scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health of Adults with Autism in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Amaan Javed ◽  
Ritwika Roy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Panic Attacks ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Social ◽  
Quantitative Analyses ◽  
Domestic Support ◽  
The Impact

  Background: This study focuses on the direct and indirect implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults with Autism in India. This study took into account the social isolation during the global pandemic in 2020 and its effect on the emotional well-being of the community. Methods: We designed a survey involving Indian residents. Part I involved questionnaires for different cohorts: 1) educated, 2) employed and 3) unemployed. The questions were based on proposed life models to maintain the heterogeneity according to the preferences of the target group. Part II of  involved online interviews conducted in English. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Findings: The analyses of participants’ responses (N=10) stipulated that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic people's mental health has been variable. Participants encountered both positive and negative emotions. Factors such as disrupted schedules, fear of job loss, poor domestic support system and inconsistency in transition were important. These were associated with development of new or worsening of pre-existing psychological as well as behavioural conditions including depression, anxiety, panic attacks and high-stress levels. At the same time, reduced interactions with decreased social insistence led to an improvement for some participants. Interpretation: Our results illustrate the deterioration of mental health and well-being for Autistic adults due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings emphasise the need for the development of innovative approaches and investment in the creation of support systems to address mental distress in this population.

Testing the Impact of a Planning Policy Based on New Urbanist Planning Principles on Residents’ Sense of Community and Mental Health in Perth, Western Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Hooper ◽  
Sarah Foster ◽  
Matthew Knuiman ◽  
Billie Giles-Corti
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Neighborhood Design ◽  
Planning Policy ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Urbanist ◽  
The Impact

There is growing concern that the built forms resulting from conventional suburban design may be adversely affecting the social well-being, sense of community, and psychological health of its residents. This study tested the premise that suburban neighborhood developments ( n = 36) designed in accordance with a New Urbanist inspired planning policy in Perth, Western Australia, improved residents’ ( n = 644) sense of community and mental health. Findings revealed that with each 10% increase in policy compliance, residents odds of experiencing high sense of community increased by 21% ( OR = 1.21, 95% CI = [1.04, 1.41]) and low psychological distress increased by 14% ( OR = 1.14, 95% CI = [1.01, 1.28]). These results add empirical input to the debate surrounding the rhetoric and purported social goals and benefits of the New Urbanism, indicating that implementation of its neo-traditionalist neighborhood design principles may help create the conditions for positive neighborhood sense of community and mental health.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Women’s Physical Activity Behavior and Mental Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 9036
Author(s):  
Carl P. Nienhuis ◽  
Iris A. Lesser
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Physical Activity Programming ◽  
The Impact

Background: A global pandemic caused by COVID-19 resulted in restrictions to daily living for Canadians, including social distancing and closure of recreation facilities and provincial parks. Methods: The objective of this study was to assess whether sex differences exist in physical activity and well-being since COVID-19 and to explore how barriers or facilitators to physical activity may explain these differences. Chi-square tests, independent t-tests and one-way ANOVAs were conducted to evaluate data provided by 1098 Canadians—215 men and 871 women. Results: Women were significantly less physically active than men and reported more barriers and fewer facilitators to physical activity and experienced significantly more generalized anxiety than men. Women who were engaged in less physical activity due to COVID-19 reported significantly lower mental health scores, lower social, emotional and psychological well-being, and significantly higher generalized anxiety, while women who engaged in more physical activity had improved mental health scores. Conclusions: Given the challenges that women uniquely face due to restrictions, it is imperative to advocate and provide environmental opportunity and support for physical activity to reduce the mental duress women may be experiencing. Specific physical activity programming that is inclusive of lifestyle physical activity and can engage children is encouraged.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 Global Pandemic and Its Impact on the Mental Health of Nurses in Malaysia

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1259
Author(s):  
Ping Lei Chui ◽  
Mei Chan Chong ◽  
Khatijah Lim Abdullah ◽  
Vimala Ramoo ◽  
Li Yoong Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Outpatient Departments ◽  
High Stress Level ◽  
The Impact

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic since its onset has had a dramatic and often devastating impact, both physical and psychological, on all healthcare workers. This study aimed to assess the impact of psychological distress that COVID-19 has on nurses, as well as the coping strategies that they employed. This is a cross-sectional national online survey. A total of 859 nurses actively involved in caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in Malaysia participated in the study. More than three-quarters of the nurses experienced stress (77.2%). A total of 88.7% and 7.2% of nurses revealed a moderate and high stress level, respectively. Approximately one in eight (12.1%) nurses reported feeling depressed. Nurses working in the outpatient departments reported significantly higher stress levels than nurses working in inpatient care departments. Nurses having chronic health problems reported significantly higher depression levels than nurses with no chronic health problem. Highly stressed or depressed nurses tend to adopt avoidance coping strategies while religion and emotional support were used regardless of the stress or depression levels experienced. The findings of the study provide insight into the mental health and coping strategies of nurses actively involved in caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in Malaysia. This would be of tremendous help to nursing administrators in implementing mental health services for nurses during and following the COVID-19 global pandemic.

scholarly journals Navigating COVID-19: Insights from research on social ostracism

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-310
Author(s):  
Andrew H. Hales ◽  
Natasha R. Wood ◽  
Kipling D. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Ostracism ◽  
Being There ◽  
Mental Health Effects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing and lockdowns has caused unprecedented changes to social life. We consider the possible implications of these changes for mental health. Drawing from research on social ostracism emphasizing the importance of social connection for mental well-being, there is reason for concern regarding the mental health effects of the crisis. However, there are also reasons for optimism; people can be surprisingly resilient to stressful situations, the impact of ostracism tends to depend on social norms (which are rapidly changing), and mental health depends primarily on having at least one or two close social connections. Given the scale and unprecedented nature of the social disruption that occurred, we see strong reason for concern, but not despair.

scholarly journals Capturing the impact of adolescent inpatient admissions: The Social Connectedness Scale

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 631-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy Phillips ◽  
Bridie Lawler Whatson ◽  
Emma Wells ◽  
Gordon Milson ◽  
Samantha Hartley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Health Service Provision ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

Background: Outcome measurement is central to health service provision. In child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), there are established tools used to assess symptoms and track progress. However, there is a relative dearth of assessments of subjective well-being or recovery. Social connectedness is a concept linked with well-being and risk in young people. We sought to evaluate the utility and acceptability of a measure of social connectedness in inpatient CAMHS. Method: As part of routine clinical practice, we asked 92 young people (mean age 16 years old) on two inpatient CAMHS wards to complete the Social Connectedness Scale, alongside other assessments, and also comment on its acceptability. We repeated the measure on discharge from the unit. Results: The findings showed that the measure was internally consistent (α = .910) and sensitive to change in this population. Scores also correlated with another self-report measure focusing on well-being and mental distress, but not with clinician-rated measures. Ratings of relevance and ease of understanding were reasonable and young people value social connection. Conclusion: The Social Connectedness Scale might offer an appropriate method of exploring this element of young peoples’ experience and progress, as part of inpatient mental health admissions.

scholarly journals The Lived Experience of Recovery: The Role of Health Work in Addressing the Social Determinants of Mental Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Colleen Reid ◽  
Nancy Clark ◽  
Ania Landy ◽  
Maya Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Health Work ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

Recovery is a policy framework for mental health in Canada. Key challenges to the integration of recovery include a gap in knowledge about the work that people do to promote their health and well-being in the context of living with mental ill health. This study used Photovoice to explore the lived realities of people living with mental ill health and the impact of the social determinants on their recovery process. Findings from this study inform policy and practice on promoting health work as an important dimension of recovery and community inclusion.

scholarly journals Roundtable Discussion on COVID-19 Through a Sex and Gender Lens

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 247028972095701
Author(s):  
Marianne J. Legato ◽  
Wendy L. Bennett ◽  
Sabra Klein ◽  
Jeanne S. Sheffield ◽  
Rosemary Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Roundtable Discussion ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Johns Hopkins University ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gender Lens

Although the full and lasting impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is yet to be determined, there is evidence that sex and gender play a significant role in determining patient outcomes across the globe. This roundtable discussion is a transcript of a seminar held by several representatives from Johns Hopkins University on the impact of the global pandemic on women’s health and well-being. They reported on the various pathophysiological aspects of the disease, as well as the social and financial consequences of this global pandemic. Looking at COVID-19 through a sex and gender lens highlights the vulnerabilities and inequalities of people of different genders, races, and socioeconomic conditions, and how care providers can better respond to those differences.

National Identification, A Social Cure for COVID-19? Evidence From 67 Countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Bonetto ◽  
Sylvain Delouvée ◽  
Yara Mahfud ◽  
Jais Adam-Troian
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
National Identification ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mental Health Benefits

Social distancing and mass quarantines were implemented worldwide in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Prior research on the effects of social isolation has shown that such measures bear negative consequences for population health and well-being. Conversely, a growing body of evidence suggests that feeling positively identified with a group is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits. This effect is referred to as the social cure and generalizes to various identities. In line with these findings, this study tested whether national identification could promote wellbeing and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we used survey data conducted among 67 countries (N = 46,450) which included measures of wellbeing, national identification, and subjective physical health. Mixed-model analyses revealed that national identity was indeed associated with wellbeing - despite adjustment on social belonging, COVID-19 perceived risk, exposure, and ideology. This effect did not extend to subjective health. These results suggest that the mere feeling of belonging to a national group may have mental health benefits and could be leveraged by governments. We discuss the implications of our findings within the social cure framework and their relevance for population mental health under COVID-19.

IMPACT OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES AND MORBID CONDITIONS ON PERCEIVED MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENTS USING SF-36 QUESTIONNAIRE

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Sharma ◽  
V. P. Shrotriya ◽  
D. Imtiaz ◽  
S. B. Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Perceived Health is a subjective assessment of the physical as well as mental health and includes so many aspects as mentioned in SF-36 form that are difficult to capture clinically such as incipient disease, physiological, psychological reserves and social functions. To assess the impact of Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and other socio-demographic factors on the Social Functioning component of mental health of the patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Bareilly. <bold>Material and Methods:</bold> Perceived health status of the patients was assessed by the Social Functioning dimension of the Mental Component Summary (MCS) using the SF-36 form. <bold>Results:</bold> The presence of both Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension was associated with lower Social Functioning scores compared to those with diabetes (p = 0.013) and hypertension alone. Age was negatively related with Social Functioning scores (p<0.001) but male gender (p>0.000) and higher income (p<0.424) were all associated with higher Social Functioning scores. Rural subjects were found to have better SF score compared to urban. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Age, gender and morbidity was found to have profound influence on Social Functioning scoring of the subjects. However, the results should be interpreted in terms of the study’s limitations.

Social comparison orientation and mental health: The mediating role of psychological capital

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoliang Yang ◽  
Zhihua Wang ◽  
Weijiong Wu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Comparison Orientation ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Little is known about the relationship between social comparison orientation and mental health, especially in the psychological capital context. We proposed a theoretical model to examine the impact of ability- and opinion-based social comparison orientation on mental health using data from 304 undergraduates. We also examined the mediating effect of the four psychological capital components of hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism in the relationship between social comparison orientation and mental health. Results show that an ability (vs. opinion) social comparison orientation was negatively (vs. positively) related to the psychological capital components. Further, the resilience and optimism components of psychological capital fully mediated the social comparison orientation–mental health relationship. Our findings indicate that psychological capital should be considered in the promotion of mental health, and that the two social comparison orientation types have opposite effects on psychological capital.

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