
Farzaneh Badinlou ◽  
Monica Buhrman ◽  
Karin C. Brocki
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Vulnerability Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Swedish Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Abstract Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, with its associated restrictions on daily life, is like a perfect storm for poor mental health and wellbeing. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the impacts of COVID-19 on mental health and wellbeing during the ongoing pandemic in Sweden. Method: Standardized measures of depression, anxiety, and insomnia as well as measures of risk and vulnerability factors known to be associated with poor mental health outcomes were administered through a national, online, cross-sectional survey (n = 1,212; mean age 36.1 years; 73% women). Result: Our findings show significant levels of depression, anxiety, and insomnia in Sweden, at rates of 30%, 24.2%, and 38%, respectively. The strongest predictors of these outcomes included poor self-rated overall health and a history of mental health problems. The presence of COVID-19 symptoms and specific health and financial worries related to the pandemic also appeared important. Conclusions: The impacts of COVID-19 on mental health in Sweden are comparable to impacts shown in previous studies in Italy and China. Importantly, the pandemic seems to impose most on the mental health of those already burdened with the impacts of mental health problems. These results provide a basis for providing more support for vulnerable groups, and for developing psychological interventions suited to the ongoing pandemic and for similar events in the future.

scholarly journals Mental Health Crisis and Stress Coping among Healthcare College Students Momentarily Displaced from Their Campus Community Because of COVID-19 Restrictions in Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7245
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Tahara ◽  
Yuki Mashizume ◽  
Kayoko Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Stress Coping ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis

College students are one of the most affected groups by self-quarantine due to COVID-19, as they may live in loneliness and anxiety, increasing their risk of mental health crisis. This study aimed to identify risk factors for poor mental health and stress coping strategies among healthcare college students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted over 7 consecutive days starting on 28 April 2020 using a web-based questionnaire. The survey assessed socioeconomic characteristics and the General Health Questionnaire-12 score, self-reported health status, anxiety, and satisfaction with daily life, work, leisure, and new activities. Approximately 70% of 223 respondents had poor mental health. Less communication with friends was the main risk factor for mental health problems. Good health status and satisfaction with leisure and new activities were associated with reduced risk of mental health problems. Students with poor mental health tended to seek social support as a stress coping strategy. This study showed that the mental health of students declined during self-quarantine, and loneliness could be the major reason. There is a need for a new form of communication and learning that deals with the isolation and loneliness of students, especially for students living alone.

scholarly journals Mental Health Status Among Frontline Prison Police During The Prevention and Control of The COVID-19 Epidemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey From China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Tian ◽  
Tingyong Feng ◽  
Zhen Wen ◽  
Yipeng Yang ◽  
Jingting Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prison Police ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background A global public health emergency triggered by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic may have a remarkable psychological impact on the population. There is still limited psychological research on police officers, especially on prison police. The present study aims to identify prevalence and influencing factors on mental health status among frontline prison police in China during the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods A cross-sectional survey with a sample of 981 frontline prison police was conducted by using snowball sampling approach. The self-administered questionnaire consisted of 4 parts: (i) informed consent form; (ii) socio-demographic section; (iii) work and life situations during the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic; (iv) the Chinese version of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify factors influencing mental health status. Results The prevalence of being prone to mental health problems (GHQ-12 score ≥ 4) was 33.43% among frontline prison police. The results of GHQ-12 factors analysis that the prison police suffered from psychological issues related to anxiety and depression, which main symptoms were unhappy and depressed, lost sleep over worry and constantly under strain. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male (OR = 1.573, 95% CI: 1.385–1.853), work in closed jail (OR = 2.203, 95% CI: 2.139–2.297), more night shifts (OR = 2.163, 95% CI: 2.031–2.317 ; OR = 2.749, 95% CI: 2.194–2.901), more smoking (OR = 1.100, 95% CI: 1.037–2.168), poor physical condition (OR = 1.947, 95% CI: 1.478–2.250), chronic or serious illness history (OR = 1.870, 95% CI: 1.314–2.660; OR = 2.214, 95% CI: 1.460–2.812) were risk factor for mental health among frontline prison police, while regular diet (OR = 0.779, 95% CI: 0.539–0.928), more physical exercise (OR = 0.702, 95% CI: 0.548–0.899; OR = 0.641, 95% CI: 0.316–0.887), more communication with family members (OR = 0.437, 95% CI: 0.295–0.616) were protective factor. Conclusion The frontline prison police exhibited a high tendency toward mental health problems during the prevention and control of this epidemic. Therefore, continued surveillance of psychological problems and targeted mental health care for frontline prison police were urgently.

scholarly journals Mental Health Problems among COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers and the Other Country-Level Epidemics: The Case of Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
Rebeca Robles ◽  
Silvia Morales-Chainé ◽  
Alejandro Bosch ◽  
Claudia Astudillo-García ◽  
Miriam Feria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers (FHCW) are struggling to cope with challenges that threaten their wellbeing. We examine the frequency and predictors of the most frequent mental health problems (MHP) among FHCW during the first COVID-19 peak in Mexico, one of the most severely affected countries in terms of FHCW’s COVID-19 mortality. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 8 and August 18, 2020. A total of 47.5% of the sample (n = 2218) were FHCW. The most frequent MHP were insomnia, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and health anxiety/somatization (whole sample: 45.7, 37.4, 33.9, and 21.3%; FHCW: 52.4, 43.4, 40.3 and 26.1, respectively). As compared to during the initial COVID-19 phase, depression and health anxiety/somatization symptoms as well as experiences of grieving due to COVID-19, personal COVID-19 status, and having relatives and close friends with COVID-19 were more frequent during the COVID-19 peak. Obesity, domestic violence, personal COVID-19 status, and grieving because of COVID-19 were included in regression models for main FHCW’s MHP during the COVID-19 peak. In conclusion, measures to decrease other country-level epidemics contributing to the likelihood of COVID-19 complications (obesity) and MHP (domestic violence) as well as FHCW´s probability of COVID-19 infection could safeguard not only their physical but also mental health.

scholarly journals Study the Mental Health Status of the Newly Recruited Ayurvedic Medical Practitioners in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
pp. 63-70
Author(s):  
B. L. Edirisinghe ◽  
W. M. S. S. K. Kulathunga
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Practitioners

Mental and behavioral disorders are the 13% of the global burden of diseases. Mental health problems are common among children and young people estimated 13.4% affected by any metal disorders.(3) Today mental health problems are emerging more strongly as a public health problems presenting increase of the prevalence of substance and alcohol abuse and the world‘s highest suicide rates. Objective of this survey is study was to identify the mental health status of the newly recruited Ayurvedic medical Practitioners. Descriptive cross sectional survey study was carried out among total population of newly recruited Ayurvedic Practitioners by using self-administered questionnaire. Study conducted at the Institute of Indigenous Medicine. Data collection was carried out by the principal investigator during the period of their training. The response rate was 85.7% (107). The female doctors represented the majority of the participants measured 70.15 (75). Age ranged from 25-45years with mean of 33.1 (SD 2.30). Findings from the study revealed 100 (93.5%) of the respondents are within age range 31-40 yrs. The marital status of the respondents were 82.2% (88) of them are married, unmarried 15.9% (17) and widower 1.9%(2). 95.3% (102) of the respondents are Buddhists and 4.7% (5) are Christians. Also study indicates those 46.7% (50) respondents from semi urban, 42.1% (45) from urban and 11.2% (12) from rural. Nutritional status of the respondents, 56.1% (60) of them are with normal weight, 5.6%(6) of them were underweight and 38.3% (41) overweight. The majority of the respondents 90.7% (97) are with Normal mental health. But 9.3% of the respondents were presented with mild impairment.

scholarly journals Comparison of Mental Health Status between Two Periods during Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Iranian Adult Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. e2199
Author(s):  
Arash Mani ◽  
AliReza Estedlal ◽  
Ali Akbary ◽  
Taraneh Estedlal ◽  
Sara Ouladinejad-Rodbali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
First Year ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: One unprecedented year after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the pandemic is no longer a short-term stressor; the unremitting/chronic effects of COVID-19 disease is likely to cause impaired physical and mental health upon population and the implemented public health and social measures to limit transmission and reduce mortality and morbidity from COVID-19 expose many people to social isolation, job loss, and economic recession. This study aims to compare mental status and four mental symptoms (somatization, anxiety, depression, and social functions) between two periods during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Current study consists of two cross-sectional mental health surveys on the Iranian adult population carried out in two periods of March to April 2020 and December 2020 to February 2021 in two important Provinces of Iran (Fars and Khorasan Razavi). In the first survey, 1337 individuals participated in the study and completed the General Health Questionnaire-28, while in the second survey, 1205 participants completed the same questionnaire. Results: Among 1337 participants of the first survey, there were 876 (65.5%) females and 461 (34.5%) males with an average age of 37.41±10.58 years. In the second survey, there were 1205 participants with mean age of 33.79±19.57 years. The rates of females and males were 57.7% and 42.3%, respectively. Compared to the first survey, the second one showed that poor mental health condition that was 1.40 (95% confidence interval: 1.17-1.67) times higher based on the age, sex, education, marital status, economic, alcohol, cigarette, water-pipe, and sedative (P<0.001). Conclusion: Poor mental health status has increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. These results revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic was a chronic stressor faced by people every day; therefore, more robust mental health-related considerations must be implemented. [GMJ.2021;10:e2199]

scholarly journals Mental health status of informal waste workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262141
Author(s):  
Md. Rajwanul Haque ◽  
Md. Mostaured Ali Khan ◽  
Md. Mosfequr Rahman ◽  
M. Sajjadur Rahman ◽  
Shawkat A. Begum
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Status ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Distress Risk ◽  
The Family

The deadliest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is taking thousands of lives worldwide and presents an extraordinary challenge to mental resilience. This study assesses mental health status during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors among informal waste workers in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2020 among 176 informal waste workers selected from nine municipalities and one city corporation in Bangladesh. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to assess respondents’ mental health. The study found that 80.6% of the individuals were suffering from psychological distress; 67.6% reported anxiety and depression, 92.6% reported social dysfunction, and 19.9% reported loss of confidence. The likelihood of psychological distress (Risk ratio [RR]: 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.48) was significantly higher for female than male. Multiple COVID-19 symptoms of the family members (RR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03–1.41), unawareness about COVID-19 infected neighbor (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04–1.41), income reduction (RR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.06–2.41) and daily household meal reduction (RR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.03–1.73) were also found to be associated with psychological distress. These identified factors should be considered in policy-making and support programs for the informal waste workers to manage the pandemic situation as well as combating COVID-19 related psychological challenges.

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