The Influence of Technology on Mental Well-Being of STEM Teachers at University Level: COVID-19 as a Stressor

Stress can result in psychopathologies, such as anxiety or depression, when this risk factor continues in time. One major stressor was the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered considerable emotional distress and mental health issues among different workers, including teachers, with another stressor: technology and online education. A mixed-method approach is presented in this research, combining a cross-sectional study of university teachers from Ecuador and Spain with a medium of twenty years of working experience (N = 55) and a bibliometric analysis carried out in three databases (161 documents). The levels of anxiety and depression, and therefore the risk of developing them as mental disorders, were high. The lack of training (p < 0.01), time (p < 0.05), or research regarding the use of technology in education (p < 0.01) and stress caused by COVID-19 (p < 0.001) were linked to frequency. The most relevant observational study obtained through the bibliometric analysis (138 citations and over 65% of methodological quality) indicated that previous training and behavioral factors are key in the stress related to technology. The combination of the results indicated that mental health in STEM teachers at university is related to diverse factors, from training to the family and working balance.

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Mental Well-Being and Its Associated Factors Among Myanmar Migrant Workers in Penang, Malaysia

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1010539520940199 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (6-7) ◽

pp. 320-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mila Nu Nu Htay ◽

Swe Swe Latt ◽

Khine Sandar Maung ◽

Wai Wai Myint ◽

Soe Moe

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Support Groups ◽

Migrant Workers ◽

Short Form ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mental Health Support ◽

Health Support ◽

Mental Well Being

International migration has become a global phenomenon bringing with it complex and interrelated issues related to the physical and mental well-being of the people involved. This study investigated the mental well-being and factors associated with mental health among Myanmar migrant workers (MMW) in Malaysia. The cross-sectional study was conducted in Penang, Malaysia by using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index Scale (WHO-5) and the Mental Health subscale of 36 items in the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Among 192 migrant workers who were understudied, 79.2% had poor mental well-being according to the WHO-5 scale. The duration of stay in Malaysia and without receiving financial aid from their employers despite having a physical illness were significantly associated with poor mental well-being. Mental health support groups should target migrant workers for mental health education and find ways to provide assistance for them. Furthermore, premigration training should be delivered at the country of origin that also provides information on the availability of mental health support in the host country.

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The mental health and well-being benefits of exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of medical students and newly qualified doctors in the UK

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) ◽

10.1007/s11845-020-02423-z ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Conor Coyle ◽

Hanya Ghazi ◽

Ioannis Georgiou

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Medical Students ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Impact ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mood Score ◽

The Uk ◽

Mental Well Being

Abstract Background University students have been uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is currently little data upon the measures that medical students and newly qualified doctors have taken to help their mental well-being and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim We aimed to identify the activities respondents found beneficial for their well-being and mental health and recorded a mood score from survey respondents. Methods A nationwide study was completed to investigate the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon medical students and newly qualified doctors (interim foundation year one). We received 2075 respondents from across the UK. Results Physical activity was found to be the most common activity used by the survey respondents to help with their mental well-being (80.1%) (medical students, 83.7%; interim foundation doctors, 72.3%). Participants who stated that exercise helped their well-being had a mean score (SD) of 52.3 (20.7) which was significantly higher (P = 0.048) than those who reported that they did not exercise (49.8 (21.1)). Respondents who stated they had used exercise to help with their mental well-being had (on average) a higher mood score than those who did not. This was seen in both the medical student and interim foundation doctor subgroups. Discussion Exercise can help to benefit the well-being of medical students and interim foundation doctors. It is hoped that higher education providers and employers recognise the importance of promoting physical activity for the well-being of their students and staff, respectively.

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The relationship between mental health self-efficacy and mental well-being in England, UK: A Cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-30125/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Frederike Katharina Lemmel ◽

Rebecca Jones ◽

Sonia Johnson ◽

Anita Jolly ◽

Miriam Miller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Mental Well Being ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background. Mental well-being is an essential concept in research and public health as it is recognised as an indicator of population mental health and quality of life. Previous studies have provided evidence that general self-efficacy is positively related to mental well-being. The aim of this study is to examine whether higher help-seeking self-efficacy and higher psychological well-being self-efficacy respectively, are associated with increased mental well-being.Methods. In this cross-sectional study 1795 adults from the general English population were recruited from a market research panel to fill out an online questionnaire between 24th September 2018 and 05th October 2018. Two simple linear regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship between each of help-seeking self-efficacy and psychological well-being self- efficacy as exposure variables and mental well-being as the outcome. Multiple imputation by chained equations was used to handle missing data.Results. No evidence was found for an association between either help-seeking self-efficacy or psychological well-being self-efficacy and mental well-being.Conclusions. These findings do not provide evidence that improving help-seeking or psychological well-being self-efficacy could lead to improving well-being. Methodological limitations, such as unmeasured confounders might be responsible for the lack of evidence in this study. Having a mental health condition is a potential negative confounder that might not have been measured adequately.

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Attitude toward Aging Mediates the Relationship between Personality and Mental Health in Older Adults

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9050594 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 594

Author(s):

Teshome Sirak Bedaso ◽

Buxin Han

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Personality Factors ◽

Health Issues ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Mediator ◽

The Relationship

This study aimed to examine attitude toward aging as a potential mediator of the relationship between personality factors and mental health in terms of depression and life satisfaction among older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 438 Ethiopian elderly individuals aged 60 to 69. The results of the regression-based path analysis showed that after adjusting for demographic data, the relationship between agreeableness and depression in older adults was partially mediated by attitude toward aging. Likewise, attitude toward physical change due to aging and psychological growth subscales jointly mediated the correlation between neuroticism and depression. However, a significant direct path between neuroticism and depression persisted. On the contrary, openness had no significant direct association with depression apart from an indirect through psychosocial loss. The link between life satisfaction and agreeableness as well as openness to experience were partially mediated by psychosocial loss. Therefore, a person’s attitude toward aging and personality characteristics should be taken into consideration while designing interventions for managing mental health issues among older adults.

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Public Concerns during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Multicultural Cross-Sectional Study among Internet Survey Respondents in Three Countries

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10081577 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1577

Author(s):

Alona Emodi-Perlman ◽

Ilana Eli ◽

Nir Uziel ◽

Joanna Smardz ◽

Anahat Khehra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Internet Survey ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Culturally Different ◽

Patient Health

(1) Background: this study aimed to evaluate the worries, anxiety, and depression in the public during the initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown in three culturally different groups of internet survey respondents: Middle Eastern (Israel), European (Poland), and North American (Canada). (2) Methods: a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the mentioned countries during the lockdown periods. The survey included a demographic questionnaire, a questionnaire on personal concerns, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). A total of 2207 people successfully completed the survey. (3) Results: Polish respondents were the most concerned about being infected. Canadian respondents worried the most about their finances, relations with relatives and friends, and both physical and mental health. Polish respondents worried the least about their physical health, and Israeli respondents worried the least about their mental health and relations with relatives and friends. Canadian respondents obtained the highest score in the PHQ-4, while the scores of Israeli respondents were the lowest. (4) Conclusions: various factors should be considered while formulating appropriate solutions in emergency circumstances such as a pandemic. Understanding these factors will aid in the development of strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of stress, social isolation, and uncertainty on the well-being and mental health of culturally different societies.

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Emotional Well-Being and the Importance for Women with Fear of Birth to have a Known Midwife at Birth

Psychology and Mental Health Care ◽

10.31579/2637-8892/023 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 01-07

Author(s):

Ingegerd Hildingsson

Keyword(s):

Emotional Distress ◽

Best Practice ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Issues ◽

Fear Of Childbirth ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Additional Support ◽

Study Setting ◽

Fragmentation Of Care

Background: Previous research has shown that women with fear of childbirth often suffer from other mental health issues. Continuity of caregiver through a known midwife is best practice for pregnant women, and women with childbirth related fear value continuity of care. In Sweden the maternity care is fragmented and women’s opinion remains under-investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate emotional well-being and the importance of having a known midwife during birth in women referred to counselling for childbirth related fear. Design: Cross sectional study Setting: 3 Swedish hospitals providing counseling for childbirth related fear. Participants: Women who were referred for counseling due to fear of childbirth. Measures: The importance of having a known midwife at birth, background factors, emotional well-being and attitudes. Results: 77 women referred to counseling consented to participate. The majority of women were likely to present with previous or ongoing emotional distress, high levels of anxiety or depressive symptoms, low Sense of Coherence and Major worries. For the majority of women (71%) it was important to have a known midwife at birth and most important for women with high levels of childbirth fear. Conclusion: This study highlights that women referred to counseling due to fear of childbirth might need additional support to cope with their emotional distress. The results also indicated that having a known midwife at birth was important to these women, especially for women with higher fear. The option of having a known midwife during birth is rarely accomplished in Sweden due to the fragmentation of care.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Distress of Medical Students in Japan: Cross-sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25232 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshito Nishimura ◽

Kanako Ochi ◽

Kazuki Tokumasu ◽

Mikako Obika ◽

Hideharu Hagiya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

State Of Emergency ◽

Web Based ◽

Subjective Mental Health

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected medical education. However, little data are available about medical students’ distress during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to provide details on how medical students have been affected by the pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 717 medical students participated in the web-based survey. The survey included questions about how the participants’ mental status had changed from before to after the Japanese nationwide state of emergency (SOE). RESULTS Out of 717 medical students, 473 (66.0%) participated in the study. In total, 29.8% (141/473) of the students reported concerns about the shift toward online education, mostly because they thought online education would be ineffective compared with in-person learning. The participants’ subjective mental health status significantly worsened after the SOE was lifted (<i>P</i><.001). Those who had concerns about a shift toward online education had higher odds of having generalized anxiety and being depressed (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% CI 1.19-3.28) as did those who said they would request food aid (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.16-3.44) and mental health care resources (OR 3.56, 95% CI 2.07-6.15). CONCLUSIONS Given our findings, the sudden shift to online education might have overwhelmed medical students. Thus, we recommend that educators inform learners that online learning is not inferior to in-person learning, which could attenuate potential depression and anxiety.

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The Continuing Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Well-Being and Mental Health of ICU Healthcare Workers in Turkey: A Single-Centre Cross-Sectional Later-Phase Study

Journal of Intensive Care Medicine ◽

10.1177/08850666211070740 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088506662110707

Author(s):

Huseyin Duru

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Health Issues ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

Heavy Workload ◽

Median Change

Background This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on physical well-being and mental health of ICU healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods A total of 51 ICU HCWs working at a tertiary care hospital were included in this cross-sectional study conducted before (January 2019-January 2020) and during (January 2021-April 2021) COVID-19 pandemic. Data on sociodemographic and work-related characteristics, COVID 19 history and current mental health issues via Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were recorded. Results Overall, 62.7% of participants were nurses, heavy workload (working ≥200 h/month) was reported by 76.5% of participants and previous history of COVID-19 was confirmed by 62.7%. Current mental health issues involved poor sleep quality in majority (96.1%) of participants, anxiety (51.0%), depression (51.0%) in at least half of them and a moderate degree of emotional exhaustion Heavy workload was associated with more remarkable decrease in sleep duration (median change: −0.5 vs. −1.0 h/day, P = .020), Vit B12 (median change: 60[−48-293] vs. −65[−371-262] pg/mL, P < .001) and Vit D (median change: −1.6[−13.1-20] vs. −9.7[−39.7-21.8] ng/mL, P = .004) during pandemic, while working hours per month were also significantly higher in those with versus without anxiety (264[150-390] vs. 240[150-264] h, P = .003) and with versus without depression (264[150-390] vs. 240[150-264] h, P = .037). Conclusion Our findings indicate high prevalence of mental health issues including anxiety and depression as well as poor sleep quality and emotional burnout among ICU HCWs, particularly those with heavy workload.

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Promoting Athlete Mental Health: The Role of Emotion Regulation

Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology ◽

10.1123/jcsp.2021-0022 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Georgia A. Bird ◽

Mary L. Quinton ◽

Jennifer Cumming

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Strategy Use ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Managing Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

Mental Well Being ◽

The Relationship ◽

University Athletes

This study investigated the relationship between reappraisal and suppression with depression and mental well-being among university athletes. It was hypothesized reappraisal would associate with lower depression and greater mental well-being, whereas suppression would associate with greater depression and reduced mental well-being. Employing a cross-sectional design, 427 participants (Mage = 20.18, SD = 1.52; 188 males and 239 females) completed questionnaires assessing mental health and strategy use. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed reappraisal was positively associated, and suppression negatively associated with mental well-being, ΔR2 = 4.8%, ΔF(2, 422) = 17.01, p ≤ .001; suppression, β = −0.08, p = .028; reappraisal, β = 0.21, p ≤ .001, but neither were associated with depression, ΔR2 = 0.4%, ΔF(2, 422) = 1.33, p = .267; suppression, β = 0.06, p = .114; reappraisal, β = 0.03, p = .525. Results highlight reappraisal as correlated with mental well-being in student-athletes, and therefore, reappraisal could be beneficial for managing stress in sport. Reappraisal may implicate how well-being is promoted through sport, but future experimental research is needed to confirm causal relationships.

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A Review of Psychosocial Protective and Risk Factors for the Mental Well-Being of Rural LGBTQ+ Adolescents

Youth & Society ◽

10.1177/0044118x211035944 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0044118X2110359

Author(s):

Kayla J. Elliott ◽

Jeanne-Marie R. Stacciarini ◽

Isidro A. Jimenez ◽

Andrea P. Rangel ◽

Dany Fanfan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Coming Out ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Issues ◽

Community Size ◽

Gender Diverse ◽

Fear Of Rejection ◽

Sexual Exploration ◽

Mental Well Being

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, and other gender diverse (LGBTQ+) adolescents face daunting hardships within the rural contexts they navigate (e.g., community, school), and these onerous demands make it difficult for them to maintain optimal mental well-being. This scoping review described the psychosocial protective and risk factors that shape mental well-being for rural LGBTQ+ adolescents and identified the mental health issues commonly reported by them. About 30 articles published between 2005 and 2020 were examined. A myriad of factors indicated protection of or risks to LGBTQ+ rural adolescents’ mental well-being through the social-ecological levels: individual (e.g., pressure to conform to gender norms, sexual exploration, coming out), interpersonal (e.g., connectedness, fear of rejection, religious beliefs), institutional/school (e.g., bullying victimization, social exclusion, peer/teacher intervention), and rural community (e.g., community size, local ties, social isolation). More research is needed to better understand and address rural mental health disparities for this vulnerable group.

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