scholarly journals Across the COVID-19 Waves; Assessing Temporal Fluctuations in Perceived Stress, Post-Traumatic Symptoms, Worry, Anxiety and Civic Moral Disengagement over One Year of Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5651
Author(s):  
Alessio Gori ◽  
Eleonora Topino
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
One Year ◽  
Traumatic Symptoms

This study aimed at investigating the psychological effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy by analysing the trends of perceived stress, post-traumatic symptoms, state anxiety, worry, and civic moral disengagement in four different moments from March 2020 to March 2021. The study involved a total of 1827 Italian participants (30% men and 70% women; Mage = 34.72; SD = 12.40) divided into four groups to which an online survey was administered. The first group completed the survey in March 2020, the second one in August 2020, the third one in November 2020, and the fourth one in March 2021. Results highlighted significant decreases in post-traumatic symptoms and a significant increase in civic moral disengagement over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The levels of perceived stress, worry, and state anxiety remained constant. The correlations between the variables at different times were also explored, as well as gender differences over the year. The COVID-19 emergency has had significant effects on the mental state of the population, with important repercussions for individual and collective well-being during but probably also after the pandemic. This study offers a clear snapshot of the psychological outcomes over one COVID-19 pandemic year, providing important information that may contribute to tailor more effective interventions for mental health.

scholarly journals COVID-19 as a Stressor: Pandemic Expectations, Perceived Stress, and Negative Affect in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda R Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Objectives The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic is appraised as a stressor influences perceived stress (PS) and psychological well-being during the event. Here, the association of older adults’ expectations concerning the pandemic’s duration and impact with PS and negative affect (NA) is investigated. Based on the stress and coping framework, PS is expected to mediate the association between COVID-19 expectations and NA. Methods Seven hundred fourteen residents of the United States and aged 60 and older completed an anonymous online survey in late March 2020 reporting PS, NA, and expectations regarding the pandemic. Results Regression analyses controlling for demographic factors revealed that more dire pandemic expectations significantly predicted PS and NA directly, and the effects on NA were significantly mediated by PS. Discussion Findings provide evidence that expectations about a pandemic influence the extent to which older adults experience stress and NA in the midst of a pandemic event. Implications for mental health are discussed.

scholarly journals Perceived stress and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among intensive care unit staff caring for severely ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients during the pandemic: a national study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Kader ◽  
Bushra Elhusein ◽  
Nirvana Swamy Kudlur Chandrappa ◽  
Abdulqadir J. Nashwan ◽  
Prem Chandra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic

Abstract Background Intensive care unit (ICU) staff have faced unprecedented challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which could significantly affect their mental health and well-being. The present study aimed to investigate perceived stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms reported by ICU staff working directly with COVID-19 patients. Methods The Perceived Stress Scale was used to assess perceived stress, the PTSD Diagnostic Scale for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) was used to determine PTSD symptoms, and a sociodemographic questionnaire was used to record different sociodemographic variables. Results Altogether, 124 participants (57.2% of whom were men) were included in the analysis. The majority of participants perceived working in the ICU with COVID-19 patients as moderately to severely stressful. Moreover, 71.4% of doctors and 74.4% of nurses experienced moderate-to-severe perceived stress. The staff with previous ICU experience were less likely to have a probable diagnosis of PTSD than those without previous ICU experience. Conclusions Assessing perceived stress levels and PTSD among ICU staff may enhance our understanding of COVID-19-induced mental health challenges. Specific strategies to enhance ICU staff’s mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic should be employed and monitored regularly. Interventions aimed at alleviating sources of anxiety in a high-stress environment may reduce the likelihood of developing PTSD.

scholarly journals The psychological impacts of COVID-19: a study of frontline physicians and nurses in the Arab world

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
N. Al Mahyijari ◽  
A. Badahdah ◽  
F. Khamis
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sultanate Of Oman ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Harmful Effects

Objectives: The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2) pandemic is wreaking havoc on healthcare systems and causing serious economic, social, and psychological anguish around the globe. Healthcare workers (HCWs) who diagnose and care for COVID-19 patients have been shown to suffer burnout, stress, and anxiety. Methods: In this study, we collected data from 150 frontline HCWs who had close contact with COVID-19 patients at several health facilities in the Sultanate of Oman. The participants completed an online survey that included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Results: The study found that a substantial number of healthcare professionals experienced relatively high levels of stress and anxiety, as well as suboptimal levels of well-being. Perceived stress and anxiety were significant predictors of HCWs’ well-being. Conclusions: This study adds to the increasing literature indicating harmful effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of HCWs.

scholarly journals Association of Perceived Stress Levels Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic with Bio-Social Parameters and Prakriti Body Types among the adult’s population of Manipur, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Miranda Yendrembam ◽  
Arundhati Devi Maibam ◽  
Sanjenbam Yaiphaba Meitei ◽  
Henry Konjengbam
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ancient Medicine ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Moderate Stress ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

Background - Perceived stress experiences differ amongst individuals due to psychological, physical and socio-economic factors and with the outbreak of COVID-19, the impact on mental health has been unavoidable. Another dimension of understanding stress is also put forth by Ayurveda, an ancient medicine system of India. Aim – Aims to find the association of bio-social parameters including prakriti body types with perceived stress levels amidst COVID -19 pandemic. Material and Methods – Data were collected from 390 individuals aged ranging from 18 – 45 years through an online survey. Prakriti were determined by prakriti assessment questionnaire. Stress level was assessed by using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 10) and relevant statistical analysis were carried out. Results - Significant association (p < 0.05) is found in body mass index (BMI), prakriti body types, sex, and effects of COVID–19 on mental and physical well – being with perceived stress levels. Vata prakriti (19.71%), underweight individuals (12.65%), and females (11.44%) are significantly more prone to develop high stress. Salaried individuals are significantly less likely to be affected by moderate stress. VIF is less than 5 and Tolerance is greater than 0.2. And, Nagelkerke value is found to be 29.3%.  Conclusion – The study concludes that there is a significant association of biosocial parameters including prakriti body types with perceived stress levels amidst COVID–19 pandemic. 

scholarly journals The Long-Term Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Loneliness in People Living With Disability and Visual Impairment

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikki Heinze ◽  
Syeda F. Hussain ◽  
Claire L. Castle ◽  
Lauren R. Godier-McBard ◽  
Theofilos Kempapidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Anxiety State ◽  
Longitudinal Impact ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
The Impact

Background: There has been growing concern about the impact of restrictions put in place to contain the coronavirus pandemic on loneliness, particularly in individuals with disabilities. This study explored the longitudinal impact of the pandemic on loneliness in these individuals, with a focus on those living with visual impairment (VI).Methods: An online survey was conducted in April-2020 and repeated in March 2021 to explore current life circumstances, health-related behaviours, sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and social well-being, including state anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Index) and loneliness (UCLA Loneliness scale). A convenience sample of 602 participants completed the first survey. Participants who agreed to be re-contacted were invited to take part in the follow-up survey.Results: Data is presented for the 160 participants who completed both timepoints. At both timepoints, median loneliness was significantly higher in participants with disabilities and those with VI than in participants with no disabilities. While there was no significant change in loneliness in any of the three subgroups, participants with VI experienced the largest increase in median loneliness. Loneliness was associated with having a mental health condition and higher levels of state anxiety at both timepoints.Conclusions: Individuals with disabilities such as VI experienced consistently higher levels of loneliness than those with no disabilities throughout the pandemic. While loneliness remained relatively stable in individuals with no disabilities, it increased, albeit to a non-significant level, in those with disabilities and particularly those with VI. Interventions designed to alleviate loneliness may benefit from addressing state anxiety.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic and Personality: Agreeable People Are More Stressed by the Feeling of Missing

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10759
Author(s):  
Stephan Getzmann ◽  
Jan Digutsch ◽  
Thomas Kleinsorge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Big Five ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Big Five Personality Traits ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Related Individual

The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to contain it have substantial consequences for many people, resulting in negative effects on individual well-being and mental health. In the current study, we examined whether individual changes in perceived stress relative to pre-pandemic levels depended on differences in behavior, appraisal, and experience of pandemic-related constraints. In addition, we tested whether this potential relationship was moderated by personality traits. We conducted an online survey during the end of the first lockdown in Germany in spring 2020, and assessed pandemic-related individual consequences as well as perceived stress. These data were related to the big five personality traits and to ratings of perceived stress obtained from the same participants in a study conducted before the outbreak of the pandemic, using the same standardized stress questionnaires. There was no overall increase, but a large interindividual variety in perceived stress relative to pre-pandemic levels. Increased stress was associated especially with strong feelings of missing. This relationship was moderated by agreeableness, with more agreeable people showing a higher association of the feeling of missing and the increase of perceived stress. In addition, openness and conscientiousness were positively correlated with an increase in stress. The results highlight the importance of considering personality and individual appraisals when examining the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceived stress and well-being.

Abstract NS8: Male Caregivers Report Problems and Successes Caring for Wives/Partners

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda L Pierce ◽  
Victoria Steiner
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
First Year ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Long Time ◽  
One Year ◽  
Caregiver Role

Background: Stroke is sudden/often traumatic; its results affect both the person with stroke and family members providing care. Transitioning from the non-caregiver role to caregiver for a spouse who recently had a stroke may be unsettling, particular for men. Purpose: Guided by Friedemann’s framework of systemic organization, t his secondary data analysis examined problems and successes reported by males caring for partners (wife or long-time friend) in the first year after stroke. According to this framework, these men are driven by the desire for success, resulting in health/ well-being or congruence in caring. Whereas incongruence or poor health can result from problems experienced in caring. Method: Using a descriptive design with IRB approval, caregivers (n=73) participated in bimonthly telephone interviews for one year. These caregivers were asked open-ended questions about problems and successes experienced in caring in the past two weeks. For this analysis, only the males caring for a partner (n=12 wives; n=1 friend) were examined. These data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s rigorous method of content analysis. Results: The caregivers were white men with an average age of 62 years. Most were high school graduates, employed full-time, rated their health as very good/excellent, and spent 2-16 hours caring each day. There were 275 problems and 393 successes in caring reported. Five problem themes emerged: 1) adjusting to multi-tasking in everyday living, 2) recognizing physical and mental disabilities, 3) dealing with outside forces and limited resources, 4) struggling to return to normal, and 5) feeling physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. These problem themes demonstrated incongruence as the men sought to maintain their prior lives. Three success themes appeared: 1) gaining confidence through functional improvement, 2) fostering success through mutually positive attitudes, and 3) resuming normal roles. The success themes demonstrated how these men were able to find a level of well-being/congruence in caring. Conclusions: Theory-based themes of male stroke caregivers’ problems and successes were uncovered that can be used to target interventions to help them achieve balance between incongruence and congruence in their lives.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on US College Students’ Physical Activity and Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver W.A. Wilson ◽  
Kelsey E. Holland ◽  
Lucas D. Elliott ◽  
Michele Duffey ◽  
Melissa Bopp
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
College Students ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Spring Semester ◽  
The Impact

Background: Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both physical activity (PA) and mental health is important to demonstrate the need for interventions. This study examined the apparent impact of the pandemic on college students’ PA, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Methods: From 2015 through 2020, data were collected at the beginning and end of the spring semester at a large Northeastern US university via an online survey assessing student demographics, PA, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Mixed ANOVA examined differences in PA and mental health changes over the spring semester between “normal” and COVID-19 circumstances. Two-way ANOVA examined the interaction between circumstance and changes in PA in relation to changes in mental health. Results: Participants (n = 1019) were predominately women and non-Hispanic white. There was a significant decline in PA and an increase in perceived stress under COVID-19, but not normal, circumstances and a significant increase in depressive symptoms under COVID-19, but not normal, circumstances among women. Conclusions: A significant decline in PA and mental health among college students occurred under COVID-19 circumstances, and PA did not appear to protect against deterioration in mental health. Proactive and innovative policies, programs, and practices to promote student health and well-being must be explored immediately.

Socio-cultural Adjustment and Well-being in Third Culture Kids and their Families: Protocol for a Longitudinal Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoon Phaik Ooi ◽  
Marnie Reed ◽  
Emma Marchal-Jones ◽  
Andrea Meyer ◽  
Jens Gaab
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Third Culture Kids ◽  
Third Culture ◽  
Validated Questionnaires ◽  
Family Interview ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One

BACKGROUND Increasing globalization has led to more families with children being relocated each year, high-lighting the importance of issues such as acculturation, adjustment, and psychological well-being in this population. These children, commonly known as Third Culture Kids (TCKs), often spend a significant part of their developmental years in cultures foreign to them. OBJECTIVE Our longitudinal study aims to examine the roles of cognitive, psychological, socio-cultural, and family factors on the longitudinal trajectories of TCKs and their families’ well-being and socio-cultural adjustment over time. METHODS This study adopts both quantitative and qualitative procedures. Data from both procedures will be collected at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. We aim to recruit 150-200 participants between 7 and 17 years old and one of their primary caregivers. After providing informed consent, participants will complete an online survey. Outcome measures include validated questionnaires on well-being and socio-cultural adjustment. Predictor measures include validated questionnaires on negative self-thoughts, emotion regulation, resilience, psychological attributes, self-esteem, stress, acculturative stress, cultural intelligence, couple satisfaction, and family functioning. A multiple regression model will be used to analyze the quantitative data. In addition, 15-20 families who participated in the online survey will be randomly selected to take part in a family interview focusing on questions related to well-being, relocation experiences, cultural issues, and challenges. A concurrent triangulation mixed-method design will be used to analyze and interpret data from both quantitative and qualitative methods. RESULTS To date, a total of 131 participants and 120 parents have completed the baseline online survey. In addition, 28 children and 24 parents have completed the one-year follow-up online survey. A total of 6 families have completed the baseline family interview while 2 families have completed the one-year follow-up interview. Transcription of the interview is on-going. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study would enable us to understand the adjustment processes, and risk and protective factors associated with TCKs and their families’ well-being and socio-cultural ad-justment in Switzerland, which could have implications on the development of intervention pro-grams for individuals and families to address acculturation and adjustment issues. CLINICALTRIAL Not Applicable

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