scholarly journals The Impacts of Propensity to Worry and Fear of COVID-19 on Mental Health of University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
Hacer BELEN
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Emotional Stability ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽  
Penn State ◽  
State Worry ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Epidemics and pandemics are difficult periods for the affected community, specifically in the proliferation of mental health issues. In such adverse times, factors of psychological vulnerability such as propensity to worry and low emotional stability might have a detrimental effect on the mental health of the individuals. To investigate the impact of such factors on mental health, this study examined the impacts of propensity to worry and fear of COVID-19 on anxiety depending on the individuals’ levels of emotional stability. As a means of such investigation, this study was conducted based on quantitative data, and the research sample was selected using a convenient sampling method. Participants included 304 university students (71.6% were women and 28.4% were men; MAge = 22.37 ± 3.04) and responded to the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Symptom Checklist-90 Revised, and 10-Item Personality Inventory. The moderated mediation analysis using PROCESS macro (Model 14) was performed to examine the study hypotheses. Results revealed that propensity to worry was associated with anxiety symptoms. Fear of COVID-19 mediated this link and emotional stability moderated the relationship between propensity to worry and anxiety. The findings showed that trait worry, trait emotional stability, and fear of COVID-19 are determinants of anxiety symptoms, suggesting that such factors are important in understanding these issues.

scholarly journals Care Recipient Diagnosis Moderates the Relationship Between Caregiver Worry and Vigilance

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 971-971
Author(s):  
Katherine Craig ◽  
Shirit Kamil-Rosenberg ◽  
J Kaci Fairchild
Keyword(s):  
Care Recipient ◽  
Similar Relationship ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Penn State ◽  
State Worry ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Linear Regressions

Abstract Family members of persons diagnosed with dementia or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often relied upon to provide daily support to their care recipients. However, research on the differing experiences of caregivers based on care recipient diagnosis is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of worry and feelings of vigilance among caregivers of people with cognitive impairment due to either TBI or dementia. This sample included 61 caregivers (88.5% female, mean age 57.3±15.5) of persons with either a TBI (n = 32) or dementia (n = 29). Worry was assessed with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire and Vigilance was assessed with the Caregiver Vigilance Scale. Linear regressions revealed that after controlling for age, care recipient diagnosis moderated the relationship between worry and caregiver vigilance. Specifically, worry was significantly associated with caregiver vigilance in those caring for someone with dementia; however, a similar relationship was not seen in those caring for someone with a TBI. This suggests caregivers of people with TBIs have a different experience of worry and vigilance than caregivers of people with dementia. These findings demonstrate the need for more research on the unique needs of caregivers of people with TBIs. Additionally, this research suggests interventions targeting worry may be particularly effective in supporting caregivers of people with TBIs.

scholarly journals Worry and perceived risk of contagion during the COVID-19 quarantine in the Jalisco population: Preliminary Study

Salud Mental ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 253-261
Author(s):  
Jesua Iván Guzmán-González ◽  
Franco Giordano Sánchez-García ◽  
Saúl Ramírez-de los Santos ◽  
Francisco Gutiérrez-Rodríguez ◽  
David Palomino-Esparza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Indirect Measure ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Penn State ◽  
The Face ◽  
State Worry

Introduction. Preventive measures taken during periods of health crisis, specifically in pandemics, have consistently been associated with detrimental effects on mental health. Isolation and loneliness are indirect effects of these preventive measures. Given these premises, monitoring the behavior of the population in the face of these eventualities becomes important. Worry as an indirect measure of anxiety and stress enables one to recognize subjects who are vulnerable to phenomena of high uncertainty, since measures taken to avoid excessive contagion can have high costs for this population. This phenomenon has been consistently observed in other pandemics such as H1/N1 influenza. Objective. To determine the prevalence of worry and perceived risk of contagion in the Guadalajara population during the COVID-19 quarantine and to identify differentiating effects. Method. A total of 255 people from western Mexico (Guadalajara, Jalisco) voluntarily participated by answering the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) adapted to Mexican population. The average age of the respondents, aged between 18 and 70 years, was 31.71 (± 5.19). A total of 170 women and 85 men participated in the study. Results. 40.12% of the population scored high levels of worry, making them vulnerable to mental health conditions. Subjects favored the prevention of a contagion regardless of whether they were self-isolated. The only variable that had a differential effect was sex (p < .05), and there were no differences in educational attainment, occupational demandingness, and isolation between the groups. Discussion and conclusion. A preventive attitude was observed among the participants, and so it is important to implement strategies that will prevent mental health costs in those who express excessive worry to avoid saturating mental health services.

Personality and Worry: The Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 1607-1616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhihui Yang ◽  
Ruiming Wang ◽  
Hui Chen ◽  
Jiali Ding
Keyword(s):  
Intolerance Of Uncertainty ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽  
Penn State ◽  
State Worry ◽  
The Relationship

We examined the relationship between personality and worry, and tested a mediation model in which intolerance of uncertainty (IU) mediated this relationship. Participants comprised 1,135 Chinese college undergraduates who completed the Chinese versions of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and the Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Short Scale for Chinese. Results showed that neuroticism, extraversion, and IU were significantly correlated with worry. The paths between personality (neuroticism and extraversion) and worry, and the paths mediated by IU, were significant. Participants' IU mediated the relationship between personality factors of neuroticism and extraversion, and worry. The results indicated that IU can be considered as a partial mediator of the relationship between personality and worry.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Investigation into Worry about Mental Health: Development of the Mental Health Anxiety Inventory

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Della Commons ◽  
Kenneth Mark Greenwood ◽  
Rebecca A. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽  
Penn State ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
State Worry ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background: Worry about physical health is broadly referred to as health anxiety and can range from mild concern to severe or persistent anxiety such as that found in DSM-IV hypochondriasis. While much is known about anxiety regarding physical health, little is known about anxiety regarding mental health. However, recent conceptualizations of health anxiety propose that individuals can experience severe and problematic worry about mental health in similar ways to how people experience extreme worry about physical health. Aims: Given the paucity of research in this area, the aim of the current study was to explore anxiety regarding mental health through validation of the Mental Health Anxiety Inventory (MHAI), a modified version of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory. Method: The MHAI, and measures of state anxiety (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21), trait worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire), and health anxiety (Short Health Anxiety Inventory) were administered to 104 adult volunteers from the general community. Results: The MHAI demonstrated high internal consistency, acceptable test-retest reliability, and good construct validity when correlated with other measures of anxiety. Results also indicated that participants worried about their mental health and physical health equally, and that almost 9% of participants reported levels of mental health anxiety that were potentially problematic. Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest that a small proportion of adults in the community may experience high levels of mental health anxiety requiring treatment, and that the MHAI, if validated further, could be a useful tool for assessing this form of anxiety.

scholarly journals Perfectionism and Academic Burnout: The Mediating Role of Worry and Depressive Rumination in University Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-492
Author(s):  
Tazvin Ijaz ◽  
Asiya Khalid
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Response Scale ◽  
Significant Positive Relationship ◽  
Academic Burnout ◽  
Depressive Rumination ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽  
Penn State ◽  
State Worry

The present study investigated effects of perfectionism, depressive rumination (DR), and worry on academic burnout in university students. In addition mediating roles of depressive rumination and worry was explored. A sample of 515 students (237 females, 278 males) with age range of 17-27 years; (M = 20, SD = 1.66) were included from various government and private universities of Lahore. The research instruments used were: Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R; Slaney, Rice, Mobley, Trippi, & Ashby, 2001), Rumination Response Scale (Treynor, Gonzalez, & Nolen-Hoeksema, 2003), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (Meyer, Miller, Metzger, & Borkovec, 1990), and Indigenous Burnout Scale (Ijaz & Khan, 2012). Results revealed a significant positive relationship between perfectionism (standard/order) and worry. Moreover a significant positive relationship was also found among perfectionism (discrepancy), depressive rumination, worry, and academic burnout. The mediation analysis showed that depressive rumination and worry significantly mediated the relationship between perfectionism and academic burnout. The present study highlighted the need for studying different dimensions of perfectionism and also identifying the causes of depressive rumination and Worry in student population which have been found to be leading to academic burnout.

Evidence for the influence of religiosity and spirituality on mental health

2021 ◽  
pp. 115-128
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Lucchetti ◽  
Rodolfo Furlan Damiano ◽  
Alessandra Lamas Granero Lucchetti ◽  
Mario Fernando Prieto Peres
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Religion And Spirituality ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Religiosity And Spirituality ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Over the past few decades, research about the impact of religion and spirituality (R/S) on health has grown considerably. Mental health was a major area of focus in this field, producing solid evidence for the impact of R/S on quality of life, wellness, depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, and other mental health issues. To date, a large number of studies have been conducted showing that R/S beliefs and practices have an impact on mental health, albeit positive or negative. New studies have sought to elucidate how these findings can have an impact on clinical practice and R/S interventions have been proposed. It is also noteworthy that studies are currently deepening our understanding of the mechanisms underlying R/S effects, and attempting to adapt R/S values, virtues, and practices to a secular world. This chapter aims to discuss these studies further, highlighting the scientific evidence, proposed mechanisms, and possible interventions supporting the relationship between R/S and mental health.

scholarly journals Minority Stress and Mental Health in Italian Bisexual People

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Cristiano Scandurra ◽  
Andrea Pennasilico ◽  
Concetta Esposito ◽  
Fabrizio Mezza ◽  
Roberto Vitelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Stress Theory ◽  
Bisexual People ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Bisexual people are a strongly stigmatized population experiencing health disparities caused by social stigmatization. The predominant framework helping to understand these health disparities and the impact of stigma on mental health of social groups belonging to a sexual minority identity constitutes the minority stress theory. In Italy, studies assessing this model in bisexual populations are very limited. Within this framework, the current study aimed at assessing in 381 Italian bisexual individuals (62 men and 319 women) the effects of anti-bisexual discrimination, proximal stressors (i.e., anticipated binegativity, internalized binegativity, and outness), and resilience on psychological distress. The results suggested that only anti-bisexual discrimination and internalized binegativity were positively associated with psychological distress, and that resilience was negatively associated with mental health issues. Furthermore, the results suggested that internalized binegativity mediated the relationship between anti-bisexual discrimination and mental health problems. No moderating effect of resilience was found. This is the first study to have thoroughly applied minority stress in Italian bisexual people, providing Italian clinicians and researchers with an outline of the associations between minority stress, stigma, resilience, and psychological distress within this population.

A Thematic Analysis of the Reported Effect Anxiety Has on University Students

2021 ◽  
pp. 001312452110625
Author(s):  
Jacquelyne Ladejo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Dropping Out ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Study Offer

The number of university students experiencing mental health issues in the UK is increasing and a high number of students are dropping out of university as a result. Literature highlights a lack of knowledge regarding this topic and the significance in educating society. The aim of this qualitative study was to provide further insights as to why students are experiencing anxiety and into help-seeking behavior amongst university students. A thematic analysis was used to analyze a total of 118 blog entries of students discussing the impact of university on mental health. Findings highlighted three main themes: Balancing priorities, Fear of failure, and Critical incidents. These themes are discussed in terms of possible risk factors contributing to students experiencing anxiety while at university. Findings together with recommendations listed in this study offer higher education staff and institutions the opportunity to explore areas of focus and improve university students’ mental health.

scholarly journals A longitudinal cohort study to explore the relationship between depression, anxiety and academic performance among Emirati university students

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suheir Awadalla ◽  
E. Bethan Davies ◽  
Cris Glazebrook
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
University Students ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Emotional Difficulties ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Many university students experience depression and anxiety, both of which have been shown to affect cognitive function. However, the impact of these emotional difficulties on academic performance is unclear. This study aims to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in university students in United Arab Emirates (UAE). It further seeks to explore the relationship between emotional difficulties and students’ academic performance. Methods This longitudinal study recruited 404 students (aged 17–25 years) attending one UAE university (80.4% response rate). At baseline, participants completed a paper-based survey to assess socio-economic factors and academic performance, including most recent grade point average (GPA) and attendance warnings. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales were used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms. At six-month follow-up, 134 participants (33.3%) provided details of their current GPA. Results Over a third of students (34.2%; CIs 29.7–38.9%) screened for possible major depressive disorder (MDD; PHQ-9 ≥ 10) but less than a quarter (22.3%; CIs 18.2–26.3%) screened for possible generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; GAD-7 ≥ 10). The Possible MDD group had lower GPAs (p = 0.003) at baseline and were less satisfied with their studies (p = 0.015). The MDD group also had lower GPAs at follow-up (p = 0.035). The Possible GAD group had lower GPAs at baseline (p = 0.003) but did not differ at follow-up. The relationship between GAD group and GPA was moderated by gender with female students in the Possible GAD group having lower GPAs (p < 0.001) than females in the Non-GAD group. Male students in the Possible GAD group had non-significantly higher GPA scores. Higher levels of both depression and anxiety symptoms scores were associated with lower GPAs at baseline. PHQ-9 scores, but not GAD-7 scores, independently predicted lower GPA scores at follow-up (p = 0.006). This relationship was no longer statistically significant after controlling for baseline GPA (p < 0.09). Conclusion This study confirms previous findings that around a third of university students are likely to be experiencing a depressive disorder at any one time. Furthermore, it provides important evidence regarding the negative impacts of emotional difficulties on students’ academic performance. The results support the need to consider the mental health of students who are struggling academically and highlight the importance of signposting those students to appropriate support, including evidence-based therapies.

scholarly journals Tendency to Worry and Fear of Mental Health during Italy’s COVID-19 Lockdown

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Baiano ◽  
Isa Zappullo ◽  
Massimiliano Conson ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety Sensitivity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sensitivity Index ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Trait Mindfulness ◽  
Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽  
Penn State ◽  
Mindful Attention Awareness Scale ◽  
State Worry

Background: We tested whether the tendency to worry could affect psychological responses to quarantine by capitalizing on the opportunity of having collected data before the COVID-19 outbreak on measures of worry, anxiety, and trait mindfulness in a group of university students. Methods: Twenty-five participants completed self-report measures assessing worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire, PSWQ), anxiety (Anxiety Sensitivity Index, ASI-3), and trait mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, MAAS) at T0 (pre-lockdown, 4 November 2019–17 February 2020) and T1 (at the end of lockdown, 26 April–30 April 2020). We compared assessments at the two time points in the whole sample and in high and low worriers (defined at T0 by scores on PSWQ respectively above and below 1.5 SD from mean of the Italian normative sample). Outcomes: High worriers showed at T1 a significant increase of anxiety sensitivity and fear of mental health in comparison to low worriers. Moreover, in the whole sample, at T1 trait mindfulness was inversely related to worry and fear of mental health. Interpretation: A valuable approach to support individuals experiencing anxiety related to the COVID-19 outbreak could be represented by mindfulness-based interventions improving the ability to focus attention and awareness on the present moment.

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