The Relationship Among Spirituality, Fear, and Mental Health on COVID-19 Among Adults: An Exploratory Research

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is impactful on all aspects of individuals’ lives, particularly mental health due to the fear and spirituality associated with the pandemic. Thus, purpose of this study was to identify the relationship among fear, spirituality, and mental health on COVID-19 among adults in Malaysia. This study also examines spirituality as a mediator in relationship between fear and mental health. The study involved around 280 adults in Malaysia. This research is a quantitative study. Data analysis method (SEM-PLS) has been used for data analysis. Based on descriptive analysis, mental health questionnaire indicated that 60.0% of them are at a poor level of mental health whereas 57.5% of respondents showed a moderate level of COVID-19 fear, and 60.4% of respondents owned moderate level of spiritual well-being. The results also demonstrated that respondents that have a high level of fear would have a high level of mental health; interestingly, those with a high level of spirituality will have a lower level of mental health. Findings indicated that spirituality significantly mediated the relationship between fear and mental health. This research will help to demonstrate how important spirituality values to control mental health to be more positive among adults in Malaysia. The main contributions of this study are to help come out with new intervention method for those who are mentally ill and need help.

Time trends in mental health indicators during the initial 16 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark

Background The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated national lockdowns have been linked to deteriorations in mental health worldwide. A number of studies analysed changes in mental health indicators during the pandemic; however, these studies generally had a small number of timepoints, and focused on the initial months of the pandemic. Furthermore, most studies followed-up the same individuals, resulting in significant loss to follow-up and biased estimates of mental health and its change. Here we report on time trends in key mental health indicators amongst Danish adults over the course of the pandemic (March 2020 - July 2021) focusing on subgroups defined by gender, age, and self-reported previously diagnosed chronic and/or mental illness. Methods We used time-series data collected by Epinion (N=8,261) with 43 timepoints between 20 March 2020 and 22 July 2021. Using a repeated cross-sectional study design, independent sets of individuals were asked to respond to the Copenhagen Corona-Related Mental Health questionnaire at each timepoint, and data was weighted to population proportions. The six mental health indicators examined were loneliness, anxiety, social isolation, quality of life, COVID-19-related worries, and the mental health scale. Gender, age, and the presence of previously diagnosed mental and/or chronic illness were used to stratify the population into subgroups for comparisons. Results Poorer mental health were observed during the strictest phases of the lockdowns, whereas better outcomes occurred during reopening phases. Women, young individuals (<34 yrs), and those with a mental- and/or chronic illness demonstrated poorer mean time-series than others. Those with a pre-existing mental illness further had a less reactive mental health time-series. The greatest differences between women/men and younger/older age groups were observed during the second lockdown. Conclusions People with mental illness have reported disadvantageous but stable levels of mental health indicators during the pandemic thus far, and they seem to be less affected by the factors that result in fluctuating time-series in other subgroups.

Is mental health literacy related to different types of coping? Comparing adolescents, young-adults and adults correlates

Introduction: Mental health literacy is associated with better mental health outcomes and believed to improve the way people cope with life challenges and manage mental health issues. Nevertheless, no study has yet empirically examined the relationships between mental health literacy and the use of coping strategies. Aims: This study aims to describe the levels of mental health literacy (literacy about mental illness and literacy about positive mental health) and the use of coping (coping styles) in adolescents, young-adults and adults; To explore the relationship between coping and mental health literacy in each age group; To compare if patterns of significant correlations vary across groups. Methods: This is a cross-sectional / exploratory design study. We have collected online and through paper-pencil method three developmental samples: adolescents aged between 15-18 years old (N=240), young-adults aged between 19-36 (74) and adults aged between 37-75 (N=105). Measures used were: Positive Mental Health Questionnaire PosMHLitq (Maia de Carvalho et al., in preparation) to evaluate literacy about positive mental health; the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire MHLq (Campos et al., 2016; Dias et al., 2018) and the Portuguese adaptation of the Brief Cope by Pais Ribeiro and Tavares (2004) to control coping styles. Results: Across the three developmental groups, most coping styles are associated with both literacy about mental illness and literacy about mental well-being, but with different patterns of correlation between coping/literacy about mental well-being/coping/literacy about mental illness and between groups. The Use of Emotional Support is the only coping style significantly associated with both mental health literacy about mental illness and literacy about mental well-being in adolescents, young-adults and adults. Conclusions: Future research should examine this findings with longitudinal design.

The Effects of Diverse Exercise on Cognition and Mental Health of Children Aged 5–6 Years: A Controlled Trial

The rate of learning and cognitive development is at its highest level in preschool-aged children, making this stage a critical period. Exercise has received increasing attention for its beneficial physical and mental health effects on the development of preschool children. This study investigated the effects of diverse exercise on the cognition of preschool children. Two classes were randomly selected from kindergarten classes of children aged 5–6 years, and designated as the experimental and control classes. Each class contained 20 children (10 boys and 10 girls) according to the kindergarten class system. The experimental class completed exercises according to the designed curriculum, while control class carried out exercises according to the regular teaching plan, for a study period of 12 weeks. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) and the Mental Health Questionnaire for Children were used to assess outcomes, both at the beginning and end of study. After 12 weeks, the experimental class has improved in the “Object Assembly,” “Block Design,” “Picture Completion,” and “Coding” (14.70 ± 2.14, p &lt; 0.01; 14.54 ± 1.56, p &lt; 0.01; 9.62 ± 2.06, p &lt; 0.05; 15.92 ± 2.72, p &lt; 0.05) in performance test, and showed improvements in the “Movement,” “Cognitive Ability,” “Sociality” and “Living Habits” (5.65 ± 0.59, p &lt; 0.01; 11.20 ± 1.91, p &lt; 0.05; 9.05 ± 1.72, p &lt; 0.05; 7.10 ± 1.45, p &lt; 0.05) in mental health outcomes. Diverse exercise has a significantly beneficial role in promoting the cognitive development of children aged 5–6 years, as well as a beneficial, albeit insignificant, role in their mental health.

Achievement of learning volleyballs: Correlation between mental hygiene and the level of physical fitness

Mental hygiene and physical fitness are very important concerning volleyball learning achievement. This study aims to determine volleyball learning achievement which is correlated with (mental hygiene) and level of physical fitness. This research is a type of quantitative research with a correlation approach. The population in this study was 78 students of class 1A, Department of Physical Education, Health, and Recreation, Universitas Riau. The author will use only a portion to represent the existing population. The sampling technique of this research is purposive sampling. The number of samples is 40 people. Methods of data collection uses survey methods with test and measurement techniques. The statistical analysis method used in this study is multi-correlation. It is using a regression analysis test because it analyzes the relationship of more than 2 test variables. The instrument used was a test of physical fitness, mental health questionnaire test, and the results of learning achievement scores of volleyball subject. The mental hygiene instrument has a validity level of 0.595 and a reliability level of 0.522. while physical fitness instruments are adopted of the Indonesian Physical Fitness Test. Test and measurement data were processed using the multiple regression analysis methods. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that physical fitness and mental hygiene have a significant relationship with volleyball learning achievement. These results explain the importance for educators to be able to pay attention to students to improve volleyball learning achievement through providing subject matter by paying attention to physical fitness, using group games to instill a social spirit, sportsmanship, and students' confidence.

Life course traumas, phenotypic aging, and cardiovascular disease: retrospective analysis of 104,939 UKB participants

Background: While childhood and adulthood traumatic experiences have been linked to subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD), the relationship between life course traumas and CVD and the underpinning pathways are poorly understood. This study aimed to: (1) examine the associations of childhood, adulthood, and lifetime traumas with CVD; (2) examine the associations between diverse life course traumatic profiles and CVD; and (3) examine the extent to which Phenotypic Age (PhenoAge), a well-developed phenotypic aging measure, mediates these associations. Methods: We included 104,939 participants from the UK Biobank who completed the 2016 online mental health questionnaire. CVD outcomes including ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke were ascertained. Childhood, adulthood, and lifetime traumas were categorized into three subgroups (mild, moderate, and severe), respectively. Four life course traumatic profiles were defined as non-severe traumas across life course, non-severe childhood and severe adulthood traumas, severe childhood and non-severe adulthood traumas, and severe traumas across life course based on both childhood and adulthood traumas. PhenoAge was measured using an equation previously developed. Multivariable logistic models and formal mediation analyses were performed. Results: Of 104,939 participants, 7,398 (7.0%) were diagnosed with CVD. Subgroups of childhood, adulthood, and lifetime traumas were associated with CVD, respectively. Furthermore, life course traumatic profiles were significantly associated with CVD. For instance, compared with subgroups experiencing non-severe traumas across life course, those who experienced non-severe childhood and severe adulthood traumas, severe childhood and non-severe adulthood traumas, and severe traumas across life course had higher odd of CVD, with odds ratios of 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00, 1.15), 1.17 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.25), and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.24, 1.43), respectively. Formal mediation analyses suggested that PhenoAge partially mediated the above associations. For instance, PhenoAge mediated 5.8% of increased CVD events in subgroups who experienced severe childhood traumas, relative to those experiencing mild childhood traumas. Conclusions: Childhood, adulthood, and lifetime traumas, as well as diverse life course traumatic profiles, were associated with CVD. Furthermore, phenotypic aging partially mediated these associations. These findings suggest a potential pathway from life course traumas to CVD through phenotypic aging, and underscore the importance of policy programs targeting traumatic events over the life course in ameliorating inequalities in cardiovascular health.

Mental Health Provision in UK Secondary Schools

Research reports high levels of mental health problems faced by young people in the UK. Schools provide a range of mental health support services, although these are often not robustly evaluated. This paper aims to explore the mental health provision of secondary schools across two large regions in the North of England and provide comparisons to the mental health questionnaire scores of their pupils. Results are part of a wider study providing an overview of the mental health of secondary school pupils. Measures include the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, distributed to year 8, 9, and 11 pupils attending secondary schools and a bespoke mental health service provision questionnaire for school staff at the same schools. A total of 6328 pupil questionnaires and 36 staff questionnaires were returned from 21 schools. Results showed a non-significant correlation between provision and young people’s mental health scores and highlight a range of factors to take into consideration. There is a need to improve the evaluation and recording of school-based mental health provision. Mental health difficulties in young people are prevalent in schools. Future research is needed to elucidate which types of services are most helpful in preventing, supporting, and signposting those with mental health problems.

Comparison of Mental Health, Stress and Coping Methods in Mothers of Children with/without Autism in Ahvaz

Background: The existence of an autistic child causes much mental burden and concern for parents and disrupts their normal functioning in both home and society. Objectives: The present study seeks to compare mental health, stress, and coping styles in mothers of children with/without autism in Ahvaz. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 120 samples of all mothers of children with/without autism in Ahvaz. Actually, from the statistical population of the study, 120 (60 mothers with autistic children and 60 mothers with normal children) were selected using the convenience sampling method. After explaining the objectives of the research to the participants and obtaining a consent form, the questionnaire was answered by them. Stress Questionnaire, Mental Health Questionnaire, and Coping Strategies Questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were analyzed both descriptively and inferentially (MANOVA and ANOVA) using the SPSS version 21. Results: The results indicate a significant difference between mental health (F = 342.14, P < 0.001), stress (F = 10.71, P < 0.001), and coping styles (F = 156, P < 0.001) regarding the mothers of autistic/non-autistic children. There is also a significant difference between the avoidance coping strategies (F = 143.12, P < 0.001) used by mothers of children with/without autism in Ahvaz. Conclusions: As the results showed, mothers of normal children were significantly different from mothers of autistic children in using avoidance-oriented coping styles. We can use the findings of this study in clinical situations in order to help mothers with autistic children to reduce their stress, so they can control their lives better with less stress, and this way, the quality of their lives will be higher.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Mental Health Questionnaire (CoPaQ): psychometric evaluation and compliance with countermeasures in psychiatric inpatients and non-clinical individuals

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted people’s lives across a broad spectrum of psychosocial domains. We report the development and psychometric evaluation of the self-report COVID-19 Pandemic Mental Health Questionnaire (CoPaQ), which assesses COVID-19 contamination anxiety, countermeasure necessity and compliance, mental health impact, stressor impact, social media usage, interpersonal conflicts, paranoid ideations, institutional & political trust, conspiracy beliefs, and social cohesion. Further, we illustrate the questionnaire’s utility in an applied example investigating if higher SARS-Cov-2 infection rates in psychiatric patients could be explained by reduced compliance with preventive countermeasures. Methods A group of 511 non-clinical individuals completed an initial pool of 111 CoPaQ items (Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/3evn9/) and additional scales measuring psychological distress, well-being, and paranoia to assess construct validity and lifetime mental health diagnosis for criterion validity. Factor structure was determined by exploratory factor analyses and validated by conducting confirmatory factor analysis in the accompanying longitudinal sample (n = 318) and an independent psychiatric inpatient sample primarily admitted for major depressive-, substance abuse-, personality-, and anxiety disorders (n = 113). Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s Alpha and McDonald’s Omega. For the applied research example, Welch t-tests and correlational analyses were conducted. Results Twelve out of 16 extracted subscales were retained in the final questionnaire version, which provided preliminary evidence for adequate psychometric properties in terms of factor structure, internal consistency, and construct and criterion validity. Our applied research example showed that patients exhibited greater support for COVID-19 countermeasures than non-clinical individuals. However, this requires replication in future studies. Conclusions We demonstrate that the CoPaQ is a comprehensive and valid measure of the psychosocial impact of the pandemic and could allow to a degree to disentangle the complex psychosocial phenomena of the pandemic as exemplified by our applied analyses.

Exploring the genetic heterogeneity in major depression across diagnostic criteria

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is defined differently across genetic research studies and this may be a key source of heterogeneity. While previous literature highlights differences between minimal and strict phenotypes, the components contributing to this heterogeneity have not been identified. Using the cardinal symptoms (depressed mood/anhedonia) as a baseline, we build MDD phenotypes using five components—(1) five or more symptoms, (2) episode duration, (3) functional impairment, (4) episode persistence, and (5) episode recurrence—to determine the contributors to such heterogeneity. Thirty-two depression phenotypes which systematically incorporate different combinations of MDD components were created using the mental health questionnaire data within the UK Biobank. SNP-based heritabilities and genetic correlations with three previously defined major depression phenotypes were calculated (Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) defined depression, 23andMe self-reported depression and broad depression) and differences between estimates analysed. All phenotypes were heritable (h2SNP range: 0.102–0.162) and showed substantial genetic correlations with other major depression phenotypes (Rg range: 0.651–0.895 (PGC); 0.652–0.837 (23andMe); 0.699–0.900 (broad depression)). The strongest effect on SNP-based heritability was from the requirement for five or more symptoms (1.4% average increase) and for a long episode duration (2.7% average decrease). No significant differences were noted between genetic correlations. While there is some variation, the two cardinal symptoms largely reflect the genetic aetiology of phenotypes incorporating more MDD components. These components may index severity, however, their impact on heterogeneity in genetic results is likely to be limited.