Associations between COVID-19 mobility restrictions and economic, mental health, and suicide-related concerns in the US using cellular phone GPS and Google search volume data

During the COVID-19 pandemic, US populations have experienced elevated rates of financial and psychological distress that could lead to increases in suicide rates. Rapid ongoing mental health monitoring is critical for early intervention, especially in regions most affected by the pandemic, yet traditional surveillance data are available only after long lags. Novel information on real-time population isolation and concerns stemming from the pandemic’s social and economic impacts, via cellular mobility tracking and online search data, are potentially important interim surveillance resources. Using these measures, we employed transfer function model time-series analyses to estimate associations between daily mobility indicators (proportion of cellular devices completely at home and time spent at home) and Google Health Trends search volumes for terms pertaining to economic stress, mental health, and suicide during 2020 and 2021 both nationally and in New York City. During the first pandemic wave in early-spring 2020, over 50% of devices remained completely at home and searches for economic stressors exceeded 60,000 per 10 million. We found large concurrent associations across analyses between declining mobility and increasing searches for economic stressor terms (national proportion of devices at home: cross-correlation coefficient (CC) = 0.6 (p-value <0.001)). Nationally, we also found strong associations between declining mobility and increasing mental health and suicide-related searches (time at home: mood/anxiety CC = 0.53 (<0.001), social stressor CC = 0.51 (<0.001), suicide seeking CC = 0.37 (0.006)). Our findings suggest that pandemic-related isolation coincided with acute economic distress and may be a risk factor for poor mental health and suicidal behavior. These emergent relationships warrant ongoing attention and causal assessment given the potential for long-term psychological impact and suicide death. As US populations continue to face stress, Google search data can be used to identify possible warning signs from real-time changes in distributions of population thought patterns.

Religion vs ethics: hedge and safe haven properties of Sukuk and green bonds for stock markets pre- and during COVID-19

Purpose This study aims to examine the hedge and safe-haven properties of the Sukuk and green bond for the stock markets pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Design/methodology/approach To test the hedge and safe-haven characteristics of Sukuk and green bonds for stock markets, the study first uses the methodology proposed by Ratner and Chiu (2013). Next, the authors estimate the hedge ratios and hedge effectiveness of using Sukuk and green bonds in a portfolio with stock markets. Findings Strong safe-haven features of ethical (green) bonds reveal that adding green bonds into the investment portfolios brings considerable diversification avenues for the investors who tend to take fewer risks in periods of economic stress and turbulence. The hedge ratio and hedge effectiveness estimates reveal that green bonds provide sufficient evidence of the hedge effectiveness for various international stocks. Practical implications The study has significant implications for faith-based investors, ethical investors, policymakers and regulatory bodies. Religious investors can invest in Sukuk to relish low-risk and interest-free investments, whereas green investors can satisfy their socially responsible motives by investing in these investment streams. Policymakers can direct the businesses to include these diversifiers for portfolio and risk management. Originality/value The study provides novel insights in the testing hedge and safe-haven attributes of green bonds and Sukuk while using unique methodologies to identify multiple low-risk investors for investors following the uncertain COVID-19 pandemic.

Gender Inequality and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: We explore gender differences in mental health deterioration and psychological well-being due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the mechanisms through which these differences may operate.Methods: Using data from the Life during Pandemic survey in Chile, which covers 2,545 adult respondents, we estimate econometric models to explore gender differences in psychological well-being and mental health as well as economic fragility and household workload during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: We find women are more likely to report overall bad mental health and deterioration of well-being. They are also more likely to have a new diagnosis of a mental health problem, to be pursuing treatment and taking prescription medication. Moreover, women report an increase in household chores and in childcare, and are more likely to have lost their employment or experienced a loss of income due to the pandemic.Conclusion: Our results offer a general picture of gender differences in the psychological impact of COVID-19. We argue that policies that mitigate economic stress and address the needs of women specifically may ease mental health deterioration due to the pandemic.

Experiences of increased food insecurity, economic, and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among SNAP-enrolled food pantry clients

ABSTRACT Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic initially doubled the rates of food insecurity across the United States, and tripled rates among households with children. Despite the association among food insecurity, chronic disease and psychological distress, narratives depicting the experiences of already-food insecure populations are notably underrepresented in the literature. This study assessed the impact of COVID-19 on clients of a food pantry who were also enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Design: A qualitative study probing the effects of the pandemic on daily living, food needs, food buying, and food insecurity. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a combined deductive and inductive approach. Setting: Interviews were conducted via telephone between May-June of 2020. Participants: Equal numbers of English- and Spanish-speaking clients (n=40 total). Results: Three main findings emerged: (1) The pandemic increased economic distress, such as from job loss or increased utility bills due to sustained home occupancy; (2) The pandemic increased food needs, food prices and food shortages. In combination with economic stressors, this led to greater food insecurity; (3) Increased economic stress and food insecurity contributed to increased psychological stress, such as from fear of infection, isolation, and children being confined at home. Conclusions: Despite federal legislation and state and local programs to alleviate food insecurity, COVID-19 exacerbated economic hardship, food insecurity, and psychological distress among urban SNAP and food pantry clients. Additional research is needed to identify the most effective policies and programs to ameliorate the short- and long-term health and economic inequities exacerbated by the pandemic.

Making and Trading Dress and Décor in Seventeenth-century Scotland

In seventeenth-century Scotland textiles were made in most districts and marketed widely at home and overseas. Woollens and linens, yarn, cloth, bonnets and stockings, with clear regional specialisations, were manufactured, but they were all of low cost and quality. Comparative advantage came from low rural wages. The wide distribution and character of textile production in the seventeenth century proved of great importance for post-Union success. Among imports the variety and social spread of luxury widened and deepened, though demand was restricted to the upper classes and the middling orders in Edinburgh and other large burghs. The seventeenth century, especially the second half, was a time of widening consumption of exotic articles such as tobacco, sugar and coffee among consumables, Asian silks and cottons (and their imitations) as articles of dress, and wall-hangings and pictures as décor. The social anxiety and economic stress this engendered gave rise to sumptuary laws like that of 1681. These had limited impact, though imports remained sensitive to tariffs. The letters of Andrew Russell, a merchant resident in Rotterdam between 1668 and 1697, demonstrate how this trade was carried out in both directions, and how the market responded to governmental attempts at control.

Social capital in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases among migrants and refugees: a systematic review and meta-ethnography

Globally, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) falls disproportionately on underserved populations. Migrants and refugees are particularly vulnerable due to economic instability and systemic poverty. Despite the myriad of health risks faced by migrants and refugees, access to appropriate healthcare is hindered by structural, cultural and socioeconomic barriers. We conducted a systematic review and meta-ethnography to obtain critical insight into how the interplay of social capital and structural factors (eg, state policies and socioeconomic disadvantage) influences the prevention and treatment of NCDs in migrant and refugee populations. We included 26 studies of 14 794 identified articles, which reported qualitative findings on the structure and functions of social capital in NCD prevention and management among migrants and refugees. We synthesised findings, using the process outlined by Noblit and Hare, which indicated that migrants and refugees experienced weakened social networks in postmigration settings. They faced multiple barriers in healthcare access and difficulty navigating healthcare systems perceived as complex. Family as the core of social capital appeared of mixed value in their NCD prevention and management, interacting with cultural dissonance and economic stress. Community organisations were integral in brokering healthcare access, especially for information diffusion and logistics. Healthcare providers, especially general practitioners, were important bridges providing service-user education and ensuring a full continuum of quality care. While social capital reduced immediate barriers in healthcare access for NCD prevention and management, it was insufficient to address structural barriers. System-level interventions appear necessary to achieve equitable healthcare access in host countries. PROSPERO registration number: CCRD42020167846.

Personality and Socioeconomic Predictors of Midlife Cognitive Functioning in Mexican-Origin Adults

The present study aims to identify personality and socioeconomic (e.g., education, per capita income, economic stress) factors that contribute to midlife cognitive functioning across middle adulthood. Specifically, we examined how the growth trajectories of personality and socioeconomic factors across 12 years predict subsequent cognitive functioning, using data from a large sample of Mexican-origin adults (N=1,110; median age at Time 1=37 years, age range at Time 1=26-65). Personality was assessed using the Big Five Inventory, which assesses the Big Five domains as well as specific facets of each domain; economic stress was assessed using measures of negative economic events (e.g., job loss) and economic hardship (e.g., difficulty paying bills). Cognitive functioning was assessed using the NIH Cognitive Toolbox with measures of memory, language, and executive function. Findings from this work will help identify intervention targets for promoting healthy cognitive aging in midlife and beyond in Mexican-origin adults.

Analysing Mental Health Problems of Adults During COVID Using a MIMIC Model: Evidence from Indian Metropolitan Cities

Given reduced social interactions and economic distress, mental health has emerged as an important concern during COVID-19. This study estimates the prevalence of mental health problems during the first wave of COVID and identifies its determinants among the general population of Indian metropolitan cities.The study uses a Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes model to measure depression, anxiety and stress using observed indicators of these latent constructs, and to identify the socio-economic groups at risk of these disorders. The data was collected from 1,275 adults randomly selected from the list of mobile phone users in Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Hyderabad. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale was administered to the study participants.About 46, 24 and 48 percent of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress, respectively. Single respondents, members of minority groups, less educated and those belonging to large households are identified to be at-risk. Results also indicate a positive relationship between economic stress and mental illness.Although COVID has increased the psychological burden of the population, all persons reporting psychological disorders may not require clinical attention. While community-based support may be sufficient in general, monitoring is required to identify at risk persons who may require clinical support.

Economic stress of people 50 + in European countries in the Covid-19 pandemic–do country policies matter?

The Covid-19 pandemic caused lockdown of economies, which in turn led to the worsening of the economic situation of many households. During the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic governments undertook various measures to support economies and societies, including jobs protection along with financial support provision to people who suffered financial loss during the economic crisis. We analyse the economic situation of older Europeans, depending on their socio-economic status as well as country of residence characteristics, including economic and labour market changes during the first phase of the pandemic, the strictness of government policies but also the country development level using the Human Development Index. We use the results of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), including the SHARE Corona Telephone Survey, which was conducted during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our results indicate that individual characteristics have a higher impact on individual economic stress, compared to country characteristics. However, country’s response to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, but also the overall level of development influences the economic situation and ability to cope with the economic risks people aged 50 and over face. People in more developed countries have smaller difficulties in making ends meet, while the economic crisis and more stringent policies reduce chances to receive financial support and increase economic risks.