Mental health and COVID-19 pandemic: The literature review

Mental health (MH) and illness reflect bio-psycho-social balance/imbalance and extend into multidimensional space. In the current pandemic, the entire area of MH/illness is at increased risk of contamination not only by infection, but also by numerous other aspects of this complex public health crisis. There are at least three mechanisms by which the COVID-19 pandemic can create new-onset mental conditions: 1) Psychological factor - increased degree of emotional suffering after extremely severe traumatic events or long-term life-threatening exposures; 2) Social factor - risks related to interaction with the environment: a) emotional deprivation; b) cognitive disintegration related to infodemia and c) existential, primarily economic fears that destabilize relationships (within the family and beyond); and 3) Biological factor - neuropsychiatric effects of the virus itself. In addition to the new-onset conditions, the pandemic also has an impact on people who already have a history of mental disorders. This review paper will present the most important information from relevant sources related to mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic related to the first year of exposure. Emphasis will be on research that has attracted attention with sample size and representativeness, as well as a reliable methodology, with the aim of not losing sight of the heterogeneity of the pandemic effects on mental health.

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Mental health crisis in midlife – a proposed research agenda

Research Ideas and Outcomes ◽

10.3897/rio.7.e62024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Dawid Gondek ◽

Bettina Moltrecht ◽

George Ploubidis

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Statistical Modelling ◽

Well Being ◽

Mental Health Crisis ◽

Birth Cohorts ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Increased Risk

There is a growing amount of evidence indicating increased levels of psychological distress, suicide rates and decreased well-being in midlife (age 45-55). We refer to this phenomenon as the ‘midlife mental health crisis’. As there is little empirical evidence or theoretical grounds to explain the midlife mental health crisis, we propose a research agenda. In order to facilitate further research, we consulted members of public, mental health professionals and researchers on potential reasons for the midlife mental health crisis. Subsequently, we translated those into research questions testable with the British birth cohorts. We propose a series of studies using three statistical modelling approaches: descriptive (what is the midlife mental health crisis?), predictive (who is at increased risk of experiencing the midlife mental health crisis?) and explanatory (what are the processes leading to the midlife mental health crisis?).

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Mental health crisis in midlife – a proposed research agenda

Research Ideas and Outcomes ◽

10.3897/rio.7.e66204 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Dawid Gondek ◽

Bettina Moltrecht ◽

George Ploubidis

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Statistical Modelling ◽

Well Being ◽

Mental Health Crisis ◽

Birth Cohorts ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Increased Risk

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Deterioration of mental health despite successful control of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea

10.31234/osf.io/s7qj8 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hyeon-seung Lee ◽

Derek Dean ◽

Tatiana Baxter ◽

Taylor Griffith ◽

Sohee Park

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Network ◽

South Korea ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Crisis ◽

Psychological Outcome ◽

Psychological Burden ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Psychosis Risk

South Korea was able to successfully control the spread of COVID-19 without nationwide lockdowns or drastic social distancing efforts, but pandemic-related psychological outcome of the general population remains unknown. We aimed to document the mental health outcome in relation to social factors during the pandemic. Between March and June 2020, 400 South Korean residents participated in an online study of depression, anxiety, stress, psychosis-risk and loneliness, as well as indices of social network, physical health and demographics. Clinical levels of depression, anxiety or stress were reported by 45% of the respondents, and psychosis-risk was present in 12.8%; a drastic increase above the base rate prior to the pandemic. Subjective feelings of loneliness, but not the size of the social network accounted for poor mental health. Women were especially at increased risk for mental health problems. Thus, despite effective mitigation of the pandemic, there was a striking deterioration of mental health. As the psychological burden of the continuing pandemic accrues, the probability of an impending mental health crisis is increasing, especially in countries with greater infection and death rates than South Korea. Comprehensive efforts to address the psychological aftermath of the pandemic are urgently needed.

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The mental state of Americans amid the COVID-19 crisis: How socially vulnerable populations face greater disparities during and after a crisis

Journal of Emergency Management ◽

10.5055/jem.0605 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (9) ◽

pp. 69-80

Author(s):

Elisabeth Dubois, MBA ◽

Xiaojun (Jenny) Yuan, PhD

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

Vulnerable Populations ◽

Mental Health Crisis ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Frontline Workers ◽

Emergency Managers ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Mental Health Challenges

The coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) public health crisis has accentuated divides and caused millions of Americans to suffer from increased mental health challenges. Although these challenges are seen throughout the country, socially vulnerable populations including frontline workers, older adults, and children, among others, face increased risk of mental health issues. There has been a notable mental health crisis in the country due to the isolation, stay-at-home orders, and preventive measures put in place to curb the spread. This study investigates the mental health challenges that socially vulnerable populations often face during crises and presents the factors affecting these populations during (and following) the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on an analysis of these factors, several recommendations are made to aid emergency managers, public health officials, policymakers, and academics in better addressing mental health challenges as we continue to battle COVID-19 and in preparation for future public health crises.

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The psychological and emotional impact of coronavirus disease on COVID-19 patients in Najran Province, Saudi Arabia: An exploratory study

Journal of Public Health Research ◽

10.4081/jphr.2021.2343 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Eisa Yazeed Ghazwani ◽

Mohammed Saeed Z Alayed ◽

Awad Mohammed Al-Qahtani ◽

Yahya Hussein Ahmed Abdulla ◽

Mohammed Ansar Qureshi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Emotional Impact ◽

Mental Health Crisis ◽

Financial Loss ◽

Chi Square ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Increased Risk

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic contributes to a significant mental health crisis. This pandemic caused a widening economic crisis, growing financial loss, and numerous uncertainties. This pandemic brought alarming implications and overall increased risk for psychiatric illness. This study explores the psychological impact experienced by patients who tested positive from coronavirus disease in the Najran region, Saudi Arabia.Design and Methods: This exploratory analysis included 210 COVID-19 positive patients. The study was conducted during a six month period starting from March to September 2020, in two tertiary government hospitals in Najran, Saudi Arabia. Samples were selected using purposive sampling. The researches utilized survey questionnaire and face-to-face interview to collect the data. The statistical data were calculated using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 2.0 to compute the following statistical formulas: percentage distribution, mean, standard deviation, and Chi-square test of independence.Results: The findings of this study revealed that the majority of COVID-19 positive patients were middle-aged adults (n=98 or 46.7%), male (n=178 or 84.8%), and were non-Saudi nationals (n=132 or 62.9%). It was found out that COVID-19 patients experienced bothersome behaviour at a very high level (x̅=2.63 ± 0.6734). Meanwhile, depression (x̅=2.51 ± 0.7070), worry (x̅=2.23 ± 0.8811), and anxiety (x̅=2.21 ± 0.8719) was only at a high level.Conclusions: The study findings revealed that the majority of participants had high levels of depression, anxiety and bothersome behaviours. However, demographic characteristics like age, sex, and nationality were not significantly related to coronavirus patients' psychological health problems during the pandemic. Assessment and interventions for psychosocial concerns, integration of mental health considerations, consultation with specialists, and treatment for severe psychosocial consequences must be administered in COVID-19 care facilities.

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